Early October—
 
we pray for drought-breaking rain,
 
but the sky stays blue.

 
 

The melon farmers
 
count their blossoms one by one—
 
deeper grows the drought.

 
 

California drought—
 
all umbrellas at Goodwill
 
ninety percent off

 
 

Drought-time conundrum:
 
How many rains will it take
 
to soften the earth?

 
 

Summer’s drought deepens—

dust settles down on my porch

like a tired old cat.

 
 

Summer’s drought deepens—
 
if only my umbrella
 
would unfurl again!

 
 

On this clear spring day
 
my longing for rain deepens,
 
along with the drought.

 
 

As the drought deepens,
 
leaves rain down from my plum tree,
 
littering the ground.

 
 
 

California drought—
 
on an autumn afternoon
 
we sing songs for rain.

 
 
 

Unexpected rain—
 
the drought-stricken cottonwoods
 
lap up every drop.