Evening Monsoon (Koh Samui)

When the rains came

the streets fell silently to sleep

inside sheets of shine

leaving everything exposed

like sky

the drunken louts in bars

left their talk of loss

pulling themselves from sticky lights

and empty bottles of confidence

everything was put back in its place;

wrinkles found eyes again,

shadows became honest,

beds turned wide,

as time woke from the clock

sandpits spun on their heads

beneath gloves of palm trees

limp with fear

food stalls orphaned

with coals puffing ash

leaving wives to contemplate stars

and unripe fruits

I heard the drumming

all around

disseminating like African palms

galloping in cathartic herds

over temperatures soaked in rejuvenation

dogs kicked off their fleas

as whores returned home

to put their red heels to sleep,

reflections always seem lonelier

with night

crazed motorbikes broke the back of distance

whilst an old man stood looking out to sea

everybody found home.