The Sweeter Things

claustrophobic heat, soaking though the skin
clothes plastered to her figure
taking drinks of water, sucking on ice cubes
before they can melt

and then
lightning
a strike, a rumble
the sky's become dark

an cloud's implosion
heavy with water
dumped down onto brittle grass

running outside
the ice water dripping and soaking
she's laughing and exhilarated
free of the sticky sweat

then caught in an embrace
a first
a kiss in the rain
sweet and simple
she laughs and runs
they both smile

the fire
the heat
the worry
all a cloud in the background

droplets of water
and a first
and a smile
a perfect laugh and small connection--the type of memory she can always hold on to.