The Dangers Of Smoking Poem by John F. McCullagh

She had been through so much,
Her right lung was removed.
Now six weeks into Chemo
My wife had not improved,
despite the best care
that our coverage affords.
The cancer had spread
to her breast and lymph nodes.


My wife's been a smoker
since she turned sixteen.
Through the years we were married
and the years in between.
Now though she gasped
like a fish brought to shore.
her long term addiction
had her craving one more.


Who am I to judge her
or deny her last wish.
She is not getting better,
I've no heart to resist.
I gave her the smokes
she had long put away
I gave her the lighter
and sought out her ash tray.

A tremendous explosion ripped
through our first floor.
It indeed had proved fatal
her request for one more.
on purpose or accident
I can't judge her intent
in choosing to smoke
in her oxygen tent.