Chapin City Blues

At 15 my friend Jen tried to teach me how to blow rings of smoke. 
I’d watch the nicotine rising from her lips like fading halos, 
but I could never make dying beautiful. 
The sky didn’t fill with colors the night I convinced myself 
veins are kite strings you can only cut free. 
I suppose I love this life, 
in spite of my clenched fists. 

Andrea Gibson (they/them/theirs) is the author five books of poetry including You Better Be Lightning, Pansy, and Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns, where you can read this poem in full. In 2023, they were named the Poet Laureate of Colorado, a title they still hold at the time of this posting.