Chicagoetry: The Drowning

The Drowning

I wish I could write a poem
as profound as a first drop of rain--
tiny gong--

in a short summer shower.
No thunder, just the polite applause
for humidity breaking. One drop,
as shadows melt,

which says quietly but authoritatively
"It is raining."
It is raining.

But it will rain for years.
My drop isn't so fresh,
so subtle, so light.

My drop has scars.
And my drop, in time, will join
this heavy river
we can't reverse.

It is going to rain
a long time. I wish

I could write a promise
that if we all were to be one single scintilla
kinder to one another

we will not,
as so many of us feel
upon the verge,
drown.

I wish my drop was kinder,
more kind. Lighter. Shapelier. Shimmering!
Alas.

I wish
I could write
a poem.

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J.J. Tindall is the Beachwood's poet-in-residence. He welcomes your comments. Chicagoetry is an exclusive Beachwood collection-in-progress.

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More Tindall:

* Chicagoetry: The Book

* Ready To Rock: The Music

* Kindled Tindall: The Novel

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