unexpected
the birch trunk of the lightning grows crown into the ground
a rocking thunderhead scraping the placid waters of the lake
weaves the shadows of day into a cloak
thunders applauds in the windless dance
among the gentle waves
bobbing imperceptible plug
with a subtle purple aroma
descending
like a bouquet of petals
or the ashes of heavenly birches
in the crimson smear of twilight