Drought

It has been raining at Stillwaters for two days now.

Two days of soft, cool rain tipped from the cup of life to replenish the land. Trees have lifted their shoulders again, and look less defeated than they have for weeks. Flowers raise their dusty faces to the sky.

It's been a hot, dry, windy Spring, and there is drought in Hawke's Bay. We are lucky to have minimal stock - three pet goats are all we run here, and they are hand fed and watered.

The birds seem to be enjoying the rain with the most exuberance. Pukekos are splashing in puddles, up to their bony red knees in places, while thrushes stand with their heads to one side on the sodden lawn listening for worms. Two tuis fed on the flax flowers on our deck last night - their throaty song on leaving sounded like thanks.

The earth is replenished, the crops waking and sighing with joy, and the soil darkening to black with the long hoped-for rain. Tonight I will splash and dance with the birds, as my soul too is quenched.

Let it rain...