A Rainy Day

It was gray all day. Rain had been forecast and I delayed going for a walk 

even though I knew Now would definitely be better than Later.

Grass in the Coke Field is already ankle high, much of it squishy

underfoot from earlier showers.

As I skirted the edge of the little woods, I looked up to see a large nest,

too big for most birds in the area, too weird to be a squirrel's abode.

Glancing into the still leafless branches, I saw I was

being watched by a large hawk. She was at least a foot tall, 

her herringbone patterned breast echoing the patterns of 

the naked trees behind her. Too fast, I reached for my camera,

startling her into flight. I looked for her, but she had flown

to another shelter, waiting for me to leave.

I'll go back another day. And another.

I walked on, feeling a mist of rain on my face that

turned into drops, then became a shower.

Somehow, I convinced myself I could walk between

the raindrops and enjoy the shower without becoming sodden.

I took the time to visit some trees, to check on 

a couple redbuds and a plane tree in the neighborhood,

and to try for pictures of rain on these pretty trees.