If the rain ever entered,
umbrella covers got wider
to protect and hide her
from heavy drops of water
that punched down and shattered
into a million pieces of
battering clatter and splatter
which for her never mattered.

But I admire those willing
to take the rain this evening,
for it is dire to put aside the shields
to taste and feel the beatings
of each drop and never stop
being uncomfortable
when you ought
because some things have to be taken
metal cold and wet as they are
some things must be beaten
onto your skin to feel the scars.