Rain

The earth exhales, 
we breathe in the rich intoxication 
of its wonder
rain is falling onto parched ground
days of battle, seeking shade 
are ended, the earth opens its old hands 
in joy  
as it drinks its fill.
The warm rain that fills the plants with hope
their buds open,  
the bees swarm to fresh nectar  
on this the longest day,
rain sets the world free
to grow, to bloom 
to set seed 
to hatch
to fledge
to emerge into a new world