LIVING GHOSTS

There lies lifelessness in their living framework

In the Smokers’ bones lies mortal mortality

Their darkened hearts rest on time bombs

Their food cigarette is; smoke, their nutrients

But how nutritious is their food?

Which strength to their cells can the cigar give?

Are Smokers visually sick?

Who should advise them that are poison

Those sticks which in their mouths, smoulder?

The inscription on their food even warns them!

Their dead living framework has thus inured become

To the deliberate consumption of their useless food

So as they arduously fill their decayed lungs

With the darkest smoke,

The decadence of their teeth even worsens

From head to toe, each member of their cells is sick

They are living ghosts!

Even more sick than they are,

Are the innocent souls that inhale

Their deadly, exhaled smoke

When the Living Ghosts smoke,

They themselves kill and their passive smokers

Smoking is environmentally harmful

Socially obnoxious

Religiously sinful!

All Smokers, both old and young

Are living ghosts!

Unwise Smokers hold on, and listen:

Look at your mouths, lips, larynges

Throats, oesophagi, bladders

Look at your kidneys, livers, your stomachs

And your pancreases

In all these parts of your dead bodies

Sleeps one wicked, deadly cancer!

Already damaged are your hearts!

Your red blood is turning into coal!

Heart attack, stroke, asthma, impotence,

All yours!

Unwise Smokers hold on and listen:

Do not just enjoy the lapidary style

Of the literature you read now

Accept, and live by the saving message thereof

For, your lifespans are than short shorter!

Worthy Brethren, stop smoking today

You are living ghosts, already...

ISAAC ESSOUN