smoke

there's a world in my mind

that doesn't exist ;

the fear of some things

in the fuel of a fired-down kiss.

the too long away from

six other faces too alive

to be recognized,

as my particular paranoia

stares back at me from the mirror.

the fire's not burning but

killing smoke stings my eyes

as I look for you -

your names though

escape me.

my eyes tell me that

your beauty lies in the soil

of my fingertip rescue search -

not a line of life in the world

that begins in smoke.