She coughs
She splutters
She swears
She mutters
Through yellowed teeth the offending article burns
Health warnings don't apply to her and so she never learns
Dry skin and early aging, she spurns
All advice as hidden lungs take a battering
For oh, that nervous temporary reprieve
The magic nicotine puff releases tension
And she feels like she can face the world again
A few seconds’ relief before the craving returns
Damage seen and unseen she rationalises away
Her aunt lived till 93 and she was on forty a day
A monetary but no cancerous price to pay
The aches she feels could just be growing pains
She tried to give up several times and failed
It must just be the way her body's wired
Why shouldn't she have one pleasure in her life?
Fag Ash Lil is how she's going to stay
She coughs
She splutters
She swears
She cries
