Creep along the wall
In autumn
Then later heard the wind
Thunder in tall maples
Boiling like water
In a cauldron
It was no surprise
When the first black raindrops fell
Splattered like black cherries
Upon the walk
And the moanings and gnashings
As the rain wrestled with the wind
Overturning tables
On the patio
The streets were desolate
And the streetlamps glare
Turned to bars of gold
Across the road
And night turned from fair
To bitter cold
But still no one came there
And a roof’s overhang
Was small shelter against the wind
But I lingered
Determined to the end
Until just past midnight
When all hope was lost
I saw you emerge
From the dark
And cross the road
Into my arms…
Your small gesture
Redeeming
A whole night’s harms.