Wishing for rain

I love rainy days! There's something peaceful about them. I'm accustomed to the weather patterns of Central Ohio, so Texas weather is taking some adjustment. I live about 80 miles from the Gulf Coast, so we get a great deal of humidity and warm air. There are two seasons here: hot and wet; we are now in the hot season. Actually, the hot season is not supposed to begin until next month, but I suppose Mother Nature decided to move up the date. The wet season typically involves beautiful, temperate weather with plenty of rainy days interspersed inbetween. Thankfully, the hot season, on average, lasts only 3 months, with the other 9 months pleasantly mild.

As a substitute teacher, I have the fortune of getting days off without having to ask for them--I'm simply not called in to cover for anyone. Last month, I had one such day. It was a Monday and the wee morning hours brought in a nice thunder storm, which ended around 5 or 6am. The rest of the day was a steady rain that was just heavy enough for taking an outdoor shower. My son loves water and would've happily been up for a walk in the rain, but without proper raingear, I opted not to take him for that walk. In the afternoon, I laid him down for his nap, plopped myself in the recliner for my own rest and through the windows, I could see the rain fall gently onto the ground. I also took pleasure in the sound of the drops falling onto the roof of the house. I began to think about my son and how much enjoyment he derives from moments that we adults either take for granted or grouse about, such as rainy days. Perhaps our kids can teach us a thing or two about just letting loose and living for the moment.

It has been a long time since I last jumped in a huge puddle of water or played in the rain, allowing myself to revel in that moment of freedom. As I sat and drank in the quiet atmosphere, words began to form in my head. I haven't attempted poetry in some time (chasing after a little one often leaves me physically and mentally exhausted), so please don't expect much:

For my son, John, pictured above:

Have You Ever Walked in the Rain?

Have you ever walked in the rain,
Or felt the drops fall on your face
As they slowly decend your cheeks,
And taking pleasure in sticking out your tongue
To take a drink from the heavens?

Have you ever danced in the rain,
Leaping and jumping between the drops,
Spinning with your arms open wide,
Revelling in a moment of freedom
That will be gone by the next rays of sun?

Have you ever listened to the rain,
As it pitter-patters upon rooftops
And bounces off leaves
Landing upon the ground
To begin the cycle again?

Have you ever walked in the rain?