It is raining tonight, one of those steady, heavy, drenching rains that falls straight down from the clouds with no wind to blow it through the open windows. The parched summer earth is soaking it up. It's a Summer Solstice gift from the elements - streaks of fire occasionally lighting up the sky as water falling from air merges with earth to nourish the growing summer bounty.

I am sitting here listening to it fall, hearing it splatter off leaves, rooftops and pavement. I should go to bed so that I can follow Langston Hughes' advice and let the rain be my lullaby:

Let the rain kiss you.
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops.
Let the rain sing you a lullaby.
           ~ Langston Hughes