flowers have died despite care
we too shrivel in the dry hot wind
we wait upon rain in the evening
placing hope in the massing gray clouds
neighbors murmur to each other
tonight I have heard it will come
one places an umbrella beside the door
another his rain boots
and one carefully checks her water gauge
remember how recently it poured everyday
vegetables rotted before they could be picked
ants invaded homes to escape the wet
streets became fast-flowing creeks
drought, flooding, we move through it all
with eyes closed and fingers crossed
believing that superstitious behaviour will save us
instead we are being delivered
to the consequences of turning away
when shall we mourn
how shall we grieve
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