When The Sun Begins To Rise Poem by Cherie Mort

The rain has finally exhausted itself
The earthworms have receded back to their cool, earthy compounds
I am finally tired of nature's little reverie
And make my way back home
The moonflower ladies have stopped their giggling and gone back to sleep
The trees now stand as still as stone columns
Their little branches wave good morning to me and their complaining tenants

Birds and squirrels are not pleased with leaking roofs they cannot fix
They voice their complaints out into the open air for all to hear
Meanwhile I drag myself home, ready for a long rest
As I reach the door to my house, the sun drops into the sky
Like a cracked egg into a bowl

I close the door and peel off my soaked clothing, hoping not to catch a cold
Hot water is soon running for a bath as I throw my garments into the dryer
I sigh as my chilled skin is reheated by the warmth of the bath
And imagine my lover waiting for me under warm bedclothes
Even though the house is clearly empty of any other presence than my own
Still, I imagine
And I smile as I think how wonderful it would be to share such a warmth with another human being

I am finally scrubbed clean of the smell of the outdoors
And slip into cold bedsheets unwarmed by any lover's presence
I soon fall asleep as daylight breaks and fills my room with a soft light
And I dream of my lover, clothed in all the wonders of nature
Coming to me and wrapping me in strong, safe arms