“Raining cats and dogs”
PDX in the winter
“Soaked to the gills”
Syllable Lune
#NaPoWriMo 2019–Day 10–Today, I’d like to challenge you to write a poem that starts from a regional phrase, particularly one to describe a weather phenomenon. You may remember one from growing up
Love thy neighbor
Standing in the pouring rain
On a city corner
Not dressed for Winter weather
Yet he didn’t complain
Though he’s covered in raindrops
From his head to foot
He smiles and says he’s thankful
It’s not a hot, sunny day
Choka
Today was a wet, windy, winter day as Oregon winters usually are. I didn’t really want to be out in it but I needed coffee for tomorrow’s breakfast so I made a quick run to the grocery.
I left the store feeling pretty cheery as my coffee was on sale and the bottles I returned put an extra $2.00 cash in my pocket.
As I was driving out of the store parking lot I got stopped at the red light, where a young man in only a thin shirt and pants was standing holding a soggy cardboard sign that said “Anything Helps. Have a Blessed Day”
Feeling he must be pretty desperate to be out in this weather, I rolled down my window and handed him the $2.00 cash I had just gotten. He took it and said “Thank You”.
“It’s pretty rainy and chilly out here today” I said, making conversation as the light was still red.
Though he was soaked from head to foot he smiled and said it was better than a hot sunny day and that he would rather be wet from rain than sweat.
Even so, I told him there was a thrift shop in town where he might be able to get a raincoat free. He said he knew that but had to wait until next month to get his voucher.
The light turned green and I had to move on.
I called my daughter. “Do you happen to have a raincoat at your house that no one is using?” I asked.
“Just that green one you gave me last summer” she replied.
Ah, the Green Raincoat. I had found it in a box marked “Free” at a yard sale I was at this summer. I took it with me that day thinking my daughter or someone in our family could use it, but no one had. It had just hung on a hook waiting for this time in life. It’s purpose had been found. It was going to someone who really needed it.
The young man smiled as I returned and and gave him the raincoat.
“You have a Blessed Day” he said, as he put on the green raincoat which fit him perfectly.
Unwanted and discarded
Have you ever felt that way?
Banished, set free
Judged unworthy by those
Who don’t see your value
You go through life hanging ‘round
Waiting and hoping
The day will come when you
Are noticed, needed
Choka
Abundant food sources
Vanished with the Springtime
Lonely Robin
Seeking a fruit bearing bush
Wanders among the raindrops
Tanka
This Robin chose not to fly South for the Winter I guess. I saw him hopping around my yard in the rain and was surprised to find out that not all Robins fly South, but some stick around and eat fruit in the Wintertime. (Photo is not very clear as I had to snap it quickly using my phone thru my patio window from quite a distance)
The American Robin–Making Sense Of Migration
No Jack Frost nipping
No Frosty Snowman dancing
Rainy day in December
Haiku
November winds blow
And leaves huddle together
Raindrops falling fast
Haiku
Blessings come down like rain
Monoku
He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. Psalm 72:6
This rainbow
Given to me
By Lord God
Just before
I received
My award
Of Mac High’s
Diploma
Syllabic Verse
This really happened at my Granddaughter’s High School Graduation! It was pouring rain almost thru the whole ceremony, we all got drenched, and then…just before her name got called to go up for her diploma the rain stopped and this beautiful Double Rainbow came out with the sun shining thru the clouds! So awesome!
