John Loving Iii Poet Rhyme

When?

the signal could be anything
a cough, a pain, a weakening
then the thoughts of what it brings
sickness, death, crippling

suddenly there's a rush in your heart
during a smoke or after a shock
you feel your heart working
hoping it don't stop

remembering mothers echoing voice
"john, you have a heart murmur."
         "john, you have a heart murmur."
                  "john, you have a heart murmur."

i struggled to live a normal life
when i was a teenager smoking was a right
now running out of cigarettes is a fright
fighting the urge; i do not have the might

a signal from the grim reaper prepared
one day no longer warning  but attach
affairs in order; i'm o.k. with the Lord
death is one thing i'm sure i can afford

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Elizabeth Wesley October 15, 2012 at 6:06 AM How I know the feeling; you want to quit but that old ciggy just happens to find its way; spent 40 years puffing on the things and now am free of them, hope you've gotten rid of them too. Nice statement from you John; was away on a vacation at Lake Placid for awhile, how have you been?

Abraham L May 19, 2009 at 7:22 AM Nice write, reality, most of us so to speak don't talk about dying,, even though we all know we are not on this earth to stay. it is life and we can't blank our mind from it. Our number must be called at some point in life. Very good poertry Abe

Emanuela T. January 25, 2009 at 10:15 PM In the sequence of horrible thoughts, death comes second, worse than sickness, but seems almost preferred to crippling, and it made me chuckle, the irony in life, in our vices and how our fears, as crazy and intense as they are, are not enough to stop us. And on a side note, how things seemingly logical, are usually almost never such. I think this poem reveals a lot of personality, has a face and yet is universal. Very powerful and skillfully written! And thank you for your comment! - Ema :)

Robin L. Gass December 27, 2008 at 8:44 PM This one really hit home with me. I need to get that monkey off my back! Great write. Thanks for the comment I'm just not sure what you meant by temp. Happy New Year. Love Robin

Sharon Winter December 23, 2008 at 12:10 PM We all get our signals from the grim reaper. Yes, smoking is definitely not a good thing, and it boggles my mind when I see people in their 80's and even 90's smoking when I go to the assisted living facility I volunteer at. Can you believe it? I guess our number is up, when it is up. Good luck - hope your number is way up high. Happy holidays! Love, Shar