right after rain

the deepest silence comes right after rain

just before nightfall when the milky light

seems full of portents while your straining sight

catches some glimpse of homing bird seen plain

at the right moment when the skies attain

that perfect colour fading fast from bright

just north of where begins the rule of night

to make us sigh now that is what we gain

here in the kingdom where no fools may rule

there is contentment earned at a high cost

by those of us who know not what we pay

nor understand the lessons of this school

until we find the gifts we thought long lost

and on a sudden learn we're on the way