Raincoat

The pebbles crush
my placid feet-
      walk through the shallow bank
blinded by rain,
                         a hellish hail.

Pinch,
          snare,
                    scream.

The skin-
     under the puckered water
              in the midst of falling rocks
                   and baffled shrieks;
 
sinks,
          pulls,
                   tears.

The infernal earth
      meanders about the muscle,
             rudimentarily clinging.


                                                        The muscle needs its raincoat.






I will not be washed away.