A blazing sunrise at the crack of dawn
across the African plain a new day is born
nocturnal feeders make a hasty retreat
as the sun slowly rises and turns up the heat
a herd of gazelle and wildebeest
have come to the river to drink and feast
a nearby cheetah watches the pack
quietly stalking as she plans her attack
then with a burst of sixty or more
she drags her prey down to the floor
time for a rest before her meal
scavengers gather for a chance to steal
high above an eagle soars
while crocodiles bask with open jaws
hippos wallow to try and stay cool
elephants drink from the diminishing pool
a distant rumble a sound quite rare
the sweet smell of rain fills the air
menacing clouds begin to form
there's a cool gentle breeze ahead of the storm
thunder rolls across the sky
and lightning strikes the ground nearby
the heavy clouds release the rain
a welcome relief for this arid plain
in the pouring rain the air becomes still
and the rivers and lakes start to fill
the dusty ground has turned to mud
the dormant flowers begin to bud
as the last drops of rain hit the ground
the storm moves on westward bound
for the seasonal rains this is the first
animals gather to quench their thirst
the sun has set and turned out its light
the moon is rising large and bright
stars emerge and reveal the belt of orion
while out on the prowl is a restless lion
across the plains deep in the night
a rumble of thunder and a flash of light
cloud develops and rapidly forms
for this is the pattern of the African storms
copyright jas 2007
