Rainbows and Lightning Mid afternoon, clouds dark as night, The storm sweeps down from the mountains. Fat drops patter then relentlessly pound Deafeningly on roof, tile and paving. Thunder shakes windows, gutters overflow. Mere minutes and the rain has moved on. As the storm hurries east, sunset approaches, Painting the clouds ochre-yellow. Low sun catches treetops, green glowing gold, Highlighting flowers of wattle, Catching white wings of Cockatoos squawking, Winging to roosts in the valley. Arched over the landscape curves a bright rainbow, Vapour wisps rise from the ridgeline. Lightning illuminates long scribbles, blue-white Contrasting the yellow-grey clouds. Rainbow Lorikeets call as they flash by in pairs, Louder than now distant thunder. Colours gradually fade, the rumbles grow quiet, Birdsong prevails as a soundtrack. Rain-soaked earth has already begun drying, Flashes of lightning have grown few. The trees on the ridgeline deepen their dark green. Storm past, sun setting, show over.