SMOKE

An invisible quality, an equalizer of people,
She wondered how it all might be
If some things were truly
Invisible.

A veil of smoke,
A required space between them
There was an aura of romance.
Perhaps with rings of smoke
There would be less judging, less fear.
Perhaps her voice, her one compelling feature
would finally shine through.

She watched
As the smoke curled around her thumb
and realized
This was no habit,
no need for nicotine.
This was an accessory.