"First Love - First Rain"
Beneath the sky of silver gray,
My heart first learned a softer way.
The clouds had tears they longed to share,
And love was breathing in the air..!
The raindrops kissed my trembling skin,
Like secrets whispered deep within.
A hand I held, unsure, yet true,
The world was vast, but small for two..!
The thunder rolled, a gentle drum,
My lips grew silent, words turned dumb.
Your eyes were brighter than the storm,
A fragile flame, yet fierce and warm..!
The streets were rivers, wild and free,
Yet time stood still for you and me.
Each droplet sang a fleeting song,
Of something pure, yet not for long..!
First love, first rain: both wild, both shy,
They came, they touched, they passed us by.
But in my veins they still remain,
The first soft wound, the sweetest pain.
Explaination :
The poem “First Love & First Rain” beautifully intertwines two profound experiences that often leave a lasting impression on the human heart: the tender awakening of first love and the magical feeling of being caught in the first rain. Both experiences are universal, transformative, and unforgettable, which is why the poet brings them together in twenty-four lyrical lines.
The opening stanza sets the tone by describing the atmosphere. The “sky of silver gray” symbolizes a new beginning, a canvas ready to be painted with emotions. The speaker recalls how love first stirred within them as the clouds prepared to pour. The rain here is not just a natural phenomenon; it mirrors the overflowing emotions of a heart encountering love for the first time. The air itself seems filled with romance, almost as if nature conspires to create the perfect moment.
In the second stanza, the poet personifies the rain. “Raindrops kissed my trembling skin” reflects innocence and vulnerability, a sense of wonder in being touched by something new. Just as raindrops are cool, fresh, and unexpected, so too is the feeling of holding someone’s hand for the first time. The phrase “unsure, yet true” highlights the hesitation and nervous excitement that always accompany early love, while “the world was vast, but small for two” emphasizes how love makes everything else fade away—only the two hearts matter.
The third stanza deepens the imagery by introducing thunder, described as a “gentle drum.” Thunder usually symbolizes power and fear, but here it is softened, reflecting how even the storm outside felt like music in that moment. The speaker becomes speechless, their emotions too overwhelming for words. The beloved’s eyes are compared to light outshining the storm, conveying both strength and delicacy. Love, even in its fragile beginning, feels powerful enough to outshine nature’s might.
In the fourth stanza, the rain transforms the streets into “rivers, wild and free.” This symbolizes the uncontrollable force of emotions that accompany first love. Yet amidst the chaos of the storm, time seems to pause for the lovers. Every raindrop is likened to a song, a fleeting reminder of beauty and impermanence. The poet suggests that like raindrops, moments of first love are precious precisely because they cannot last forever.
The final stanza ties the themes together. Both first love and first rain are described as “wild” and “shy”—they arrive unexpectedly, overwhelm the senses, and then pass. But even though they do not last forever, they leave an indelible mark. The phrase “the first soft wound, the sweetest pain” reflects the paradox of first love: it is both joyous and heartbreaking, a memory that lingers long after the moment has passed.
Overall, the poem captures the fleeting yet eternal quality of youthful love and the freshness of rain. It shows how nature and emotion are often intertwined: rain intensifies the feeling of love, while love makes rain seem like poetry. The imagery, rhythm, and contrasts evoke nostalgia, reminding readers that both first love and first rain remain unforgettable experiences—short-lived in time, yet permanent in memory.
- Avinash Bhimrao Dhale
- एक अश्वस्थामा
- avinash.b.dhale11@gmail.com
- ©2025 - Avinash_Dhale (All rights reserved. No copy, publish, or use without author’s permission.)
