Copied Fear Poem by Alessandra Liverani

Tobacco firms spend vast sums of money
To ensure their product seems sweeter than honey
A product loathsome in every way
One which must be purchased every day

You want to be like these glamorous folk
So you light a fag and begin to smoke
You feel quite safe because it tastes offensive
No need at all to feel apprehensive

You copy them as best you can
Blowing in and out like a real tough man
At first you're just going through the motions
You haven't found the power of this poisonous potion

Aping the actions, no problem there
It's when you copy the fear that you must beware
Each smoker dreads his nicotine falling low
If he ain't got none, it is such a blow

But you don't realise what's going on
That you're about to be part of the biggest con
Too late, you didn't watch your back
The fear came from behind, a stealth attack

(Sydney, Australia - 2003)