—Public Domain Photo
RAIN BARREL
—Tina Hayes, Rio Linda, CA
We met that winter
when the chill in the air
made it a simple thing
to burrow together.
Two creatures seeking another
while the sky shouted
and raged us into
the warmth of a temporary shelter.
We became mated because
it seemed safe and satiated the ache
that long winters bring.
While wind and rain ripped away
the surfaces of the world
we believed that only the den was real.
When spring began to breathe
warmth into the trees
the land above us burst alive.
Storms gave way to sunshine and gentle raindrops
and everything grew easily.
We watched together in amusement
the old neighborhoods
that had burrowed out nearby.
They were busy tending Rain Barrels together.
But the world was full
of such easy promise!!
and those barrels were a waste
of such an obvious spring.
Oh, the sad effects
of dotage we murmured to each other
shaking our heads in pity.
We made a garden together
in that easy spring
and the burgeoning sprouts seemed
a sure sign that our lives
would grow together and feed us.
Before long, Summer came
with hot breath and thirsty throat
to drink up all the water
and wilt the harvest.
Soon we struggled to feed each other
and finally to feed ourselves.
Hope and love withered on the vine.
We could no longer tend our fair weather garden.
Our neighbors smiled sadly
from across the way
and ladled water from their Rain Barrel
onto a thriving summer garden.
There was a picnic set in the shade of
A tree.
____________________
Welcome to Tina Hayes, and thanks for her Rain Barrel poem! More about Tina later.
—Medusa
—Tina Hayes, Rio Linda, CA
We met that winter
when the chill in the air
made it a simple thing
to burrow together.
Two creatures seeking another
while the sky shouted
and raged us into
the warmth of a temporary shelter.
We became mated because
it seemed safe and satiated the ache
that long winters bring.
While wind and rain ripped away
the surfaces of the world
we believed that only the den was real.
When spring began to breathe
warmth into the trees
the land above us burst alive.
Storms gave way to sunshine and gentle raindrops
and everything grew easily.
We watched together in amusement
the old neighborhoods
that had burrowed out nearby.
They were busy tending Rain Barrels together.
But the world was full
of such easy promise!!
and those barrels were a waste
of such an obvious spring.
Oh, the sad effects
of dotage we murmured to each other
shaking our heads in pity.
We made a garden together
in that easy spring
and the burgeoning sprouts seemed
a sure sign that our lives
would grow together and feed us.
Before long, Summer came
with hot breath and thirsty throat
to drink up all the water
and wilt the harvest.
Soon we struggled to feed each other
and finally to feed ourselves.
Hope and love withered on the vine.
We could no longer tend our fair weather garden.
Our neighbors smiled sadly
from across the way
and ladled water from their Rain Barrel
onto a thriving summer garden.
There was a picnic set in the shade of
A tree.
____________________
Welcome to Tina Hayes, and thanks for her Rain Barrel poem! More about Tina later.
—Medusa
Tina and Marley Hayes
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