A shrill keening bounced off the ancient pines,
wrapping fear around the diminishing stillness
as it wended its way down the mountain slope.

Thunderclouds loomed low,
hovering their black bulk
over the beleaguered valley below,
threatening to discharge their electricity
into the altered acerbic atmosphere.

Thirsting river beds lay languid
denude of energy,
thermal tarpaulins
beseeching the brewing storm
to release its resources
and rain down restoration.