Afterglow

The air, white with rain
so dense it looked like snow,
fell straight and strong
in drops huge and heavy
presenting an impervious
wall of water.

"You'd be soaked to the skin
in two minutes flat," he said.

It stopped as suddenly 
as it had begun,
leaving a strange after-light
in air as clean and crisp
as just washed lettuce.

The sudden stillness
and absence of sound
brought an eerie peacefulness
and a sharp awareness
of the hidden power
controlling one's destiny

Cona F. Adams, 9/7/11
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Peterson Avatar
December 7, 2017 at 11:30 AM
This poem is an evocative masterpiece. Enjoyed crisp as lettuce, and you captured the aftermath of storm with great precision and feeling. It's relationship to hidden power and destiny leave much to ponder. And thus I pause and wonder.
Johnston Avatar
October 17, 2016 at 6:56 PM
How many of us view the deluge from the safety of our comfortable homes or offices, thankful that we are missing the worst of it. You tip this on its head and call to mind every sunset, every rainbow that I've missed in my privileged and much sheltered life. "Afterglow" indeed! Hope tonight is a date night!? Ha! Makes me hunger for my PeaceCorps days in Africa living mostly in a tent where I actually witnessed triple rainbows. Do you write anything but 7's I wonder?
Marcum Wong Avatar
October 6, 2016 at 6:32 PM
I missed reading this poem Cona. You were gone for a while and it is so nice to see another post from you. I adore rain and your expression so captures the 'afterglow' perfect word and title for this beautiful piece. A 7 for this beauty! ; )
DiMino Avatar
August 19, 2016 at 10:57 AM
Love the personification!! Great poem!
Adams Avatar
August 19, 2016 at 7:30 PM
Thank you, Joe DiMino for visiting to read, and for the encouragement. So glad you enjoyed it. Have a great week!
Callus Avatar
August 17, 2016 at 11:47 AM
You superbly describe the afterglow of that sudden burst of rain, Cona. I can both picture and feel it. A lovely ending to go with it! ~ Regards // paul
Adams Avatar
August 17, 2016 at 1:17 PM
Thanks for the visit and the encouragement, Paul. All the best to you and yours.
Rutherford Avatar
August 9, 2016 at 6:52 AM
This is a picture in words Cona. All the great poems make you 'see' what your reading. Love this one. Anne
Adams Avatar
August 9, 2016 at 1:13 PM
Thank you so much, Anne, for your encouraging comment. All the best to you!'
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