She’s smoking a cigarette.

I’m drinking cold coffee.

I’m thinking that newspaper ink

could cover a lipstick stain.

I’m drinking cold coffee.

(The power’s out) and it’s so dark it

could cover a lipstick stain

but the end of her cigarette casts enough light.

The power’s out, and it’s so dark it—

she’s taping against the ashtray, oh, God—

but the end of her cigarette casts enough light.

My white shirt goes up in flames.

She’s taping against the ashtray, “Oh, God,”

I breathe guilt while she breathes smoke

My white shirt goes up in flames.

She knows.

I breathe guilt while she breathes smoke

“I’m thinking that newspaper ink—”

She knows.

She’s smoking a cigarette.