SUMMER RAIN
There are certain summer mornings when the rain drifts
sideways, almost a mist, and all is doused
in a wash of silvers and greys: colours from a palette
of pebble and lichen, herring gull and trout.
Sun hats are thrown aside
in favour of anoraks. Plans
are revised. Do we miss the sun?
The primary blue, the glare? Well, yes.
But the air is fresh and sweet and raindrops cling
to wires and glistening leaves. Snails will inch
out from the hedges shining, while we just drift
idly: from breakfast … to morning coffee … to lunch.
© John Looker 2010
Poetry from John Looker 
Your poems are always worth waiting for, John. This has a wonderfully dreamy, indolent feel to it – and I really love your ‘palette of pebble and lichen, herring gull and trout’. Super.
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By: gonecycling on 16 July, 2010
at 21:04
Thanks a lot, Nick. I’m glad you think the piece works.
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By: John Stevens on 18 July, 2010
at 09:08
Hi, John. Sorry I took a little to write you again. I have subscribed to your blog, but up to yesterday I hadn’t had the chance to give your poems the time for reading they deserve. I want to congrat you for another beautiful peace of writing. Although seasons are not so well-defined here in Brazil, through your poems I can understand how people feel the seasons pass by in the northern hemisphere.
Hope to hear from you again.
Hugs,
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By: joseruypc on 22 August, 2010
at 21:11
Thanks José Ruy. It’s kind of you to comment. I have another poem ready to post in a day or two, ostensibly about summer storms, so I hope you will like it. I haven’t seen any new posts on your own English language site recently, but when you have time I shall be very interested.
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By: John Stevens on 23 August, 2010
at 16:19
The first stanza is very evocative of your topic – Summer rain – for an ex-pat in Australia for more than half a life-time.
the palette is particularly nice – and equally applicable to summer rain in this neck.
Here the lichen sometimes deepens to British Racing Green, foretelling hail.
btw, thank you for your comment on my blog – you are the first stranger to post a comment there.
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By: JohnW on 9 December, 2010
at 13:21
Thanks a lot John – glad the poem hits the spot! (I’m sure you’ll have plenty other visitors to your own blog)
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By: John Stevens on 10 December, 2010
at 18:04
“Snails will inch
out from the hedges shining, while we just drift
idly: from breakfast … to morning coffee … to lunch”
aww I love this!
what a picture it conjures!
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By: Evelyn on 15 March, 2011
at 17:38
Thank you Evelyn, that’s really nice of you! Re-reading this poem myself makes me long for summer again.
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By: John Stevens on 15 March, 2011
at 19:07
Love the snails and the slow drifting from one thing to the next : )
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By: annajanemark on 7 August, 2015
at 11:42
Reblogged this on Poetry from John Looker and commented:
I first posted this in 2010. I was prompted to look at it again after reading a new poem by Anna Mark on her blog at:
https://fromaflower.wordpress.com/2015/08/06/campsite-28-osa-lake-killarney/#comment-2494
Also we are having a wet few days here in England.
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By: John Looker on 12 August, 2015
at 14:10
I love this John; I love all your poetry. You are such an accomplished poet; I am learning a lot from you and others such as Cynthia Jobin and and and… I know we all have our own poetic voices and mine is what it is but I am always looking to improve my writing. I am still very much a novice in the poetry world. 😊
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By: journeyintopoetry on 12 August, 2015
at 14:52
Thank you Chris, but your poems touch the hearts of a wide readership. Wider than mine.
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By: John Looker on 12 August, 2015
at 15:36
Thanks John 😊
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By: journeyintopoetry on 12 August, 2015
at 17:36
Bequeaths a lovely sense of lethargy while being very carefully told. Which simply put means very well-written, John.
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By: Bart Wolffe on 12 August, 2015
at 15:10
That’s very generous Bart — thank you!
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By: John Looker on 12 August, 2015
at 15:34