she sets the suitcase on the floor
after a weekend together
to explore
as I shut the door
she turned to me and said
I want a divorce
my mouth hit the floor
all I could say was, of course
thinking good lord
she unpacked
setting the suitcase back on the floor
and tells me to pack
says you can leave the key at the door
without any slack
I turn my back
take the suitcase and pack
and head for the door
knowing deep inside the relationship
could not be restored
I get to a hotel
I open the door
I set the suitcase on the floor
thinking good lord
I unpack
then return the suitcase
I knock on the door
It opens
I set the suitcase inside on the floor
I look at her
this is yours
I cannot look at it setting on the floor
forevermore

rainstorms steep
like tea leaves in boiling water
the clouds growing fat on
electricity and water vapour until
they can no longer expand
and the fragrance explodes
amorphous and yet
harsh, driving shards of
H₂O through the warmth
of sweaters stuffed by
bodies nourished
by the rain not as
gentle as scented steam
from a cup of steeped leaves
but just as incensed