the rain
so dull
not cold enough as winter
not bleak enough as fall
a piece of plastic paper
spread on the windowsill
of the store
under the glass
packs of cigarette
arranged in order
red blue white purple
four men
two of them in leather coat
in another room
surrounding a square table
playing cards
when i passed by
all restaurants
beside the steel bridge
closed and dark
only this small store
like a blockhouse
it must be warm
and secure inside