ringed by mountains
as soldiers guarding their arid bastion
winds detoured upward where no vapor gathers
never finding their way down
to the baking sands below
vegetation hoarding precious dewdrops
never yielding the prize behind the armor
flora as sleeping beauties
waiting for a princely kiss
to revive their spirit
when at last the towering clouds gather
the torrid affair begins
never predicable
always tempestuous
rebirth at hand
lightening rips the sky
pregnant clouds give birth
ripping through the desert sheath
depositing their offspring
en masse across the landscape
when at last the tempest culminates
rivers overflow with joy
adopting these children of the sky
parched landscape renewed
the multitude suckled at nature’s breast
blossoms expose their beauty
creation awakens from its coma
feverish renewal is at hand
and for one brief moment
the soldiers let down their guard