i sip continuously on this luke warm coffee the withdrawing heat slowly seeping into oblivion how the summer was meant to be the heat from last years sauna season left memory of warmth in my bones the cold from last winter froze me over with the arrival of spring, the cold didn’t ease up i spent May waiting for the steam to rise by June the frost rose to my flesh no longer buried underneath stripped of any shred of strength that once inhibited my tender muscles the frigid bullet shot through my veins, numbing all in its path all I’m left with is the shrapnel. with the tang of metal on my tongue i disguise the anguishing flavour with each drag of this cigarette. the chemicals leave a subtle fragrant veil of desperation on my lips. my fingertips. each strand of hair. the fire of the burning stick between my lips ignites my insides for a few moments, but leaves me colder than before. such power given to such a insignificant habit.