It Might Rain Some

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. - Thoreau

sans water let alone power

in the familiar squeak of an antediluvian rocking chair

through the doddery old bread dough of senescent window putty

paint peeling like onion skin

violins quivering with an uneasy malaise

it's not about the bill but rather who pays

he could see the weeds growing around the clothesline where yesterday was hung out to dry

a game of war in his mind with a never ending, unshuffled deck of cards

fox holes, land mines, shrapnel, nocturnal air raids - the whole nine yards

vacant, ushering vesture blowing in a breeze of today held by the insecure pins of tomorrow

time begged

life stolen

garb of faith worn in the wake of sorrow

eternity borrowed

storm clouds threatening

what could have been

what might be

with hindsight it's easy to see

come what will come

regardless of where from

it's beginning to look as though

it might rain some

Author's Note

"A single gentle rain makes the grass many shades greener. So our prospects brighten on the influx of better thoughts. We should be blessed if we lived in the present always, and took advantage of every accident that befell us. A single gentle rain makes the grass many shades greener." - Thoreau

Reviews

[AYVID N]

I loved the dilapidated feel of the house and it's weeds. They complement the occupier of the house, who feels equally desolate with sorrowful memories threatening to rain on him anytime, all the time. He feels truly embattled within. Perhaps, has been a soldier, torn by wars. Still trying to hold on with all the faith in him. He has to because, reading the poem, I felt no one else cared.

I loved these lines, especially and much:

"vacant, ushering vesture blowing in a breeze of today held by the insecure pins of tomorrow"

~ The imagery is very strong and beautiful here.

The subtle rhyming was also so good to read and I loved it in the concluding lines.

The quote by Thoreau in the Authors Note is just awesome. Thank you for sharing.

[Pete]

you certainly have a keen eye for detail. you clearly felt the lonely, isolated mood. a storm, although unsettling when it approaches, can bring relief. thank you so much for sharing thoughts ... :)

[AYVID N]

It was such a pleasure Pete! :)

[Ken Simm.]

So much in this rich write. So many layers, so much said that the reader can get to himself from his/her experience. I enjoyed this read.

[Pete]

thank you for taking the time to stop and look out of the window to take inventory of what is seen as it relates to our lives. blessings your way ken ... :)

[Betty Hermelee]

Returning to your roots, taking it all in, the house, the windows the clothesline, the weeds, time for reflection on some heartfelt moments in one's was is life...what was is out not there now... and as you say hindsight is 50 50.... yous peak about war and death... might it be you coming home to your boyhood home to see the now and what was? and what will tomorrow bring? well written Pete and a bit sad to me....
Best, B

[Pete]

remarkably insightful betty. yes, they say that we can't go home again. it does us no good to ask ourselves what-ifs yet i think we all do it at times and more so as we age. your thought are much appreciated. thank you ... :)

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Pete.
Best, B

[Einstein Noodle]

enjoyed the journey, Pete. well said says i! age really can and does bring with it some wisdom .. of the importance of the only real time we have on our hands ... now .. love it! there is solace in the heaviness of doddering .. and a familiarity in the squeak of his rocker that gives, tho perhaps annoyingly .. a certain comfort .. i like this .. i read an acceptance of darkness without it's threatening fears to go with it .. thought provoking, inspirational and without a doubt very universal .. as always the pic and Thoreau quote are perfect fits .. thanks for sharing Pete!
E.

[Pete]

such good perception and insight you share on the matter - all true. exactly what rocking chairs and spare time were made for. thanks as always e. ... :)

[Scott Andrews]

For some reason it brings to mind a widowed veteran seeing out his days, tormented by the experiences of youth. The isolation of the house is almost representative of how he feels inside. It's a truth of depression that no matter what you feel, life continues around you, and if you are not careful leaves you behind.

I think this line is spectacular:

"he could see the weeds growing around the clothesline where yesterday was hung out to dry"

It is so incredibly perceptible and captures this moment, where the main character is lost looking out of his window and almost recognises his sadness but still doesn't acknowledge it.

It is a very poignant piece that sets the imagination alight. Well done for a superb piece of writing.

[Pete]

thanks so much for sharing thoughts and insight scott. you are spot on and very perceptive. i wanted to capture how he felt inside as he looked out the window and reflected on his life. the emptiness he feels inside carries over to how he sees things on the outside as life takes its toll. as my muse so brilliantly stated, "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." ... :)

[Dave Brown]

in hindsight, i am inclined to thing that hindsight is quite a gift
A meaningful bit of writing especially among the dark clouds of our times
I am always impressed when reading something that has some meaning to it
I am not sure if I ever mentioned how intimidating your outfit is, what with dark back alleys and all that!!

[Pete]

i think it's good to look back for learning and growing purposes but not because we desire to go back for danger of getting stuck there. you didn't even mention my giant sword ... :)

[Dave Brown]

Just shows how intimidating it all is
(No offence meant)

[Pete]

no offence taken. i don't force god down anyone's throat ... :)

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This was lush with wonderful description. I was reminded of the Johnny Cash song, "Five Feet High and Rising" and the line where he says, "Looks like we're gonna be blessed with a little more rain." So much of life is perspective. It's a good thing to have. Very well crafted, I enjoyed!

[Pete]

thanks fgf. so true what you say but not so easy from within the eye of the storm. faith is a funny thing - oftentimes there when we don't need it and mia when we do ... :)

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I've found quite the opposite to be true. My faith has always abounded the more when I needed it the most. Perhaps that has to do with perspective as well.

[Pete]

interesting. i've found that my fear is often stronger than my faith but i have been working on it and it is getting better. perhaps i am being tested ... :)

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I'm not aware of being afraid of anything anymore. I'm not brave. I'm just DECAF. Don't even care a flip. I try to eliminate drama from my life though with extreme prejudice. If something were to scare me I'd kill it. Had an encounter with a big black widow spider not too long ago. It ran out across my hand when I was unboxing a booster chair. I killed it with a couch cushion before it could get to the inside of my couch to nest. I wasn't scared so much as intent on its immediate demise. My wife was terrified. But my faith has sustained me through my greatest struggles, both physically (recovering from major surgery) and financially (being homeless and broke). If I hadn't had my faith I might have given up. Looking back, I owe my life to my faith. I even remember praying and telling God, If you want me to live, I need You to do something because I'm done and can't do anymore. He did. And I firmly believe that.

[Pete]

hmm, same here. after losing everything including my life, i came to stark realization that faith in the living god is all any of us really have. everything else can be taken away. wealth/possessions can't save us. interesting, i prayed the same thing you mention ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

What some had to and have to put up with during years of conflict. Really descriptive Pete. Some ace lines here. First stanza really draws the reader in. We should be thankful for what we have when so many don’t even know what the morrow will bring. Hope all is good with you.

[Pete]

thanks chris. so true - what you say. we don't know what others wrestle with on a daily basis which is why kindness and understanding should always be the order of the day. i am well and hope you are too. very little snow this winter - mostly cold rains or mixes (rain, sleet, snow) ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

I am good Pete, thanks. Very little snow where we are. Just a smattering, but plenty of bitterly cold wind and rain. Hurry up spring :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your prowess as a writer has really excelled as of late, Pete. This may stand out as one of your best for me!

[Pete]

wow, thanks kell. this is the one i mentioned as being inspired by your poem. did you hear that devin mccourty (patriots defensive back) is retiring after 13 years and two super bowl wins? his brother jason played for 13 years including some time with the pats as well ... :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

I am deeply flattered to have inspired this, Pete. Thank you for the mention of the rain!