Sudden Thunder

In the August summer, sudden thunder is ready,

Ready and furtive, quitting its vast hiding place of sky

To roll suddenly into my afternoon,

Rolling and clapping, stomping and breaking,

Bursts of sound born suddenly out of the August air.

I do not fear this sudden thunder.

I welcome it and its sister lightning,

Coming as they do to give form to my afternoon.

I do not fear them because I know them:

They are passing, they will go,

Leaving me refreshed and sobered.

--August 9, 2013