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as everything clings to my body

For the Unfiltered Challenge.

By Paul StewartPublished about a year ago β€’ 2 min read

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.

inspirationalMental Healthnature poetryperformance poetryStream of ConsciousnessGratitude

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

  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  2. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

  3. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

  1. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

  2. Eye opening

    Niche topic & fresh perspectives

  3. On-point and relevant

    Writing reflected the title & theme

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Comments (16)

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  • Testabout a year ago

    Great work!

  • Annie Edwards about a year ago

    Absolutely beautiful work! I love it!

  • D.K. Shepardabout a year ago

    There’s 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

  • Katherine D. Grahamabout a year ago

    you capture the inclusiveness of scottish rains... lovely... more than a metaphor

  • L.C. SchΓ€ferabout a year ago

    Loving the malleable glue 😁

  • The Invisible Writerabout a year ago

    The descriptions in this were off the charts definitely a contender for the challenge

  • Sid Aaron Hirjiabout a year ago

    Love the line-nothing lasts forever, also love using science language in nature poetry

  • Silver Dauxabout a year ago

    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.

  • Grz Colmabout a year ago

    Hey, I’m always here for your rain poems!! πŸ˜„ Sounds wonderful.

  • Hannah Mooreabout a year ago

    This is very visceral, nice work

  • Rachel Deemingabout a year ago

    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.

  • John Coxabout a year ago

    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!

  • Cathy holmesabout a year ago

    That was really good. I feel like I'm right there, standing in the storm. Well done.

  • Testabout a year ago

    The deer noise part made me laugh! This was fun and wonderful journey through your dizzying mind map, Paul! Great work!

  • Gina C.about a year ago

    Amazing work, my friend! ❀️

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