works by william pham, 2005-present

index | poetry | fiction

EPILOGUE TO A SHORT FILM OF VARYING PRETENSE

I tried to light a cigarette inside the shower
and to my surprise it took and then I dropped
the match reclined in circles like legs en pointe
until it drained away.  She returned,
she beggared the reach of the table-lamp
which was the only source of light in the room.
I tried to
light a cigarette.

copyright (c) 2007 by william pham