Rain

<BODY topmargin="0" leftmargin="0" MARGINHEIGHT="0" MARGINWIDTH="0"> <FORM> <script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript1.1" src="/adm/ad/common_scripts.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript1.1">setAdGroup('24.159.100.128');</script> <script type="text/javascript">var cm_role = "live" var cm_host = "tripod.lycos.com" var cm_taxid = "/memberembedded" </script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://scripts.lycos.com/catman/init.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript1.1">var objAdMgr = new AdManager(); objAdMgr.setForcedParam("keyword", "defensemechanism"); if(adChannel != "") { objAdMgr.setForcedParam("google_ad_channel", adChannel); } var strProdSetName = objAdMgr.chooseProductSet(); objAdMgr.renderHeader(); </script><script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript1.1">function tripodShowPopup() { var bName=navigator.appName; var bVer=parseInt(navigator.appVersion); var now = new Date(); var popupURL = "/adm/ad/popup_source.shtml?"+"member_name=ghostofamemory&path=WOM_57ShortStoriesRain.htm&client_ip=24.159.100.128&ts=1120266492&ad_type=POPUP&search_string=defensemechanism&id=d8abc1042fd3ee9da0af845ee515300d"; var popupName = "TripodPopup"; if (bName=="Netscape" && bVer<=3) { var popupWin = window.open("", popupName, 'toolbar=0,location=0,directories=0,status=0,menubar=0,scrollbars=0,resizable=0,width=755,height=200,left=200,top=550'); } else { var popupWin = window.open("", popupName, 'toolbar=0,location=0,directories=0,status=0,menubar=0,scrollbars=0,resizable=0,width=745,height=185,left=200,top=500'); } if (popupWin) { popupWin.blur(); popupWin.location = popupURL; } else { var nopopImg=d.createElement('IMG'); var random_num = Math.round((Math.random()*999999)); nopopImg.src="/adm/img/common/ot_popupblocked.gif?type=pop&rand=" + random_num; } } function changeOpenFunction() { var original_window_open = window.open; function new_open_function(url, name, features, replace) { if (name != "TripodPopup") { return original_window_open(url, name, features, replace); } } window.open = new_open_function; } tripodShowPopup(); var bName = navigator.appName; if(bName != "Netscape") { changeOpenFunction(); } window.onload = function () { setKeywordCookie('defensemechanism'); buildExitHandler(); } if (!displayAd()) document.write(" </script><script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript1.1">if (displayAd() || displayTopAd()) { objAdMgr.renderFooter(); } </script><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" HEIGHT="100%"> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" WIDTH="215" BGCOLOR="#444444" TEXT="#080000"> <div><B><script language="JavaScript1.2" type="text/javascript" src="http://pub33.bravenet.com/counter/code.php?id=368713&usernum=2824929838&groupnum=33&cpv=1"></script><noscript> </noscript> </B></div><div></div><div><B>Use your voice... &nbspContribute!</B></div></TD> <TD VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#ffffff" TEXT="#080000"> <div><FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="+1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">Hey...</FONT> &nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="+2" FACE="Comic Sans MS">Hey...!</FONT> &nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="+2" FACE="Comic Sans MS">Hey!!!</FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000bf" SIZE="-2" FACE="Comic Sans MS"> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp</FONT><FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS"> | &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp</FONT><U><FONT SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS"><A HREF="legacy.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hey... Hey...! Hey!!!">home</A></FONT></U></div> <div><U><A HREF="WOM_58ShortStoriesIndependanceDay.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Independance Day">Independance Day</A></U> &nbsp&nbsp| &nbsp&nbspRain &nbsp&nbsp| &nbsp&nbsp<U><A HREF="WOM_54ShortStoriesTheBeast.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Beast">The Beast</A></U> &nbsp&nbsp| &nbsp&nbsp<U><A HREF="WOM_53ShortStoriesHideAndSeek.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hide and Seek">Hide and Seek</A></U> &nbsp&nbsp| &nbsp&nbsp<U><A HREF="WOM_51ShortStoriesTheWall.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Wall">The Wall</A></U> &nbsp&nbsp| &nbsp&nbsp<U><A HREF="WOM_49ShortStoriesTension.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tension">Tension</A></U> &nbsp&nbsp| &nbsp&nbsp<U><A HREF="WOM_24ShortStoriesUntitled.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Untitled">Untitled</A></U> &nbsp&nbsp| &nbsp&nbsp<U><A HREF="WOM_27ShortStoriesGirlDistantAngels.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Girl/Distant Angels">Girl/Distant Angels</A></U> &nbsp&nbsp| &nbsp&nbsp<U><A HREF="WOM_26ShortStoriesAMomentInTime.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Moment In Time">A Moment In Time</A></U> &nbsp&nbsp| &nbsp&nbsp<U><A HREF="WOM_37ShortStoriesDefenseMechanism.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Defense Mechanism">Defense Mechanism</A></U></div> <div>________________________________________________________________________________________________</div> <BR> <div>Rain</div> <div></div><BR> <div> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">Rain... &nbspWhen did it all begin? &nbspTears streaking down cheeks as headlights played across the reflective street, couldn't erase that feeling inside. &nbspIt was empty. &nbspNo, it was full, full to the brim with feelings that would not find their sound to become expressions.</FONT></div> <div> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">There was no sound, only the pit-pat of raindrops and cars driving by. &nbspThe blinds on the windows were closed but she knew what it looked like outside. &nbspIt was dark, a little cold, and all the trees were soaked and dripping.</FONT></div> <div> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">It had begun the day she questioned God? &nbspBut when had she really begun to do that? &nbspMaybe it had happened the day she found an unexplained wound that would not go away. &nbspA wound that would not answer to her pleas or respond to any prodding, but only remained silent and heavy at the bottom of a glass of water she had been drinking since time began.</FONT></div> <div> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">The glass had always been hers. &nbspIt was just an empty container, really, with different random memories poured in. &nbspSometimes they poured out, a little at a time. &nbspThe water left darker spots of moisture on her clothes that disappeared in an hour or so. &nbspThe essence of the water remained in the fabric of her clothes. &nbspIt left an odor of sadness and personal despair all but forgotten, maybe ignored, on a sunnier day.</FONT></div> <div> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">But all these musings still did not answer her question. &nbspWhen had it all begun?</FONT></div> <div> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">She stared at the blank paper in front of her and twirled the pen in her hand. &nbspMaybe this hand-pen-entity would speak for her in dark strokes. &nbspMaybe this hand-pen-entity would explain the story that hid in its crevices the reason for soul consuming doubt.</FONT></div> <div> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">I love you. &nbspWhat did these words mean, when moments later the true meaning of the three words was lost in the heat of anger or the flight of fear.</FONT></div> <div> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">The wind howled a little. &nbspHer breath came in short bits between pauses of self-examination. &nbspShe wanted to find that secret spot again, that spot in her heart that, when touched, sang with magic and shouted joy from the rooftops.</FONT></div> <div> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">Hey everyone, look at me! &nbspI know the secret of the universe! &nbspAnd it's all contained in my eye when I look at you and you look back at me, and we stare into the depths and forget who is who!</FONT></div> <div> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">But the hand-pen-entity was silent except for the scratching sound it made as it journeyed across the broad, blank expanse of a moment as of yet unfulfilled.</FONT></div> <div> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">It's always right now, happening slowly, a drop at a time. &nbspEternity in one second occurs when I look at you and see my beginning and my end. &nbspWhat does that mean to you?</FONT></div> <div> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">Tires squeal as a car accelerates, comes over the hill and drives off. &nbspNow there is only the pit-pat of the rain, like a clock but only faster. &nbspTime won't stop and wait. &nbspNot even long enough for you to figure out what you are.</FONT></div> <div> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">I will teach you how to love, she said to herself. &nbspThere was a time when love was not a word but an all-encompassing feeling that I would make everything ok.</FONT></div> <div> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">I will be your umbrella. &nbspI will shield you from the rain. &nbspNo longer will your tears go in vain like more tears in the rain, unseen. &nbspNo longer will the fabric of your clothes hold sadness in the threads that cover you and keep you from the cold.</FONT></div> <div> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">But did she have that power? &nbspDid she have a way to keep that same old fear out of her glass and out of her eyes?</FONT></div> <div> &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp<FONT COLOR="#003399" SIZE="-1" FACE="Comic Sans MS">You have a hurt heart But how? &nbspHow had that happened, how had love given way to sadness?</FONT></div> <BR> <div>&nbsp~Work submitted by Rue</div> <BR> <div></div></TD> </TR> </TABLE></FORM> </BODY>