in town, there is this 
bar with a sign out front
that simply reads "bar."
as if it were official.
as if everyone should know
that's the place you go
to forget how much you
really exist.

women are smoking 
cigarettes outside the 
place, casually like they 
don't know they're 
killing each other.

i ask the brunette if
i could borrow one,
as if i would ever 
repay them. 

i do not yet have a 
weapon to defend
myself here.

some man stops me
and asks for change,
and when i can't find
any, i offer him my
borrowed prize.

i even lit it for him.

i notice the no smoking
sign placed above his head 
like i was being taught 
a lesson.

i just thought i was
passing on something
i'd already learned.