Senryu Series I: Downtown Poem by Lillian Susan Thomas

Flash flood after dark
wets pavement, spangling with neon:
midnight rainbow?

Gutters fill with rain,
muddy and iridescent:
washing the streets clean.

Call girls in the downpour
shiver under awnings, making
gold minis shimmer.

After hairdos are drenched
and mascara runs muddy,
the cloudburst moves on.

Red lips whoop and holler:
'Thank you Jesus! ' Skin trade resumes.
The night is not lost.

To reach a slowing car,
high heels splash through puddles.
He'll buy her a new pair.