It’s said that silver lines the passing clouds,
But science says this isn’t really so-
The water molecules proceed to crowd
Resulting in abundant rain or snow.

And yet the cloud has come to represent
Encompassing depression should one fail,
Which is its own particular torment,
And sometimes feels like being hit by hail.

The metaphor is not so apropos,
Since rain, no matter how destructive, brings
Life-giving water to the world below,
And, melting, turns the winter into spring.

So when you can ignore the sting of shame,
You’ll find defeat and triumph are the same.