She manipulates a fresh flood of smoke
between fragile, shaking fingers.
Her nails and skin,
a nauseating yellow,
match the not-so-whites of her eyes;
And her teeth, resting innocently
behind pursed lips,
await the cautiously raised sixth finger of her left hand.
Anxious eyes closed on daily dependence
drawing a cool moment down, body expanding,
lungs full. Held. One. Two. Slow release,
blowing steady streams of reflection into clouds;
frustration and fright,
floating away above her head.
A pause; unwinding. Delicate decay gone still.

A box burned
inside a body beaten by indulgence.
A flame from within,
Driving.
Anticipation heart beats faster in screaming rhythm.
A body captivated by demons,
Unfocused images. Chasing thoughts
An empty head filled;
Marble shadows devouring her only peace.
A fever fish born.
Translucent paternal worry bouncing among embers in her soul.
A life, burning away,
Ashes of forgotten wisdom, flicked into trays,
overflowing.

Inside raw desires,
a wild embrace lingers;
Her body wrapped,
comforted, in soft smoke ring clouds. Eyes close.

Once.