Home » Poems » Gershon Wolf » A Nail In His Coffin

A Nail In His Coffin

Human skeleton shriveled body, blackened lungs just yesterday, young... Pleading, his final request gasping: One last cigarette

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

M. L. Kiser

Date: 7/22/2019 8:19:00 AM

And many have done that, I'm sure. Oh well, some people prefer dying doing what they love. Still...it makes for a miserable death. Good one.

Gershon Wolf
Date: 7/22/2019 1:12:00 PM

Oh, you are so right. It's an awful death. Only one I've seen that's worse is death from AIDS... This poem is based on someone I knew well whom I saw on his deathbed. It was gruesome. But it stopped my smoking immediately. I was 23 at the time. Haven't smoked since. :) gw

Line Gauthier

Date: 7/21/2019 3:50:00 PM

Good one about such a nasty habit.

Gershon Wolf
Date: 7/21/2019 5:36:00 PM

A nasty habit---with deadly consequences. Thanks for the encouragement, Line... I myself quite smoking in September of 1973.... right after I saw what was left of the once-powerful man on whom I based this tanka. :) gw

Sand Blown

Date: 7/21/2019 11:12:00 AM

'nail in the coffin'...you an edgar allan poe fan...he was great!

Gershon Wolf
Date: 7/21/2019 11:36:00 AM

Hmmm. I guess I had better brush up on my Poe! Can't quite place this reference / association... You're right: He certainly was great. Sounds like you're a big fan, Sand. Thanks for the feedback. Appreciated. ~ gw