She Left Before the Rain

The forecast said by seven
She was gone by five

Her suitcase had a broken wheel
It dragged across the porch
I offered her the good umbrella
She said she wouldn't need it
The sky was doing that gray thing
Where it warns you and it waits
She checked the clouds like a schedule
And beat the storm out of the state

Thunder came at seven
Right on time, alone

She left before the rain
Didn't want the weather as a witness
Didn't want the thunder taking blame
She left before the rain
So the sky could break in private
And I could call my tears the same

(She left before the rain)

Her plants are on the windowsill
I water them too much
The basil died of kindness
The cactus doesn't care
The storm knocked out the power
I lit the candle drawer
We bought those for a blackout
We planned for every weather but the door

Thunder came at seven
Right on time, alone

She left before the rain
Didn't want the weather as a witness
Didn't want the thunder taking blame
She left before the rain
So the sky could break in private
And I could call my tears the same

Some people leave in shouting
Some people leave in storms
She left in perfect stillness
Dry roads and turn signals
The most considerate goodbye
Is still goodbye

She left before the rain (before the rain)
Didn't want the weather as a witness
Didn't want the thunder taking blame (taking blame)
She left before the rain
So the sky could break in private
And I could call my tears the same

The good umbrella's by the door
It hasn't rained on her since