Song For The Rainy Season Poem by Elizabeth Bishop

Song For The Rainy Season

Rating: 3.3


Hidden, oh hidden
in the high fog
the house we live in,
beneath the magnetic rock,
rain-, rainbow-ridden,
where blood-black
bromelias, lichens,
owls, and the lint
of the waterfalls cling,
familiar, unbidden.

In a dim age
of water
the brook sings loud
from a rib cage
of giant fern; vapor
climbs up the thick growth
effortlessly, turns back,
holding them both,
house and rock,
in a private cloud.

At night, on the roof,
blind drops crawl
and the ordinary brown
owl gives us proof
he can count:
five times--always five--
he stamps and takes off
after the fat frogs that,
shrilling for love,
clamber and mount.

House, open house
to the white dew
and the milk-white sunrise
kind to the eyes,
to membership
of silver fish, mouse,
bookworms,
big moths; with a wall
for the mildew's
ignorant map;

darkened and tarnished
by the warm touch
of the warm breath,
maculate, cherished;
rejoice! For a later
era will differ.
(O difference that kills
or intimidates, much
of all our small shadowy
life!) Without water

the great rock will stare
unmagnetized, bare,
no longer wearing
rainbows or rain,
the forgiving air
and the high fog gone;
the owls will move on
and the several
waterfalls shrivel
in the steady sun.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Brian Jani 13 May 2014

Nicely captured theme love it

2 3 Reply
Mahtab Bangalee 25 January 2020

five times- always five- he stamps and takes off after the fat frogs that, shrilling for love, ........../// beautiful poetic expression on the rainy season

0 0 Reply
Kingsley Egbukole 25 January 2020

Nicely crafted, interesting reading

0 0 Reply
Edward Kofi Louis 25 January 2020

White dew! ! In a dim age; Muse of the season! Rain. Thanks for sharing this poem with us.

0 0 Reply
Kumarmani Mahakul 25 January 2020

Watching rain from open house motivates mind. This poem is definitely very interestingly penned. An interesting sharing is done really.

1 0 Reply
Dr Antony Theodore 21 September 2019

At night, on the roof, blind drops crawl and the ordinary brown owl gives us proof he can count: beautiful poetic description. tony

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Elizabeth Bishop

Elizabeth Bishop

Worcester, Massachusetts
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