it’s coming down again.

trees inhale deeply, then shake as they exhale

they shudder it off

clouds thicken, shielding—

unyielding—

hidden. silently drenching each blade

of grass, every flower is crumpled

and hope fades with the light

is it dusk? when did it get so dark?

flickering—the lightning comes alone,

when no one is watching,

and no one sees.

the brilliance is for me alone—

charring and destructive,

the strike is haunting and piercing and

my blood runs cold

but the rain does not stop,

does not freeze,

will not please

could not appease

millions of umbrellas, rainboots, windbreakers—

or tissues, blankets, pillows,

they are soaked with me

and i am breaking

if my heart breaks, its blood will spill across the ground

the grass will relish its pain

the rain will wash it away again