860

we were sitting on the porch
with a pitcher of tea
and glasses of bourbon
when the rain came
great heavy drops
that thudded against the metal
awning we were hidden underneath

the air stuck in my throat

my dog crept between
the legs of the woman
sitting across from me

she flicked her cigarette
and rubbed the soft spot
just underneath his jaw
he let his head go
and she cradled that mutt’s
head in her hands

at least she was loving
something

it never had to be me

i would have preferred
her hands to push my hair back
and feel the sweat on my brow
that seemed to rise
whenever she was around

a week later
the only trace of her
was the bourbon i drank
the cigarettes she left
and my dog’s whimpering
when he heard her name

he seemed to understand
why i stayed in my bed
and why tears always came
when the rain started