RAIN in SUMMER

RAIN in SUMMER by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ( 1807-1882) (excerpts)

How beautiful is the rain! After the dust and heat,

How it clatters along the roofs, like the tramp of hoofs

How it gushes and struggles out from the throat of the overflowing spout!

Across the window pane it pours and pours;

And swift and wide, like a river down the gutter roars.

The rain, the welcome rain! Feel the cool breath of each little pool;

Breathes a blessing on the rain.

In the country , on every side, where far and wide, like a leopard's tawny and spotted hide,

Stretches the plain, to the dry grass and the drier grain

How welcome is the rain!

the vapours  arise from the well-watered and smoking soil.

Of lakes and rivers under ground, and sees them, when the rain is done, on the bridge of colours seven climbing up once more to heaven

Mysterious change from birth to death, from death to birth,

From earth to heaven, from heaven to earth; till glimpses more sublime

Of things, unseen before, unto wondering eyes reveal 

The Universe, as an immeasurable wheel

Turning forevermore in the rapid and rushing river of Time...

                        "The numberless beating drops of the incessant rain..." -Longfellow

Photographs 2025 ("Rain in Summer" is a very long poem, worth reading in its entirety. The joy, and refreshing excitement of rain after a hot day)