Ode to the Rain

You come down And strengthen the feeble. You pour down And awaken the dying. The frail await your arrival. Your departure saddens the blooming fields. There’s a rebirth at your coming; Hope begins to wane at your leaving. The clouds quake at your appearance, And the sun retreats to its chamber. We see the signs in the sky, Even the boisterous wind that sometimes heralds your arrival. We sit in a room, And you enter through a partly open window. We scamper for safety; My mother calls it a blessing. You hold sway outdoors, While the children stay indoors. They watch through the windows, Singing sad songs. There’s joy deep within at your descent, But mixed feelings for the seafarers. Convey down the blessings of the Divine, And cloak the warmth of the Sahara. June 14, 2025.