Hell On the Tip of Her Cigarette

She spoke from a black and white

photograph the bourbon she had for lunch.

I will smoke

my way to death

and light the flames

of hell by my own hand.

The finger of the holy

can find someone

else to condemn.

I tire of the sound

of their Bible thumping

while trying to keep

their secrets from

escaping closet doors.

©Susie Clevenger 2013