Excited

SMOKE officially comes out Friday but hopefully it will up be by today or tomorrow afternoon/evening for you to buy!  I'm very lucky and blessed to be able to publish these small books for those who still ask me too. I know it's a small thing without money, accolades or fame but I appreciate even the tiniest of support. Here's another from the book...

Enjoy!

Kisses, m.

Mask

Clay Mask.

She wears a mask everyday.

Yet today I come home to see

The emotional wreck of my wife.

She's been smoking & having a martini.

I know she's not happy.

Asleep.

She's been reclining in my easy chair.

Tears have spilled down the clay mask.

It's a moment when she's been herself without a mask to hide or hold them back.

Even after she wakes up and washes off the clay, 

She'll wear a mask that hides her. 

It has a smile.

A laugh. 

Lines of wear. 

But she'll still put it on. 

That invisible mask.

Like a dress.

Her favorite dress.

And she's grown used to it.

The Mask is nothing like her.

Yet it's for my benefit.

I just want my wife to be happy.

I think she likes pretending to be, 

Even though she's bad at it.

It makes her happy

So I let her wear the mask.

Quietly I watch her rest. 

I wish she'd stop being so strong & let me care for her.

Gently I remove the cigarette and place it in the ashtray.

Take a sip out of her drink.

I can recall how this emotional creature used to set my heart spinning.

I know I can't catch her like this. 

I will have to give her time to wake up. 

I wait calmly & watch her breathe. 

One more look before I walk out of the room. 

This private vulnerable moment was not for my prying eyes.

Yet she takes my breath away in her present state.

I wish she'd tell me what's wrong.

Instead, I sigh then turn & walk out.

Slamming the door behind me. 

Ten steps out the stoop, return jingling keys and fumbling with locks.

Knowing she's inside scrambling

To put herself back into the...

Mask