the rain starts gently
like an echo of a whisper
more felt than heard
the wet specks
on the sidewalk confirming
that it’s rain
and just when
it registers in my brain
that it is sprinkling
the deluge comes
instantaneous and
relentless
staining the road black
silencing the birdsong and
sending cats inside
but the breeze
undeterred by the wetness
plays in the rain
and the rain and breeze
join forces and come in through
my screen door
which I have
defiantly left open
to greet the rain
they cool the house
instantly and bring
freshness indoors
and as the song of the rain
and the dance of the wind
wind down and fade away
all that is left
is the whispering
of sprinkling rain
