Ode to Drowning
is it or is it not
the cold monsoon
bearing the shape
of my dark lord,
speaking of his cruelty
his going away?
— Nammalvar
i.
This is an ode
to be sung
in the latest hour of night
when the rain clouds
have gathered
over shingled roofs
and blue-skinned gods
with magical flutes
seduce the virgins to dance
For there is no love
without music
No rain
without peacocks
perched
in branches
of sandalwood trees
with plumes
of angels
and voices of thieves
pleading for their loves
to return
ii.
If rain signals
the lover's return
then I am lost
in the desert
burning
like the brain fever bird
looking for images of you
through mesquite
and teak
Because there's no sign
of you
or what I know
to be as you
only clouds adrift
in a vanquished sky
like vines
of throbbing arms
and mouths
drinking at the shore
intoxicated
with the night
iii.
There are as many ways
of yearning
as there are ways for rain
to fall
slow
incessant
gentle
squalling
melancholy
warm
It's that old idea
of drowning
in another to find the self
the compliance
that water gives in form
and depth
to something else
But what if the humming bees
are quiet
and the garlands of jasmine
have been laid out
to dry
How long to wait
for everything to turn
heavy with flower
immodestly green
washed of dirt
iv.
It's desire after all
that spins us
Demands to be praised
as though it were new
like the stillness
before the first monsoon
when the hymen
of the earth
is torn into
and the brazen smell
of damp
fills the air
Must there be surprise
after we've thundered
and rolled
and appeased our thirst
when the silence returns
again
In truth
isn't it a waiting
that never ends
like the chasm between
the cycles of the world
Between separation
and union
longing and abandonment
And somewhere
between the waning
isn't this what
we're left with
the music
of uncertainty
the aftertaste of rain
poem by Tishani Doshi
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Rain (II)
It thundered as if it would rain;
Appeared sultry as if to feign;
The Sky was clear but blue-black now;
It looked as if the Rain would come!
The clouds were dense and moved slowly;
Lightning patterned the Sky fiercely;
The Wind was almost absent now;
It looked as if the Rain would come!
The Birds were quiet and nested;
Awaiting the downpour, they rested;
The Monsoon was active for now;
It looked as if the Rain would come!
A few droplets of Rain did fall;
Atop the heads of people on stroll;
Afraid, each hurried to his home;
It looked as if the Rain would come!
The Rain did come! The Rain did come!
For once rightly, the Rain did come!
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
My Sneaking Tears
How heavy fell the rain that day
From burdened clouds of mournful grey.
The torrent forced them stay their height -
Composure swayed by onerous might.
My skin wrung wet with icy chill
As mud embraced that sodden hill;
But mind of mine had elsewhere gone -
'Twas clouds abandoned I was on.
The driving drops advanced their gears
To camouflage my sneaking tears -
Whence now did swell such floods of pain
To see me melt into this rain…
On equal bearing now were we:
This rain, myself, in harmony.
Copyright Mark R Slaughter 2009
Rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain
Rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain
Rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain
Rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain
poem by Mark R Slaughter
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Clouds of Silver Rain
The heavy clouds build up once more
Accumulating vast array
These clouds turn up the temperature
Building pressure hour by hour
In distant corners of the brain
They make me thirst for the kind of rain
That bursts as if shattering a dam
At first in almost hesitant flow
Then leaping with abandonment
Into a freedom void unknown
Thick limpid drops in Africa
Thudding down on a metal roof
Drowning out all sounds and sights
All music of the village life
Urgent European rain
Hammering on concrete squares
Leaving silver rivulets
To lap at seeds and tangled roots
These darkening low-hanging clouds
That tighten nerves and muscles both
Trap me in a time of drought -
Body tense, brow under sweat
The prospect of release at last
Enticing more than trails of stars
In the parched savannah plains
To catch the early drops that fall
I long to leap as high as clouds
And rush into the arms of rain -
To bathe the rain in my delight
Inviting it to fall again.
You are the clouds of silver rain,
The rain is where I love you most
And where your love washes my pain
And makes me whole, complete again.
poem by Frank Bana
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Red Rain
Red rain is coming down
Red rain
Red rain is pouring down
Pouring down all over me
I am standing up at the waters edge in my dream
I cannot make a single sound as you scream
It cant be that cold, the ground is still warm to touch
This place is so quiet, sensing that storm
Red rain is coming down
Red rain
Red rain is pouring down
Pouring down all over me
Well Ive seen them buried in a sheltered place in this town
They tell you that this rain can sting, and look down
There is no blood around see no sign of pain
Hay ay ay no pain
Seeing no red at all, see no rain
Red rain is coming down
Red rain
Red rain is pouring down
Pouring down all over me
Red rain-
Putting the pressure on much harder now
To return again and again
Just let the red rain splash you
Let the rain fall on your skin
I come to you defences down
With the trust of a child
Red rain is coming down
Red rain
Red rain is pouring down
Pouring down all over me
And I cant watch any more
No more denial
Its so hard to lay down in all of this
Red rain is coming down
Red rain is pouring down
Red rain is coming down all over me
I see it
Red rain is coming down
Red rain is pouring down
Red rain is coming down all over me
Im bathing in it
Red rain coming down
Red rain is coming down
Red rain is coming down all over me
Im begging you
Red rain coming down
Red rain coming down
Red rain coming down
Red rain coming down
Over me in the red red sea
Over me
Over me
Red rain
song performed by by Peter Gabriel
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Rain Drops
Here comes the grey clouds
rolling in,
Spreading rain all over the
town.
Rain drops help to moisten
the earth's beautiful green
grass.
Sidewalks once dusty are
washed and cleaned.
Rivers and lakes are given
plenty more water.
Fishes swim around happy
beneath the rain drops,
creating millions of ripples
upon the water.
Flowers and plants no longer
Thirst,
Even trees and bushes seem
to dance after a good drink
of water,
Animals get their fill of
water too.
Just Like a shower,
Rain drops clean and
cleanse everything,
Leaving the earth refreshed
and renewed.
After the storm has passed,
The sun shines spreading its
warmth.
Rain drops that are left behind
on Flowers, plants, trees and
grass,
It is like heaven for many insects
to fill their thirsty little
mouths.
Without clouds we would have no
rain drops,
Without rain drops everything would
never be the same.
poem by Derek James
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
O Rain!
O rain! Please come
Give away all your wisdom
O rain! Please return
And bring the news of dear ones
O rain! Please come
Wash away all the tears
O rain! Please return
And do away all our fears
O rain! Please come
Bring the blessings of heaven
O rain! Please return
And quench the thirst of raven
O rain! Please come
Make the rivers flow again
O rain! Please return
Make the earth green once again
poem by Prachi Agrawal
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
February Rain
To be the mud, the bog, the mire;
To soak the bones in February –
Eons from the autumn shower–
Even from a summer berry!
Sparrows chirp a desperate call,
Darting questions at the cows –
Oblivious to the dousing squall, they
Churn the sludge with pastern ploughs.
The crying air was lost in rhythm:
Drums incessant in the drops;
Not a chance for rainbow prism –
Even if the hammering stops!
Metallic chills entrap machines –
Tractors hushed within the shed.
Inside the house, a full cuisine
To bless with mead – and little said!
But out across the tiring field,
A sodden fox is hunting down
His prey of sorts – but nil of yield;
Perhaps he’ll starve; perhaps he’ll drown.
Still the clouds are hammering,
Hammering home their dreary aim –
A chatterbox in constant yammering,
Drenching all to make a claim.
Copyright © Mark R Slaughter 2010
rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain
rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain
rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain
rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain
rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain
rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain
rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain
poem by Mark R Slaughter
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Really Love The Rain
I really love the rain, I really love the rain,
cast your clouds, hide us from it all, wash away these stains
it's my gift, it's my present, I’d spend an hour walking in it's presence.
It's exactly how I feel man, it's exactly how I feel Ya...,
I really love the rain man…, I really love the rain ya....
I spent all day at work now I’ll spend all night in bed, so
I can get up and do it again cause, I really need that rent cause,
I really need that bread cause, I’m tired of going hungry. I’m
tired of needing help, I just want to live a moment for myself.
As selfish as that seems, I just really need that moment
so I can see my options clearly. So I hope the sky's not clearing,
cause I really love the rain man…
I really love the rain ya…, I really love the rain-
a little shower to calm my mind, a gentle mist and a slight
Breeze, bit of dew drips off the trees.
puddles form but not to your knees, no ones missing
no one bleeds. it's exactly how I feel man.., it's exactly how I feel
ya..., I really love the rain man…, I really love the rain ya...
For my anger there's a storm, let the lightning crash and burn.
There's my hatred, there's my rage, there's no way I could turn the page.
Stumbling in my clumsy ways, I’d probably set the book a blaze.
Let it rain oh, let it rain, show all my emotions, empty all my pain.
Man I really love the rain ya..., I really love the rain.
Its my drug it makes my day, like a pill I’d pop all day.
Run and jump and laugh and play, I’ll stay and dance don't go away.
Man I really love the rain ya..., I really love the rain.
Its my drug it makes my day, like a pill I’d pop all day.
I sit and cry and wonder why, who I am or why I’m here?
man this life just isn’t fair, but at least I have the rain.
it's exactly how I feel man..., it's exactly how I feel ya…,
I really love the rain man..., I really love the rain ya...,
poem by Charles Carrelli
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Rain Tolls
And the rain sounded like hail,
From the rooftops - a galvanized frailty
To whom does the rain toll?
The marred corners are baying prudently,
And soon the thunder would crash like the foliage,
For whom does the rain fall?
Then all the people who basked underneath the rain,
From puddles, the images hang loose from the terrain,
To whom does the murk of the wind call?
The cold monsoon blusters,
And the trees sprawl to their forefathers,
Tell me underneath the pouring savagery, for whom does the wind stall?
A chasm waiting to be filled,
By the zenith that scampers throughout the fields,
I am bludgeoned by the wind as it scrolls
The sun failed to resurface – collapsed blatancy
As the clouds tender with rain graced ardently
Dullard as it would appear, the rain proceeds to sear
And by the dying moments of the rain,
The slivers of sleeping restive waters breathe
To give life to one more tempest – in me.
poem by Windsor Guadalupe Jr
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Your presence
When you were away,
You were still so much here
In ocean deep silence,
In torn mind amidst of the wild wind thoughts,
In love deserted tearful eyes,
In lives
Turned lifeless autumn leaves.
As you return
Drench me in incessant rain of love;
It's like gush of water on dry river bed,
It's like sprouted leaves
After the first spell of monsoon rain open arms,
Life has touched me again.
poem by Kingshuk Chakraborty
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A little fall of rain
My morning starts
With teardrops in my eyes
Like a little fall of rain
In my heart I feel the pain
And the tearless earth
Is longing for, a little fall of rain?
That is what they needed.
I watched the world go by in silence
Humming in old familiar string
As I listened to the music of wind
A mournful cry that’s what I perceive
One by one you fall on the ground
Why do I feel sad?
From a little fall of rain
Why the leaves are looking glowing?
Trees and flowers are suddenly bloom
Then the rivers never stop flowing
In every moment, you pass by
They all so glad and welcome you
A little fall of rain that comes from heaven
You’re always a wonder for them
The sun hides on a cloudy sky.
Even the rainbow never used to smile at
The birds were then stopped singing
Neither the clouds have to stop dancing
A little fall of rain
Looked what you have done?
My tears were a fall on the ground
poem by Cheryl Aldea
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Rain Rain Rain
Rain, Rain, Rain, come again and again,
In the winter, in the summer and in spring,
Come with joy, fall with happiness and go with sorrow,
Rain, Rain, Rain come again and again.
Rain, Rain, Rain come to relive earth's pain,
Rain, Rain, Rain come to make nature happy,
Rain, Rain, Rain come to make livings happy,
Rain, Rain, Rain come again and again.
Rain, Rain, Rain don't go away,
Rain, Rain, Rain i hope you will stay,
Rain, Rain, Rain come again and again.
poem by Vikram Pratap Singh
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Rain CAN
rain cant tell a lie,
rain can be louder then a fly,
rain cant make shoes
rain can hit the roof
rain cant be nice (person wise)
rain can make ice
rain cant bleed
rain can grow a seed
rain cant draw a toon
rain can make a tune
rain cant be a loon
rain can make a monsoon
so rain can and cant do alot of things.
here comes the rain!
oh look! it's spring!
poem by Its yellow jello my little fellow. yell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Thunder Cracks In The Gray Sky
The thunder cracks in the gray sky and the rain it is bucketing down
Above the high and dry and bare paddocks by the river that flows by the town
On those paddocks that need heaps of rain it has been awhile since they were green
This countryside is looking dry 'tis as dry as it ever has been
His feathers soaked wet from the rain the magpie flutes on the blackwood tree
From it's drenched leaves the rain drips and drips by the river that flows to the sea
To the river adown the bare hill the water in rivulets run
As soon as the rain will have stopped they will quickly dry out in the sun
The Summer has been warm and dry and the long range weather forecast is for a dry Fall
An hour of heavy thunder rain of little use though better than nothing at all
For months the farmers have been praying for rain their prayers in part answered today
But the sun shines across the brown hills and the rain clouds are clearing away
And the magpie shakes his feathers dry and no rain drops left to drip from the trees
And white butterflies flitting about in the sunshine and feshening breeze.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Rain oh Rain
Rain oh Rain
When will thy come to wash my pain?
Rain oh Rain
I have been in tears all day
Rain oh Rain
Please do not go far away
Rain oh Rain
Release thy fresh water upon me
Rain oh Rain
Melt the ice and make me chill
Rain oh Rain
Wet the earth and make it plant bloom
Rain oh Rain
Let thy freshness embrace the earth
Rain oh Rain
Make me happy and filled with joy
Rain oh Rain
For thy presence i wait.
poem by Peace Okhomina
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Rainy Skies
Listen to the soothing rain
Touch against the window pane
Steady drops are what I see
As if falling down on me
Torrent of rain so steady
Looking at clouds hang heavy
This rain to us is a pleasant sound
Cool water music splashing down
This rain looks like teardrops
We're wondering when it will stop
Safe, secure in my lover's arms am I
Cocooned in love like the dark sky
Watching the fire slowly burn
Enchanted lovers not wanting to turn
It's not just another rainy night
Cares and worries all take flight
No words need be spoken
For our love is not an empty token
poem by Lorie Robertson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
There And Back Again For Jt Ellison
The river flows unhurriedly
on its long journey to the sea
Sometimes flows fast and sometimes slow.
It does not matter really though
.
All rivers will eventually
become part of the great salt sea.
From whence they came as clouds and rain
to which they must return again
The sea and Sun co operate.
Evaporate, precipitate
Recycling water constantly.
All rivers flow into the sea.
Where they evaporate and rise
as water vapour to the skies.
The chill will change its state again
from water vapour into rain.
Which falls upon the earth below
to nourish all the plants that grow
Without the rain then there would be
no rivers flowing to the sea.
The world be a desert place
of growing plants no single trace.
A world of grey and brown and dun
Defeated by the burning sun.
Although the rain can be a curse
no rain at all would be much worse.
Accepting philosophically
the rain must fall and frequently.
Though sometimes inconveniently
Without the rain where would be
Extinct I think without a doubt
I much prefer the rain to drought.
Though it may rain on your parade
and spoil the plans which you have made.
You should be thankful for the rain,
you have small reason to complain.
Nature recycles constantly.
water the prime necessity.
If she did not then we would die
Beneath a blue and cloudless sky.
6-Dec-08
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Just Like The Rain
Just like the rain,
That pours from the sky,
My love for you will never die.
Just like the rain,
That falls on the ground,
I will always be around.
Just like the rain,
That falls upon me,
I'm as happy as I could ever be.
Just like the rain,
With it's pure beauty,
It surely is a sight to see.
Just like the rain,
I can now see,
We were truly meant to be.
Just like the rain,
Sometimes warm and sometimes cold,
You make my heart, not break, but fold.
Just like the rain,
Beneath your feet,
Just come over here and take a seat.
Just like the rain,
Watch it with me,
So you can begin to see.
Just like the rain,
Who may always know,
That I need to stay, and never go.
Just like the rain,
Who knows what's in my heart,
It knows we should never be apart.
Just like the rain,
Please just stay,
And never go any day.
Just like the rain,
That descends from the sky,
Please, please just give me a try...
Just like the rain,
It doesn't last forever,
But it might if we're together.
Just like the rain,
I'm asking you,
When are you going to?
Just like the rain,
I cannot wait,
Until I'm finally in that place.
Just like the rain,
That's in that place in your heart,
When am I going to be that part?
Just like the rain,
That goes alone,
Am I going to turn into stone?
Just like the rain.
I'm waiting for you,
Waiting until you finally do.
Just like the rain,
That goes away,
Do you really want me to stay?
Just like the rain,
I want to know,
Should I stay or should I go?
Just like the rain,
Before that time is passed,
Why don't you just ask?
Just like the rain,
So mysterious to me,
You are just as much as thee.
Just like the rain,
I feel on my skin,
When will you let this relationship begin?
Just like the rain,
I cannot wait,
So come and ask me,
Before it's too late.
poem by Mystykka Mysterious
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Rain,rain
Why am I here if youre there
So far away its not fair
To be without you like this
I miss you more than you know
The nights are long
The days slow
Without the warmth of your kiss
Wish you were back here with me
Cause out my window
All is see is
Rain , rain in the sky
Everywhere I look my eyes see
Rain , rain fallin down
Crying as it hits the ground
Rain , rain in my heart
Every day that were apart
Rain , rain
Falling rain , rain
Rain , rain
Only rain , rain
The sun is strong when youre near
But when youre gone it disappears
Behind an ocean of blue
The telephones not good enough
It cant reach out it cant touch
Me like the way you do
Wish you would knock at my door
Cause only you can stop the pouring
Rain , rain in the sky
Everywhere I look my eyes see
Rain , rain fallin down
Crying as it hits the ground
Rain , rain in my heart
Every day that were apart
Rain , rain
Falling rain , rain
Rain , rain
Only rain , rain
Maybe ill go outside
And walk beneath the clouds
Pretend its you thats watching over me
This isnt the only thing that comes
Between us now
Baby soon well be together
Oooo
( everywhere I look I see rain )
( everywhere I look I see rain )
Rain
( everywhere I look I see rain )
Everywhere I look I see rain
( everywhere I look I see rain )
Rain
( everywhere I look I see rain )
Rain
( rain , rain in the sky )
( everywhere I look my eyes see rain )
Rain
( rain falling down )
Down
( crying as it hits the ground )
Dont , dont let it hit the ground
( rain , rain in my heart everyday that were apart )
( rain , rain )
Rain
( falling rain, rain )
Rain
( rain, rain )
Everywhere I look I see rain
Everywhere I look I see rain
But I dont see you
Youre not near me
I need you ooo
Rain
Itll never be the same
If you dont stop the rain
song performed by by Cher
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The Rain
I don't know how far I can see
'cause it's all blue water streaming towards me
The sun needs to shine normally
but it's all grey rain
The rain, the rain on me, rain on me
Chorus
So I will find a place, where I can hide from the sky
And I will wait in this place,
'cause I know you're trying to
Open up your sky
Push away the dark clouds and shine
Forget the thunder so loud, don't be afraid
Show yourself ! Don't hide now !
The rain, the rain on me, rain on me
The rain, the rain on me, rain on me
I don't know how high you can see
but it's all grey water falling down on me
The sun needs to shine normally
but it's all grey rain
Chorus
song performed by by Kate Ryan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!