Raindrops Descend

Raindrops descend, puddles form, A stream engulfed, a river is born, A course is set, the sea to reach, Meandering ponderously to a far off beach. The sea reclaims its myriad young, Kidnapped by clouds, thunder-slung; The storm is long past with calm all around; Albatross glide, with a whisper of sound. Seagulls circle, dogfish sleep, Gannets dive and dolphins leap, But black clouds return and lightning flashes O'er storm-tossed seas, as thunder crashes. Once more a stealthy cloud abducts infant water, The sea's own offspring: a son ... a daughter; The thief sets off at a wind blown pace, The anguished mother unable to chase. The criminal finds refuge in a partisan crowd, A formless body in a vaporous shroud; The cloud has no guilt, shows no remorse, But heads inland on a predestined course. A hill stands guard, like a customs post; It stabs the guilty, but allows past the host; The rogue cloud is ruptured, severed seam and pleat, Releasing its captives and accepting defeat. Raindrops descend, puddles form, A stream engulfed, a river is born, A course is set, the sea to reach, Meandering ponderously to a far off beach ...