First Cigarette

I had my first cigarette today.

Well, two.

 

I asked him would he like to give me one.

Eyes and smile broadened

And he asked was I serious.

I said, quite seriously, yes.

We laughed as I fumbled with the plastic Bic lighter:

"You have to put the

F*g in your mouth first, dumbass!"

Eventually paper yielded to quivering flame. It

Smoldered seductively.

Millions of ephemeral eyes witnessed the event,

As he, slightly perplexed,

Watched as I, with surprisingly steady hand,

Raised the papery habit to dry lips.

 

"Now just inhale like."

A strange and uncomfortable tightening

In chest as an ethereal fist

Closed around lungs.

 

"Now just exhale."

A ragged plume jettisoned from face 

Before disappearing untheatrically.

 

The sun shone.

Eyes stung and watered.

People strode passed, unperturbed

And resilient.

A shrill whistle sounded somewhere off,

Loud and important - a triumphant reminder of hypocrisy.

I had a second.

We laughed.

 

Will they ever know?

Who cares

It was a surprisingly bland affair.

 

 

Reviews

[Matt Anderson]

Whether or not the habit is hard to break, I just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, well written. I look forward to reading more of your writings.

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

an affair I wish I had not started at 14...........I hope this affair stays bland to the poet. Well done.

[A.j. Dru]

As a smoker, I just want to say that this is a terrible habit and the hardest to break. I've struggled for years to quit, still I find myself addicted. I hope the first two are also the last. As far as the poem goes, good job. My only suggestion is to tell the story without really "telling" the story. Convey the moment without needing full sentences. Overall, a good piece though. Just don't pick up smoking.

[Omegax45]

I like how you express the first time a person tries a cigarette, but I also must insist that no one should pick up smoking. It's a bad habit that could take years to break. Nicely done.

[Brianna Van Zandt]

Don't get into this s**t, please. I know people who started off like this, and they went over the top and started doing a lot worse....

[Marie]

Don't start this...