Racking Canvas On A Rainy Night Poem by L MILTON HANKINS

Before the rowdies showed up to rack the canvas,
a hard rain slashed around us, drowning out
the echo of dying laughter on the lot.

I said, "It was a good show anyhow, Perk.
Smells fresh."
He nodded, plucking off a cherry nose,
"Long drive, " was all he said,
but I knew he was thinking it's hell
breaking down on a rainy night with a long way to roll.

I could hear them hauling line, chanting, rain-soaked
and stowing gear while heaven cracked her whip.
Perk muttered, "You can't fool the rain, boys,
You can't fool the rain."