Last Camel

if only i could drown
suck down more of the toxins paying visit
to my chest.
would the smoke i breathe hold some answer,
would the ash slowly burn down until my searing fingers
were ready to grip a pen?

could i but cough out blood water
and something worthy enough
to clear the cloudy smokey haze
that pollutes my mind;

for i would like to see more,
less a dingy red glow,
and more an eloquent stare.
audrey smoked, why wouldn’t any
other girl,

gladly i would pass the pack,
snap the lighter,
and we could drown in the smoke.

and i cough, choking down
one last Camel.