CIGARETTES

Thirty years but
if one’s lit nearby
the scent draws me
like a child to brownies.

Worse to quit
than bread or chocolate
beer on a hot day
wine as I cook.

They told me “Place old butts
in a jar, take a deep whiff
if you weaken” – that jar
smelled of every man I’ve loved.

Two things carried me
my son and desire
for the freedom to
not need anything.

Still, if someone
snuffs a candle
or strikes a match
just so…

Published by

Cynthia M. Sheward

Cynthia Sheward has written poetry since she was a child. She was born in Massachusetts but spent her young life in New Jersey. She applied her English degree from Arcadia University teaching junior-senior high school in Vermont the 70’s. In the 80s, she and her husband built their own house with their own hands in the mountains of North Carolina. In the 90s, she returned to NJ where she worked for a Fortune 500 corporation until her retirement. Her work has been published in Friends Journal, Evening Street, the Bennington Banner, Fiber Arts Magazine, the Mountain Times and various other print media. She currently resides in Jupiter, Florida.

9 thoughts on “CIGARETTES”

  3. This design is steller! You certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

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  4. Heya! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the superb work!

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  5. First off I want to say wonderful blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your thoughts before writing. I’ve had difficulty clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out there. I truly do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints? Kudos!

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  6. 10 or 15 minutes is a drop in the bucket. I tend to think of ideas at night or as I am driving. I carry a small recorder (you could use your phone) to capture those ideas as I know they will disappear by the end of the drive or by morning. Then I write from those recordings or notes. I also read several daybooks each morning to settle my mind. Currently I am reading “In God’s Care” by Hazeldon and “Strengthening My Recovery” by ACA.
    I am glad you enjoy my blog. I wish you all the best in yours. (The recorder really was a break through for me.)

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  8. Thank you for your comments. I am glad you like the design. One never knows how this sort of effort is going to come off. I am grateful when people take the time to give me feedback.

    Cindy

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