-- An After-Rain Song --

By John Herlihy

Rich, aromatic scents of wet earth

Rain-sweetened grass smelling of seed

A silent mist spumed thru quiet trees

The sky washed and scrubbed clean

Random clouds as linens scattered from a line

A flight of birds come out of hiding in unison

Various leaves, torn from tree limbs, falling

Landing finally like incoming birds, homebound

A meadowlark trilling a happy, after-rain song

Attended by the gentle caress of rain-cooled wind

Raindrops sparkle as diamonds in the sunlight

The final drops of after-rain fall from the trees

The sawing voices of grass crickets rose in chorus

Brook waters sliding smoothly over sleeping stones

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Sunday 20 August 2023