We Got Rain

in Los Angeles the storm drains
weren't built to carry off that much
water


and the rain came down THICK and
MEAN and
STEADY


and you HEARD it banging against
the roofs and into the ground
waterfalls of it came down
from roofs


and there was HAIL
big ROCKS OF ICE
bombing
exploding smashing into things
and the rain
just wouldn't
STOP


and all the roofs leaked-
dishpans,
cooking pots
were placed all about;
they dripped loudly
and had to be emptied
again and
again.


the rain came up over the street curbings,
across the lawns,


climbed up the steps and
entered the houses.



- from Charles Bukowski, "We Ain't Got No Money, Honey, But We Got Rain."