Desperadoes

1.

At first, when a lack of rain came upon us
we paid scant attention.
We had just met Hal and fair Jeanne.
We meant to water the garden more often;
mentioned it, twice, on the Fourth of July.

2.

Summer wore on. For want of water
the wrens flew away.
You decided to go to the Cape,
a shipwright's job might be available.
The garden had drifted dry as ash,
the vines withered to brown.
We had let it all go.

3.

I wore a party dress, vivid and gold,
when we met, accidentally,
next year in September.
I reminded you of the can-can femmes
Painted By Lautrec
Their skirts rendered
like mine, in bold blots of color.

4.

Our lovemaking that afternoon
happened with purpose, with weight;
we held on as true as we could,
as if there were still chances:
one more grand summer storm,
green lightning,
a murderous downpour of rain.