Cigarettes

What is the first thing baby spies,

When ushered to this paradise,

That bringeth pleasure to his eyes?

                            Cigarettes.

What causeth him to steal away,

From father, mother, every day,

In spite of all they do or say?

                            Cigarettes.

What makes him later turn his toes,

To a perpendicular pose,

Then go where each good baby goes?

                            Cigarettes.

Sept. 24, ‘94

Pub. in the

Boston Courier, Oct. 28, ‘94