The last drag taken slowly
the cigarette fading
beneath the black sky
free of clouds and moon.
The last puff of smoke
masks the face of an unknown
man desiring anonymity
as he watches from a distance.
He cannot bring himself to
emerge from the shadows
as the pain courses through
his body and his limbs will not move.
He tries to ask a question
to nothing in particular
but his lips will not move
his voice has no voice.
He can only watch as
he falls into the river.
