Nicotine

       It curls
      It floats -
     The smoky haze -
   It billows out her lips
  In sweetened scent
 and hangs in air, distraught,
Perhaps destroying, yet relaxing.
   She is aware of what it cost.
       She knows of those -- of some
           Who've paid the price
                 of pleasure.
                       "worth the pain," she claims,
                                             Sucking in
                                                     coughing,
                                                              breathing,
                                                                       Dying without need-
                                                                       Enjoying every breath.