Rain Provokes Imagination

A shower of heavy rain pounds on the roof of my house, causing a seemingly endless musical beat. I close my eyes and imagine African drummers going insane in the mud puddles. I can see them sliding in the dank grass, making an earthy mess. My imagination climbs a little higher, and soon I plant the image of myself dancing in circles with my arms raised, chanting along with the performers.

Rain dance.

Our limbs stretch as high as we can force them, shouting and calling to the thundering storm clouds above. The climax builds up as all of our voices and drums combine with the noisy drops. Then, in one instant, it becomes so intense and deafening that the leader claps his hands in a loud boom, cancelling out each overwhelming sound. All is quiet. A slight drizzle concludes the rain dance. We look around and smile, breathing hard. The curtain has fallen; the storm has ended.

By Liz Crandall