seasons change

I can smell it
it's going to rain
maybe

the air is different
not like a week ago
or even yesterday

strange odors
the sky is
white, grey
and puffy

I can feel
the dirt in the air

the first rain
like dripping mud

roads become slick
from over half a year
of oil and soot

cars slide around
out of control

first drops
so large
like from a cup

dust and sand
mixed with water
coat the windows, walls
and ground

need lots of rain
to clean
summer's dirt

need lots of rain
to water the plants

need lots of rain
for a whole year
when most
of the year
is dry

we're due
for rain
real rain
not a tease

breeze
enters the windows

from winter's wind

when will it rain
will there be a drum roll
of thunder

or just quiet drops
sneaking up on us

surprise in the morning

smells like
rain