Smoke
J. Fox Bedford

You catch a whiff of smoke and
the air is chill and crisp
piles of leaves smolder in the ditches
potatoes bake in the oven
time to go in it’s getting dark.

You catch a whiff of smoke and
a cozy fire snaps in the fireplace
ice crystal ferns grow on the windowpane
pine branches spill snow
a glass of red wine waits to warm you.

You catch a whiff of smoke and
windows are open to
birdsong and children laughing and sunlight
you’re slicing watermelon and
the grill is ready for the meat.

You catch a whiff of smoke and
he’s pulling away
wet with your sweat
gasping, laughing, tangled in white sheets
he lights your cigarette first.