Each day I look at the lawn and it gets drier and drier. In spite of the periodic showers we have been receiving, the yards in our neighborhood seem to become more parched. Of course, there seems to be a bumper crop of dandelions around this year as they seem to thrive in times of dryness. Strangely enough, in our neighborhood of sand and clay subsoil, none of the neighbors have yet started watering obsessively.
Every day another routine takes place as well. As dark clouds roll in from the north or west, Bill secretly wishes for a thunderstorm. A true lover of this wonder of nature, he has been severely disappointed by our rather anemic one or two claps of thunder and perhaps one flash of lightning during this spring season. A few years ago, I penned the following poem to commemorate Bill's love of thunderstorms.
Every day another routine takes place as well. As dark clouds roll in from the north or west, Bill secretly wishes for a thunderstorm. A true lover of this wonder of nature, he has been severely disappointed by our rather anemic one or two claps of thunder and perhaps one flash of lightning during this spring season. A few years ago, I penned the following poem to commemorate Bill's love of thunderstorms.
THUNDERSTORM
~ May 20, 2004 ~
Lightning flashes and thunder claps;
Skies turn shades of yellow and hues of green;
Winds rage and all of nature cowers -
The thunderstorm draws closer.
Rain begins to fall and lakes and rivers form
Where once there was dry land.
Trees bow before nature’s fury;
Sheets of water pummel the earth.
Now the sky is black as midnight –
It is mid-morning or late afternoon.
Pinging sounds are heard on roofs and windows;
Hail adds a new dimension to the storm.
Captivated by nature’s eruptive forces,
Staring through the panes of glass,
He is amazed by the spectacular display –
Such power unleashed for all to see.
Sounds of thunder fade into the distance;
Pouring rain slows to a drizzle;
Shimmers of light appear on the horizon;
Birds chirp and squirrels scamper.
Storm clouds vanish and blue skies appear.
Rays of sunshine dry the urban landscape.
Steam rises from once cold pools of water.
Brilliant rainbow colors mix with azure.
The life of a thunderstorm!
Lightning flashes and thunder claps;
Skies turn shades of yellow and hues of green;
Winds rage and all of nature cowers -
The thunderstorm draws closer.
Rain begins to fall and lakes and rivers form
Where once there was dry land.
Trees bow before nature’s fury;
Sheets of water pummel the earth.
Now the sky is black as midnight –
It is mid-morning or late afternoon.
Pinging sounds are heard on roofs and windows;
Hail adds a new dimension to the storm.
Captivated by nature’s eruptive forces,
Staring through the panes of glass,
He is amazed by the spectacular display –
Such power unleashed for all to see.
Sounds of thunder fade into the distance;
Pouring rain slows to a drizzle;
Shimmers of light appear on the horizon;
Birds chirp and squirrels scamper.
Storm clouds vanish and blue skies appear.
Rays of sunshine dry the urban landscape.
Steam rises from once cold pools of water.
Brilliant rainbow colors mix with azure.
The life of a thunderstorm!
The Old Testament prophet, Zechariah, reminds us of the source of the springtime rains and thunderstorms. "Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men and plants of the field to everyone." [Zechariah 10:1 NIV] It is the same God who brings the spring storms in nature, with the thunder and lightning to accompany them, that also offers us refuge from the storms of life. "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." [Psalm 46:1]
Whether there is a thunderstorm raging or a drought blazing, "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." [Psalm 118:1]
~ DB Turnmire
I, too, love thunderstorms. I think they are so beautiful, powerful, and amazing.
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