Spring Rain From the Porch


Do you want me to tell you where the raindrops go when the sun shines bright and yellow busses are watery sidewalk reflections occasionally destroyed by bright red rubber boots?

Do you want me to explain deliberate cruelties, large and small? Thoughtless words. Torture and war. Poisons scattered without regard to outcome.

Do you want to understand that I have not done enough good so far in this life? Shall I rest easy in my discontent, knowing I never will because I value my own time too much to give it away generously?


Do you want me to explain how children are assigned parents and parents their children? Do you want to understand how lucky accidents brought me to you and you to me?

Do you want to understand why sometimes we hurt our children and they us and that, despite all that, as long as we keep trying--pressing forward in our traces, leaving deep footprints in the mud--we have succeeded if only in a small way? Small changes can grow great and buds turn to flowers and we wait for the bloom that becomes us.

Do you want me to explain the unexplainable, to know the unknowable or can we be content to sit and rest in the uncertainties of life, side by side on that grand old porch swing watching the flowers blossom, coaxing bees back home with borage and buttercups, cajoling them into producing that yellow sunshine that we will use to sweeten our tea while we watch the reflections of yellow school busses knit themselves back into something whole and recognizable and true?

This was written for this week's Trifecta Writing Challenge. The word was lucky.


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Writing in the Margins, Bursting at the Seams: Spring Rain From the Porch

Monday, March 25, 2013

Spring Rain From the Porch


Do you want me to tell you where the raindrops go when the sun shines bright and yellow busses are watery sidewalk reflections occasionally destroyed by bright red rubber boots?

Do you want me to explain deliberate cruelties, large and small? Thoughtless words. Torture and war. Poisons scattered without regard to outcome.

Do you want to understand that I have not done enough good so far in this life? Shall I rest easy in my discontent, knowing I never will because I value my own time too much to give it away generously?


Do you want me to explain how children are assigned parents and parents their children? Do you want to understand how lucky accidents brought me to you and you to me?

Do you want to understand why sometimes we hurt our children and they us and that, despite all that, as long as we keep trying--pressing forward in our traces, leaving deep footprints in the mud--we have succeeded if only in a small way? Small changes can grow great and buds turn to flowers and we wait for the bloom that becomes us.

Do you want me to explain the unexplainable, to know the unknowable or can we be content to sit and rest in the uncertainties of life, side by side on that grand old porch swing watching the flowers blossom, coaxing bees back home with borage and buttercups, cajoling them into producing that yellow sunshine that we will use to sweeten our tea while we watch the reflections of yellow school busses knit themselves back into something whole and recognizable and true?

This was written for this week's Trifecta Writing Challenge. The word was lucky.


Labels: ,

29 Comments:

At March 25, 2013 at 2:00 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow. The whole piece is wonderful but that last paragraph is one to envy. "...coaxing bees back home with borage and buttercups," Sigh. Lovely.

 
At March 25, 2013 at 2:04 PM , Anonymous euan williamson said...

Some real philosophy there..

 
At March 25, 2013 at 2:36 PM , Blogger Renee said...

Beautifully expressed. And I want to coax those bees home.

 
At March 25, 2013 at 4:15 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks so much! I'm ready for spring!

 
At March 25, 2013 at 4:15 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Thank you for reading.

 
At March 25, 2013 at 4:16 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Me too.

 
At March 25, 2013 at 6:47 PM , Anonymous Rossandra White said...

"Do you want to understand why sometimes we hurt our children and they us and that, despite all that, as long as we keep trying--pressing forward in our traces, leaving deep footprints in the mud--we have succeeded if only in a small way. Small changes can grow great and buds turn to flower and we wait for the bloom that becomes us." Wow! I can't tell you how much this particular phrase means to me. It's a keeper, quotable, profound, especially now that I'm in the process of having my memoir, Loveyoubye published. Thank you Kelly!

 
At March 25, 2013 at 7:57 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks so much, Rossandra! Can't wait to see your book!

 
At March 26, 2013 at 1:44 AM , Anonymous Sharp Little Pencil said...

Kelly, there is an uneasy compromise in this piece. I loved the writing, the thought-provoking nature of it. The only part I had trouble with is that the narrator seems to think there is no way to affect change... and as an activist, I'm never at rest. I know, it's an easy way to drive yourself over the edge... but hell, I'm manic depressive anyway, so it's not a long trip, ha ha! (Dark humor of a person with mental disorders.)

All in all, a well-thought-out piece, and I especially loved the part about me finding you and you finding me. Cosmic! Your fellow Trifectan for the week, Amy

 
At March 26, 2013 at 4:36 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

Your last paragraph struck me the most not like a yellow school bus but simply the way your portrayed the scene - loved it.

 
At March 26, 2013 at 8:14 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks, Sharp! I think even the best of activists need the occasional rest on the front porch.

 
At March 26, 2013 at 8:14 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks so much, Rambly.

 
At March 26, 2013 at 10:31 AM , Blogger Ann Bennett said...

soulful expression

 
At March 26, 2013 at 6:25 PM , Blogger Draug said...

This whole piece is pure win, especially the last few lines.

 
At March 27, 2013 at 7:32 AM , Blogger kymm said...

Feels like I'm rocking in a porch swing, teacup in hand, feeling the cool evening breeze on my neck.
Nice wordplay with the colors and reflections.
Lovely, Kelly!

 
At March 27, 2013 at 10:48 AM , Anonymous steph said...

Beautifully reflective - literally and metaphorically. I love the yellow busses and red boots, and as others have said - the bees - I'm a bee activist/obsessive/fanatic. I love that part! Wonderful writing.

 
At March 27, 2013 at 1:52 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Beautiful, perfect. I love it.

 
At March 27, 2013 at 6:18 PM , Anonymous Kitty said...

I love your style here, poetic, great imagery,

 
At March 28, 2013 at 11:40 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

*swoon*

Beautifully written, just absolutely gorgeous. I adore your way with words. That second paragraph in particular made me think of all the hard questions my 4-year-old son is starting to ask ("Mama, what's a soldier?") that I am trying answer in a way that is honest but still shields him from things I just don't want him to know yet. ("Soldiers go where there is fighting to help make it stop.") Sometimes I wish we could just stop and sit on that porch swing together sipping sweet tea forever, he and I.

 
At March 28, 2013 at 2:34 PM , Blogger Atreyee said...

A profound piece with lots of food for thought-loved this Kelly:-)

 
At March 28, 2013 at 3:45 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Thank you, Ann.

 
At March 28, 2013 at 3:46 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks, Draug. The only thing I didn't like was all those question marks. But turning the questions into statements didn't work, so I stuck with it.

 
At March 28, 2013 at 3:46 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks, Kymm. Just bought a house with a porch swing. Looking forward to this summer!

 
At March 28, 2013 at 3:46 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

I'd really like to get some bees. Thanks so much for reading.

 
At March 28, 2013 at 3:47 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks, Megan.

 
At March 28, 2013 at 3:47 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Thank you for reading, Kitty!

 
At March 28, 2013 at 3:48 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks so much for reading. I wasn't sure about this one.

 
At March 28, 2013 at 3:48 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Thank you for reading and commenting!

 
At March 31, 2013 at 4:24 PM , Blogger j umbaugh said...

Another favorite

 

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