The Rain

Rain drips along the house, calling

I sit in the dark, trying to ignore

The softened reminder

Of the world outside

Papers clog my brain

Students' hopes

Future grades

Present scores

And the rain drips on, singing like a child

I turn back to the world of dry

Arid thoughts

Analyzing red pens

Instructions, advice

And the rain murmurs to me from the darkness

Inside is dry and safe

And warm

A world of known, of comfort, blankets

Safe and soft

Yet I long to step outside

Into the deep of morning

For the cold splash of rain

To wake me from this sleep.