Lightning in Rain

Lightning in Rain

The storm arrives with no apology,

splitting the sky in reckless fire.

Rain slams down in frantic rhythm,

drumming rooftops, flooding gutters,

and lightning writes broken sentences

across the clouds for anyone bold enough to read.

I stand beneath the roar,

feeling alive in the shock of it all,

as though the storm is a mirror

for every loud and restless thought I ever held.

There is danger in this beauty,

but beauty all the same,

a symphony of water and flame

arguing across heaven’s stage.

Then, calm.

The clouds drift like tired beasts,

the ground breathes steam,

and puddles hold trembling pieces of sky.

I smile at the madness of it,

the foolish, fearless power of nature,

and I feel cleansed,

as if the rain washed something from me too.