the moment before the rain
after the garden has been planted
while children play, the air riven
with silver laughter, let them be
… they’re on their own

the moment before the rain
the garden alive, all quiet
timid nascent shoots wait
to unfold; the smell of lilac
anticipation graces the air

the moment before the rain
all still; conversations carry
past fences; twilight lasts and
lasts; shouting children have
joined the wild and escaped

the moment before the rain
running to capture green shoot
children running away, shouting
“come back” only makes everyone
laugh; no one sleeps tonight

before the rain
anticipation. birds
still — a pause, smell
indefinable,
exact, like no other

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