Every Time It Rains (Poetry)

Every time it rains
those long grey pencils
pounding cold and fierce
I remember how
you stood soaking wet

your hood drawn in tight
eyelashes blinking off
the drops that ran down
your nose and cheeks to
slow-drip from your chin

Quite drenched you were yet
laughing when we met
for lunch and a chat
two old friends playing
catch-up — swapping news

The usual stuff —
family matters —
all that common ground
hardly a mention
made of your illness

Years have passed and now
when rain falls heavy
I wish you somewhere
sheltered — warm and dry
endless days of sun