Before the sky opens up

For the first time in over a week, the sky is many shades of grey, black, and everything in between. Several foreshadowing teases of rain have already fallen and the Earth is crying out for more. This is no wait for an ordinary storm. The weather here in the Lower Ninth Ward is fierce. Especially now, with the lack of barriers in the form of houses, cars, and trees, the wind beats against the window as if wanting to come in and hang out. Both because we are under sea level and because the drainage system throughout the area operates as if there aren't torrents of water that wish to travel through its pipes, flooding is inevitable. And the mosquitoes will come. But the plants will feast. And all will be good with the Earth. The streets and bare skin, though, well that's a different story.