Ode To a Dying Smoker

You came into my life, before I was born.
How could I know, our relationship was to be forlorn?

I knew in my heart, I should just walk away.
Time I was thirteen, you were here to stay.

I thought it was cool, never going by all the rules.
I was the hippest, never no ones fool.

You were with me everywhere I would go.
New friends, you would get to know.

Dad was in the Service, often we would move.
Long as I had you, I could find a "New Groove".

You went with me everywhere that I went.
Dad, died on his Birthday, he was fifty-one and Heaven sent.

I made a promise to him, one I never kept.
I should have listened, but now I regret.

Mom died young, not even a year later, from secondhand smoke.
I thought at the time, that had to be a joke.

I now have C. O. P. D., I do not want the people to see...
Me, stuck on an oxygen machine, with a forty foot hose.

Thinking how bad the Tobacco Companies and smoking,
really have got to go!


Comments: C.O.P.D. is Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) 
This is a revised version of a poem I wrote a few years ago. I guess with this
I want to get across how Smoking takes it's tole on families. This is my true story, I hope 
some can see what it does and can stop the madness. Judy
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

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Hickman Avatar
December 12, 2009 at 10:45 PM
such a touching and real piece of your life and so many others,Your words flow with detail and emotion,,i hope that you are doing well,,,Thank you for the touching words that you left behind on mine,and for especially taking the time to read,,,,Blessings..Cecil
Mason Avatar
July 15, 2009 at 5:45 PM
Hope you are doing okay, Judy. I have not smoked for 5 years now after 45+ of smoking and while I have the beginning of emphezema I don't have to be on oxygen yet. Just get short breathed a lot ... smile ... glad you've stayd to write this year at the Soup!! I'm just now catching up with you ... LOL ...
Bingham Avatar
March 31, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Judy God Bless you for this write. I smoked for over forty two years, then I quit cold turkey six and a half years ago, and my wife quit the day after me. I just turned sixty one Sunday and now I have no desire for nicotine as a matter of fact the smell now makes us nauseous. Blessings, Ron
Esquire Avatar
March 15, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Dear Judy, Wow my prayers are with YOU I started smoking when I was 11 gave it up 5 years ago when I was told I had the onset of emphysema PLease read POEM "Ode TO SIG (Sigmond Arettes) Superb Write ALWAYS...HG
Mason Avatar
February 20, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Thank you so much for this one Judy!! I like how you write about the REAL ... smile ... I have 5 years off smoking after doing it for over 50 years and I do have 2/3 of my lung capacity left but I don't know how ... just God's Grace I guess. Welcome to PoetrySoup and keep writing!!
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