A memory

Yesterday it rained
the entire day
fat drops of water
fell from the sky
they were angry—
fell so hard
pelting against the windows
of my house and I sat and watched
and then decided to take a walk
in the rain
not something I would do
though I felt the need
I took my umbrella
the one you bought me—
red stripes
fraying ends
wire poking out
from when that great wind swept it up
that one time—
small pin holes
I should have thrown it out
but never could make myself do so
saturated as soon as I stepped off the front porch
the rain came from all directions
slicing straight through to my skin
No point not continuing
so I did—
down the street
across the road
and that's where I saw you
waiting
standing still
drenched
like stray kitten
matted fur
matted clothes clinging to your body
you looked—
I looked
I walked—
you looked
until I got to the other side
and there we stood
wet face to wet face
I brought the umbrella down
black hair clinging to my face
in my eyes—
I waited for your smile
so I could smile
you turned
I reached for you
but you were gone