chain smoke until I'm in
care of
the CO.
There's one left.
I smoke it
slow.
"It's the end," I anticipate.
the last inch
evaporates.

I can't get
over
it.
It's over
before I know it.
Butt,
I can't quit.
I am possessed
with this obsession.
I'm addicted.

my lungs have
oxygen;
I'm suffocating
(inside).
I can't
breathe again
without
my 'noxide.

she
falls me
down to
my knees.

I want
this.
I must
have this.

I sink
into
the brink
of madness.

the steady pull
of temptation
teases
my resolution.

the draw
of nicotine
cracks
my will.
my composure
spills.

when I can sleep,
I take what dreams
afford me.
my 'noxide comes
to ward me.

her smoke
is an invitation.
my conscience
falls for
the con science
of imagination.
I give in
and my last inch
evaporates.

she is
the last inhale.

between sleeps,
I lie in sanity.
I wonder
if I gave into my humanity.
if I'd erred;
if there's
smoke in the air.

"CO" is the chemical composition for Carbon Monoxide.