gift of heaven

in the distance the sky darkens
and the leaves show off their undersides.
a breeze whispers the song of rain
through the still, humid air.
the earth waits, while pleading silently
for this drink of heaven.

without warning- the sky explodes
and the firmament divides.
droplets of beauty sever the endless backdrop of gray.

no longer in the distance,
the storm envelopes me and i am filled with joy.
i lift my arms to receive the beauty
and lightning stretches its fingers
to the far corners of the land.
thunder groans its way throughout the sky
but the rain falls gently.

although darkness encircles me
and gloom is knocking at the door of my heart,
i am happy.

raindrops pelt my face and cover my body
renewing my spirits
i lift my face to the rain, the thunder, the lightning
and i am not afraid.

the dust beneath my feet turns to mud
and it oozes between my toes.
emotionally, i melt into the earth.
i am at one with her
and the comforting arms of the rain surround me.

and as i am cleansed
the earth also is made new
by this gift of heaven.