2 may 2005

hands raised
elbows slighly bent
head back
eyes shut but looking skyward
deep intake of air through nose
and then exhale like it's coming from the heels of your feet
toes in the mud--clasped around stones

wanting to run
but waiting
standing
waiting
almost-motionless
for a drop of rain

water to make
the mud wetter
wet to wash
the tears away

yes,
shut-eyed even
you've cried
always amazed
each time it happens

you had closed your lids to halt
the salty onslaught

you rubbed the tip
of your tongue
against the inside
of your bottom teeth
trying to find calm
in that motion

but neither tongue
nor lids can keep back
the cry that has to come

and so you wait

you wait for rain

when it falls
you can open your eyes