Blood and Smoke

I dreamt of static on the television Burning newspapers Cold hands gripping warm steel. I felt the wet heat of the ending soaking into the soles of my boots. All I could think about was kickball- Kissing Susie by the monkey bars, for the first time. Falling in love with the Stars, and their gravity. Their mystery. But then that same pull had a hold on me. I was bent down, on one knee. Bleeding out. Watching the World become the Sun. Knowing there was no mystery. Not here. I knew exactly how this happened. How it would end. I lit a half-charred cigarette. Sucked hard on the filter, taking in the smoke Accepting I'd become a part of it. -James Kelley 2018