Alessandra Liverani (Wollongong, Australia)

Time never ends, as far as we know
It goes on forever, like the wind which blows
Neverending time, passed without cigarettes
An impossibility, because I'll never forget

That I always need them, why, I'm not quite sure
But I will always remember their wonderful allure
Hours spent, days spent, months and years
Without a cigarette, would be my greatest fear

I cannot even contemplate a smoke free existence
Cannot even go there, not even in the distance
Because I cling so very tightly to them, hold them to my chest
To not have them in my presence, I would feel undressed

An eternity without them, my definition of hell
Because I constantly am hearing an insistent little bell
Which keeps on telling me time after time
Drag on a cigarette, you don't need reason or rhyme

Just keep doing it and doing it and doing it again
Keep drawing up those noxious fumes until the very end
Keep filling all those ashtrays with disgusting little butts
An eternity of smoking, from ashes to the dust

(Sydney, Australia - 2003)