Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Waiting for the Rain

This is an old poem of mine, from my journey to Namibia and Angola at the end of the dry season in 2005. It was published in my college alumni magazine shortly thereafter, so it holds the distinction of being my only officially-published poetical work.

Waiting for the Rain

It is quiet now,
But in the silence I hear a song—
A yearning, a waiting, a thirst for redemption.
The dry earth is weary but alive,
Finding peace in the promise,
      The vibrant hope of resurrection.
This ancient cycle will turn once more
As the long vigil gives way to joy,
An echo of the laughter that fills the world to come.
The rains begin to fall like the fire of heaven,
Hurtling down in joyous abandon
To impart again the fervent fullness of God’s delight.
The ageless mountains burst into song,
The refrain of all the years, but never old—
The all-consuming celebration of life,
      Of witness,
            Of reflecting the Maker’s joy.
The chorus of the rocky crags,
Awash in the golden light of dawn,
Breaks over the slumbering world
And wakes it to the coming of the rain.
The dance of silver droplets surrounds me now,
Turning the dusty trail into a living stage
For this glorious performance of heaven’s grace.
I smile as I listen to the ancient, tireless song,
      The music of redemption
            Returning to the world.