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 G.]

A wonderful story and write. Great flow and content.
In July, I celebrate two years of being free of the habit of forty years. It is hard to give up... but I don't regret it. It was time for me to quit.

[icelandicblue]

Good for you; I've heard it's a really tough habit to kick. I am happy that you liked the poem.

[Jack...]

Funny how we think we get away with things when we really don't. But to find that love conquers all is a wonderful thing. I really like the way this poem moved and flowed. Very nice indeed.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Jack- few of us get away with much but sometimes it's nice not to get called out because of it. Thanks so much for commenting.

[Rachel Anderson]

An amusing piece. I enjoyed reading it. :)

[icelandicblue]

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[Stacey Watts]

Torture sometimes is the worse punishement. I think this was very well written. It's amazing how we are able to see those we love do wrong things and turn a blind eye to them. This was great work.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much for commenting.

[Frieda P]

I think that's true love right there. Yes, it's a terrible habit, but it's an addiction, most people want to quit but the pull is strong, I know I'm a quitter. Have done it half a dozen times myself, only to go back to it....nice slice of real life here, yes, some of us smoke and annoy others...quit for ten years once, then I had to deal with my sister's suicide and went right back to it...it's a terrible crutch. Nice write.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Frieda,
That is exactly what I was going for. We're flawed and we can't police each other every minute of the day. Sometimes you turn a blind eye for a moment just so you can love without conditions.

[Frieda P]

That came through loud & clear, it's a catch 22 really. Always love these poetry bites out of of real life. My pleasure.