Rain

We all have our obsessions, and rain is rapidly becoming one of mine.

Looking out the back window on a rainy day.

It slows things down, adds a strange distortion, brings some drama. What’s not to love?

I love the way rain falls upon the scene of suburban banality out the front window.

The sound of rain falling on the roof, lulling me into slumber or some other deep state of relaxation but only if the weight of the water feels light enough to stave off anxiety. A heavy prolonged downpour begins to bring on a slight unease, and my mind fills with those stories of mythical floods that destroyed the world.

Cleansed it. Radical erasure from which a fresh start might emerge.

Rain brings some interest to a painfully ordinary grocery shopping trip.

Rain brings us directly into contact with nature. The water falls onto our faces, soaks our clothing, an icy wind might prick our skin with tiny sharp nearly-frozen droplets. Rain forces sensations upon us. Evokes feelings in us. Reminding us that nature will never bend to our will. The “sudden downpour” that wasn’t predicted by humans but arrived all the same.

Rain can become mesmerising.

Rain can become hypnotic.

Rain can bring mood. Rain can set the scene. Rain can take us back in time. Melancholia often accompanies a wet, wintery day for reasons that elude us. “Why do I feel so sad?” we might murmer to ourselves. Are they God’s tears? I used to think that, when I was a child. Well, it wouldn’t be unreasonable would it? There’s an awful lot to cry about lately.

So yes. I think I will be exploring rain a lot more in the future.