Bedspread Housing
Houses with tin tops shine
brighter in sun than shingles-
whether wood or composition
tile or tar, though still lacking
natural calm as thatch or straw.
In tender imagination nothing
touches the unknown forms
this sheet has taken above
pulling push-pins that hold
it fluttering to the wall.
Inner visions of rain soon
come to steam hot tar, or see sheets
as idols drenched and weighted;
and on tin ping complex
natural cymbal rhythms.
On our roof of composite
plastic tiles rain splats and rolls
in dissonant absorption;
and sun fails to slip through cracks
or shimmer or soak in or heat and steam
or anchor.
--Matthew Rich