evening storm

first the wind in lean strips
like fingers upon the lush
flesh of evening calm

the tress quiver with the intensity
of that longing,
lash wind-striped as tiger tails

from far off the storm
calls to the soil

how suddenly the sky loves
fiercely the earth

clouds lay back their ears
as they are dragged and pushed
gentle creatures should not be rushed
but the wind is wild now
everywhere probing the stillness
it throws dust in the sun's eye

gentle things should not be rushed
the storm comes rampant across the sky
it walks on spidery legs of light
each step is a kiss with the rise of the earth

in the wings
the wind twists
splintered soft the earth is lifted by its touch
the rain is hot
we do not understand
this ferocious love

this is a thing of duck and cover
wait until it passes over

the rain gentles down and settles in for the night
how new the world will look in tomorrow's light.