Desert Rain by Mandi Leigh

 

Desert rain on the Happy Thoughts Homestead

The dusty Earth is chopped, partially lit by the sun, and the other half dark with cloud shadows.  Heavy with burden, the blazing air presses into the desert creatures that are desperate for relief. Perched still, the dragonfly waits patiently to be liberated from the fiery heat. Grimacing plants wilt and frown in the sunlight anxious for shadow cover. Even the prickly cactus groans with pain. Clouds trundle like a distant ocean wave as spectators take bets about when the water will crash to the shore, if at all. “Come on rain!” “We need you!”

As the clouds consume the light, and all that is left is shadow, a small sound appears. It is a tiny pitter on the Earth. A microscopic dusty puff of dirt flies up. Was that a drop? And then another pitter puff. Soon, the sky begins to slowly sprinkle out the most precious resource in the desert. Rain.

Rain in the desert is as special as a holiday, like a 5-year-old’s birthday or a 25^th wedding anniversary. Such events are rare and must be celebrated. And all good parties include laughter and dancing. The dragonfly giggles and flutters its wings with each tap of the drops. The frowns wash away as the plants joyfully bounce and raise their leaves to the sky. The cactus even seems to beam up with delight in the fresh weather. And giddy with glee, I twirl in enchantment as the rain begins to pour down on my hot face. I yell at the clouds, “Yes! You did it!” Satisfied, I run through the desert, laughing and singing. I can feel the air shift from scorching to cool in an instant.  In that space, gratitude sweeps over all of the creatures that live on only a few precious drops each year. Life will continue to stretch on in these parts. The desert rain has come.

The giggling dragonfly.

The beaming cactus.

Desert rainbow