Yesterday, it rained and rained,
quiet and steady,
all day long.

I wrapped my 3 month old grandson up
in a muslin receiving blanket
printed with drawings of smiling giraffes.

Rain, dripping like liquid pearls,
slid down the big green umbrella
we sat under on the rickety deck.

The rain, splashing off the gutters,
pinging off the neighbor’s tin roof.
The air fresh, new.

This new baby listening, 
listening listening receiving
receiving the rain, the rain.