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Running in the Rain

Friends,

What exhilarates you? What brings a fresh, blooming smile to your face? There are so many things I love in this world: cooking, hiking, painting, reading... but also rain! Rain has this amazing capacity to brighten my face and invigorate me, much like it does to the ashy trees that line a street, which suddenly turn vibrant green after a storm. I used to "shower" in the rain when I was little; and let's face it, if I had my own backyard, I probably still would. It was wonderful- feeling cleansed by nature's own bath. Once I climbed on top of my parents' brick mailbox and sat through an entire storm. I watched the birds fly frantically to find shelter, I heard the hot humming of Texas insects cool in the moist, chilly air. I saw sky darken, the lightning crack in the deep gray air, and felt the rolls of thunder reverberate through me. The sky opened and I was SOAKED from head to toe, just like the rest of my street. The pounding rain quickened and then soon slowed down (the magic of Texas weather). Before long, there were just a few lagging sprinkles here and there, and the insects and birds began humming, chirping and flying again- like they were celebrating the end of a long ordeal. The sun peeked out behind the clouds. It was over... and I had the biggest smile on my face.

Last year, I had the pleasure of being caught in the rain during a run with Sagar by Lake Michigan. We were drenched by the time we actually got home, but it was beautiful.

~Running in the Rain~
We ran so far from home
anxious for a rhythm to
bring us together
wind slapping our faces and
the far-reaching distance reminding
us of our smallness
We chased the skyline with the thunder and rain
snapping at our heels
hearts and feet pounding
the fear of being caught
pushing us harder and
harder down the well-
worn, rain-mottled pavement
as we watched each other's clothes
darken with the falling water
We ventured a chuckle, then a laugh
accepting the gray, accepting the rain
both chilling and warming
tongues sticking out to catch-
faces pointing up to feel-
the lovely freshness
Soon, we were drenched, yet
we went on running, sopping,
chuckling
all the way home.
~Poonam Desai (6/2012)

Monsoon 
(taken by P.Desai, Jaipur, India; June 2006)
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Comments

  1. UnknownApril 17, 2012 at 12:12 PM

    Very nicely put Poonam. Believe it or not, as soon as I opened the Jaipur picture I smelled...yes literally...the smell of first few raindrops that touch the ground.Aaah Heavenly!Before marriage I too used to LOVE taking rain "baths" :)....Would sit in my balcony with one of my books wrapped up in a plastic wrap and read....took care of two things - enjoyed my rain and my reading :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PoonamApril 15, 2015 at 8:12 PM

      How beautiful! What a wonderful way to experience the rain! I love that you sat in plastic wrap! =)

      Delete

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