The raven caws three times and then the rain falls. Heaven’s sky tears down with a
beautiful viciousness. Above my head, I study the layers of silt and dust on the
avocado leaves. I think this is the accumulated detritus of this past summer’s volcanic eruption.

It was a summer deadened by the horror of wars scattered without rhyme or reason
upon this pristine cobalt orb we call home, a summer of threats against one nation
or another by one nation or another, a summer of soccer moms down on hope but high
on crank cruising Meth Street USA, a summer where blacks are living more and more in
their own world, while whites are living more and more in theirs, and they never kiss anymore.

It was a summer of polar bears without homes, coyotes lying motionless on the side
of the road, and giant blue whales washing up lifeless upon California’s shores.
I confess, my spine had almost fused with futility, until the rain came.

11/19/2013

Posted on 11/19/2013
Copyright © 2025 Scott Utley