Paradise

Earth slowly rouses from darkness to light;
The first rays of dawn reach the horizon as
Gathering clouds mask the sky;
Low clouds form a gossamer cloak,
Enshrouding a rainforest, dulling its vibrancy.

Raindrops fall from clouds above,
Showering tropical trees, flowers, and creatures of the earth,
Gently bathing all that breathes below;
The Autumnal shower nourishes this peaceful sanctuary.

After some time the rain ceased, clouds dispersed;
Light of a new day penetrates every crevice in the rainforest;
Paradise kingfishers peek out of temporary shelters, which
Acai trees provided them–delicate blue heads bobbing
Everytime raindrops fall from the leaves above them.

White-lipped tree frogs and froglets give thanks with a
Predawn acapella chorus of deep baritone and
Minor tenor croaks of joy;
Radiant light softly illuminates clouds,
Rousing rainbow plumed lorikeets,
Hungry for the sweet nectar of the gum blossoms.

On the seashore waves ebb and flow;
Gulls and tiny sandpipers run forward in a never-ending dance as
Waves reveal tiny morsels of food left in their wake;
Schools of fish glimmer in the shallows,
Twisting and turning as if they were
Precious jewels in the currents.