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It Almost Rained Today

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It Almost Rained Today

On Turning 40 and Other Revelations

Jeff Goins
Apr 1, 2023
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Howdy. March, apparently, flew by. With spring break, an international trip on my end, lots of work in the works, and just life in general, it’s been a month. At any rate, yesterday was my birthday, I turned forty, and wrote a poem to commemorate it and this current season of life. More to come soon, but here’s something to read in the meantime. Feel free to shoot a reply or comment to let me know how this strikes you.

Photo by Nick Nice on Unsplash
It almost rained today
On the day of my birth
forty years ago
Today. 
I stepped outside and sat on the porch 
To celebrate
Smelling the musty scent of future things already passed;
I hurried to cover the grill in the backyard
And dragged our fire pit into the garage
Where it doesn’t belong,
Waiting for the worst to come. 
I sat
Inhaling three times and
Watching clouds turn grey;
Held my breath and opened my eyes
Blowing out candles from yesteryear
Forgetting news headlines and the threat of whatever might be lurking 
just beyond the cul-de-sac. 
I prepared for soft drops on sticky pavement
Finding myself inexplicably 
Smiling;
The wind kissed my face in between blinks of bliss
Collapsing that imaginary wall separating me from everything
And I noticed a certain sunniness begin to emerge:
Easter. 
I felt the stone of my self move aside
Letting sunlight pour in like orange juice
And the clouds receded—
Something reminiscent of Revelation
—And with one angelic leaf descended from above
The whole earth shuddered. 
Once more, I was a baby boy:
Pieces of my mother still attached to the crown of my head, 
looking around with infant eyes—
Taking in a new creation. 
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John P. Weiss
Writes Weiss Journal
Apr 1·edited Apr 1Liked by Jeff Goins

“I felt the stone of myself move aside.” That’s a great sentence, Jeff. Wishing you a belated happy 40th. It seems apropos that it rained. For rain reflects renewal, and I sense that in you and your work. You may have receded from the algorithms and posting treadmills, but I believe great things lie ahead with your work. Here’s to the next decade of creative expression.

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L.C.Marino
Writes Time Stands Still
Apr 3Liked by Jeff Goins

Happy birthday, Jeff! A poem is such a great way to commemorate the occasion.

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