Heavy Rain

Finally it rained in the morning
a sudden eruption at exactly five o' clock,
washing the window panes, the balcony,
the empty bird cage and the guava tree

the milkman was late, wet crows
huddled under the car shed,
one wet tee clung to the clothesline
waiting for deliverence

clocks lazed to the next minute,
the rainpipe gurgled with happiness,
the bedcover wet with rain
bleeded its colours on to the white

sleep came in bursts
warm, hugging, hypnotic drowsiness,
the heavy eyelids stitched together
watching dreams of floating clouds

fingers made circles in the hair
lovers naked and peaceful
blew out perfect smoke rings
and watched the rain outside