Cigarettes and Whiskey

1.
like smoke in the elevator shaft
from someone who rode
just before me
then walking down the hall
still smelling it
that's what loving you
too late
is like

2.
like whiskey and water
poorly mixed
in my glass
each sip burns stronger
and makes my face
screw up
that's what loving you
more each day
is like

delicate things

this gold filigree heart
is an antique brooch
i removed
the day
you stopped loving me

i put it in the trinket box
and left the lid open
not willing to
shut it away
but unable to wear
something so hopelessly
outdated

each tendril
is coated
by the dust of distant lovers
tarnished
by whispers
that only i recall

i'm waiting
for the one
that comes along
and sees it there
picks it up
and asks

This one is
so pretty
why don't
you put it on?