by Larry M. Schilb

the City’s nightside

stalls behind white-rain scrim.

Storm drains,

deluge gulping weary,

spit back; leaf blower,

Starbuck’s cup jetsam

sticks in their teeth.

Lake squall perpetuates

cloudbursts—advantage cabbies,

three shift saviors to perennial

 sidewalk umbrella blossoms.

static-jammed AM radio rails Nigerian gospel,

syncs with pirate cab’s high-speed wipers,

negates thunder, roof tattoo, backseat banter.

Side-window raindrops glint

marquee neon gems in your hair. High-beams

key light cayenne smile.

dashboard Mary coldshoulders

forked-bolts, torrent clouds. Red Bull,

risky console-balanced, resonates to

dispatcher squawk. Speechless driver

wins mariner’s dawn race

to each red light.

Arms squeeze tight, we brake

hard against his seatback

for whatever’s ahead.