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Deana LaFauci Summer RenewalEarly in the morning, the earth in partial darkness
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A dull gray lawn chair sits below a great oak tree As the sun peeks over the horizon, its rays spill across the ground The yellow-brown grass, parched from thirst, is partially cloaked in the light from the sun Soon the sun’s rays reach the lawn chair, but the great oak’s branches dapple it in the shade, hiding it from the summer sun’s blazing rays Ants scurry across the arms of the chair, quickly gathering bits of crumbs, residue from a summer night’s barbeque, the final moments of the cool morning The morning lazily passes, the sun climbs higher, its rays intensify with each passing moment The ground cracks, flowers wilt, hot bodies swelter Noon approaches, the hot sun bears down, harshly driving away life The sky is empty and the land barren Every tree branch is oddly still The air hangs heavily, too hot to move or breathe The day becomes dryer yet Even the ants seem to have gone The day passes lethargically by, no movement anywhere is seen Buzzing from the trees is the only sound heard Relief appears over the horizon A once bright blue sky is masked with gray Treetops begin to stir, slowly at first, then faster The earth’s harsh summer atmosphere relents, light moisture can be felt in the air Wildlife senses the shift Movement reappears in the trees, in the bushes and in the sky Birds return, squirrels appear, ants find their way out of their tiny mounds Staring up at the sky, The last patches of blue are soon covered by gray and fierce clouds The sounds of renewal are a prelude to the cleansing rainfall Wind rustles the branches of the great oak and rain patters on its glossy leaves The sound of life being watered and restored A rumbling roll of thunder announces the purging rain, washing away all anguish for the scorching summer heat Steam rises from the scorched pavement, the smell of rejuvenation fills the air The dull gray lawn chair is no longer dull, or gray Summer rain washed away the dirt and dust, revealing a startling white against an already greener lawn The summer rain served as a breath of life, Reviving life once again And instilling a wondrous feeling of serenity |
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