Rainy Day Books Poem by Barry Middleton

the rain can't wash the tears away
they hide behind a wall
where sorrow lurks on stormy days
as wicked torrents fall

I fool myself to think I'm safe
for rainy days bring grief
in memories from the raging sky
no shelter grants relief

the past seeps in from misty clouds
and there is no defense
it creeps in shadows down the hall
although I make pretense

perhaps a book might comfort me
and lift me from myself
I light the lamp and quietly stray
to see what's on the shelf

and then a clash of lightning strikes
and then the thunder roars
I find a book and take my chair
so glad to be in doors

then sorrow and the hours fade
until the storm has passed
but since rain comes another day
my store of books is vast