Smoking

First, the soft sweet knowing
of what’s coming, like the
scarlet thrill of sex
before you begin and end,
the body’s mind poised on
the edge of pleasure.
Then the parchment to the lips,
the act of fire,
the swift silent pull,
the sudden rush of altered air,
all ashen and rust-spiced.
Then the smooth margarine spread
added inside by the craved wind.
And finally the glorious gray smoke
going out.
And then
to get
to do it
again