Wondrous wet
A quarter of an inch of rain fell on Tuesday, half an inch on Wednesday and last night a torrent of more than two inches fell in under three hours. The broad beans were smashed, a large hole appeared under the front gatepost and the garage door no longer closes properly. But you know what? It was beautiful.
The sky started like this
As dusk fell on Wednesday night the rain paused long enough for the sky to turn an eerie milk-white, lighting up every window on the northern side of the house and filling the rooms with a gentle presence that couldn’t help but make me smile.
It quickly turned to this
And this
Thousands of photographers rushed outside to capture images of a rare double rainbow that appeared in the sky above Sydney that night, but from our small sunken back yard the rainbow was barely a glimmer in the distance. The camera battery was flat, thank goodness, otherwise I suspect I might also have rushed out to try and find an open space, dashing along narrow streets to the nearest park in the hope of pinning that rainbow down.
Instead I stood outside and looked up at the sky, watching the world turn, occasionally pointing my phone at the unimaginable distance of space and darkening sky. It was ‘wondrous to behold’.
When the spectacle finished I looked down and there at my feet lay a fallen leaf, one of thousands at this time of year that litter the streets and pavements. I bent down and picked it up, and it was as magnificent in its small, perfectly formed way as anything I’d seen in the sky above.
I’ve tucked that leaf into my purse and occasionally I take it out, just to enjoy looking at it.
As next week’s winter solstice approaches and the shortest day beckons I marvel at the delicate beauty of that fragile leaf, veins etched against a flame of autumn colour.
It seems at its most beautiful, growing dry and brittle just before it crumbles.
14 comments on “Wondrous wet”
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I'm a writer based in Australia with a passion for gardening, remote places and people with a story to tell.
Luscious post Deb. Beautiful photos. Rain here too and fabulous patches of light. A wild crop of flamboyant Desert Pea strutting its stuff in Sulphide St as I ran past this morning. Growing out of gravel! The gums on William St shining and magical in the sunlight and everyone standing out in it like we’ve been starved of it. To paraphrase Thich Nat Han: the miracle is to walk the earth! Thanks for sharing your miracles.
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Thanks Wendy, I can just picture those gums shining after rain, hope enough fell to add to Menindee lakes and stave off further water restrictions. Thich Nat Han has got it right and how blessed are we to realise it.
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I love watching the sky ,thanks for the lovely pictures
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You’re welcome 🙂
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Tangible poetry, Deb.
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What a beautiful expression!
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I have a friend currently visiting Sydney so coincidentally saw great photos of the double rainbow. But your own photo of colors in the brilliant sky are exceptional Deb and I love the idea of you checking on that leaf in your purse. Happy solstice. It will be summer for me.
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Enjoy all that gorgeous summer light and those long evenings!
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Thanks Deb. Having the extended light in the evening is such a bonus.
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Glad to know I’m not the only one who loves the rain. Afraid we’ve had a bit too much of it recently, and yet I cannot help the thrill of delight every time it again sprinkles or pounds down. I adore going out in heavy falls just to revel in the feel of the water against my skin, and all the energy being released into the air. Not to mention the glorious sound of it hitting the earth and the scent of wet grass and soil.
Thank you for sharing, and for the image of you treasuring that lovely little leaf. A leaf is such a small delicate object but it beautifully encapsulates nature’s all pervasive magic in its tiny form. Wonderful when one of these miniature works of art catches and holds our attention.
A belated Happy Midwinter, … I hope you enjoy the lengthening days as you move towards the new season.
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Thank you Grey Dove, I agree with you, rain is a blessing from above and I sometimes smile when I walk in it. The shortest day here in Sydney was magical, with another beautiful sunset. I didn’t bother to photograph it, just selfishly kept it to myself and enjoyed it 🙂
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Beautiful!
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Gorgeous beyond belief, that sky–and the leaf in a completely different way:).
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Thanks Kay
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