up in smoke

a smoldering cigarette, perched on pillows of pink

a breath is taken in

breathe in

breath

out

clear gray smoke spirals into a raw breeze

layers between us

brick walls that I push

and shove

and beat

and batter

to no avail

because

three

layers

still

remain.

our pale exteriors, fervent flames igniting the dark

flickering

dancing

winking

anemic hands caress anemic cheeks

as scarlet roses blaze through a delicate visage

she moves closer, her leg urging mine

the ardor of her limb pulverizing the thick walls

fragments crumble, striking our bodies

and

no

layers

remain.

Fabric whispering.

Lips grazing.

Hands probing.

Heat amplifying.

night shatters sleep

ushering in the morning

a citrus sky,

a raw and vacant bedside.

No artful frame lingering against me.

No sunrise osculation.

A cement wall rises with an acidic lemon sky.