A person stands in a snowy landscape, viewed from above. They are wearing a dark coat, a beanie, and sneakers, all dusted with snow. The individual is lighting a cigarette, with a small flame visible near their face, while snow continues to fall around them. Footprints in the snow trail behind them, leading into the distance. The scene is stark and monochromatic, emphasizing the cold, wintry environment.

 

Photo of a man lighting up in the snow

In the wrong shoes, no gloves,
his dark coat and hat are greyed with snow.
He is in white-out, stopped in his tracks,
dying for the comfort of a fag.
He makes a chalice around the flame,
hands becoming shield so he can light up.

The photo shortens him, shot from above,
looks down on his foolish habit.
We don’t learn anything more than this,
only catch him in the act, before grey ash falls
at his unprepared feet; before he draws
a little more on his white stick, coughs

contaminated out breaths into the cold air.
Maybe he casts the butt the way smokers do,
a party trick flick that sends what’s left to fall
like a rogue snowflake, dirtying the drifts.
Maybe he rubs his hands, blows stale swirls
between numb fingers, prepares his own cremation.

 

 

Pat Edwards is a writer, reviewer, and workshop leader from mid Wales. She hosts Verbatim open mic nights and curates Welshpool Poetry Festival. Pat has work published in magazines and anthologies, and in her three pamphlets.