everything done and known 
fought for or won 
loved and overcome 
lost and burned down 

just swirls of smoke 
of a fire stoked 
with human ambition
illusions and distances 

swirls of smoke 
on which we choke 
breathe in get high on 
or asphyxiate with 

these dreams and desires 
heartbreaks dire 
that leave you lost 
devastated giving up

just lines in the air 
a child’s stare 
filling you full 
of wonder and fear 

so I hold you close 
in the dark and 
protect you from
stupid situations

I hold close and 
I don’t lose hope 
seeing enough absurdity
to almost get the joke