Thunder In The Summer

An empty trail in the middle of country,

Weaving through hills and trees.

The air is muggy and sticky.


The sky darkens.

Clouds clump together,

Dark and brooding.


The first drops of rain come,

Warm still from the heat.

A trickle, then a torrent.

Splattering.

The rain soaks the solitary walker,

Seeping deep into his socks and his boots.


The walker takes refuge under a cluster of trees,

Waiting,

Wishing now that he hadn’t taken this walk.


Lightning, a brief flicker from afar.

Thunder follows, again and again.

An echoing rumble that crescendos,

Like an approaching train.