Poems (Ripley)/A Thunderstorm

by Lillie Rosalie Ripley

A THUNDERSTORM

The leaden clouds hang weighed o'er the earth;
 A solemn silence clings within the air;
And in all nature not a hint of mirth,
 All waiting for the storm to leap his lair.

A mighty flash, that rends the clouds apart;
 A blinding flash from upper worlds descends,
And speeds more rapidly than arrow's dart
 From out the bow a skillful native bends.

A dull report now echoes o'er the hills;
 A distant, jarring rumble shakes the earth!
Another flash, that fills the earth with thrills;
 There is no feigning in its savage mirth!

Then comes a hissing swirl of falling rain.
 Like bitter tears, that bring the heart relief,
When bowing 'neath a heavy mental strain,
 Or, over-burdened with a weight of grief.

The storm has eased its burdened heart at last,
 The clouds grown, lighter, flit through paling space;
And finally they part asunder, past
 The dark and trailing clouds with sweeping grace.

And a gleam of sunlight smiles upon the earth,
 That turns the trickling rain-drops, soft and pure.
To liquid diamonds. As a sudden mirth
 May light a tearful face, and peace ensure.

The earth sends up a fragrant odor damp;
 A mossy fragrance, that delights the sense.
A little bird has left its leafy camp
 And drenches all the earth with song from thence.