“Desert Rain” by John Gould Fletcher
Across the burnished mesas
They march in lines of jade,
The thunder-heads assembled
To crush the light parade.
The shadow of their wingspread
Sweeps through the cañon’s door;
Out leaps a sounding fury,
And torrent floods the floor.
About the poet John Gould Fletcher
John Gould Fletcher’s Desert Rain captures the dramatic transformation of the arid landscape when a storm sweeps across the desert. The poem’s opening lines describe thunderclouds advancing like soldiers, their “lines of jade” contrasting against the burnished mesas—a striking image that emphasizes the rare yet powerful presence of rain in the desert. The storm is depicted as a force of nature both ominous and grand, gathering strength to “crush the light parade,” a possible reference to the sun’s dominance over the landscape.
The second stanza intensifies the sense of movement and power, as the storm’s shadow spreads through the canyon like great wings, darkening the land before unleashing a furious downpour. The rain floods the canyon floor, signifying both destruction and renewal. Fletcher’s use of vivid imagery and personification makes the rainstorm feel like a mythic force, breathing life into the desert while commanding awe and respect.
Themes and Literary Devices
- Personification: The storm is given life-like qualities, with its “wingspread” casting shadows and its fury echoing through the canyon.
- Contrast: The bright, sunlit mesas are overcome by dark, jade-colored storm clouds, emphasizing the dramatic shifts in the desert’s ecosystem.
- Nature’s Power: The storm is both beautiful and destructive, showing the desert’s duality of harshness and renewal.
Fletcher’s Desert Rain is a brief yet powerful meditation on the rare storms that bring life to the desert, reminding readers of the unpredictable, untamed beauty of the natural world.
Discover More About John Gould Fletcher
John Gould Fletcher was a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and modernist, known for his vivid depictions of nature and experimental free verse. To learn more about his literary contributions and impact, click here to visit his full bio page.