Shower

In the pockets of her
fluffy pink bathrobe:
lighter and cigarette. But first,
double-check, double-lock the bathroom door.
Secure, she disrobes and watches
her nakedness make fire.
She kisses the filter, making smoke
mingle with steam as her reflection
fades to fog.

She watches the orange
creeping toward her face,
glowing ashes extinguished by toilet water.
Inhale, exhale, this is me breathing.
She hears mother wake,
spills shower gel
to make the tobacco apple-scented,
watches her secret disappear in a whirlpool,
and rushes underwater
hoping she'll emerge clean.