High School Yearbook Addendum #2
by Corey D. Cook
Missing is the photograph of Trent Caldwell’s
subtle nod halfway through soccer practice –
the cue for smoking in the woods. Of Trent
pulling off his shirt and tossing it to me. Of me
obediently holding it away from the cigarette’s
smoldering tip – his drawn out exhalations. Of
the two of us sitting in awkward silence –
averting our eyes. Of me discreetly admiring
his chiseled stomach muscles. Suppressing
the urge to lean over and taste the nicotine
on his lips. Settling instead for a shirt that smells
like him – greedily laps sweat from his body.
Missing is the photograph of Trent dropping
the cigarette on the ground and walking away.
Of me kneeling down, picking it up, taking a long
drag, and sending up a single smoke signal.
Desperate for him to see it, for him to turn back.
Corey D. Cook's sixth chapbook, Junk Drawer, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2022. His poems have recently appeared in *82 Review, Black Poppy Review, Duck Head Journal, Freshwater Literary Journal, Muddy River Poetry Review, Naugatuck River Review, Nixes Mate Review, South Florida Poetry Review, and Spare Change News. New work is forthcoming in Cajun Mutt Press and ONE ART. Corey lives in Vermont.