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A Nail In His Coffin

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

addictiondeathhorrortanka

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M. L. Kiser

July 22, 2019 at 8:19 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

July 22, 2019 at 1:12 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

July 21, 2019 at 3:50 PM

Good one about such a nasty habit.

Gershon Wolf

July 21, 2019 at 5:36 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

July 21, 2019 at 11:12 AM

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

Gershon Wolf

July 21, 2019 at 11:36 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

A Nail In His Coffin

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