No Hot Ashes

Sledgehammer smile - you deny you still sweat
the midges and sucking things serve this hot blood;
you scrub up a treat
even on your last legs in a mocking morning, crude,
mascara-running life
here in all its nitty-gritty
wouldn't look as you do, live.

Flash! Crotch shot, ass 'n' titties,
Flash! A chequered carbuncle on the ring finger
(left hand), yes they will talk,
please talk a little longer.
This is not easy - this takes work.

Signing as though it means salvation,
isn't this relief? Holy favour?
Freeing worship from that dead devotion
into this breathing world of fervour.
Smile, drag up, drag under,
drag on a cigarette, sledgehammer flirting,
it keeps you slender -
the children are watching