this gaze falls
as a welcome
rain

creates familiar scents
patterns of absorption

it opens the book
to that page
dog-eared,
where you left off

we need the rain
but we fear the storm

the story lacks
a strong leading man
someone who will
throw a slap
forties style
like Clark Gable

the rain would create
puddles
and the wet
of sloppiness
and
of love

I trace a lazy thumbnail
across the page
and light the rain
from my eyes

© Tom Watters  9/15/06