Smoke Without Fire

I smelled smoke and came running 
hands sweaty, heart drumming 
to the classic-rock beat of some song I’d forgotten 
til I thought I heard its chorus on the breeze. 

I thought I saw your shadow through the autumn night haze, 
praying each flicker on the horizon was you sending up flares. 
I arrived at the house gasping in search of your blaze, 
only to find 
the sole spark was my own, 
and you were not there. 
Smoke without fire, 
but that’s all we ever were.