On an ord’nary summer bedtime,
Inverting my pillow to its cooler side
To begin the nightly trek to Morpheus
There sounded a far scrambling like a snare drum
Scruffly, signaling some off-stage cue
To the anxious protagonist, the dynamic wind,
Prompting the tall trees to sway gracefully and
Their thin, leafy branches to dramatic Terpsichore
Now accompanied by deep, kettle-drum tympani, and
White bright light, then, the ambient deluge.
Rising up from bed to secure the window
But too late, alas, a bare-foot puddle
I heard the ‘plashing sound impact, of
Downpour on leaf and resonant rock
Disturbing the ere’ quiescent forest, and
Running rivulets through its gullies—then-
Suddenly, quick change to silent, muted woodland.
Returning to my awaiting bed, once more
I addressed the soft pillow for cool comfort
Unmindful of sky and windy downpour
As tho’ clouds and rain were never of moment
To rejoin my trek to the welcoming Morpheus
As always, save a wetted foot.
Leonard N. Shapiro, Kingston, N.Y, 7/12/ 24
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