Mark Scrivener Poetry Blog No 63 After the Rain

AFTER THE RAIN

The intention of this poem is mainly lyrical and light although it does illustrate how we tend to wish for dynamic balance- we have tendency to react against excess in anything, even weather. The lines are of four feet, mostly trochees (with a single strong syllable at the end). A few are in iambics instead. Trochee- strong, weak: Dawn is light on puddles on. Iambic: I gaze on clearer, higher sky.

AFTER THE RAIN

Dawn is light on puddles on

new-made site made mud by rain

falling through my dreams and now

grass blades bend and boast white drops.

Soft breeze sways near leafy tops

to a subtle whispering;

over all the sodden world

birds sing in the hope of light.

Through a sky of nascent blue

high wind sends a few faint clouds,

brightly drifting south, gold-brushed

by a sun as yet unseen.

Low, south-eastern banks of grey

offer threat of rain's return.

Tired of all the tears of heaven,

I gaze on clearer, higher sky.

Though I know rain is a needful

gift from changes of the sky,

yet all life must swing towards balance-

after rain we yearn for sun.

From a heart that longs for light

I pray day's star sends heat from high

to sweeten wet, unseasoned spring

and bake this damp world crisp and dry.