Sunday, July 13, 2014

THE WEALTH OF PUERTO RICAN RAIN

Desert Rain


I'm living a memory, stolen
from one who lived in a shack,
of two small rooms (for family of many),
a kitchen with wood stove and sink,
no water to run or drain
in pipes, going... somewhere,
with seethrough walls,
and a roof of shiny zinc.

I remember, as if there,
how neighbors young and old emerged
from their own wooden shack homes
to celebrate, dance
to music of Caribbean rain,
in shower of splats that felt,
at times like tiny melting kisses,
other times a cascade
of little water rocks
burning the skin,
like rough play from the sky.

We dancers were superb
because happiness makes it so,
the tapping sound of rain on roofs,
bestows a wealth greater than gold.

I cherish those memories not really mine.
They come from stories my grandmother told
of people whose spirits were rich enough
to see nature as a willing toy,
enticing them to find their joy.

I'm now listening to monsoon rain
splattering on my desert home
with many rooms (for only two),
with solid walls, a fancy stove
and a shingle roof.

Circumstance so different now.
Yet,
I can still hear music of the rain
drumming on my roof,
tempting me to run
into nature's poured blessings,
dance immersed in joy,
like the people I remember,
because the tapping sound of rain
is everywhere the same.

But...
Though...
I proclaim to love the dance,
I remain comfortably content,
to merely listen from inside
my house with running water
going...nowhere

instead of playing with the rain.



(Submitted to Poets United.)


12 comments:

  1. What a joy this is to read - love the contrast between the many people inside the small shack then and the two people inside the bigger house now....I especially love the rain "that felt,
    at times like tiny melting kisses,
    other times a cascade
    of little water rocks
    burning the skin,
    like rough play from the sky."
    and that the peoples' spirits were so rich. As is yours, my friend.

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  2. Myrna, this poem really warmed my heart. I am glad you have these memories and also that you preserved them in poetry, and perhaps through your poetry someone in the next generation will gain these memories too.

    " the tapping sound of rain on roofs,
    bestows a wealth greater than gold.
    "

    So very very true. I really enjoyed this...all of it.

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  3. smiles...i rather like to dance in the rain...and it is interesting these memories, not your own, and i think perhaps found in your family history...not that you can pass on to the next...i think we miss much in losing the connections to our own past....

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  4. this is really beautiful, heart-touching!

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  5. Such a happy memory...I can relate...but each life time has its own happy moments ...we need just remember to pull chin up and laugh with life and kids...they(kids) for sure will appreciate the shared memory. Thank you for doing this here now! :)xx

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  6. How very beautiful. And real. And true.
    Thank you.

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  7. I love that happy memories of your grandma's past - dancing with the rain out in the streets ~ There is joy & celebration in your words ~

    I can also relate to just listening to them now, inside in the warmth of your home ~

    Thanks for sharing Myrna ~ Wishing you happy week ~

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  8. I enjoyed your poem, different generations in the hands of time but, good you can still
    hear the music of the rain..it has been raining here most of the day and I have
    listened to its steady rhythm..

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  9. Those people made the most of their humble circumstances. Material comfort has not made us happier.I think this was the point of your poem. Nice one !

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  10. the joyous spirit of these blessed people of the past generations touch us deeply...i love this togetherness...lovely lines Myrna :)

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  11. We dancers were superb
    because happiness makes it so.... love this myrna and also....of people whose spirits were rich enough
    to see.... that makes all the difference....when joy fills our heart and makes us dance in a real way...

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  12. what a sumptuous dance with the rain this is, being able to join in the joy of the rain in the caribbean and anywhere.

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