The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide

The Smoke

In the dark
the smoke sees
with eyes divine	
like an incense
a burnt offering
it rises with the wind
and the smoker marvels

He wakes, eats, sleeps
and longs to inhale
the sweet breath 
a nectar bud
this sanity and mirth 
inroad into sad 
melancholy

He loves to see
the smoke twirl with the wind
serene in the sky
like a god climbing
coming
coming out
to proffer another life
another fire

Stop, stop, stop
he laughs
are they talking to him?
the advertisement talks too
and his little daughter
avoids him 
everytime he is covered up
when will they appreciate
that his favourite brand
like a painkiller
is the secret escape 
from the aches and discomfort
only he can explain

Now his wife has left
and the doctor says
his lung is darkening
his breath is stained
his blood burns black
lung cancer
or ulcer?
But can it be real
if his palate seek
a fresh taste of the stick?


And now his eyes 
are sinking sockets
now the skin starts 
to fall away
some acute disease?
What`s the use of worrying
the better for him 
to dedicate his whole life
to cigarette smoke till there is
no more breath
no more life in his bones
no more sweet incense 
to inhale
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

Poem

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Fraser Avatar
December 15, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Many congratulations on your poetry being featured on the Soup this week >> James
Nutter Avatar
December 15, 2009 at 2:22 AM
Congratulations on having your poem featured this week. A well deserving honor. A. W. Nutter www.freewebs.com/abcedit
 Avatar
December 14, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Sad when addiction trumps everything else in the addict's life. Powerful way to make your point. Congratulations on having your poem featured. Wishing you continued success with your writing. Karen
Mckenzie Avatar
December 14, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Congratulations on your featured poem! Laura :)
Fisher Avatar
December 14, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Many congrats on being featured this week. Rgds Janette
Brown Avatar
December 14, 2009 at 8:16 AM
Congratulations on your poetry being featured at PoetrySoup this week Jude. May you have many more features. Love,Carol
Brown Avatar
December 14, 2009 at 4:37 AM
congrats on being featured this week
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The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace