Finding Poetry in the Rain

While the thrum of rain is a familiar and sometimes tiresome sound in April on this side of the Cascades, have you ever pondered the countless poets who have found inspiration in the slow drizzle of Spring? Consider Langston Hughes (1901-1967), a pivotal figure of the Harlem Renaissance who was an early innovator of the genre "jazz poetry" and who found profound meaning in the everyday experiences of life.

An American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist who was born in Joplin, Missouri, Hughes spent many of his formative years with his maternal grandmother, Mary Patterson Leary Langston, a woman whose storytelling instilled in him a strong sense of racial pride. Hughes' later adventures as a crewman aboard the S.S. Maline exposed him to diverse perspectives in West Africa and Europe, broadening his understanding of the human experience. After his maritime adventures, Hughes became part of the black expatriate community in England and even spent time working as a cook in Paris, experiences that further enriched his writing.

Hughes wrote influential novels, plays, essays, children's books, and poems, and his work frequently amplified the voices of working-class Black Americans, celebrating their resilience, their struggles, and their vibrant contributions to this nation.

Consider Hughes' poem "April Rain Song," a simple reflection on the beauty of a rainy day in April:

Let the rain kiss you

Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops

Let the rain sing you a lullaby

The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk

The rain makes running pools in the gutter

The rain plays a little sleep song on our roof at night

And I love the rain.

Listen to how "April Rain Song" personifies the rain, allowing it to "kiss" and "sing" in a sense of gentle intimacy. Hughes allows us to feel the "silver liquid drops" and hear the "lullaby" they sing.

The poem's simple language underscores the simple joy the speaker finds in this common occurrence, highlighting Hughes' ability to define the extraordinary within the ordinary. The reference to a "lullaby" suggests the comforting, peaceful nature of rain -- a reminder of the quiet moments of grace that sustain us even in the midst of our busy lives.

Friends, just as Hughes found appreciation in the simplicity of spring weather, may we, too, rekindle our gratitude for the ordinary blessings that surround us this week. Let the April rain serve as a reminder of the steadfast presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, offering us a sense of peace and connection within our Cedar Creek family.