SMOKING

Photo by Frankhie Muthumbi

Like the mouth of a gun,
Sending calls for help,
Like a striking match
Learning to scream fire,
Ticking warning signs,
Looking for the reason to run,
Compromising till we cannot,
Yet, we were warned,
Red flags, still flags,
If only but the tint of roses,
But if that's all we look for,
Perhaps we are better blind,

Like blackened lips of a smoker,
I wear scars on my skin,
Drawing regret from cigarettes,
Addicted to the allure of darkness,
Like blackened lungs and teeth,
I'm painting death on to any hopes,
Of breathing you in again,
Of smiling again,
~ Frankhie