January's End

No longer a sky of jovial baby blue -

Darkened now

as the depths of the sea.

No longer whispers of spring -

winds scream in ferocity

angry words at the trees.

No longer budding flowers

a sun shining life and warmth

into every hibernating soul.

No- now the sky bleeds

blacker and greyer.

A raindrop,

thick and full,

splatters across the concrete path.

Then another -

like kamikazes of the clouds -

attack the pavement

one by one

side by side

hard and swift as the peregrine hawk

diving

for its prey.

Thousands now, millions,

bam bam bam

hitting the grass, the trees, the sidewalks,

with unparalleled fury.

No mercy,

Not for anything or anyone who

DARES

brave the cold angered wet.

Bells are ringing  - 10 to 1.

Students sitting,

huddled in shelter

watching with blatant sorrow

as their path to class becomes

a thick obstacle course with little

hope -

Only  a full-on soaking.

A spare few open umbrellas,

thin poles arcing wide and glorious.

The envious mutter under their breath.

Students eye the puddles,

the never-ending seas,

think of wet sticky socks and paper-thin shoes

clinging to ankles

all night.

Hoods dawned,

backpacks zipped,

determination burrowed into forehead wrinkles

brave intrepids venture to the door.

A final look,

farewell and good luck,

then they embark,

race through the torrent,

the angry sky plays dodgeball,

strikes them down

faster than a machinegun

reaches its cold all the way to their shivering bones.