It was because of conversations that I had with a very wise, wonderful man that this poem was given life.  This man, whom I proudly call my friend, has been an absolute inspiration to me, and I'll be forever blessed by his unselfish sharing and for the incredibly precious gift of being who he is.  It is to him that I dedicate this poem. For me, The Rain resembles the negative things that have happened in my life, coupled with the fact that I’ve learned not to look at them as negatives.  At long last, I’m finally wise enough to learn from those things, and rather than simply accepting them as stumbling blocks, I allow them to help me grow.  Ultimately, I’ve learned to open my heart, mind, and soul and accept The Rain (the storms in my life), as positive things – as growth opportunities, and it has been those growth opportunities which have afforded me my strength, my tenacity, and my indomitable will.  I am enlightened by The Rain; The Rain has helped me to become who I am, and I'll always remain...  Thirsty for the Rain. Tami C Ryan 26 May 2002

Published in the poetry anthology "Of Laughter and Forgetting", October 2002