as everything clings to my body
For the Unfiltered Challenge.

The light of the world grows dim,
as the Nimbostratus
unleashes its dihydrogen monoxide (water falling from the sky)
cleansing all the land and all it holds
downwind
I find a spot, not sacred or blessed, but in the stillness, with no soul around (not even a bird tweets or a mouse squeaks, nor does a cow moo or a deer make a deer noise)
it is mine and mine alone,
I take a solitary stance,
amidst the stoic sentinels, the trees and the babbling burn
(bleat, that's what a deer noise could be called, or grunt or snort. Not nearly as graceful as they look.)
As the rain falls around me, cellulose,
the canopy of branches, limbs, leaves, protects me, keeps me
Dry, I remain, as the land around,
out in the countryside, accepts the gifts, that soaks
as the leaves dance and sway as the breeze passes and the continued shower coats them, water balling and rolling off in armies of millions
The calm sounds and the bite on my cheeks of the breeze,
hemicelluloses,
the mossy, damp scent of it all, invigorates me, surrounds me, envelopes me
Refreshes as it always does, in those fleeting moments, we are as one, rain and me
the rain, the temperature drop,
breathes in me new life
As I make my way back through
the gently dripping, lignin,
greenery to the open, exposes me
To the downpour,
the natural elements driving full force,
downwind, the downfall unrelenting
untamed and full of glory
I can't escape as everything clings
to my body, holding fast the moistened fabric of my jeans, as my trainers let some rain in (must replace them,
eventually
{nothing lasts forever} not even this time)
like malleable glue against
my longing skin.
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: The Unfiltered Challenge is still one of my favourite challenges...still have a few different thoughts, ideas, opinions and such to express. This one is based on a day I had recently...so it's almost completely autobiographical. Down to the fact that my Sketchers need to be replaced. I am not sure about the title, because I never am, but I feel it offers a conversational tone to the poem.
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme


Comments (16)
Great work!
Absolutely beautiful work! I love it!
Thereβs a lot of beautiful work in here! And then there were the deer noise lines! I loved them and the whole dual tone weaving through this
you capture the inclusiveness of scottish rains... lovely... more than a metaphor
Loving the malleable glue π
The descriptions in this were off the charts definitely a contender for the challenge
Love the line-nothing lasts forever, also love using science language in nature poetry
This was great! I'm a huge fan of rain, and science language in poetry, so this was a real treat. Loved reading this! You always craft such beautiful scenes.
Hey, Iβm always here for your rain poems!! π Sounds wonderful.
This is very visceral, nice work
Was it after Hannah's telling you to go out for a walk? And soggy feet are no fun. Liked this walk in the rainy woods.
It is interesting that your poem treats the woodland as a respite and a place to retreat from the storm and also as a cleansing baptism. I love the interjection of humor as the most unfiltered element of the poem and that you leveraged it to make the point that nothing lasts forever. Deep, soothing and fun! Great challenge entry, Paul!
Nothing lasts forever, both good or bad. But what if there was something that could last forever? Would we be grateful or terrified of it? I have no idea what I'm going on about but I loved your poem!
That was really good. I feel like I'm right there, standing in the storm. Well done.
The deer noise part made me laugh! This was fun and wonderful journey through your dizzying mind map, Paul! Great work!
Amazing work, my friend! β€οΈ