THIRD DEGREE

When your smile

flashes and burns

across my cheek

I drown in flames.

Emolation is not fun

but an earnest

third degree suicide

dressed in red and yellow,

the afterglow lingering

behind the lids of eyes

squeezed tight against

the onslaught.

Like moths drawn

to the light

of gasoline lives

poured out,

mingled.

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

I can't recall having quite such an extreme reaction to a woman's smile. That may be because of the number times they told me to f**k off.

[Vol]

So far (I'll be 76 on Tuesday) I've only met one... and found out every poem I've ever written is for her...

[ETERNITY]

@Vol, I know who she is. The poem is beautiful. Hugs and bigger hugs.

[Vol]

Glenda,
She is "La Belle Dame Sans Merci"...