Poem 16

This poem represents a larger pattern in which I write about things from a child's perspective with an adult voice. Sometimes kids have a unique perspective and can say surprisingly insightful things. I'm not so sure I ever did; some things were too big to talk about. It's probably a good thing that I write about this now instead of then.

When It Was Raining and Shining at the Same Time

I never knew the clouds could peel
back at the edge of the city
and still sail, dark above the trees
like big ships. Those water owners,
dropping their wet cargo in bits,
don’t seem like they know how the light
sneaks under them to warm my face.
Rain spatters into my cupped hand
and onto the street with a smell,
itself a bath, cleaning the day.
And, being five, the little I know
is that the ground is wet with rain
and the clouds are split by the sun.
What joy to run on these wet feet.