Weather report

One day everything shifts

When a sudden downpour and
a window left open ends up with
the pale blue carpet soaked
through, the sunflower yellow
lamp dripping fat tears down its
face, polaroids on a corkboard of
the persons and versions we were
once drenched, I remember our
first apartment with the creaky
floors and cramped kitchen, how
every time it rained the bedroom
walls leaked and we got used to
wringing murky water from heavy
towels we’d hang in the back for
days to dry. There was no dog
yet then, no daughter, our arms
and attention only for each other
in a way you take for granted when
you’re young & unaware of how life
remains the same for years & years
until one day everything shifts and it
takes both a certain attention and a
random bout of rain to remind you
that although the nature of weather
is to change when you least expect,
blindsiding you on an otherwise
ordinary afternoon, it’s not like
you’re the kind of people who
have never found themselves
caught in a downpour before.