The storm started just as I sat down to think about writing something for Poetry Friday. A few drops, then harder and harder. Rainstorms often remind me of Listen to the Rain by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault with illustrations by James Endicott. In beautiful lyrical language we follow a storm from its first whisper through its roaring and pouring to the dripping dropping stopping. I’m also reminded of Carolyn Crimi’s Outside, Inside with illustrations by Linnea Asplind Riley. Both of those books are older, and I used them often with students when I was teaching. I’m sure they both served as inspirations for this poem I wrote while taking Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab.
Rain
I start as a whisper,
kiss each posey
and petal.
Every leaf feels the promise
of thirst-quenching relief.
I grow stronger,
drip-dropping into puddles fashioned
from my gift.
Worms and frogs delight
in my goodness.
With a roar
I create a symphony of sound,
conducting the clouds
to set me free.
I splatter and splash,
I pitter and pat.
I whisper.
I rest.
Margaret has today’s Poetry Roundup at Reflections on the Teche.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Rose, such splendid sounds words you used in your poem. I can imagine children sitting in a circle delighted to listen to your poem read aloud.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Carol.
LikeLike
I love the sound story here, can feel the rain swell and receded as I read. Lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sally.
LikeLike
Oh, I haven’t read those two books, but your poem gives the music of rain. I read it aloud–raising my voice from whisper in the first stanza to a roar in the third, and then reverse until the rain stops. Beautiful music!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Denise. That’s exactly what I was going for. If you can get a copy of Listen to the Rain I would highly recommend it. Bill Martin Jr. is a master at creating music with words.
LikeLike
That’s it, Rose! I love the idea of the ‘puddles fashioned’ & all the sounds. We had a rainy weekend last week & while it wasn’t timed so well, I still loved every sound it made, like your poem, from ‘whisper’ to ‘whisper’1
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Linda!
LikeLike
I like how your poem builds crescendo with each stanza and the quick rolling back in the last stanza as it closes, very nice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Michelle..
LikeLike
Love your personification of rain, especially the last stanza. It is raining here now and that pitter patter sound is comforting in a way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I LOVE Listen To the Rain! Your poem perfectly describes the rain we had recently, except the roaring stanza went on and on and on until we had a pond in the easement and two INCHES of rain in the gauge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sooooo pretty! I love these lines: “drip-dropping into puddles fashioned
from my gift.” And, how the storm begins, grows and abates by the end to rest. Just lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your poem beautifully describes the many moods of rain. I love that you let the rain speak for itself in your celebration of its “symphony of sound.” Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love hearing the rain’s point of view, unique to me. I love how the poem builds as the rain gets stronger. Nice work. Renee is a great teacher.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love all the great sounds! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such great sounds and images in this poem, especially:
Worms and frogs delight
in my goodness.
How fun to speak from the rain’s point of view!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve captured the rise and fall of the storm so beautifully in the language and form of this poem. We’ve had a lot of rain this week which topped up the water level of the pond we visit, and your poem made me think of the frogs that live there, and how they experienced this week’s rainstorms.
LikeLiked by 1 person