Rain pelts downward
onto my tearstained cheek.
Shivering convulsively, I want to curl
back into my shell.

But I tilt my head back,
pull off my hood.
Let the rain mingle with tears.
A drop of water rolls down my forehead,
plummets toward earth.

Carries the anger away
releasing the pressure
of life.
Water trickles down my nose---
soaks through my jeans
slides through my hair.
Drenched.

Cleanses me
Peeling away the tattered
now translucent
paper mask
to reveal what is hidden.

The flood rushes in
and out,

Carrying away my troubles on
a heaven-sent drop of peace.
Through the cycle, rinsing my soul clean.

I let the rain wash away the pain.