The Smell of Smoke


You stir cigarette ashes
into my coffee because
I hate the smell of smoke.

I should hate you,
but I can’t spare the emotion.

Please tell me you’ll be working late.


© Susie Clevenger 2013


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Comments

Laurie Kolp said…
Love this, Susie. Sorry I missed your interview last night but I was running the kids around. How'd it go?
Jinksy said…
but I can’t spare the emotion

What a put down! Short, sharp and oh, so telling. :)

Vandana Sharma said…
Some things we just bear cos of love...
Oh dear,
SNAP for hating smoke, but this isn't you, is it?
Very sharp and a little scary.
What's this about an interview? Radio? Podcast? Where?
Charleen said…
This poem makes me angry. My first impulse is to take that cup of coffee and throw it into his face!
kaykuala said…
The smell of smoke is just horrible one time. Now it is known to be also dangerous! But smokers still abound! Nicely Susie!

Hank
hedgewitch said…
This is just devastating in its simplicity, Susie. I am thinking now of how most murders are committed by family members. Excellent micropoetry with a macro that won't quit.
Gail said…
Wow, those few lines spoke volumes.
Anonymous said…
powerful acerbic, great job!
almost bring to mind a scene from mad men.succinct and sharp.
Kay L. Davies said…
I agree with Charleen. Smack!
Yes, it's a great putdown, as Jinksy said, but I hope this is just poetry, not reality, or at the very most just exaggeration for emphasis. The reality would be unbearable, not to mention utterly revolting.
K
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Perfectly succinct. I adore the "I cant spare the emotion"........I so hear you!
Kerry O'Connor said…
You have described a rather poisonous relationship so well by focusing not on the people themselves but the object which has caused displeasure, and the thought at the end says it all.
Susan said…
I'm with Kerry here. What a brilliant poem. Ouch!
LaTonya Baldwin said…
The objects you chose and the picture you draw, hits hard. . You can't read this without feeling how suffocating, slow burning the cancer is here.
W.k. kortas said…
Sometimes smoke gets in your eyes, even when it's not a beautiful thing burning. Short, sharp, and all stiletto.
Maggie Grace said…
Powerful few lines. Makes me want to throw the coffee at him too!