July's Poetry Contest Winner: If the Sky Speaks of Anything

by Amanda Arbuckle

If the sky speaks of anything
It speaks of rain
An anxious whispering of the wind
The dark clouded brow of sky
A chance raindrop before its time
Surely, these are auguries if anything is.

Thunder reverberates overhead
Through the backyard
Through my soul
My actions are a tumult of hurry
Feed the dogs
Bring them in
Stow the lawn chair cushions inside a weather-proof bin
Watch for the wind
Preparations before the rain.

I did not know for sure it would rain
It was a guess, a conjecture
Instinct told me more than the weatherman could
And when it came, there was no mistaking it
That glorious onslaught against the window panes
Rain like the patter of children's feet
Like soldiers' drums
Like lovers' voices, rising and falling through the dark.
Thunder like a parent's voice, low and reproving
Welcoming even if it heralded lightening.

I was glad.
Sometimes, there is something oddly comforting in a storm
But then again, I watched from the inside, not from within the torrent
Perhaps it is no different than letting yourself fall into a reverie
Letting it take full control
Castles crumble to dust
And are rebuilt in a day
Dragons are faced
Villains confronted
Friends lost and gained
And even a thunderstorm can be braved.

Imagination, such a fascinating place to visit
I wouldn't live there though
I'd never completely abandon this world for that other
Or venture out now into that storm

What storm?
Gone.
As brief as a memory of a dream
Bells from the neighboring church
Fill the newfound silence
The sun glistens on newly bedecked leaves
Strung with raindrops as with pearl necklaces.

When it is my time to leave the world behind
I want to exit as this rain has
Quietly
Leaving splendor and beauty behind
Perhaps regretfully
But knowing each thing has its place and time.

Sun and rain cannot exist long together
One must acquiesce, eventually
They are not enemies though
Rivals perhaps
But there is no bitterness between them
The sun and rain are perhaps not so unlike life and death
Life submits to death
Death gives way to life
Can there be life without death
Or death without life?
Can one truly live if one never dies?

Though it's sunny here
It's raining somewhere
And the sun speaks promises of another life


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