Free Will

A sudden storm, a dog barks

A Coyote's howl follows him from

across the plains.

Wind gusts and sings

through the trees he planted.

Before he reaches the gate

Water falls from the blackening sky.

The raindrops are like liquid diamonds

scattered from a large black bag...

spoils from some celestial jewel heist.

The gate is locked and he can't force the latch.

He scrambles over the fence

with lightning in his eyes.

Thunder chases him across the yard.

He reaches the door to the barn

then strains against the wind

Finally the wooden door creaks its protest

and settles back into the frame.

The sound of rain smacking the ceiling

of the barn is enough to drive him insane.

He sighs against a pile of old hay

and settles for a cold night alone.

The family is safe in the big ranch house,

no need to worry about them, wind and

rain

probably sound pleasant to their soft ears.

Daybreak sends shafts of shimmering gold

through the plank boards of the old barn.

He wakes with the noise of thrushes and swallows

from high in the rafters.

The grim sight of work to be done

greets his eyes when he opens the door to the barn.

Trees are down and the fence needs to be fixed.

But the sky is alive with a rainbow, the biggest

he has ever seen. It is vibrant with

oranges, yellows, greens, reds, and blues.

He takes a few unsteady steps toward the fallen fence

remembering the words his grandfather used to say:

"We live the life we choose..."

4.12.1998