a pregnant pause in slow motion

the last cigarette of the pack,
thoroughly enjoyed,
smoked to the filter;
the last drag, intense and almost intolerable,
pulled with dedication;

or

maybe comfortably discarded during a brief pause,
a hairline opening between lips and words
as the only cue?

the filter drops.

...hits the ground,
bounces,
for a moment,
then,

stops.
{...as if the smoker knelt and placed it with care};

maybe next time it will be out a window.

© 2008 joe blend. All rights reserved.