Dearest Water-Droplet-on-the-Windshield
Dearest Water-Droplet-on-the-Windshield,
Oh how you fall on my windshield.
Yet somehow form into a droplet
And have life once again
Like a phoenix
Not of fire, but of water
The wind, it forces you forward.
However it seems as if you move of your own will, your own spirit.
Determined to reach a vague destination.
Forward you move.
Some droplets form a line and stream through quickly,
Whilst others slowly inch forward.
A line of your friends seem to be racing to the top
But as the car slows down at the stop sign, they lose momentum and they
Fall
Fall
Fall
Flat.
Their efforts moot.
Though you, dearest droplet, you are not like the others.
You move forward slowly.
You coddiwomple along
Taking your time
Even after a long, treacherous journey from miles above.
You’ve come so far, dear droplet.
Others may become dreary when you and your droplet friends come for a visit
Don’t mind them
Just know that you inspire me.
You have been there for me
I have danced with you
Barefoot
Jumping in the puddles
Letting the rain splash my ankles.
The water soaks through my clothes
Cleansing me
Like Holy Water
I run through the water rushing down the sides of the street
I glide my feet upward to see how high the water will splash
Admiring how the huge drops that form into geometric circles
seem to fall in slow motion
My feet burn from scraping against the rough concrete
The occasional sharp stone juts out
This matters not, dearest droplet
The joy you brought me as a kid rushes back like water in a river.
Worries melt away
Others, they hide away in their homes
Not I
I jump at the opportunity to enjoy a good storm.
An evening with you
I rush outside like I’m 5, not 17
I love you for inviting me to come out to play
Even after the storm, dearest droplet, you leave your mark.
You leave your mark on the streets-
they become a parallel world, reflecting the trees and buildings and bursts of lights.
You leave your mark in our gardens-
the flowers perk up and the grass becomes greener.
The going away gift that I enjoy most, however, is in the air-
petrichor
When I walk outside, the smell of earth after a storm surrounds me
I inhale your scent
I let it fill my lungs, my spirit, my will
And I move forward
With love,
Vali Hope