Surf’s Up

hail is different to rain
at least this one
landing on me now
it was pale, translucent, semi-soft
the size of small peppercorns
but white
in puddles it made ripples
or circular waves
the same in form
as ocean waves
smaller than ocean waves
but bigger than rain waves
some small surfing creature
a millipede or flee
would be on the phone
‘It’s up’ they would say
to fellow surfers
but this lasted not long
enough for wetsuits
it landed briefly
on my face
on my tongue
on my hand
it pattered on my jacket
announcing it’s presence
then gone
on the wet floor
it melted
returned to water
it’s adventure
in phase transition over
moving downhill
eventually
to rejoin the ocean waves
and prompt further phone calls
far away
on another day

For James Bridle here