on rain

Cooler at dawn
Wet streets
Except under the broad umbrellas
Of blossoming chestnut trees

A shower of goldfinches
Drop onto the verge
Pecking at the tiniest insects
Active in the damp grass

The earth has darkened
At last it is soft enough
To a sculpt a footprint

By noon the Sun appears
A buzzard fans out its primaries
Catches a thermal
Cries as it spirals up
Spirals up and drifts out
Over the sea of shimmering barley

~

n.b. First noticeable rain for weeks here in East Anglia. There have been more tears than raindrops this spring. 

CLP 22/05/2025