The Art of Smoking

I smoke
I choke
Cough and laugh again
Light one again
And inhale
There’s an art to this mastery
No fiend for the nicotine
It’s just the releasing
Carbon dioxide
Suicide
Some say but I remember
How our native ancestors
Breathed in
The Great Spirit
From the wind
Embraced the wind
And spoke on her behalf
But today, right now
All these additives
Makings of addictives
Nevertheless, I smoke
I choke
Cough and laugh again
Light one again
And exhale
Sex appeal, the ideal
I’m strong, I’m popular
See, there’s an art to this mastery
Traps of advertisements
I’m youthful, I’m vibrant
But you can’t see within
My body’s failing’ me
Lungs can’t escape this sin
Breathe in
Breathe out
I can’t
See, there’s an art to this mastery
Gambling’ see?
I may or may not
Get diagnosed with that big “C”
Taking out my community
Drinkin’ gin and smokin’
Racin’
Me and the flame
Cadillacs and shorts
Lucies and ‘ports
I know my shit!
So they ask, “when you gon’ quit?”
You too pretty for that
Too much of a lady for that
So I reply that
Same ole song
Thanks, it won’t be long
This week, this month, this hour
Turn into years, countless fuses of excuses
I won’t say why I use it
Not as deep as you perceived
Just something I enjoy doing
When I’m bored, feel trapped
Feel too much
Full of life
Full to the brim
On the rim of setting myself free
Overflowing with ecstasy
As I greet each new day
With my Newport and coffee!
But there’s an art to this mastery
No fiend for the nicotine
Just the releasing
So please don’t judge me
Cuz I smoke
I choke
Cough and laugh again
Light one again
And live
To smoke again…