Smoke Another, or Coffin Nails

Serrated steel grinds against flint

Creating a small shower of sparks

Continuing until the butane catches-

Small flower of flame blooming to life

Paper and tobacco blacken and char

Hissing softly

Catching fire

And emitting a thin contrail

Of ephemeral smoke

 

Another hiss

The ember growing brightly

As a drag is pulled

Precious vapor inhaled

Deep into lungs

Only to be exhaled a few seconds later

Leaving behind

The rush of nicotine

And black sticky tar

 

These coffin nails will kill me yet-

But I can’t put them down

Glowing fire at the tip

The only bright spot

In a darkened world

Every breath feeding the ember

Glittering light brightening

For a moment-

Just a moment-

Until covered with ash

 

Such is life

Small bursts of light and joy

Covered, smothered

Until a caring

Careful thumb

Flicks it away

 

Another lover’s kiss

Visited upon the cigarette

Tender lips wrapping around the tip

Taking the calming smoke

Deep inside until

Rudely

Suddenly

Interrupted-

A hacking cough wracking my form

 

Covering my mouth

The spasm passes

Gazing wearily into my palm

Checking the thick

Cancerous

Sputum with a wary eye

 

No blood.

This time.

 

These damn things will kill me yet.

Might as well smoke another.

 

Crushing out the empty

Wasted end

Another pulled

From the half-empty pack

Taken from its fellows

Its brothers

The soft rhythm of a dying lighter resuming.

 

The cycle begins anew.

Reviews

[Emerald Seas]

Very descriptive - the imagery is fabulous. I could see it, almost feel the inhalation, smoke rolling over me. My oldest brother died from lung cancer, so I also understand the rest of it. He continued to smoke right through until he landed in the hospital for his last days. Tragic.

Coffin nails is an apt synonym and what a profound character in this poem. Enjoyed!

[Sami Khalil]

I agree. Very descriptive and good...:)

[Rita L. Sev]

Such an honest, descriptive write. The analogy is spot-on - coffin nails. But, the habit becomes an intricate part of the smoker's day - there is a completeness to it. Well done.