After the Storm

 Against the darkest 
nimbus clouds 
threatening rain 

growing tempest
of angry crowds 
steadfastly remain 

in place, alarmist
gaping mouths 
repeatedly refrain 

the words harnessed
escape shrouds 
revealing their pain 

cut through harshest
state, light drowns
the soaked, sodden terrain 

piercing 'tween starkest
stilted frowns 
breaking the chain 

revive wan smiles, not just
quiet the sounds 
and subdue the brain 

birth verdant harvest
rising from grounds 
a new life to sustain. 

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash