JUST BEFORE SUNRISE

I STOOD IN THE SHADOW OF THE NIGHT 
MY BACK LEANING AGAINST AN OAK TREE 
I SOUGHT SHELTER FROM THE SUDDEN DOWNPOUR,
IT WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO RAIN,
THE WEATHER CHANNEL SAID, ‘NOT BEFORE SUNRISE.’

AS I REACHED INTO MY POCKET FOR A FILTER TIP, 
MY LUNGS LONGING FOR THAT TAR TASTE QUENCHER.
ME EYES CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF HER, STANDING THERE,
LOOKING OUT HER THIRD FLOOR BEDROOM WINDOW,
HER HAIR DANCING TO THE RHYTHM 
OF THE SOFT GUST OF WIND THAT ESCAPED 
THE TROUBLED SEA

I STOOD IN AWE OF WONDER, 
AS THE BACKDROP OF HER BEDROOM LIGHT 
ENCOURAGED ME, TO FANTASIZE ON HIDDEN BEAUTY 
MY HEART AND MIND AGREED, 
THAT IT WAS A BLESSING TO BE, 
UNDER THAT OLD OAK TREE 
ON THAT RAINY NIGHT, JUST BEFORE SUNRISE.

WILFORD BARKER.