Thunder Watch

On hot, still days
when pillows of white
piled up on the horizon
and grew gigantic
closing in
blocking sun
stiff breezes driven
ahead as warning
we would wait
for the sound

Distant at first
one hippopotamus
two hippopotamus
three
until, at one
the flash and crack
simultaneous
we'd scream with delight

Often the rain came
in sheets drenching
our sun-browned skin
filling gutters to
torrent down
where we'd dance
the dance of summer savages

In Switzerland
they fired cannons
at the thunderous clouds
it never seemed to work
the glass roof of Thun station
shattered over us
hail as big as golf balls
bouncing at out feet.

Now I lie at night
watch the flash or streak
and count the seconds
until the throaty rumble
of the gods' bowling ball
rolls across the heavens.