Michelle S. Cummiskey, _Smoke Screen

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Smoke Screen
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Mother often spoke
of Delores
some cousin. Second.

Delores' golden hair.

Mother's cousin
second-removed
she'd say. Family.

I would yawn
through my fingers
eyes staring. Dry.

Her cigarette
burns black commas
in the air.

Hair down to there. Delores.

Campfires. Marshmallow sticks.
Golden flames. Hair.
Some cousin Delores.

When you run, you burn faster.

I leave slowly
running fingers
through my hair.

Some day
I'll grow it
down to there.

Color it gold
smoke a cigarette
and burn.

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Michelle S. Cummiskey
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