Pushing the Clouds Away

As I pulled out of our driveway, a quick glance to the western sky showed promise. After a day of grey skies and rain the sun seemed to be making an attempt to peek out from underneath the lifting clouds.

“Good,” I thought, “just in time.”

I was on my way to The Forks to meet BRD for a walk and a talk, rain or shine… but shine would be better.

The ride there was a mixed bag of needing window wiper blades and/or sun glasses but by the time I parked my car the clouds looked to have won.

At least for now the rain had stopped and the air was still… kind of nice actually.

Practically arriving at the same time, there was BRD with her dog, Lad, a nine year old Australian Shepherd.

“Shall we eat or walk.”

“Lets walk.”

And that is what we did.

We talked and walked along the river path, Lad following close behind. The river was quiet and calm, a couple of waddling ducks seeming to be our only companions.

As we walked the rain slowly started… soft and gentle.  More like a mist than a rain.   BRD popped open her umbrella, I lifted my hoody.

Our meandering took us across the Provencher Bridge and into St. Boniface.   Before we knew it, we had unthinkingly arrived at the corner of Paul and BJ’s street.

“You know,” I said  “I think I may have left my umbrella there… do you mind if we check?”

And that is what we did.   A quick stop, a knock, and sure enough … there it was, my umbrella… just a small one.  Just suitable for one, but at least now we each had our own.

“Would you like a drink… or even a ride back to The Forks,” BJ was kind enough to offer.

“No we’re good.”

And we set off again.  Only now the mist had turned into more of a rain… still gentle but leaving more of an impression on our clothes and sandaled feet.

Still, it was nice.

I realized while we walked, that even thought we had had more grey days than sun this summer I had yet to enjoy a walk in the rain. This moment was perfect for that.  The streets were quiet, the air was still.   Looking towards the river it seemed that a cloud had simply drifted down  to touch the earth,  wrapping us in this gentle shower.

A good friend, a good dog and a gentle September rain…. all things that a good memory is made of.

Clouds are not the cheeks of angels, you know.
They’re only clouds.
Friendly sometimes, but you can never be sure.

If I had longer arms, I’d push the clouds away,
or make them hang above the water somewhere else.
But, I’m just a man, who needs and wants
mostly things he’ll never have,
looking for that thing hardest to find – himself.

I’ve been going a long time now,
and along the way I’ve learned a few things.
You have to make the good times yourself.
Take the little times and make them big times,
and save the times that are alright for those that aren’t so good.
I’ve never been able to push the clouds away by myself.
help me..
please.

“Pushing the Clouds Away”
taken from the “The Sea”
a collection of poetry by Rod McKuen