Petrichor

With fertile soil, she's

agriculturally divine;

almonds, oranges, wine.

--

Tragedy transpires

from drought-bred forest fires;

claiming homes and lives.

--

Air becomes desired -

smokey winds aroar in choirs;

then Petrichor; the

---

Rain Goddess returns.

Atmospheric rivers pour;

bittersweet for Earth.

--

Gina C. 🧚‍♀️✨

Please allow for the variations in syllable counts between "fire", "transpire", "desired", "choir", and "oranges" to be as diverse as the four elements. Everything fits the 5-7-5 rule based on my own, California pronunciation. ☺️

Author's Note: I wrote this Quadru-haiku as a tribute to my beautiful home state, California. Many may not know that California is full of more than just stereotypical, sunshiny, happy-go-lucky coastal beaches. The golden state is also comprised of a diverse topography that ranges from snow-capped mountains, to dry, arid deserts - to flat, fertile valleys.

California abundantly grows more than 400 combined fruits, nuts, and vegetables, and has been the nation's highest producer of agriculture for more than 100 years. In addition - according to the Cal Poly College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences - "California is the only state in the U.S. to export the following commodities: almonds, artichokes, dates, dried plums, figs, garlic, kiwifruit, olives, pistachios, raisins, and walnuts." (California Polytechnic State University, 2023).

Despite its astounding agricultural fertility, California has - due to climate change - unfortunately been suffering a drought for the better part of 20 years. The lack of rain in the winter has continuously caused what is now infamously known as "California Fire Season", which emerges in July and lasts until late October. During Fire Season, the Earth and grass - completely stripped of moisture after the hot summer months - are especially prone to flame.

However, the beginning of 2023 has met California with a phenomenal (albeit frightening) atmospheric river. This enormous, air-born body of water is currently swirling above the state in the form of multiple cyclone bombs; throwing downpours upon our dry, thirsty soil.

The return of the rain is bittersweet. While it will hopefully end our multiple decade-long drought, the influx of water is too much for our infiltration systems to handle at once and is therefore causing floods, damage to thousands of homes, and, in the worst cases - loss of life.

Water should never be underestimated.

Petrichor (/ˈpetrīˌkôr/) is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "a pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather."

***

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