A Tropical Rainstorm

A TROPICAL RAINSTORM
(In my long house in Sarawak)

Dark Clouds blanket the sky.
The sun disappears so shy!
They seem to touch the mountain ranges.
Guardian of the horizon and rivers.

Gusts of wind ruffle the trees.
And scatter withered flowers and leaves.
Those are its eternal responsibilities.
Since the beginning of Time and Mist.

The inky sky!
Bolts of lightning and thunder!
Little patterings on roofs.
The scampering of feet and hoofs.

The wind gathers speed.
To show its strength indeed.
It howls and the trees bend double.
In show of respect O so humble!

Within minutes the inky clouds
unload its load of rain to end the drought.
Drench anything and everything
seemingly with lavish spending that's nothing.

Men, women and children run for shelter.
Chicken, dogs and pigs scurry helter skelter.
A farmer bends double with loads on his back.
Trudges on slippery and flooded jungle track.

Lightning bolts light up the sky.
Claps of thunder - defeaning O my!
A reminder of a just concluded Catastrophe.
That Mankind must avoid to be carefree.

Kids' shrill shouts and laughter filled the air.
Muffled by the pour of the cascading downpour.
Running and splashing in the instant pools
Having the fun of their lives, it is school.

Shouts of "pulai! pulai!" broke the chain.
Worrying parents are a pain!
Lightning strikes should be respected regardless.
We must not play with nature's wrath.

The storm shows no mercy.
Leaking roofs and shallow drains
will show and speak for itself,
and make the builders blame themselves.

Yes, we enjoy the rain, unless it gets out of hand.
Kids all over the world are the same.
Little rain, torrential rain are enjoyable.
Like all else, a little of each should be the Bible.