For example, Daddy sent me out
with a willow switch I didn’t need
to nudge the old Herefords
back to the barn.

Dawdling along a fence line
strung across the pasture ridge
everything in sight seemed to sizzle.

Then the clouds unclenched
a crack at my ear a tree crashing split
in the woods.  I was right not to care.

Lifted my freckled face begging
the deluge, just daring the hand of God.

Bring it on, I cried, at the top of my game.
Bare-chested and streaming
cackling like a mad man

astride one endless instant
both poem and prayer.