the
choices we are left with
the old man
next to me
at the bar
tapped out
a
Lucky Strike and
lit it up and
had the end of it
really
aflame
then stoked it
and dragged on it
until the whole tip
turned
orange-hot
he blew the
smoke out
in a cough
gag
cough
exhale
and then
laughed for
a little while
damn
god
damn
he said
the only time a
cigarette really
tastes good
is
after you've
had a few
it's like
having a choice
between one
death
and another
amen to that
I said
and we both
tossed
back
our scotch &
waters
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