the nicotine stained fingernail

the hours, minutes, and every breath,
countless in number, the count of my life,
single in itself, part of an endless weave,
dreams and droughts split by a thin edged knife,
it rides with me till i take my leave.

as light as the leaf of a weary oak,
that died in the next wind's casual stroke,
single breath dying, to give another its way,
granting me life for another day.
all its days, all its years,
surviving still by the single leaf.

(if) the leaf is what breathes life in me,
should its notice be taken so lightly ?
every single day the weave blends away,
weaving itself at my every sight.
the leaves, they fall and wither today,
like dreams that die at the break of light.

still as a lake on a full moon night,
i dreamt of an end, a peaceful flight.
soon it'll be day and my dream will fade,
now i see the leaves as they jade.

taking note of this breath i take,
staring at the painful trail,
shrugged myself from that dream awake,
to see my nicotine stained fingernail.