The Gladness of Nature

I'm pretty much at a loss for words today. Sometimes the words just aren't there. Yesterday we had a storm to remember.  It was late afternoon, and we were in a staff meeting when the sky opened up.  The thunder rang out, and the lightning struck over in the roof garden across from us.  Next, came the hailstones beating against the window.  Needless to say, I'd taken a spot near the window to admire the storm and quickly changed my mind, moving my chair to a position where I could watch the show, but far enough away to feel a bit more secure.  Don't forget, we're up there on the 10th floor.  Even on a calm day one can hear the whistling of the wind. 

Thankfully, the storm which actually blew over fairly quickly not only lowered the temperature, but also the humidity level.  It was so much more pleasant when I left the office last night than it had been in a long time. Mother Nature blessed us with a much-needed reprieve.  And with that, I will leave you to the following wonderful poem.

Is this a time to be cloudy and sad,

When our mother Nature laughs around;

When even the deep blue heavens look glad,

And gladness breathes from the blossoming ground?

There are notes of joy from the hang-bird and wren,

And the gossip of swallows through all the sky;

The ground-squirrel gaily chirps by his den,

And the wilding bee hums merrily by.

The clouds are at play in the azure space

And their shadows at play on the bright-green vale,

And here they stretch to the frolic chase,

And there they roll on the easy gale.

There's a dance of leaves in that aspen bower,

There's a titter of winds in that beechen tree,

There's a smile on the fruit, and a smile on the flower,

And a laugh from the brook that runs to the sea.

And look at the broad-faced sun, how he smiles

On the dewy earth that smiles in his ray,

On the leaping waters and gay young isles;

Ay, look, and he'll smile thy gloom away.

William Cullen Bryant