VAN DOREN, Mark


After Long Drought -

After long drought, commotion in the sky;

After dead silence, thunder. Then it comes,

The rain. It slashes leaves, and doubly drums

On tin and shingle; beats and bends awry

The flower heads; puddles dust, and with a sigh

Like love sinks into grasses, where it hums

As bees did once, among chrysanthemums

And asters when the summer thought to die.

The whole world dreamed of this, and has it now.

Nor was the waking easy. The dull root

Is jealous of its death; the sleepy brow

Smiles in its slumber; and a heart can fear

The very flood it longed for, roaring near.

The spirit best remembers being mute.