Stuck within grief's gripping claws
for a dead mother
and a dormant love.
I may as well curb this anxiety
for the impending carcinogenic
destruction of *******
with that of my lungs.
He avoided my gaze -
I saw his iced eyes
melt - and he
apologised, apologised.
Speechless, cigarette hindering words,
and stark sunlight blinding vision
I suddenly felt sleepy.
As though I could melt
into the earth,
return to my mother,
and forget this perpetual
malaise.