Nature's Game

Setting off on that woodland hike
bruised clouds sailed overhead
though blue sky and sun had
briefly made an entry sending
us off with warmth at our backs
and a breeze to speed us on. The
day's endless rain events sent
showers sprinkling on our heads
from the saturated canopy
but we were secure in the prudence
of our decision to take along
raincoats for two little dogs
and folding umbrellas for us.
As the filtered light in the forest
grew progressively dimmer
the approaching warning of
thunder threatened, then the
drumming of rain on the foliage.
Sheltered under overhanging
limbs, we unfurled our raingear
then waited and watched rivulets
appear on the forest floor and 
puddles patterned by the fall
of heavy fat raindrops. Branches
drooped under the weight of the
storm while the sodden atmosphere
and dim light dramatically
heightened the storm's presence.
A living, very personal introduction
to nature's polarizing events
interspersing pleasantries of
gentle summer breezes and blue
skies convincingly arguing clearing.