The first drops are
so unwelcome.
You didn’t plan on icy rain
touching your skin so unpleasantly.
So rudely, really.
Your socks squish in your shoes.
Droplets from your nose.
You accept
this drowning normal
The only thing to do is
to continue to squeak through.
Warm your heart
one stride at a time

Sheila Regan is a journalist and arts critic. She is new to publishing poetry.