that night the weather broke
up among the parts of the roof
rivers formed
dams of leaves and rust
burst upon
the cities of the poor
aphid and ant
and spider
were all swept away

listening to that rain
I watched you as you slept
your eyelids shook with so much dead
a hand moved up
but then fell back
I thought.
I know you too well

down in the kitchen the dog knew
his damp nose sought mine
in the dark
so much cold noise
his breath ran heavy
as I drank coffee
and we waited like survivors
for the first light
of morning
while you slept

D.S. Long Christchurch