Poems (Ripley)/A Thunderstorm

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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.
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