burns

we take
these names
to mean
anything,

and all they usually are,
are just bits
and pieces of smoke
heading for some type
of fan.

you
will never believe
it,
the pronunciation
of a lie
tied
to a burning cigarette
in somebody's
hand.

you will think
of it,
only as a noose,
so that
the burning cherry
will burn
that noose
that you hang from
loose.

and then
the only place
where
you really are,
is at the bottom of an ashtray,
looking up,
imagining shapes
in the smoke.