RAIN

Susan Smith Nash

It’s the same

pain, shame, game –

played in the space

of a name,

of a face –

Wet – do you feel it?

droplets immiscible

oil & water

tears & rain –

Why didn’t you tell me

before you left me

in a sudden summer shower

weeping …

I’ve seen it –

you’ve been it –

and the story never ends;

now we have to be awkward friends

Our essences equally skewed –

like density or just that rainbow sheen

on rain puddles I’ve already seen

and so we float only on the surface

trying too hard to be weightless

(you know it’s hopeless)

I had almost forgotten

before memories stopped in,

lost, misbegotten

like the chill of rain

spilled the same

as pain

or unexpected rain;

as on me, your name,

an indelible stain.