dancing in the dark //poetry//

house

The walls quake and shake
Shuddering and gasping
Dust flitters off the walls
The paint has worn off
A whispering echo bounces off the wall
I sit on the porch
And touch the steps
Dust shades my fingers
I lit a cigarette
And inhale
I blow out puffs of smoke
It's not good for my health
The house is quiet
I cough and sputter
And toss the cigarette
My hands shake
It's quiet
I lean back
And feel the creaking wood
Against my weak bones
The house is dying
And so am I