No Rain

We do not avoid evil by fleeing before it, but by rising above or diving below its plane; as the worm escapes drought and frost by boring a few inches deeper. - Thoreau

No Rain - Oil On Canvas By Joan Mitchell, 1976

soul parched

back stooped and arched

each day force marched

my once stiff shirt's collar stretched in the adamant breeze despite having been heavily starched

i need help erasing a stain

alleviating this life's pain

ridding myself of another long day's disdain

thank heaven there is still some faith engrained

better to feel than think

imbibe than drink

listening to a different strain

trying to stay sane

riding way back in the last seat on the train

struggling not to take a name in vain

a clean break can be better than a nagging sprain

especially when there's

no rain

Author's Note

"Whether he sleeps or wakes, - whether he runs or walks, - whether he uses a microscope or a telescope, or his naked eye, - a man never discovers anything, never overtakes anything, or leaves anything behind, but himself. Whatever he says or does, he merely reports himself. If he is in love, he loves; if he is in heaven, he enjoys; if he is in hell, he suffers. It is his condition that determines his locality." -
Thoreau

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

I guess it depends where you are on life's spectrum as to your behavior in time and place...but man is only responsible for himself...in terms of his condition, what he does who he loves, where his faith belongs, etc...."better to feel than to think"....life can be painful...."trying to stay sane"...."a clean break can be better than a nagging sprain".....all this is , in my opinion very true.... Nice write Pete!
Warmly, B

[Pete]

there is wisdom and awareness in your review. thank you for sharing b. ... :)

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Pete
Warmly, B