Smoke and Shadows

Of someone I used to love, but never knew.

She lived a life of smoke and shadows.

Her face faded from my view

as a lit cigarette danced at her hip

the outline of her lips

imprinted on the filter-

a figment of a flower,

deceased, flattened, 

and crushed to dust-

The room was heavy with roses 

         and musk

frankincense seducing 

the dim light

sedating the room

like an opium dream.

We all sat, subdued, hypnotized by

her presence,

her articulate silence,

and how all of the matter in the universe arranged

   itself around her. 

A great snake charmer,

I leaned, as to kiss her,

to find myself too late.

She had disappeared as a shadow in smoke.

   All of this to say, in spite of words never spoken.

Reviews

[cilla]

Love this ... great imagery (dim light seducuing the room) and this mysterious girl with "her articulate silence". The only thing I might suggest is looking at the last line ... it sounds a little awkward trying to complete the rhyme.

She disappeared a shadow in smoke.
Without a single word ever being spoke

... maybe??? Something to think about.

But beautiful work! Hope to see more!