Exercise In Futility Poem by Alessandra Liverani

Can you think of anything more futile
Than desperately puffing on a cigarette
The fear that you hope to relieve still stays
It's not something that you will forget

Sure, it may die down a little
As you madly puff away
But never, ever disappear completely
It's here with you to stay

You can smoke one after the other
Trying to suppress that nagging doubt
But you may as well be Lady Macbeth
Who said 'Out damn spot, be out'

Fears cannot be pandered to
They'll crush you in many ways
It's best to take a big, deep breath
And fight your way through the blaze

I am sure you remember in the past
Something you thought you'd never be able to do
Maybe someone supported, helped and coaxed you
And you triumphantly saw it through

This time the fear is of not doing something
It's a little bit upside down
Admittedly, that makes it trickier
But there's always a work around

(Sydney, Australia - 2003)