“A poet is someone who stands outside in the rain
hoping to be struck by lightning.”
(James Dickey)
Spring in my corner of the pond has been especially rainy this year, but the trees and lawns are brilliantly green and the gardens are lush with blooms. Accordingly, I thought we might “stand outside in the rain" and make some “poetry lightning” this week.
Before you begin writing, be sure to read the following rain poems:
Now... here are some questions to consider before you start to write:
How does rain make you feel?
Do rain clouds and rain make you feel melancholy?
Is there anything romantic about rain?
Does rain make you feel sleepy?
Do you love falling asleep to the sound of rain on the windows and roof?
Does a rainy day in any season remind you of springtime?
Is there a freshness (newness, cleanness) in rain that speaks to you?
What memories does rain evoke?
How do thunder and lightning storms make you feel; what memories do they suggest?
Do you like the feeling of rain on your face?
Does hearing rain outdoors make you feel cozy indoors?
How does walking in rain make you feel?
How does walking in rain make you feel?
Have you ever walked in the woods while it was raining softly?
Have you ever visited in a graveyard in rain?
How is rain like a voice behind a door?
After thinking about the above questions, and with an idea about rain in mind, begin writing your poem. Work on imagery, metaphor, and sound quality (including alliteration, assonance, and consonance). Whether you share a memory, tell a story, or simply reflect upon rain, try limiting your poem to 25 lines or less. This isn't arbitrary – compression is important – be careful not to include too many details. Let the rain in your poem speak to you, and remember that the best poems mean more than they say.
Alternatively, you may wish to substitute another “weather” and write a poem using that as your muse.
A second alternative is to use “April Rain Song” by Langston Hughes as a model for a poem of your own.
Let the rain________
Let the rain________
Let the rain________
(Fill in the blanks and take it from there.)
