First Rain

First Rain Never a drop of rain on Arrakis.* Never a drop of rain upon the Earth.

There was atime in eons unimaginable When dust was all despite the starlight's search.

Lengthening shadows on the hellish rocks, Where, even the idea of liquid water, Was absent since the Sun had give birth.

Dunes and scaling mud, volcanoes risen, Are all that stretched to the dry horizon And that which was, lay silent under heaven.

But, look! The skies are brooding now with cloud And crackling air is booming into sound.

The voice of lightning makes its speech aloud And lectures to the endless desert.

Small pats of moisture hit the ground And Earth awakens from her burning shroud.

Water, in its sheets, comes slashing down And planets raise their voice with joyous tears.

The storm has come And it will rain ten thousand years.

Carl Estrin *Herbert/Dune