Rain

I never see the rain

It falls in fits and starts

Leaving behind wet sidewalks

And full gutters

Sometimes I am asleep

And wake to a world come undone

Filled with the sharp smell

Of water fallen

And worms risen

Most of the time though

I am simply not looking

Cast in pale blue

Under florescent’s toxic glow

Eyelashes slow to part

Molasses sticky grip

Of chunky black mascara

By the time I open them

The clouds have passed beyond my view

World scrubbed grey

Never able to turn the corner

Quick enough to catch the colour

That you can hear just ahead

The pitter-patter of heavy rain

On a red tin roof.