Smoke
A love story

She was
Of all things
Quick
She would waver and

Slip from focus
Object and spectator
Blurred speed concealing
Reason diminishing

Line and distance
Close at once
Then receding into
Relief

In her domicile
Another cigarette
To distract I am not
A distraction

Distraction
Can be
Captured
By tar smoke and even

Breath
I loom into the consciousness neither flat nor
Quick I am not
Afraid of smoke

Rick Christiansen is a 60 year old refugee of corporate America. After retiring a couple of years ago he began writing again after a long hiatus. He has now had several poems published and is working on his first chap book. He lives in Missouri with two Basset Hounds. His unique perspective is inspired and influenced by everything from Epistemology to his grandchildren.

Photographer Jennifer Matthews’ poetry has been published in Nepal by Pen Himalaya and locally by the Wilderness Retreat Writers Organization, Midway Journal, The Somerville Times, Ibbetson Street Press and Boston Girl Guide. Jennifer was nominated for a poetry award by the Cambridge Arts Council for her book of Poetry Fairy Tales and Misdemeanors. Her songs have been released nationally and internationally and her photography has been used as covers for a number of Ibbetson Street Press poetry books and has been exhibited at The Middle East Restaurant, 1369 Coffeehouses, Sound Bites Restaurant in Somerville and McLean Hospital.