Anticipation

© By Kathy Armijo

The evening began with clouds looming on the horizon

Our picnic dinner was a culinary family collaboration

An expectation of breath-taking fireworks filled the air

Conversation was light-hearted

Suddenly, the wind began to swirl

It was reminiscent of the opening of the Wizard of Oz

Lightening began to crackle

Counting seconds between lightening and thunder

We judged it about three miles away

Not a problem, we knew the wind would

Drive the rain in a direction away from us

After all, the reason for the celebration … fireworks

Suddenly, the wind speed around us increased

An occasional drop of rain was felt

Quickly, it was torrential

Within forty-five minutes the earth

Became six inches of clay

Weather forecast was 1 ½” of rain per hour

Would the rain cease in time for the fireworks

The crowd began to thin

Yet, the pyrotechnic crew never doubted the show’s fate

The scheduled time for the show to begin came and went

Minutes ticked by

The rain softened to a light sprinkle

A test shell was fired

With green and red filling the sky

Followed by an incredible lightening display – competition, we joked

Then, gloriously, fireworks began to fill the night’s sky

Spectator car horns joined in the celebration

The show ended with a rousing finale, joined by cars honking

The rain recovered from its brief respite

Quickly beginning to fall with renewed vigor

Followed by exuberating feelings and ….

How do we get out of nature’s mud bog???