The rain washes away the sorrow
It cleanses the impurity of the years before
and soothes the shallow breathing of the old man.
Pitter, patter, pitter, patter on the old tin roof
Melodies of days long gone when forsooth
I was a younger man, of stronger mettle.
The rain washes away the sin and surrender
Purifies the pungent putrid memories of this life before
Soothes the sallow sagging skeleton that sits beside the bed.
Drip, drop, drip, drop, drip, drop on the old tin shed
Reminds me of all the things I still have left unsaid
To those who loved me beyond the bounds of duty and sanity.
The rain washes away the pain and the punishment
Washes away the abusive torture and the brutal beatings.
Rain brings reparation for a wretched soul in search of absolution.
Pitter, patter, drip, drop, pitter, patter, payday
As my sins have been forgiven I forgive them their sinful way
Forgive my wartime crimes Lord. Take my soul today.
© Alison Jean Hankinson
The theme tonight at d’Verse was rain, and it was supposed to be a positive contribution. I spent many years in NZ and rain is often seen as symbolic, it is cleansing or purifying, so in the image (from pixabay) the rain and rainbow would be seen as celebratory. I think atonement is positive but perhaps not quite what would have been expected.
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Hues of Hankinson 
We traveled in New Zealand and fell in love with the country. The Maori culture there was fascinating to study — Rain and water as atonement.
The rhythm of your poem is mesmerizing…the repetition (but not quite exactly the same) has a soothing effect, like the pattern of the rain.
So very well done. I’m glad you posted to the prompt! 🙂
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Love the thought of rain as something cleansing… it truly is, you focused so much on the sound – I love it.
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Thank you. I love the sound of rain, rain on canvas, rain on tin roof…rain on window pane.
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A beautiful piece! Right away, “the rain washes away the sorrow.” Yes, water cleanses, and offers new life for all who thirst. In so many places the drought continues, in fact, is on fire. We pray for rain.
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This is just lovely. I love the cadence you’ve evoked here:
“Drip, drop, drip, drop, drip, drop on the old tin shed
Reminds me of all the things I still have left unsaid”
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I liked the idea of love “beyond the bounds of duty and sanity” and the ability of rain to wash.
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Lovely rhythm!
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A washing away of old pain, purifying hope and redemption. Lovely.
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I love the duet of voices, Alison, and the refrain of rainy sound effects. These lines are hard-hitting and poignant:
‘The rain washes away the sin and surrender
Purifies the pungent putrid memories of this life before
Soothes the sallow sagging skeleton that sits beside the bed.
Drip, drop, drip, drop, drip, drop on the old tin shed
Reminds me of all the things I still have left unsaid’.
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So many beautiful lines here, Alison. “…cleanses the impurity…”. :…those who loved me beyond the bounds of duty and sanity…” So well done!
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This was much bleaker than i was expecting. I’m left wondering if we can ever find absolution. The repetition works so well, like a hymn, or a prayer almost.
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There is music in rain and may we all hear it.
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