Smoke signals

Cigarette smoke makes me gag
[except when I take a drag];
deep lungful,
hold,
exhale.
Your breath mingles with
a recent mint
and mine,
curl like fingers in an embrace
warm, but aloof all the same.
The gap remains.

When I slip away,
it's because I am overwhelmed,
need fresh air that doesn't remind me of you.
The hot glow of your eyes
leaves dancing lights dizzy in my head;
burns your
cigarette kiss bright red into my retina.


-2/29/2012