in school it was only the cool
kids who could manage the shades
the smoke perfectly poised
for seduction each stubbing
pressed hard by the pain
here people wait quietly
and while they wait, smoke
their own cigarettes, politely
extinguishing for the tannoy
not the train
there they still form perfect circles
within circles
wait for the bell
and then wait
---Kim Morrissey
from Smoking
(first published by Vennel Press, Summer 1998, as number
3 in the Brief Pleasures series)
Vennel Press, 8A Richmond Road, Staines, England TW18 2AB