7/16/2003

We watch from
our lookout
high
above the city
as the sheet of
gray black rain
sweeps across the sky
toward us
flashing and thundering
its arrival
on the wind.
We
hit the street again
strolling away
down
the Champs d'Elysees
stopping for a scoop
of
first rate ice cream
which I eat
while
thinking about
a recent business dealing
in which
I trusted someone
who betrayed me
in the night
prompting me
to make threats
that were useless
because
I would never
carry them out
while he underwent
a change of heart
making good
on the promise
he had broken
the whole matter
leaving me exposed
and shaken
until I see
the head of
John the Baptist
hanging
from the hand
of Salome
by the same man
who painted
the Mona Lisa
coming up
down the hall
these pictures
transporting me
bone tired
as I am
until
at last
the day is done
and
I can rest.