breath

By Claire Yu

This poem is about the serenity and cleansing nature of standing in the rain and the importance of taking a moment to breathe and reflect.

people say I'm strange for liking the rain
why shouldn't I?
soft pattering like muted drum beats on my window
God tapping you on the shoulder and whispering
there's more out there. something greater than you can imagine.
this thing i've manifested
from my daydreams.

consider the raindrop—
so perfect and pure so
little so many so
cold on my naked skin
roll like dropped pennies all around
my skin lustrous and cheeks moist
heaven cries for mankind
our tears will wash your sins away
be careful you are not swept up in floodwaters

too many things are nonpolar molecules
hydrophobic, that means, like you 
reject the water because you 
think it will make you soft and so
those who do not let me into their heart will
grow slippery in your hands until they fall and shatter
all that is left is imbibed with holy water

suspension. listen. drink 
in the night sky and sighing trees and let your unspoken 
sorrows hang heavy in humid air until a raindrop 
swallows it whole and falls to the ground
tomorrow there will be dew drops in your flower eyes
tomorrow the sun will shine on your dreams and fears
tomorrow you will forget all that i have told you but
today you are here.

pause.

Process

I have always loved standing in the rain and wanted to write a poem that captures that surreal moment. The idea of rain being God’s tears was intriguing to me and so the poem has two voices: the voice of the narrator and the voice of God. Taking time to stand in the rain and breathe and appreciate nature is such a beautiful way to meditate and de-stress, so the poem is written as if God is speaking to the narrator through the rain and telling them to pause and take a break from their busy lives to breathe in the air.