Poem-a-Day is reader-supported. Your gift today will help the Academy of American Poets continue to publish the work of 260 poets each year, and share this series with 300,000 readers every day.

November 21, 2021

Rhythm of Rain

Lynn Riggs

I

Out of the barrenness of earth,
And the meager rain—
Mile upon mile of exultant
Fields of grain.

Out of the dimness of morning—
Sudden and stark,
A hot sun dispelling
The hushed dark.

Out of the bleakness of living,
Out of the unforgivable wrongs,
Out of the thin, dun soil of my soul—
These songs.

II

Only the rhythm of the rain
Can ease my sorrow, end my pain.

He was a wilful lad,
Laughter the burden he had;

Songs unsung haunted his mouth,
Velvet as soft airs from the languid south;

He was sprung from the dawn,
Flame-crested. He is gone!

Only the lashing, silver whips
Of the rain can still my lips…

This poem is in the public domain. Published in Poem-a-Day on November 21, 2021, by the Academy of American Poets.

Subscribe to the Poem-a-Day Podcast

“Rhythm of Rain” appeared in Poetry 22, no. 5 (August 1923).

Rollie Lynn Riggs was an American poet, playwright, and screenwriter of Cherokee descent. He is best known for his 1931 play Green Grow the Lilacs, which was later adapted by Rodgers and Hammerstein into the 1943 musical Oklahoma!. The recipient of a Guggenheim fellowship and the author of twenty one full-length plays, he died on June 30, 1954.

Poetry
(August 1923)

“Song of the Storm-Swept Plain” by William D. Hodjkiss
read more

“Raindrops” by Mrs. Minot Carter
read more

Thanks to Kimberly Blaeser , author of Copper Yearning (Holy Cow! Press, 2019), who curated Poem-a-Day for this month’s weekdays. Listen to a Q&A about Blaeser’s curatorial approach and find out more about our guest editors for the year.

This free, daily series is made possible by our readers. If you’re able, please consider donating to support this work.

Become a monthly sustainer
join

Make a one-time gift
donate

The Academy of American Poets

75 Maiden Lane

St #901

New York, NY 10038

Add us to your address book

View this email in your browser

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Poem-a-Day - "Rhythm of Rain" by Lynn Riggs

Rhythm of Rain

Subscribe to the Poem-a-Day Podcast

Older messages

"The Lost Lagoon" by Emily Pauline Johnson

"The White-headed Woodpecker" by Sean Hill

"In the Discount Lot" by Angela C. Trudell Vasquez

"Self-Compassion" by James Crews

"Anne" by CMarie Fuhrman

You Might Also Like

The Best Thing: November 12, 2024

The #1 Hair Color Trend For Winter 2025 Will Be...

Heidi Klum’s No-Pants Look Was Cyborg Chic

The FDA Is Finally Pulling This Cold Medicine From Market

Trump's environmental assault begins

The Case for Watching 'Bridgerton' With Your Teens

‘Gladiator II’ More Than Justifies Its Existence

14 Riverside Drive by Glen Bullock

Two Chains

"𐓷𐓘𐓻𐓘𐓻𐓟/Wahzhazhe/Osage" by Elise Paschen