Theodosia Henney

ABOUT-TO-RAIN

In the Van Gogh Museum of Amsterdam
I almost cried when I came to the painting
Thunderclouds Over Wheatfield.

I almost cry at those moments
when the sagebrush becomes plump,
and the damp, electric smell of about-to-rain
renders the land dark, lush, inviting.

I promise myself that the next time
the rain is on its way
I will do more than roll down the car window;
I will pull over and stand in the air.

—from Rattle #37, Summer 2012