RAINY DAY

Most persons do spring cleaning to rid their homes of dust that has accumulated in places hidden from the naked eye. Some go into a cleaning frenzy and take down heavy winter drapes and put up billowy curtains that allow the sun to shine through; or they change dark bedspreads for lighter colored ones that evoke white sands or calm ocean waters. We even move furniture around because we are impelled to create a different space.  Still others try hard to unclutter closets by getting rid of clothing and shoes they no longer wear to make space for new pieces.

Maybe we could do the same spring cleaning for our minds and spirits, that is, get rid of those memories of disappointments, anger, or disagreements with those who are a part of our daily lives whether they are family, friends, or co-workers.  Those negative events create darkness and clutter in our spirits, they weigh us down.  We need to decide what can be polished and made new, and what needs to be discarded.  It sounds easy on paper, in practice it is very difficult; I know by experience.  But we can try, and try again and again till we succeed and are able to purge that which holds us back from enjoying our lives.

This idea of spiritual cleansing and renewal brings to mind an experience I had one day on my way to work. It was raining copiously; traffic was slower than usual because of some flooded areas and a few malfunctioning traffic lights.  While inching my way from Guaynabo to Bayamón, I had the opportunity to observe how the rain rushed down the city streets and carried with it all sorts of debris; then I saw how the rushing water suddenly looked so clean, almost pure.  I gazed at the windshield and how the wipers pushed the excess rainwater in rhythmic motion from side to side so I could clearly see the road.  I was surprised that instead of being upset at how slow the cars were moving, I reflected on the effects of the rain all around me and then the idea for the following poem came to mind.  I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

                                          RAIN

                                      Morning rises on cloudy skies,

                                      Rain falls ..... falls.... falls,

                                      flows freely,

                                      cleansing, purifying,

                                      washing away unwanted decay,

                                      washing away rootless impurities.

                                      Lluvia cae ... cae....cae....

                                      pours on dry, parched ground,

                                      fortifying,

                                      impelling creative forces,

                                      vital forces.

                                      Rain falls...falls...falls...

                                      into my soul;

                                      nostalgia surfaces,

                                      memories of bygone loves,

                                      regrets & sorrows,

                                      unspoken words

                                                    well up &

                                                                   f l o w   a w a y.

                                      Rain...rain...rain

                                      fall into my life,

                                      wash away my indifference,

                                      wash away my angers,

                                      wash away my fears.

                                      Lluvia suave, lluvia fresca,

                                      fall...fall...fall....

                                      into my soul,

                                      permeate the obscure,

                                      purge,

help me rise

                                      to face my destiny.

                                                                  

lluvia = rain

cae     = fall

suave  = soft

fresca  = fresh