standing as a fountain
with water dripping from my
hair. He just stood there. He said
“lousy weather we’re having”

with a smirk as wide as his
driveway. He didn’t invite me in,
though I drove a long way to see
him. Something shut off inside

me, standing alone in the rain
while he rushed off inside to
get changed. It’s that feeling of
neglect when you don’t have no

self-respect. I went back to my car,
carrying my heart in my hand. I put
the car in low, the same mood I was,
in without noticing, until I was driving

for awhile and it started jerking. I was
badly hurting and rushing off to the liquor
store to get the ***** to help ease the
rage that was building up inside of me. I

drove off silently.