493 - Cloud over Oxford

The rain came down and then it came again,
And as I loaded up my small red car,
I thought: These drops won’t stop. I’m not so vain,
But I’ll look like I’ve climbed from a river.
And then I strained to see past the wiper
That striped clean lines through opaque windscreen dirt
And raindrops, trained my failing eyes on the
Blue motorway signs, keeping them alert
For the exit to Oxford. Pearl was hurt
Inside, I felt, by the approaching strain
Of studies, exams, the social pressure
Of being popular, but being short
Of time to socialise. And this will drain
Her energy like drops of rainwater.
Thur 10 Jan 2008