Small Clouds

Jackie and Albert watch small clouds
drift up Edna Ridge, they look
like yesterday's clouds,
and the day before that,

and before that. They all look
the same until one strikes
hot-anger lightening,
it's too late to get out of the way.

One cloud was rubbed the wrong way,
set on edge, pushed around
until it's primed and ready to fire.

Jackie and Albert go to the Center Tavern,
to an old plywood booth
across from the bar, have a dark beer
and listen to the piano player.

Jackie chatters on dream parcels,
they look like yesterday's dreams
and the day before that.

Memories drift through Albert's mind
like small clouds, he's set on edge,
and it's too late for Jackie
to get out of the way.