it’s raining in evanston

Timothy L. Campbell

it’s raining in evanston

while california is burning

so while alice is at the dentist

i walk to the bakery

to buy cider donuts

it’s raining in evanston

and i see a woman exit her car

and do that stooped trot

we all do in the rain

thinking we’ll stay drier

if we are closer to the ground

she deposits a load of change

into the hands of a man in a wheelchair

and it’s raining in evanston

i walk closer to the man

as he makes his way

down the sidewalk

and he throws one of the coins

into the street

with the aplomb

of a pitcher under contract

it’s raining in evanston

and as the coin hits the road

it makes a wide arc

away from him

and toward me

and i have to know why

he’s thrown this coin away

so i snatch it up

FIVE MEXICAN PESOS

and as i hold it in my hand i remember there’s a virus

and maybe she who gave the coin has it

and maybe he who threw the coin has it

and now maybe he who’s picked it up has it

it’s raining in evanston

while california is burning

and cider donuts won’t be available

for another two weeks