Smoke sniffs up and out A deep inhale of mist for my longing lungs I pull and release Justified by the young gay souls Smoking near In a bar I will visit only once It bellows from soft lips between thoughts Rises under me, from students Who sip wine and spray black breath What is my wish, if not these clouds To hug, to ground me Here Who would I be without this yearn To soak the air of its spell By a waking mind ready to kneel To my vice of choice And it’s wish to vanish Down my hollowing throat