African Rain

Though I’ve experienced much rain, I have never attended to it like I did tonight, 6 April, and it all happened within 40 minutes…..

This thunderstorm comes in the form of a strong breeze – coal pot and bucket rolling in the courtyard. Its approach is quick and lights are off. I sit and listen, eyes closed. The rain sounds like the ocean with its crescendos and decrescendos of sound. Lightning flashes continuously like a fluorescent light warming up. Thunder now is muffled by the raging rain.

After about ten minutes, the rain subsides to the sound of a large old-fashioned shower head pouring into a cast iron tub. Now the storm and sounds are soothing as the fury has receded.

Then a clap of thunder make s my heart skip and a cricket begins to chirp right outside my window. The rain picks up and the lightning continues. Now the rain is a light shower barely audible thunder is no mezzo forte, it’s nearly over.

I’m being lulled into a restful place, being hypnotized by the soothing noise of nature. Rudely I am brought to my feet by an explosive clap of thunder. I’m not sure if by being startled I screamed or not. Rain increases its intensity. Curtains sway in the breeze. The flickering lightning subsides, partner with the rain as my fluorescent light flickers back to life in concert with the hum of my refrigerator.

All creatures are still, there is no breeze and the earth takes a long drink. Adwoa’s corn will be taller in the morning.