200 Poems (completed Nov 25, 2016, 8:52am)

cigarette

"i am going to do it this time

and this time i am not joking"

one of my co-workers publicly stated

"i am going to quit smoking"

he planeed a retreat

with no vehicle or phone

just him and his trailer

in the wilderness alone

some books and a puzzle

maybe a drink or two

this time he was going to do it

he tried to convince all ...

it was true

so monday morning i saw him outside

smoke in hand, explanation ready

things didn't go as plan

kinda turbulent, not steady

"see the wife threw out her back

and the daughter is all pissed off

and my car wouldn't start

and i have this cough"

"and all that together

just cause me such stress

that i just stayed home

didn't even get dressed"

i just had to laugh

because i heard it all before

especially when he said

"my last pack this time, 

there won't be anymore"

well that was months ago

and guess what

he hasn't quit yet

the cigarettes are still hot

of course i add fuel to the fire

reminding him its been 4 years for me

that i have not lit up

been cigarette free

"fuck off," is his usual response

as he storms away

and promises himself once again

"this is my last cigarette ...

ever ...

today"