Since August, we’ve had just over 5 inches of rain. That’s not just weather—it’s a mirror of what life feels like sometimes. It is the third lowest rain total for that period since readings have been recorded. No question, we are in a severe drought. One day the drought will end and in Texas style we will get an over abundance of rain in a brief period. It’s a good metaphor for life. Each of us goes through drought periods where we wonder if anything good will come our way again. Sometimes our droughts can appear to be endless. Hang in there, your drought, like my South Texas drought, will end. Maybe you’ll have a Texas sized downpour of good news coming at you all at once. Never quit.
rain
Do You Fear the Wind? ~ A Poem by Hamlin Garland
Do You Fear the Wind?
Hamlin Garland
Do you fear the force of the wind,
The slash of the rain?
Go face them and fight them,
Be savage again.
Go hungry and cold like the wolf,
Go wade like the crane:
The palms of your hands will thicken,
The skin of your cheek will tan,
You’ll grow ragged and weary and swarthy,
But you’ll walk like a man!
As One Listens to the Rain ~ A Poem by Octavio Paz
As One Listens to the Rain
Octavio Paz
Listen to me as one listens to the rain,
not attentive, not distracted,
light footsteps, thin drizzle,
water that is air, air that is time,
the day is still leaving,
the night has yet to arrive,
figurations of mist
at the turn of the corner,
figurations of time
at the bend in this pause,
listen to me as one listens to the rain,
without listening, hear what I say
with eyes open inward, asleep
with all five senses awake,
it’s raining, light footsteps, a murmur of syllables,
air and water, words with no weight:
what we are and are,
the days and years, this moment,
weightless time and heavy sorrow,
listen to me as one listens to the rain,
wet asphalt is shining,
steam rises and walks away,
night unfolds and looks at me,
you are you and your body of steam,
you and your face of night,
you and your hair, unhurried lightning,
you cross the street and enter my forehead,
footsteps of water across my eyes,
listen to me as one listens to the rain
in the rain ~ A Poem by e. e. cummings
in the rain
e. e. cummings
In the rain-darkness,
the sunset
being sheathed i sit
and think of you the holy
city which is your face
your little cheeks the streets
of smiles
your eyes half-
thrush
half-angel and your drowsy
lips where float flowers of kiss
and
there is the sweet shy pirouette
your hair
and then
your dance song
soul rarely-beloved
a single star is
uttered, and i
think
of you
Today’s Poem: Changing of the Seasons by Shel Silverstein
Changing of the Seasons
Shel Silverstein
Oh the changing of the seasons it’s a pretty thing to see
And though I find this balmy weather pleasin’
There’s the wind come from tomorrow and I hear it callin’ me
And I’m bound for the changing of the seasons
Oh it’s blowin’ in Chicago and it’s snowin’ up in Maine
And the Islands to the south are warm and sunny
And I’ve got to feel the earth shake and I gotta feel the rain
And I’ve got to know a taste of more than honey
So don’t ask me where I’m goin’ or how long I’m gonna be away
Don’t make me give you all the hollow reasons
I’ll think of you like summer and I might be back some day
When my heart miss the changing of the seasons
Oh it’s blowin’ in Chicago…
[ guitar ]
Oh it’s nothing that you said and it ain’t nothing that you done
And I wish I could explain you why I’m leavin’
But there’s some men need the winter and there’s some men need the sun
And there’s some men need the changing of the seasons
Yeah it’s blowin’ in Chicago…
Today’s Poem: A Song by Harry Breaker Morant
A Song
Harry Breaker Morant
The sun may shine, the rain may fall,
And the world roll round about, –
The king’s men and king’s horses all
Can never rub one thing out.
Skies may darken – clouds will flit –
Troubles may gather and go:
For my sweetheart loves me “just a bit!
And, oh! I love her so.
The vapour vanishes in the sun!
So pass cures, doubts, and pains –
For I’m “loved a bit” by the dearest one,
And the best the world contains.
Today’s Thought: A Refreshing Rain
I woke up around one in the morning. There was a flash of lightening and crack of thunder, then the rain came. When you live in south Texas, the sound of rain at any time of day is welcomed. I especially like a thunderstorm and rain at night. I was off to dream world within minutes. The storm was over when my alarm sounded. When I walked outside, there was a fresh smell to earth. Rain during a hot summer’s night and the fresh smell of the earth, things to be grateful for.
Today’s Poem: Hope by Mary Baker Eddy
Hope
Mary Baker Eddy
Tis borne on the zephyr at eventide’s hour;
It falls on the heart like the dew on the flower,–
An infinite essence from tropic to pole,
The promise, the home, and the heaven of Soul.
Hope happifies life, at the altar or bower,
And loosens the fetters of pride and of power;
It comes through our tears, as the soft summer rain,
To beautify, bless, and make joyful again.
The harp of the minstrel, the treasure of time;
A rainbow of rapture, o’erarching, divine;
The God-given mandate that speaks from above,–
No place for earth’s idols, but hope thou, and love.
Today’s Thought: It’s Time to Release Your Inner Chil
Triple digits are expected in south Texas this week. School is over until August. Some people will complain about the heat. The kids won’t. I’ll see them playing soccer, football, and basketball. I’ll hear their screams from the pool and nearby playground. Kids adapt so much better than adults. It might be because they know they are powerless (for the most part) and instead of fighting the weather, they go along with it and enjoy it. If we’re lucky enough to get an afternoon rain, I’ll see some kids running in the rain. As adults, we think we are powerful. That’s an illusion. We get angry when we can’t change things we don’t like (check out the news if you don’t believe me). I think children have a healthier attitude. I’m going to get outside today and release my inner child (Yes, Mom, I’ll put on sunscreen and carry a bottle of water). LOL.
Today’s Thought: Live With Confidence
It’s raining as I write this post. The roads will be slick for a bit then the oil will wash off. If you’ve never lived in south Texas you might not be expecting to slide through an intersection. I can happen if it hasn’t rained for a while and you happen to be out and about when it starts. Life is like that. Sometimes the unexpected events pop into our lives. They fall on a spectrum from a wonderful surprise to something quite the opposite. Whatever it is, we have to react to it if we’re to have any control over the eventual affect of the surprising event on us. If we trust ourselves, have self confidence and a solid foundation, we will make it through. Whatever comes your way today, and I hope it’s all good, you already have the strength and wisdom to deal with it. Go forward with confidence.
