The Smoothly White Stork

by Tran Dang Khoa

When the rain darkens the east
When the rain darkens the west
When the rain darkens the south and the north
You still see
A stork
Smoothly white
Flying outside to greet the rain…

The rice plants are elated like raised flags
The potatoes grow fresh green leaves
The areca palms open up to collect the raindrops
The croaking frogs are festive
The fish are dancing
But nobody knows that
The stork
Hugging itself
Braves the cold
Upon a tree branch…

Until the rain once again darkens the east, the west
Until the rain once again darkens the south, the north
You will once again see
That very same stork
Flying outside
Smoothly white
To welcome the rain…

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