126 E. 13th Street

The rain fell like gunfire
And I watched you duck and dodge,
Bob and weave,
Seek shelter in that drug store
Bunker across the street
Your dress, a flack jacket marred
By each water droplet wound
And your combat heels, ruined
With each daring leap across
Roadway rivers and into
The blue vinyl embrace of
A taxi idling like a sentry,
A knight in yellow armor

You surrender, admit defeat,
And let the meter run