Ozone Poem by Sidi Mahtrow

Clothes hanging on the line,
Drying in the sunshine.
A gentle breeze stirs the air.
Clouds drifting by without a care.

Then from a distant cloud,
A flash of light and thunder roll'd
The breeze stills and waits
As Dust-devils begin their dance.

Then drops of rain, large and wet
A flash of light, nearer yet.
Searing sound that tears the air
And an explosive thunder roar.

A vision of daVinci art
Two fingers near but still apart
Electrons dancing in the gap
Returning air; a thunder clap.

The downpour last but a moment
Soaking the clothes; dripping wet.
After the passing storm's rage,
The sun'll retakes center stage.

And in the freshened air
A sharp smell lingers there
Oxygen cleaved in the sky-borne stew
Rearranged as electrons flew.

Oxygen in an energy charged reaction
Yields oxides of nitrogen
Those and the remaining ozone tickles the nose
As it reacts with fragile tissues (and your clothes)
To sanitize dust and matter in a flash
As these unstable compounds don't last.
And are reduced to a steady state
Which as Nature intended is their fate.

The summer storm is past.