under heatlh (to N.)

love is a cigarette
numbing my lips with
every kiss,
burning slowly, burning
my fingertips, making me
light on my feet.

love is a cigarette,
and i'm addicted
to the way you make me
dance crowds
of civil americans.

you keep me under health,
whiskey love poured on my
bones, a death kiss
blown my
way.

love is a cigarette, drenched
in october's fall and december's
benches, and you stand there
with a cigarette between
your nicotine stained
fingertips.

your love is a cigarette,
and i'm taking deep breathes
of your taste, your
love.