Cherry

You look like a man
who gave up smoking
for the missus
who might've smoked too when she was about 17
ageless, bright
But never picked it up again
didn't like the taste
or maybe just grew up
But you still sneak one
when she won't know

And you
you look at young girls about 17
Cigarettes held
between cherry-painted lips,
little-girl nails the color of rainbows

Because the missus doesn't smoke
Hasn't smoked since -73
Feels the mortality
doesn't like the taste
Barely likes you
the way she did
when you thought love was
ageless, bright
like the cherry of a cigarette