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A Kiss Goodbye

What's left behind when the smoke clears?

By Cathy holmesPublished about a year ago 1 min read
A Kiss Goodbye
Photo by Ruvim Noga on Unsplash

You taste like the smoke of your still-burning cigarette.

It singes my fingers as I reach for your hand through the door.

The click of the lock – the toll of my heartbreak,

The empty package you threw on the floor.

The fire’s gone, and I am left to choke on the sooty remnants.

Free Verseheartbreaksurreal poetry

About the Creator

Cathy holmes

Canadian family girl with a recently discovered love for writing. Other loves include animals and sports.

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

Top insights

  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  2. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

  3. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

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Comments (22)

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  • The Dani Writerabout a year ago

    This is so well constructed. Nailed it!

  • Joe O’Connorabout a year ago

    I like how you cleverly use the cigarette from the first two lines to connect with the idea of choking on soot at the finish. Heavy stuff Cathy!

  • D.K. Shepardabout a year ago

    Impressively done, Cathy! Great imagery choices for each line!

  • The Invisible Writerabout a year ago

    I have to know what’s in the package? Great job with this one

  • Stephanie Hoogstadabout a year ago

    The sensory details and imagery of this poem are excellent. They enhance the sadness expressed in these words and pull the reader in. Great job.

  • Heart wrenching

  • Rasma Raistersabout a year ago

    Written was real emotion and passion, Great verse,

  • Dana Crandellabout a year ago

    Oh, the imagery! This is really incredible, my friend! Brava!

  • Sadly excellent words

  • Silver Dauxabout a year ago

    Wow. The depth of this is astounding. Amazing poetry!

  • Hannah Mooreabout a year ago

    So visceral.

  • Caroline Cravenabout a year ago

    Gosh this was so visual. Loved it - even if it was incredibly sad.

  • Oof, that third line hit me so hard! Loved your poem!

  • L.C. Schäferabout a year ago

    A richly detailed story told in a few deft lines. In awe!

  • Gabriel Huizengaabout a year ago

    This is such a deeply feeling piece - the depth and realism you achieve in such a small format is seriously incredible!! Wonderful work! :)

  • Babs Iversonabout a year ago

    Awesome!!! Yet, heartbreaking!!!❤️❤️💕

  • Gina C.about a year ago

    Oh, so emotional, this one. Wonderful job, as always, my friend!

  • Rachel Deemingabout a year ago

    Very good, Cathy. I can see this really clearly.

  • Kenny Pennabout a year ago

    Very evocative, Cathy. It made me think of some past and very unhealthy relationships.

  • John Coxabout a year ago

    Your poetic imagery generates a powerful sense of longing and despair, Cathy. Beautiful use of sensory images to evoke feeling!

  • Tiffany Gordonabout a year ago

    Fabulous!!!!

  • Gerard DiLeoabout a year ago

    Another reason to quit smoking!

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