it finally
RAINED in MANILA
the thunderclaps were orchestral
the water splats, a van Gogh
against red tail lights
and windows

and people held their breath
as the first drops of relief
hit their skins
like                                      
  a                      
      lover's
                        ­             kiss

sweet                      
like
                         cherries
long before you knew
how they taste

long                                  
like the line
                                    I trace
                                       with
                                         my
                                    fingers
in the small of your back

warm                                              
like your breath
                                      on
                                     my
                                    neck
just before you wake up
just                                     
before                  
we
                do it
                                  again