severe unto themselves . Harsh where elements rave and abundance , a
rarity . There an oasis of ease and generosity is an aberration . Past ages
have seen me cleave continents into serrated portions . Crust peel to
chisel and shape . Some perish in the upheaval of creation . I am most
capricious where my faults lie . When dregs of fits peters , composure is
bestirred .
A rush of Wind . Then a voice hisses .
WIND: If I may again , Arbiter your pardon , I beseech . Earth rests snugly in
repose from core to outlying crust . Earth too has its scions to bear and
nurture . My intervention is welcomed in the diaspora of seedlings and
efforts of pollination . Thus Earth shall neither lack fresh foliage to clothe
its bare soil nor shall I lack labours to attest to my worthiness .
ARBITER: Fair assemby , I have so far spoken sparsely . Your contribution has been
favourable to our efforts . So it is now that I wish to add to your orations
. While we speak Earth unleashes a torrid surprise . Look below you .
Molten flaming splinters sprout from funnels , lofty protrusions from
surface crust . Springs of ancient wrath spray and fling its repressed fury ,
heeding not whom or what it incinerates when gravity reclaims lava?s
spurts . Roiled dust form smoky plumes , shroud clarity of view , choke
and engulf those hopelessly ensnared . Lava is no kin to mercy yet its
ashes enriches where it settles , exorcising the curse of previous
barrenness . ( A pause .) Proceed with the next willing player . I withdraw
and the cue is yours to take .
WIND: Breath that seeps through stitches of fabric , permeates structures ,
strokes faces with fleeting feathery brushes unseen . A force which reins
you aback even as you strain forth . I bend branches and scatter flakes of
parched leaves all over the sod . Dry current which flay suspended flags ,
gushing exhalations that increase swelling of waves , a prelude to nature?s
outpourings . When incensed my gusts snatch up loosened surface of an
irritated ocean . We unite in a furious enterprise . Together we pummel
coastlines with vehement abandon ....... ah .. but that is only a hair?s
breadth of my intemperance ! Beware my churning vortex uproots and
disbands ! My indiscretion upsets both natural and contrived array for it is
I who play the part of howling harbinger in nature?s agitations .
ARBITER: Another comes ! What have you to add to this amusing fray ? Speak and
we shall bear gladly for you as for all before .
RAIN: I'm the load discharged by the grey underbelly of clouds . Slight melting
drops upon uncovered brow's arch , spillover from forehead's incline . I
flit like cascading leaves of autumn . Droplets hover at the seams , swiftly
absorbed by fibers . Offer your hands , watch drops roll from tips of digits
, gathering at the depression of upturned palms then overflowing on to the
curvature of wrists . Showers cast a hazy blur over drop zones of its
descent .
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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