opium

diminished
the world smells like burned toast
ghost smoke drying
dumb: my eyes drop, tired stones of carelessness
orange juice squeezed from lovers
i fall like a bruised joke

but
you
you
hold me burnt, you linger
ghosts rise from your chest and
choke me

but
happiness
dissolves under my red tongue
powdery promises I swallow
happiness with its black opiates
white capsules
i want you i want you

but
a red poppy my blood
fire flows like mad rivers
I diminish
until
I disappear