stay in the game

he found one crumpled cigarette
in his breast pocket
straightened it gently, expertly
between his palms
put it between his lips and
lit it

He was on the
roof
watching the afternoon skies

a bit drunk

He pointed at the plume of smoke
he exhaled and
said, “The trick is to stay in
the game until
you’re the only one left. It don’t matter
how good you are or
how you evolve. Just stay
in the game until you’re the last one.”

The smoke vanished
before him, raising
to the
skies

He nodded. “That’s what I’m
talking about.”

He finished the cigarette
and went back
down to the wedding

Many thanks to LatinosUSA —English edition for featuring my poem, "stay in the game"!

Check it out HERE!

Thank you!