It Rained

On my way home
from my cancelled
swim meet,
hundreds of lizards
were in the street.

They came out
in a blink
to the road
to get a drink.


     Living in the desert, it is always interesting to see what the monsoon rains bring.  Last evening there were hordes of lizards and birds gathering on the pavement.  I remember as a child that this kind of weather would drive thousands of crickets into the streets.  The crickets would gather in the light in front of stores.  The store owners would put out sulphur to kill the crickets.   It smelled like rotten eggs.  You could hear the crunching sound of crickets being crushed by cars in the street.
    Have you had any rain lately?  What changes do you notice?  Can you write a poem about the changes rain brings?  Have fun writing.

Two spiny lizards
chase across the stucco wall
enjoying their spring


     Today's poem is a haiku.  I like to think that even when I can't think what to write, I can come up with a haiku.  I was really busy yesterday, I went to the gym; I did my morning walk, I went to the dentist.  I should have been thinking poetry all that time, but I was worried about other things, so this is what you get today.  I actually like this haiku a lot.  I like the way the last line has more than one meaning.  A desert spiny lizard is a big one, about 10 inches long.  I watched this couple from my shower this morning.
   Your challenge for today is to write your own poem about an indication you have that it is springtime.

   My copy of LIFTING THE SKY, Southwestern Haiku and Haiga came in the mail this week with four of my haiku published by Dos Gatos Press .