When it’s dry here,
the clay in the soil shrinks,
its particles pulling
more tightly together
until deep cracks form in the earth,
a force so powerful
it can damage foundations.
This makes me wonder
about how we, too,
storied to have come from clay,
can crack in times of drought.
I have felt it, drought of love,
drought of touch, drought of death,
drought of compassion and justice.
And I have known, too, the miracle
of how when the drought is over,
the clay of my soul expands again,
absorbing what it most needs.
Is it strange how much comfort
I take in knowing it’s natural,
that cracking is what we do,
it’s part of the cycle.
Of course, the cracking.
And of course, the healing.
I am awed by its force
and how little it takes,
even a small bit of rain,
for deep healing to begin.
Click here for more poems.
We've had no rain for weeks - at least nothing to write home about. Reservoirs and rivers are running low, farmers are having to harvest crops early, wildfire risk is increasing, and millions of people are living under restrictions on water use. Yorkshire hasn't yet officially been declared an area of drought, but surely that's coming, along with a hosepipe ban. I will continue to water my pots of Cosmos, until I'm told not to.
Click here to find out about the drought declared in half of England.
It's all relative of course. We are not experiencing the same devastation from wildfires as other parts of Europe. The fire near Madrid, in Spain, would span the entirety of Greater London, approximately the diameter of the M25. Click here to find out more.
Writing prompts:
- Read the poem above. Do you agree that we too can 'crack in times of drought'? Set a timer and write about a time when you have 'cracked'. What kind of drought have you felt?
- I love the positivity and reassurance the poet gives that, like the dried earth soaking up the rain, 'the soul expands again, absorbing what it most needs.' Write about a time when you have begun to heal, even in a small way.
- Is it comforting to know that it's natural to 'crack' and that it's part of a cycle that others feel too? Write in response to this question.
- For you, what is the 'small bit of rain' that enables you to start healing? Write about this in any way you like.
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