I give you this issue, a smoker begun,
A blue cloud expelled from his lung,
Blow some my way, a feminine reply,
Inhaling a weed’s scent floating by,
A psychic invitation for the young.
The filtered weed was viewed as tender,
A chance to appeal to various gender.
Come riding in the Marlboro Man,
So rugged you must understand,
Attaching the habit to a novice pretender.
The ciggie’s success; it’s so fun,
Bring me your lung, while it’s young.
Yes, your image is so cool,
That red-lip spot, when you drool,
No misgiving, it won’t be undone.
A dependence, a pretended social grace,
Keeping with trends at a pace,
Handling the steady nicotine attack,
Keeping the flame, as a pyromaniac,
A nasty cough? Keep a straight face.
Francis Conlon is a retired and recovering teacher. For the past 20 years, he has worked as a seasonal river ranger and boat inspector at Yampa River State Park in northwest Colorado. He has published in the local Valley Voice and in Westward Quarterly. He currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah