Milkshakes in the Rain
Noella Merchant
Do you remember those rainy nights?
When we sat in your minivan and drank McDonald’s milkshakes
and listened to the drops as they struck the roof?
I was walking tonight in the mist, and the scent of wet asphalt reminded me of you…
Of those nights.
Before we really knew how to say I Love You.
Before we could form words to share the most intimate things, but…
We knew. You must forgive me for being sentimental.
And by “must,” I mean please do, or perhaps don’t,
since it’s not something I should apologize for.
We let words share our deepest feelings and emotions, sometimes as eloquent as the flourishes
of a feather pen.
But in the rain, I still knew before either of us said anything.
I wonder what dictates when words are best shared…
or when silence should be permitted to draw us closer together.
