1291

the rain came slow over the hills
and with it
the deep bellowing of thunder
far off
and next to me
bright tridents of lightning

you were standing in the parking
lot with your black hat
fishing receipts from your pockets
tearing them asunder
letting them fall to the ground
like speckled pieces of snow

and that vision of you
soaking wet in the rain
stayed with me for years
whenever I drove by your town
or when I called your momma on
Christmas and she
asked if I wanted to speak
with you one last time
I told her

you were a friend of mine
but I don’t know you no more
and I can’t hear your name
without crying

no ma'am
I can’t hear her voice
without crying