RAIN WATER FONDLY REMEMBERED

RAIN WATER FONDLY REMEMBERED

Long before
The torrential rain
Comes pouring down
Not at night but noon

Warning comes
In the guise of heavy
Dark clouds

Followed by lightnings
And
Thunderous sounds

Mum's commanding voice
Carrying urgency follows

Collect the barrels
Deep cooking utensils
Anything
That can store rain water

" Let's catch
The rain water
Which is rare
Let's enjoy
This gift of nature"

Free ,clean and clear
Will drink plenty
Tea that's tasty
Your clothes
Sparkling white
Sauce special & tasty

How we longed and
Prayed for the rain
On our corrugated iron roof

Loud and frightening
But soothing
Sending us sleeping

The dust on the
Corrugated iron roof
Washed
Collection of
Rain water
Starts in earnest

The rain water
Gift of nature
Free ,tasty
Clean and clear

How I wished
I bottled the rain water
And sold it
As a special gift of nature

Seasonal but special
Fondly remember
The rain water

After long
Agonising drought
The rain cooled our homes
Ushered hope to the farmers

We are now promised
A bumper harvest
Will have plenty
To drink & eat

Rain water
Fondly remembered
A promised delivered

Though five
During that period
Still remembered
Decades ago
Nostalgic memory
I can't let go