WITH RAIN

                                                   I think we should keep
                    some of this, in case God comes back
                    to see what we did with it.
                                        – William Stafford (“The Whole Thing”)

He’s been away, it seems, left His lackeys
asleep on the ridge, or dressing up, waving
their diaphanous sleeves before the polished

window glass of town. We could have used
some help, some rain to inspire more Glory
in our eyes, our minds, our flesh—this grass

refreshed. Busy it seems, hands full
with despots and tyrants beyond our horizons,
this dry ground forgotten to endure with our own

small labors. Now we are the found strays
coming into hay we taste on wet nostrils,
ready to follow through any open gate.