just before the rain

the light is hazy and yellow
through the blinds
inside the brick framed black box
that is your window

the room where I am sitting is cool,
almost cold
but your room looks warm
humid
muggy

I could slip quickly across
the street
press the buzzer
twice,
short sounds

you’d know it was me
and let me into the hallway
with the diminished yellow glow
almost throbbing
telling me I’m near

I’d enter just before the rain,
my feet pounding up the stairs
in a quick tempo
that matches the raindrops
the pattern on the roof,
on the windows
continues after my footsteps
have stopped

at the top of the stairs it is
dark
but the door is ajar,
and when I enter,
there is a mist of light
seeping from the side
that faces the street

I sigh and step
towards the sultry,
steamy room
where you are waiting…