Smoking Handcuffs

He sits on the back porch
smoking in the dark
dropping ashes -sick fireflies.

Inhales deep, but exhales
with a whisper of white nicotine
while he whittles away life at
a leisurely pace.

He hears her come home
with the slam of a door
and a click of her heels
and he knows,

He knows,

If he should get caught
her caustic scorn
will light all over
him

He should have been watching
the clock, but time's missing
when you're feeding a habit
with such joy and misery.

Hiding the evidence
popping breath mints
waving at the air
as she comes around the corner.

She eyes him suspiciously
she can smell him from here
but she smiles at him anyway
because she knows,

She knows,

That he's tortured either way
and that's enough for now,
so she grabs him kissing him
hard, and pretends not to notice.

Reviews

[quinfinn]

there is no way to hide tobacco use from someone who doesn't use it. trust me, i have tried for years. my dad caught me when i was 12 and made me smoke an entire pack, one after another to teach me a lesson. it didn't work. it is horrible addictive and causes many insidious diseases...and has given yours truly lung cancer....and i still smoke. i enjoyed the way you portrayed this in your clever write, it is very well written and quite entertaining, with a resounding and clear message. and the last lines were so sweet.....well done.

[icelandicblue]

Ah quinfinn I didn't know. I've had a few family members with the same thing. One of my sister's smokes and it drives me crazy because we've had lung cancer on both sides of the family. From what she says it is a powerful addiction, some say more powerful than heroin. I used to hide my father's cigarettes when I was young and he used to get so mad. I appreciate your comments especially about the end.

[quinfinn]

we pay for our mistakes, don't we? you are welcome!!!!

[icelandicblue]

Yeah, but I wish we didn't have to. Especially when we are hurting ourselves.

[Michael of Gilead]

Got a pair of these cuffs myself....and a woman who does the same

[KAOlmsted]

This has been in my queue for ages, and every time I saw the title I'd think...hm...is blue going all kinky on us xD Meanwhile, I'm so happy I finally got to this, because it's a really great piece, and it showcases more than just a disgusting habit (I smoked for 20 years before kicking the habit in 2002) it really is more of a relationship piece, I think. The subtle nuance of tolerance within the relationship that speaks so loudly in the end really drove the point home, and I had to read it again...had to. Because I really really wanted to. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much kimmer. No kinkiness just life. Your reviews are always so encouraging and I am happy you liked this slice of life. It is I who should thank you!

[KAOlmsted]

Ha, yeah, not a lot of kinkiness in my life, either, I'm afraid ;-) It's easy to encourage someone who has so much talent...just saying ;-) Always my pleasure.

[Sheila Kline]

The title of your poem says it all as one who has an addiction is really tied up, chained to the addiction which is often next to impossible to end. The cure rates are really small when compared to the number who are victims to them....tobacco, alcohol, prescription medications, eating, sexual, and so, so many more.

What I like most about your words is the understanding given by the wife. We may not be able to stop the addiction, but we may love them for who they are!!!

I like the repetition of the words, of "knows" - makes it more suspenseful. And I truly appreciate the compassion shown to him!!

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Sheila. Addictions are like chains and finding the key to the lock is not easy. There are times where "tough love" needs to take a back seat. Again, I appreciate your comment.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

she knows, she knows....

this reminds me of when my mom found out i smoked...i did the dumbest thing...hid a pack of marlboros in my overhead light...she walks into the bedroom, flips the switch....and there they are--

but she was such a heavy smoker she just said..."don't smoke too much"

reminiscing happens with good poetry...this is good poetry...

[icelandicblue]

Wow- I do appreciate the comments. Smoking has been part of our culture for a long time and for many it's just another thread in the fabric of life.

[Sami Khalil]

Although I don't like smoking but I like this poem too much...
Shall I call it a smoking agony or beauty ?

[icelandicblue]

Thank you, it's both I think.

[Sami Khalil]

Good answer.You are welcome...:)

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

Good write, love tolerate some weakness that's why love sometimes last, because we're not dwelling on the negative things our partner have, but were moving forward sharing those weakness with the person we love. Good write!

[icelandicblue]

That is such an insightful comment. Thank you.

[Clive D Costa]

Magnificent! Splendid! Though I think it would be a better. if it was in first person.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much for your comment and input. I'll think about it and I appreciate that you shared something that you thought would make the poem better.

[Alexander Rodgers]

Beautiful. I love the suspense of ''He knows'' just brilliant.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for reading and commenting.

[Alexander Rodgers]

You're welcome, any time!

[Amazed]

Really cool write. I always wondered if she knows. Yep she does.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks for stopping by.

[James Hanna-Magill]

Dear Icelandicblue

I shall refrain from using your real name.

So I have read your Irish piece, now to this.

I can see all of this like a film in my head.

Style: No complaints. It cuts it for me.

Content: This is the world which matters to me most - the thoughts of the writer, however expressed.

Each reader will see it their own way. But my take?

1) The tolerance of lovers for each others faults;

2) Be it weed or cigarettes, the truce broken by deceit, hastily covered up and yet obvious to both parties;

3) The torture of addiction and the split attitude between agreed compliance and the pull of the critiqued.

I could and often can go on endlessly about the succinctness and beauty of people's ideas of life and their experience of it. I could do so with this piece of your too.

But I shall stop myself there.

As a writer, and a mere member of the human race, I like your cute candour and insight into the details of the lives we lead every day.

You have things to say. So many.

Please do share them with us all.

I shall be an avid reader.

With my warmest regards


James

[icelandicblue]

James,

You adorn my poem with your insightful comments. Thank you so much for commenting with the breadth and depth of the human experience, both flawed and beautiful.