I'm not a smoker

I'm not a smoker
I'm just out here
at the smoke pit
with my cigarette
lighting one up
and watching smoke
fade into night sky
not ready yet
to go back inside
I don't tell anyone
I smoke now and then
more now than then
and let it be
our little secret
even though each time
I swear never again
I don't like the taste
of smoke on my tongue
but I like it on yours
and the way it lingers
on your skin
and on mine
long after we let go
I'm not a smoker
but some things
are hard to let go
and we stand out
here in the cold
and you ask
if I want just one more
and when you look at me
that way
what else
could I possibly say
but yes?
Light them up
stare out over the lights
that fade into stars
a dozen unsaid things
pass between us
and disappear
with the smoke
I'm not a smoker
but I will smoke
a thousand more
if it means I can stay here
with you like this
just a little longer

I want to tell you to take the long way home

We cross that bridge

The one we came all the way

Out here to see

And God it’s a beautiful view

We take the winding road

To get there

And it’s worth every minute

A few times I glance at you

And there are a dozen words

I want to say on my lips

But they don’t come

And when we head back

A straight road ahead

I’m still working up the courage

To tell you these thoughts

God, you’re a beautiful view

And I wonder if you know

That I’m hoping you’ll take

The long way home

Maybe by then I’ll have said them

But we’ll cross that bridge

When we come to it

And for now I just look away

Out at the road ahead

And tell myself

To just enjoy the ride