Onshore Breeze

A good time to sit, watch and listen.

The best part
of storms
on the Eastern Shore
is the morning breeze
that precedes them.

Morning guardian on the marsh in Rehoboth Beach, DE

Cool and a little salty,
it settles the egrets and herons
in the tall dead trees at the edges
of the feathery marsh grass
while the gulls continue
swirling and squawking
as if nothing's happening,
diving down to pick crabs 
from the shallows 
and minnows from 
the slick calm bay.

A bit like a good snow storm
in winter, the onshore breeze
quiets things, blanketing all
with it's persistent rush of air
pushing by our ears, 
occassionally interrupted
by rumblings of thunder
far off in the distance
and streaks of lightning 
brightening the sky.

It's a good time 
to sit and listen,
to do nothing
but watch the clouds 
roll by and grow darker
and wait for the rain.