Never Lighted

She searches her lips for a cigarette she never lighted -

In a drunken stupor she realizes her mistakes and laughs – until the panic of needing,

Oh-so-needing that smoke in her lungs -

Sets out like a fish out of water on the floor -

Her evening dress in tatters -

Her house shoes on, patting under the pillows she’d hoisted

Her breasts on – finally finding it and an expensive, diamond lighter

Under a table – still shaking with the weight of the guest’s unfinished drinks.