Summer Rainburst

Hot, humid and close enough to
challenge comfort the ambient air,
the relentless burning sun and an
overheated atmosphere bake the
environment into a lethargic
submission leaving garden plants
gasping and shrivelled. Flies seek
escape by veering impulsively
through swiftly closing doors. A
robin perched high on a parched
tree limb warbles hope for respite
and nature responds, her messenger's
bass voice of thunder and dark clouds
sweeping the heat of the day toward
resolve. Dogs pick up their ears
and nervously move toward shelter
as large drops of serious rain ping
off garden gazebo roofs in a
sudden urgent downpour
wickedly slanting alongside a
sudden stirring wind drenching all
as between ferocious spurts of rain
the sun peers mockingly through gaps
in sodden, dark-streaked clouds.