Rain
by Scott Slemmons
Nov. 18th
2 am
The morning news will report
that we got almost 2 ½ inches
from this storm
I am in the middle of it
standing in the back yard
crying
shivering
soaked to the bone
In the midst of a nondescript dream
she appeared
She looked into my eyes
She held my hand
She said she loved me
& hated being without me
I awoke in a cold sweat
remembering the truth
that she loved someone else
& could survive without me
The truth would not let me sleep
The desperation for the lies of the dream
drove me outdoors
where I stood
face to the sky
seeking some comfort from
the flashing & rumbling heavens
clouded with frightened darkness
I've asked the eternal questions
to the slowly-dying storm
The only answer has
been a flood of teardrops
soaking me to the bone
& leaving me shivering
lost in the autumn chill
© 1999 by Scott Slemmons