Rain

It was raining when we left the house and
the windows across the street were dark.
I was tending the garden during their absence.
On both sides, the neighbors have fled north,
on the left, leaving behind calf high weeds, their roots
having had time to sink deep into the earth.
on the right, leaving behind empty garden beds,
which will soon be filled with weeds,
even the nicest students don’t have time to tend gardens.
across the street, there is a beautiful garden
and when the rain stops and the sun comes up,
I will watch the pink tulips swaying in the gentle breeze.