Cat in the Rain

(after Hemingway)

Can you hear the rain?

Its loud pattering on the glass,

grass, cement

Its tug on the clothing line

as the laundry gets wet

The silencing of birds

and shutting of windows

Can you hear the groans

of over-bellied men?

Missing their

re-run game

Not being able to

mow the overgrown lawn

Waiting for food

and spilling milk

Can you hear the sighs

of wives regretting

Regretting letting

the dog out

Not buying the

groceries earlier

Cutting their hair shorter

and not travelling to Europe

when they were younger

Can you hear the rain?

Its downpour washing

away the coloured chalk

Preventing the cat

from going inside

Its cries clawing at the door

wanting to be somewhere dry