Both reviled and revered,
It's an essential of life.
Often more feared
Than the slash of a knife.

It dismisses the rituals that are performed
Silently mocks those that beseech its return.
Disguises itself as the tears I've never worn,
Falsely pledges to soothes life's burns.

I am rain, it says, 
I bring both life and death.
Drink your share of me,
But don't take a breath.

This post is part of the WordPress Bloganuary Challenge for 2023, where everyone participating is provided a writing prompt each day. Today’s prompt was to write a poem about rain.