navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #15 » I Thank the Rain
Open Poetry #15
Post A Reply Post New Topic I Thank the Rain Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
RSWells
Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533


0 posted 2001-08-29 08:19 PM



A sun obnoxious in it's insistence,
so glaringly persistent in it's
domination of waking hours.

A landscape open to the horizon
without interruption of hill
let alone mountain.

The sense of endlessness
coupled with nothingness
all highlighted by an
overbearing orb which mocks
efforts towards an eased existence
by those scrutinized,
vacates,
for two days of rain.

Green lushness
in its myriad shades,
reveals a much kinder life
in the south Texas terrain
than the squint eyed effort
required by ordinary August days.

And all life relaxes;

Pine needles which committed
suicide, leaping from the loblollies
to the garage roof
gather in moistened heaps
on angled shingles now softened
in a wet sheen.

"Outside" dogs laze on porches,
snouts between paws,
dreaming,
forgetting the recent despair
of bounced breathing heads,
tongue flung panting
and help me eyes.

Crape Myrtles splay open
imitating rain barrels,
gathering the good times
and push to the forefront
their lavender,
as proffered snowcones
by a friendly vendor.

Transplanted palms
thank their good fortune,
lime striped spider plants perk,
hibiscus heal and hope
their orange hair bows
attract admiration from beings
who've now no reason to hurry
from fake climates to cool quarters
with drawn shades.

Birds sweet trills
re-enter hearing range,
no longer muted by the drone
of air conditioned constancy.

One needn't be snowbound
in arctic settings to suffer cabin fever,
nor too long in distressing heat's
infinite flat hopelessness
to realize a simple cloud
can with it's rain
end the reign of terror
of the most brilliant depression.



I wield the flail of the lashing hail,
and whiten the green plains under,
and then again I dissolve it in rain,
and laugh as I pass in thunder
-The Cloud-Shelley

[This message has been edited by RSWells (edited 08-29-2001).]

© Copyright 2001 Richard S. Wells jr. - All Rights Reserved
snowpants
Member Elite
since 2000-09-16
Posts 2061
KS
1 posted 2001-08-29 08:25 PM


'One needn't be snowbound
in arctic settings to suffer cabin fever,
nor too long in distressing heat's
infinite flat hopelessness
to realize a simple cloud
can with it's rain
end the reign of terror
of the most brilliant depression.'

Oh yeah!!  So so true...this is one of your best, well, at least my favorite, Richard...fantastic images and what a message!  Truly, truly enjoyed this!

sp  

tried to write a letter
to tell you how I feel,
but all I kept on writing
was slipping on the tears from the day...

SEA
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
2 posted 2001-08-29 08:29 PM


a man after my own heart   I LOVE the rain
trying to be patient waiting for mine   this is beyond wonderful!!!!  

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
3 posted 2001-08-29 08:31 PM


RSWells~
This is truly a most descriptive piece~

'Pine needles which committed
suicide, leaping from the loblollies
to the garage roof
gather in moistened heaps
on angled shingles now softened
in a wet sheen.'


'Crape Myrtles splay open
imitating rain barrels,
gathering the good times
and push to the forefront
their lavender,
as proffered snowcones
by a friendly vendor.'


The picture so clearly displayed is a pleasure to read.

Very, very nice.
~*Marge*~



~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
                                   noles1@totcon.com            

Poet Unknown
Member
since 2001-08-14
Posts 140
Missouri
4 posted 2001-08-29 08:37 PM


hey man that was really good i liked readin it =o)

Eternal agony, invisions of carnage, needles stabbing you in the eye, this is what its like when doves cry

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
5 posted 2001-08-29 08:50 PM


Very well written....I loved it, just as I love the rain.

~Somewhere in my heart I'm always
Dancing with you in the summer rain~

Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

6 posted 2001-08-29 09:14 PM


A sun obnoxious in it's insistence,
so glaringly persistent in it's
domination of waking hours.
====================================
The sense of endlessness
coupled with nothingness
all highlighted by an
overbearing orb which mocks
efforts towards an eased existence
by those scrutinized,
vacates,
for two days of rain.
=====================================

As in a couple other poems of yours that I recall...I am intrigued by the way you write the sun as an adversary...
its a very interesting and unique perspective (as we poets tend to worship sunrise/sunsets)
and by doing so, your analogies and metaphors
work perfectly to burn the reader into feeling the heat and drought your poem paints.  (I'm tasting the dust) *S* and then the relief the rain brought, both to the elements and the emotional drought.
As a landscaper I loved the imagery and the various plants you scaped this poem with.
very creative writing Richard...
I'll do a rain dance for ya    


"oh you speak to me in riddles
and you speak to me in rhymes
my body aches to breathe your breath
your words keep me alive"

~Sarah McLachlan~

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

7 posted 2001-08-29 09:27 PM


Exactly. Fabulous expression, RS. I can totally relate to this one. Enough is enough, after all! Bring on those cooler temps and fast! I'm sick of summer!
Songbird
Member Elite
since 1999-12-15
Posts 2184
Missouri
8 posted 2001-08-29 11:26 PM


Sound alot like the place I live.. good descriptions of your habitat.
Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

9 posted 2001-08-30 12:24 PM


I am always impressed with the patience it must take to write something like this.  As soon as I read this:

A landscape open to the horizon
without interruption of hill
let alone mountain

I thought it must be Texas.  I've never seen any place else where the landscape could be so described.  And Southern summers can be brutal...you did them poetic justice!
  

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
10 posted 2001-08-30 12:55 PM


Rain? Is that the wet stuff that falls from the sky everywhere else BUT here?

This is so beautiful..wished I was there...

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
11 posted 2001-08-30 01:24 AM


Very nice work!  
I'd thank God to have some rain up here. The idea of this poem is so refreshing as you have presented it so well!!

rwood
Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793
Tennessee
12 posted 2001-08-30 06:13 AM


Green lushness
in its myriad shades,
reveals a much kinder life
in the south Texas terrain
than the squint eyed effort
required by ordinary August days

I felt this summed up Texas for me to a T. I lived in San Antonio for a while. Or actually I (lived) by the pool of our apartment complex. It's like everything that is scorched comes to life over night with rainfall. An oasis springs up! So brilliantly described in your words.

P.S. "Homing" is a thank you note. You inspired it.

Sincerely,
Regina

2dalimit
Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228
Mississippi coast
13 posted 2001-08-30 08:28 AM


I believe you've covered it all. Good read.

Melton

Lady In White
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2001-02-12
Posts 2799
USA
14 posted 2001-08-30 01:38 PM



On many levels I shall read this again, and again...

well done, Sir!

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #15 » I Thank the Rain

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary