My Last Cigarette

quitting smoking

My last cigarette
and then one to follow
one behind my ear
one that I can borrow

One more stinkin pack
I promise no more Jack
one between my fingers
damn it how it lingers

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

interesting how well you capture that want and need to quit...but the helpless feeling of not being strong enough....and the use of Jack with a double meaning...as if speaking to someone named Jack, swearing to quit...but also Jack Daniels...drinking and smoking go so hand in hand...like peas and carrots, like Forest and Jenny...

and it does linger....i am one of the lucky ones...i smoked for a long time but on and off quit pretty easily...and in the end, quit for good, not missing it at all...too expensive...

this is much like a relationship that we just can't quit even if we know it is no longer good for us.

[richieb]

Jesse, only a smoker or former one can relate to your poem. Honest and truthful it hits the nail on the head. I am blessed that my last cigarette was 30 years ago. Before that hundreds of frustrating attempts that you were able to put in eight lines. I like your poetry. Richie B.

[Ed Hart]

the part of us that smokes can't count

[jesserose99]

So true Ed...so true!

[dan]

jesserose, such evocative words that illuminate the act of quitting smoking and the barriers one needs to traverse. My wife quit smoking earlier this year (medical reasons) and I helped her and watched her go through similar feelings. Well done! take care...dan

[jesserose99]

Thanks Dan, it's been tough but I actually haven't smoked since this poem... sounds cheesy but I was on a real mission.

[Chris]

Some things are always a battle of ...wills

Will I
won't I
Can I
Can't I
Should I
Would I
Might I
May I...
and when I do
and if I don't
...is my choice
now.

Chris

[alifeacoustic]

I know the feeling well, yet seem to be in a minority of not wanting to quit. Yes, I could save a fortune (here in the uk they are about 12 to 14 dollars a pack), but I am weak, and enjoy their delisciousness too much.
I need to get me some will power. I will check online where you get it after I finish this cig :)

[andrew mitchell]

Being an ex smoker you captured this hold on oneself for a cig very well indeed. I'm glad that craving is now so manageable for me to the extent cravings don't exist but when I tried several times to quit , Oh! what a climb to freedom! A great poem! loved this!:)

[jesserose99]

Oh my goodness I want to quit so bad...I've tried it all, but will persevere. Have made it a few days what is a few more. Thanks for reading my poetry Andrew...yours has been an absolute pleasure!

[andrew mitchell]

Ditto and good luck quitting. I found patches took the urges away while I stopped. didn't need a patch after two weeks and the urges came in waves but controllable. however I couldn't go out to a bar if people smoked cos I would lose my resillence after a drink lol. :)

[Samuel Dickens]

Heh-heh, been there, done that. Finally, I quit after having bypass surgery at the age of forty-three. My breast bone held together with baling wire, the last thing I wanted to do was cough. Nice writing.

[jesserose99]

I'm serious about quitting... all I need is a story like your own to help push me there. I haven't had a cigarette in a few days...its a start.

[Coyote Poetry]

Hard to quit smoking. Poor mother tried many times. She still smoke and enjoy her life. I do understand this poem. I knew many who succeeded. Need to stay real busy.
Coyote

[terry smith]

I tried quitting once...but my imaginary friend kept leaving half light ones in the ashtray....