Down Here

Then out

Photo by Arw Zero on Unsplash

the gutter was wet
I looked for a dry spot
there wasn’t one
so I sat

cold came through fast
sharp first
then dull
a sound I didn’t name in my throat

he eased down beside me
knees bent
hands loose between them
eyes on the street

“rough night?”

“year.”

didn’t mean to say it that fast

a car slid past
its tires whispering
light flaring off a puddle
I looked down. missed it.

a couple crossed
arms linked
her laugh hit the wall
broke
fell quiet

he offered a cigarette
I shook my head
he lit his
flame too close, filter burned
the smell stuck for a second
then gone

we listened
a grate hissed
a radio flickered open and shut
somewhere a door slammed
all of it ordinary