The Smell [Of Cigarettes]

All the things the smell of cigarettes invokes in my mind.

it' a lingering scent that triggers the bile rising up in my throat

a lifetime of memories dredged up by a single whiff

it's the happiest moments that hurt the most

you wouldn't expect that, would you

the car rides and baseball games

radio and tv shows

the laughter and smiles

that's what brings me to tears

that's what makes me sick to remember

because along with them come those last two years

in the hospital, sick in a bed

unable to talk

unable to move

unable to laugh to think

unable to be the dad I knew

it's overwhelming, and comes all at once

a rush of emotions and there's not much I can do

I can't cry, as much as I want to

I can't run or hide

all I can do is stand there

looking at another person who smells of the poison that killed my father

and wonder if theirs is another life it will claim

Author's Note

The lack of punctuation/capitalization is an artistic choice.

Reviews

[Shawna]

Very moving piece. Makes you think twice about what you put into your body. Great write.