After The Storm
by
N.E. Nelson
copyright © Protected by stcroixartbarn.com 
 

Later after the storm, golden/silver clouds

dabbled in sky as if carelessly splashed upon

an artist's canvas with his worn-out brush quietly

melt into one another across sky
 
 

Now oak leafs black and calm hang satisfied,

no-longer thirst in sweltering heat, while branches

twisted and entangled reach out to night from tall

black trunks
 
 

Green Heron rights itself to a standing position

as it slides into its nest in between pine branches

while other birds earlier franticly fluttered from here

and there, now are quieted just before night-time
 
 

No-longer seen, doe and fawn undoubtedly

rest beneath the pine-tree, most likely still

twitching and switching off swarms of

obnoxious mosquitos
 
 

Soon rooster pheasant will come closer

to pick seeds left by chickadees and

he will softly mumble-clucks as if to calm

himself as the calm that rides in on 

soft winds after the storm