Can't Keep the Rain Off of My Back

I can't keep this rain
off of my back
the rain that comes down
from these people
I'm around

Mostly, it comes down
in great big torrents
occasionally in very little amounts
but both as cold and biting
as the winter wind

If I had a choice
I would move out from under
this dark cloud
but I can't escape it
It will dwindle slowly

Only to return
as fierce and dark
as ever
Only to return
over my hung head

This cloud of depression
will stay
only to be pushed back
and to come again
to be pushed back once more

If you can't push it back any longer
Raise up your umbrella
to hold it off
and you can forget
the rain that's falling

-- Emily Reade

Skipping Rocks

To skip a rock,
you need
someone strong enough-
to fling it low
onto the still water

To skip a rock,
you need
someone strong enough-
to fling it low
onto your still water

Sometimes, it will skip
bouncing along without a care in the world
escaping your notice
skidding and sliding along

Sometimes, it will skip
once or twice
and sink
deep into your soul
weighted down

Sometimes, it wont skip
at all
it will sink immediately
landing at the bottom
weighted down

Sometimes, you will get
more than one
sink
some will skip,
some will sink

To get out a skipping rock
you need someone
to act as a life vest
to catch that rock
before it lands

Before it lands
and gets embedded
in your soul
forever

Its almost too easy
to skip a rock
on someone else's
water.
Too easy.

-- Emily Reade