A Drop of Water

A Drop of Water I look up into the deep sky And the clouds as purple as a bruise growl at the dry, crumbling earth with condescending looks they know that it yearns for the nourishment they carry in their bloated bellies I inhale the damp air twirling and grinning as if I can see the hesitant drops bracing themselves for the free fall And the first drop hits the very tip-top of my nose I laugh because I can hear the thirsty soil slurping up the water in its agitation to sate its parched throat The tiger lilies behave a bit more civilly they sip the refreshment daintily gathering the gentle drops in a necklace of crystal beads ever so prettily they bask in the warm shower savoring the clean liquid flowing through them Proud pines fill up their wooden mugs with the clouds’ precious gift letting the stream trickle down their sides but they remain unbending too full of hubris to admit their gratitude though they stare up at the sky with unspoken respect Me, I just stand perfectly still breathing in wet grass and proud pines and refined tiger lilies feeling the water streak through my hair and listening raptly to the symphony of the tap dancing rain playing across the weather-beaten pavement