A Disappearing Act

as the smoke emerges from my lips
i am hit by realization
this isn't my flame

my fingertips feel electric
as i run them over this smooth silk
and for a moment pretend that it is mine

sand falls into my open hand
with grains of silver and gold
i clench and see it slip away

it slips onto the delicate smooth
and i wrap it all up into a ball
and hold it close to my body

like magic -- eureka!

it disappears!