thoughts/criticisms appreciated
A Burden in My Bed
Awakening in the dark,
A man struck a match.
The light flickered on his face,
Pallets of color escaping grey eyes.
He reached for a cigarette,
And took one long drag.
Exhaling floating smoke,
Weightless in the stale, winter air.
Reaching beneath his pillow,
He withdrew a brandished pistol.
Stumbling towards the door,
And falling to his knees in hollow silence.
Forgetting the pistol on the hardwood,
The man struggled to reach his feet again.
His worn hands pulled the door ajar,
Harsh winds breaking the threshold.
He glanced outside,
But only momentarily.
Turning his back to the world,
Returning to pale blue sheets.
With cigarette still burning,
His head rest upon the pillow, softer than before.
Eyelids portraying a peaceful darkness,
His mouth, a carefree smile.
And as his body lost its feeling,
That faithful cigarette hit the floor.