Rain

I closed my eyes and gave thanks. At last the rain was falling washing the dirt off my face running down my cheeks in tiny river beds carved by my tears. l imagined I looked like a painting of a harlequin with a sad frown Not much in thirteen years to make me smile. Found a baby bird once, but he crushed it to death cursed him under my breath with words I hear him scream at me. I won't think about him Not yet Inhaling the petrichor of moss roses pummeled by rain-releasing their sweet perfume reminds me of something l almost forgot something to take the sting from the pain not clear enough in memory for me to recall Not yet Not yet Hope it rains all day and long into the night I need it to disguise my tears. He hates it when I cry it makes him hurt me more. His thunder roars when he sees fear his hand strikes me. Behind the veil of darkness in our hovel near the river his storm will rain on me-when it gets dark. The sun is weakening and soon it will set but not yet 6/8/16