Cherry Burn

By Samuel McConochie

Flicked the cherry from my cigarette,

A spark so brief time forgets.

It danced, then died, concrete regret—

My beak was wet from yearning.

And ash traced flight as flailed rage,

Anger inhaled, like herbs you sage.

Our shuffled gamblings, ramblings aged—

Inking this page, weeps of burning.

It struck me how this match went choked,

Your ghost still bit me, gaslit then soaked,

Ex-lover leering, each fiery smoke—

Embers stoked, her silence confirming.

By Samuel McConochie