She twists sweet lies
through bitter cigarette kisses.
So many honey nice tries —
a convenient omission of guilt
for the book of anxious goodbyes
tossed in the fireplace
to see this through —
bruises on my skin
she’s dragging me again!
I followed the plan, but she put
the brakes on us.
Her smile is a whisper in my ear.
What she says rings true before she’s
knocking on my door.

(© 2022 AC)