The heat steadily climbs, consumes all it enfolds
Its grip tightens and squeezes, breath comes in pants
Tiny beads form, unite and create rivulets that trickle
Along creases and folds, seeking an end to the anguish
The air is filled with tension and hangs heavy and damp
The flesh is tormented by the inescapable heat, like a tree
Whose roots thirst for relief only the storm can bring.
Eyes turn upward, searching for release and plead silently
But the heat is relentless and only increases the pressure
The flesh curls like the leaves that have wilted and yielded
Their fate hangs delicately from aching limbs and tortured trunk
Motionless, stopped in time, yearning only for the storm.
In the distance the laughing voice of thunder speaks softly
The flesh responds as the leaves tremble at the sound
It whispers of ending the anguish and builds anticipation
By blowing softly over damp flesh and gives hope
That soon the waiting will end and fulfillment will come
The wind caresses the leaves and flesh like a soft kiss
Without resistance they turn up the softness of their underside
Leaving them vulnerable and open, exposed for the storm.
The first drops of relief sting against limbs and flesh
As they bow before the force of the wind as it rushes,
Dancing and whipping ahead of the storm on its heels
And in sudden fury the storm delivers its promise
The heat peaks and falls, washed away in liquid waves,
Flashes of lightning, shudders of thunder and sighs of sweet release
As leaves and flesh surrender against the downpour
And the sparks that danced across the sky are reflected
In the pools of fulfillment that have cooled them both
And left them shimmering peacefully in the shadow of the storm.
