WINTER RAIN ON TOWN AND LAND

WINTER RAIN ON TOWN AND LAND

Now in the town
this winter raining means
that windscreen wipers on the cars
whirp up and down.

Cloud is a grey and rumpled blanket
thrown over all the sky.
And tires hiss on wet, black roads.
Like walking mushrooms, roused by rain,
the passers-by
sprout black and blue and brown umbrellas.

These showers
in winter mean
that water trickles down
the concrete drains
and gutters gurgle little streams.

And all the day
is cold and grey.

Now on the land
this winter raining means
the light-brown grass upon the hills
will grow a little green.

Brown creeks will flow;
brown rivers grow.

And on the surface of the dam
the raindrops splattering
make rippling rings
and faintest tinkling sounds
as they come down.

The dry dirt track
is turning darker, telling
of blessing from above.
And everywhere you smell the smell
of rain on earth and leaves.

This rain in winter means
good water for the young gum trees
with strong, red shoots for spring.

And even magpies seem
a little pleased
to wash their feathers clean.