POETRY

Those were the days,
storming outside to light up,
my own fog machine lungs
deep-thinking smoke

Weeknight sneaking out,
orange lights drumming
car rambling back road
long drag, hot cherry
out the window

Under the darkling strobes
catching rays of smoke
twixt New Order & Ministry
counting what’s left,
shaky from last dance

Cigarette machine shivers
florescent on Hatagaya street,
homes rounded, no green
but ¥300 and crisp exhales
back to the 2.5 tatamis

Cuban honeymoon afternoons
supine with the Quebecois
chain smoking beach bacchanalia
drifts of smoky sea-foam breath

The illogic of self-destruction
after the quit,
bumming from strangers
down the block where he’s…

POETRY

Riotous Trickster’s
head tilts with handsome mischief,
hops away with charms

When you dive-bomb folks
completely unsuspecting
I can’t help but laugh

Don’t swear at the crows
cawing back in poor syntax
without clicks and clacks

Behold ancient one
brimming childlike mirth and play
tearing through the sky

I can hear your wings
when you fly to roost at night
solo together

A joy in my heart
when I have your attention,
inquisitive friend

Lustrous creator,
thief of heavenly light in
promethean black

Fairytale it was
to have you fly by my side,
childhood companion

Jessica Lee McMillan © 2021

This series is the first dedicated to my favourite, sacred and irreverent creature. …