You put the life between your teeth,
the tip of your tongue brushes gently against it,
and draw a breath.
Reaching ******* and pulling it out
you look at the life,
with it's burnt edge and crumpled paper wrapping.

Watching the smoke unfurling slowly,
you contemplate leaving the life like this-
in the safety of your fingers,
away from your ever threatening mouth,
******* out all the life that is your life.

You decide against it
and slide the life back past your lips.
Breathing in, you can't help but smile,
a small,
weak,
tired smile.
You tilt your head back as life fills your lungs,
as it pumps through your veins,
diffuses into your cells.

It's smaller now, feebler.
A few ashes break away from the lit end
and glide downwards,
caught in a gust of wind.
Softly,
you press it against your lips,
dragging on your life.