And breathe

Placing my foot on the familiar path

as I step out of my front door

I feel the first, juicy spots of rain smarting on my cheeks

With my usual tight schedule

I have no option

but to continue even with the rain

(another activity turned chore!)

As I walk, I breathe

one, two, one, two,

in and out,

step after step,

street after street

until with each passing stride

the rain relents a little

I pause for a moment to gaze at the flowers

I observe a bee taking rest on a bloom

I note the smiling song of the birds

from their high perches in the trees.

I amble on further

The rains eventually cease

Turning the corner back into my street,

the sun emerges, giving me a nod

and for those last few, glorious moments

she bathes me in her heat.