Poem: “Before Descending” by Scott Schuleit (2025)

Before Descending

into warm, lush oblivion of sleep,
rain on roof sprinkled sound over me,
a smattering of faint applause,
gentle drumming.

This is the season when storms come,
rumbling in gray and black, bold,
rebellious, surging forth, unrestrained
in their outpouring.

But not this one; though still wild
it wasn’t proud, dangerous or fierce,
a shy-eyed creature, furtive, elusive,
almost fearful to disturb.

Understanding the complete absence of rain
would disappoint, it sought to please
with occasional patterings
of its timid, little feet.

It was enough, motions making soft music,
plucking of strings lulling me to sleep,
caressing me down
into kingdom of dream.


Bio:
Scott Schuleit (MA, Knox Theological Seminary) is a follower of the blessed, holy, triune God, a husband to his dear, lovely wife Christina, and the Associate Pastor at North Palm Baptist Church. His poems have appeared in various publications, including Christianity & Literature, Critique, and Ekstasis. He is the author of A Pernicious Correspondence: Letters from a Devil (Prevail Press, 2021).

Photo credit: Photo by Olga Kovalski (https://www.pexels.com/photo/raindrops-on-glass-creating-a-blurred-abstract-view-30658210/)