Surface Tension

The pharmacist says it’ll be an hour or more

so I stand by the curb near the grocery store.

The rain is coming down steady and slow

making the asphalt start to glow.

A truck idles hard and then pulls away

leaving a stain on the middle of the day.

A slick of oil, a shimmering mess

swirls round a receipt in a soggy dress.

The ink on the paper is melting to gray

carrying all of the totals away.

I watch the colors break and then bleed

while I wait for the chemical comfort I need.