It’s April and it’s raining, so now is my chance to share “April Rain Song” by Langston Hughes. Many of us grew up singing “Rain, rain, go away” and think of rain as a hassle or something to endure. But this poem, where the rain “kisses” you and “sings” to you, reminds us that rain can be a comfort and even a friend.
April Rain Song
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.
–Langston Hughes
Click here to watch a brief “April Rain Song” video from The New York Botanical Garden.
What’s your favorite thing to do when it’s raining? These days, with social distancing, I like to go for a walk or run in the rain because I know there will be fewer people out. What about you?
Sources:
“April Rain Song” by Langston Hughes from Collected Poems, 1994. Copyrighted material used for educational or therapeutic purposes.
Photo: Telegraph.co.uk
Partners in Rhyme 
I love the poetic sound of this poem – funny word to use when talking about poems…
I lived in Copenhagen ones. The Danes were always surprised at foreigners not liking the rain or not wanting to bike in the rain. They would say, “your skin is the best waterproofing you get”.
I later got into swimming, so that also changed my perception of rain.
There is something soothing, reflective and cozy about an occasional rain.
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Also the poem makes me think of one of the most incredible spaces I have ever visited – Teshima Museum of water in Japan: http://benesse-artsite.jp/en/art/teshima-artmuseum.html
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Wow, this is some museum! Thanks for sharing the link. I’ve never seen a cafe like this one…
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Nice poem. I love to curl up with a good book when it’s raining. Or, if it’s warm enough out, I also love sitting on the porch and watching the rain — and enjoying that sweet smell of a new rain. Best part though is when the sun comes out after a rain storm. Everything is so magical then.
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Reading a good book when it’s raining sounds wonderful. And if you can read it on the porch and take in that sweet smell, even better. A bit cold for that today, but soon enough, let’s hope! In the meantime, stay well and happy reading, wherever you do it. 🙂
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Patti…a beautiful poem about rain…I’m thinking I would have appreciated it more if the current deluges hadn’t soured me on rainy days.Of course the corona restrictions feed into that quite a bit. It gets tedious. But today’s poem got me thinking about one of my LangstonHughes favorites…it starts with the line “What happens to a dream deferred….does it dry up like a raisin in the sun”Hope you are surviving the inconvenience of the current virus situation…onward and upward I guess! Pat S.
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Hi Pat, It does get tedious – I hear you. But comments like yours and others make my day more interesting. The poem you are referring to is called “Harlem,” and it was a previous blog post. If you go to the main page of the blog and scroll to the bottom you will see it there. The post includes a recording of Langston Hughes reading the poem. Great to hear from you, and take good care!
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I like the rain because then my wife is often out running and I get the condo to myself… 🙂
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LOL. (You should surprise her and bake cookies or a cake for her while she is out!)
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now there’s an idea!
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great poem! One thing I like to do in the rain is bake.
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