catastrophe

'Sonnet for a Rainy Day'
by Hao Guang

I wrote this sonnet to be held and kept
until it might be used. If you were late
for work, stop here. But if, at last, you stepped
away from memories of a fiery hate
and need a place to cool your eyes, stop here.
And if you think the world has changed and left
its glory shattered, stranded; if nothing’s clear
at all, stop here. And don’t read on – the theft
of time’s a serious thing – unless the dawn
should break and you see no God amidst the lot
of fading stars and rising sun. Then read on
my love, remember that I’ve only got
a couple lines to sing, to sigh, to say,
please, save this sonnet for a rainy day.