This Gentle Rain Poem by Raymond Farrell

Today
As I sit
Under the locust tree
Under my umbrella
I am enjoying
The respite
From the past week
Of extreme heat and humidity
Brought by a gentle rain
That has begun
To softly caress
The hard, dry earth
It moved in gradually
From the southwest
Where first, I saw
The sky darken
And as the clouds
Moved overhead
A steady drizzle began
The fragrance
Of grateful plants
Rises up in thanks
And the air now cooled
By the steady rain
Has caused birds
Of many species
To break out in song
Though I cannot speak their tongue
I understand
What they are expressing
And for a little longer
I will linger here
Under the locust tree
And continue to enjoy
The welcome relief
From the heat and humidity
Brought by this gentle rain.