the upside of a downpour
Laughter explodes from you
as you tip your head back,
Towards the sky
You radiate joy at the cascading rain
soaking through our clothes
Your scooter skidding through
puddles as my sandals
Slap on slippery pavements
Strangers walk past and your
Exuberant happiness
raises smiles, and I can’t help
but giggle with you even as I
regret my choice of footwear
And long for a brolly.
You are my greatest teacher
when it comes to living in the moment,
Enjoying the present.
I stick my tongue out to taste the raindrops
just as I did as a child
Causing you to shriek in delight,
immediately mimicking.
I ask if you want to carry on or go home
And you shout back over your shoulder:
Let’s keep going - this is so much fun!
I follow your lead.
Ellen Clayton