I cannot take back the rain
any more than I can take it with me
I do hold it dear now though
not at the time
neither of us thought it was funny
still don’t laugh about it

Gosh it rained that day
it soaked through my spirit
it was the new moon and the rain and the too much beer
and all the rest of it - all that frustration

Some ****** Cuban foreigner behind the counter asking for ID -
are you kidding- don’t’ you know who I am
her and the Manager going on about “iss no possible”
the clerk’s look of determination is what hurt most
our transaction was over as soon as “NO” were my answer
to which she answered “NEXT”

The rain would not let up
it would not make it any easier
the rain, the rain, that long walk
the rain and another long walk in the rain

I miss that rain.
To stand in that rain to know what I know now.
take your passport everywhere you go
they don’t give free money away like in free countries
without ID you’re still a nobody
and to you - they’re just a bunch of foreigners

I caught the chill that day in the rain
and I was angry
and I was disappointed
showing my darker side to you on a silver platter
a dark day loomed before us - ahead of me.

Disappointed in myself, disappointed in you being disappointed in me
and had no right to be
Frustrated, tired, angry and cold
I hadn’t been that cold since we left the 60th.



Lying here back at home where rain like that won’t come
not a peso to count
what I wouldn’t do to walk through that rain
knowing what I know now of course
and heed the warnings of Canada council, holiday brochures
tour guides
and you.
Without a passport, doesn’t matter how hard it rains
or how cold you get or whether your spirit is water logged,
cashing travellers cheques without ID
“iss no possible”.

“NEXT”