Marlboro Man

Sir Crow,
Tis true, if he's happy when he dies, gotta be better than spending his time miserable just to die anyway. A shame for his daughter, but sometimes we have to be selfish if we feel it's best for us.

Lady Muse,
I agree.  I don't mean to judge him.  That was the last conversation I had with this friend before he passed on.  I completely understood him finding comfort wherever he could, and it turned out his daughter welcomed him.  He wasn't just dropping himself off on her as a burden.  He had courage and the kind of sense of humor that reinforced it.  I hope the tone of this poem doesn't come off as being critical.  That was not my intent.
Sir Crow

My dear Sir Crow,
Not at all! It came across as a view that could be looked on from any perspective and opinion. He was lucky to have such a down to earth and sincere friend. My condolences to you my friend.
Lady Muse

Sir Crow a very profound write.. reminding me why I should quit smoking but I take so much pleasure from it sigh.. excellent ink with love Crim

Lady Crim,
I smoke too for the same reasons.  That might make me kind of a hypocrite in posting this.  My father passed away from emphysema, which makes me a fool.
I keep it down to five smokes a day.  So much for my defense.
Sir Crow

I hate to say it but smoking is the high point of my day.  I should move on to other vices.

ltm
by coinkydinky, i'm smoking a marlboro as i write this ...
... i hear ya crowfly, it's tough quitting on something that just makes ya feel so damn good

I go for Pall Malls myself.  They last longer.  Maybe I should get paid for giving them a plug here.

I have a friend who is losing his battle as well and still smokes, I don't understand it my self but he still gets comfort from it, If only we can all face our end in a such a way. great write Crowfly, thanks for helping me remember.

It's interesting how smoking was once considered so sophisticated, stylish and fashionable.  I believe there was a time you could even smoke in hospitals.  Times have changed.

This poem appealed to me because of its own meticulous care in wording, and both the tragedy and sad humor of the situation. I chain-smoked in my twenties and thirties in college student groups who met at Denny's. I have honestly only quit because I take a certain medication that has a side effect of making the cigarettes taste awful. But I really miss their presence in my life, LOL. Very evocative piece.

I've quit a couple of times over the past few years, but I can't seem to resist them.  Thanks, Toni.

Oh I would love to know the context of how you came across the individual Mr Crowfly - visitng parents in a nursing home? A hospital visit? Cafe? Random street encounter?

As someone who has nursed people with end-stage lung cancer I am in a poor and bias position to comment, but I will say I do like the way you have captured that resolute indulgence of his remaining pleasure, and the irony of that.

This was actually a friend who ended up living in a board and care after having a lung removed.  I was paraphrasing what he said, but it was close.  He was a fine man.  Thanks, Frank.

your poem allows me to see him in a ward-like setting, knowing the other patients are just waiting to die. he's there a little too soon, maybe uncomfortable, being so close to the shadows of death...

He could still laugh about it, even if it was sardonic.  He was the kind of guy who could smile right 'til the end and, yes, a pack within easy reach.

wow this hit me deep, like whoa!
it was dark and cynical but sad..
I enjoyed this in a weird and eerie way Damn im left shaking my head..
Nice write really nice Crow...
Zazzles xo