Smile at the rain.

Summer rain falls from dark and heavy clouds

wetting every surface and bouncing off every head

leaving no doubt to the start of the wet season.

Large puddles turn into large pools

as water dams in basins and culverts

waiting to breach the edge of its confine

and flood into a weary neighbourhood.

Children play under the large drops

revelling in the coolness that clouds

and their precipitous face brings

to the heat of a tropical summer.

I walk out into the storm, arms out straight,

looking up toward the blackened sky

with eyes half closed to the deluge

and mouth open to catch its essence.

I am revitalised by the raw energy

pouring from the skies, the child in me

wanting to play, the adult in me knowing

that I will be dry soon after in the heat that follows.

But the rain has not stopped and rivers breach their banks

eager to eat up their surroundings,

washing over streets and roads, filling back yards,

not bothering to knock before entering your home.

More rain has fallen in angry flashes

and roads turn into rivers swallowing cars and houses

carving up towns and bursting through shop fronts,

carrying unwanted guests as bull sharks go window shopping.

But rain, rivers, floods and sharks are no match

for the determination that a Queenslander holds fast.

They rebuild with signs advertising indoor pools

and look forward to more days in a beautiful country.

Once again, lifting their arms out straight

with a half smile to the rain that falls.