everything stops.

waiting to release

the breath inhaled

in instinct

bracing itself.

clouds shift and roll

across the sky

while they sway

side to side

in a disturbing dance.

a distant noise

fills the air, building,

moving all around

as it intensifies slowly,

echoing through the quiet.

nature has spoken

as the first raindrops

begin to fall,

pattering rhythm to

the summer afternoon storm