Wet Autumn Rain

A soft Autumn rain Then harder Raindrops bouncing off the sidewalk Of Myrtle Avenue Shutting my eyes I listen To the rain on the street The sizzle of car tires on the wet Engines acceleration on a Friday afternoon Listen harder To passersby. "Her bottom is bigger than my umbrella." Laughter I open my eyes. Smell the damp. Feel the wet Drifting on the air As raindrops splash On the street. Mexican workers off early All smiles It's cerveza time A young rapper nods to the beat. Of his words. Water dripping from his hoodie. School children Hand in hand With a father Or a mother Happy to be going home Out of the rain On an autumn afternoon. I stay outside Serenaded by the rain. It's its own music