\Thanks to John, who is my biggest fan and my future husband.  Also thanks to those of you who contributed . . .

the inky silence of 6 AM.

your alarm:

a heart attack waiting to happen.

through bleared eyes

we see last night's cigarette casting

a faint orange glow and smile.

see it's not even dead yet,

there's no way it can be morning.

don't pull the sheets back until

the sun outshines your cigarette

and its ashes are as black as your

morning coffee.

--Clara Masters (Sayre)