Thunderstorm the Day the War Ended
Arkansas, 1945
leaden heat explodes into quicksilver
a confetti parade the cottonwood flings
when the radio shrills good news
chickens blossom like chrysanthemums
under our hurrying feet strut victory
as we pluck laundry from a line empty
sleeves waving trouser legs goaded
into dance inside we throw open windows
closet doors for the wind's clean sweep
the curtain's lace spectral sheets
folded like shrouds for closet shelves
tomorrow will be time enough to lean
into their depths trapped air cooling
flushed cheeks now rain curtains
our view rattles the roof as clouds
scud overhead like returning ships
Structure
17 lines · 9 stanzas