12

I cannot begin to tell you how many times

sparks from a cigarette has tried to blind my left eye,

how many times fire has tried to kill me and succeeded.

I want to die | I want to die | I want to die

still full of life dear God

still full of raging life;

no more pressing darkness to resist

Cease the offerings of breath from my chest

while I am still young and full of age

with no more afterlife to pursue;

I cannot begin to tell you or anyone for that matter

how many times smoking a cigarette

has saved my life.