The sky above sprawls empty and clear
The earth below boils restless with fear
As the people scan the horizon in vain
With diminished hope for the coming rain.
The sun extends her rays and casts her light
Beats the ground mercilessly and bright
She ravages the land once lush and green
In an insatiable hunger never been seen.
The somber wind blows harsh and dry
Bearing the weight of the people’s cry
Over parched seas and tombs of sand
To the far heaven and world’s end.
Wild beasts and mute cattle wordlessly fall
As they reluctantly answer Death’s fatal call
While man tries hard to stall and deceive
An eternal slumber they too will receive.
Be it man or beast there is no distinction
Both are agonizingly driven to extinction
Some resolve to fight desperately for survival
Others choose to surrender in wait for revival.
A widow holds her child to her breast
Praying silently with fervor for the best
For her tiny babe has begun to fade
His face has taken upon a deathly shade.
In a magnificent castle upon a rich bed
On plump pillows a king weakly lays his head
His thirst unquenched as he turn his gaze
Petitioning in humility for the end of this raze.
A priest kneels casting away all arrogance
As his eyes are opened to his own ignorance
Begging for forgiveness in honest repentance
And his shriveled soul be drenched in acceptance.
For how much further will You punish our race
For how long will You withhold mercy and grace
For only a drop of water is all we need
To God these many voices unceasingly plead.
Beyond the horizon dark clouds gather
The people stare in awed wonder together
For the Lord has heard and His grace is here
And the cracked earth is doused with heaven’s tears.
