for the harsh heat wave
wet apologetic gift
from clouds to tree roots
—Terri Guillemets
monsoon
It’s a dry heat streak
full moon monsoon clouds
glow pale light through windy trees
parched leaves shadow dance
—Terri Guillemets
Finally a bath!
watching birds splash in
morning-after rain puddles
cleanses my spirit
—Terri Guillemets
Opening night
monsoon winds tell tales
lightning dances thunder sings
rain is main event
—Terri Guillemets
Thunderstorm
boom rustle tip tap
tippity clink rumble crack
whoosh whish shhh fade black
—Terri Guillemets
Writing up a storm
phoenix monsoon storm
haboob isn’t dirty word
it is dusty though
—Terri Guillemets
Summer-nap
I drifted into a summer-nap
under the hot shade of July
serenaded by a cicadae lullaby
to drowsy-warm dreams
of distant thunder…
—Terri Guillemets
P.S. Thank you to everyone who let me know about USA Today and King Features Syndicate using this poem for their “Cryptoquote” on July 5th. It is quoted as: “I drifted into a
Summer wonder
late June, monsoon — kaboom!
patter, splatter, fat drops gather
splats, taps, windowpane raps
wind whips, swish, whish —
summer’s rumbling thunder
flash, crash, lightning dash
plash, splash, sky unlashed!
—Terri Guillemets