During morning coffee.

Up pops this deadly habit.

Cheating in the game of life.

We're better off to forfeit.

From tension and frustration.

They used to bring relief.

Watching people die from them,

fills my heart with grief.

We kill ourselves and make them rich.

To purchase laws we die by.

It's been a long time coming.

But heaven knows I'll try.

To wash the stains from inside.

As well as from my fingers.

Even when the smoke does clear.

Still the cancer lingers.

I hid them as a little boy.

From teachers mom and dad.

I wish I'd never started.

I knew that they were bad.

I know that R.J. Reynolds,

doesn't care what I might think.

Like living in an ashtray.

Our world and lives just stink.

The death rate grows from nicotine.

As well as from a gun.

The cowboy and the camel.

Say It's just good fun.

The only thing they're good for.

Is coffin till your in one.

Surgeon generals tell us.

But none of us listen.

Light another, what the hell.

We're not among the missing.

We hold our breath, but not for long.

It's really not an answer.

To live and die in freedom.

Of heart disease and cancer.

© 1998