Three Word Wednesday is back after a one week ‘vacation’ for Bone. Now, of all words to include, he put the C word… no, not that C word, the other one. I hate that word and everyone associated with it. In fact, I would rather be called that other C word than be forced to use this one. I admit it. I hate this C word this week.
There, that off my chest, I need to attempt to be creative. This will be the hardest one I have done. I can write about abuse, hate, anger, frustration, love, laughter, tears, friendship or lack of, animals, garbage, etc., but that word just stops me in my tracks - and not because of the health issues.
The three words are: Afford Cigarette Dim
Check out what others wrote, I am sure they were quite creative this week!
Afford them, you can
have the right to use them, you do
but do you really want your lights
to dim before they would have
by putting that smelly thing,
that thing that not only destroys your lungs,
but coats your hair, your skin, your clothes,
your car, your home,
with a smell that you are so used to
you don’t realize no amount of perfume
or after shave will cover it?
You pride yourself in how you dress,
you style your hair
make sure everything is perfect
before you leave the door
and you do look so handsome
and you, so beautiful,
I almost envy you.
Oops, you forgot that one detail
about your grooming.
Have you smelled an apartment
after greasy food is cooked with no
stove fan or windows to open?
No? Cook hamburgers and leave the grease
and while you are at it, bake French Fries,
making sure you get the ones with the most oil.
Make sure the house is closed up tight,
leave for a while and return.
Breathe in deeply.
That smell
has nothing on a cigarette.
MeeAugraphie
11/28/07
Disclaimer, I realize not everyone wears the cigarette smell that strongly, but some do and probably have no idea… but then I suppose the argument could be thrown back that some others wear their garlic or beer or stinky perfume or dog or kids spitup. Yes, you are correct!
I am guilty of eating garlic; had a dog; raised a child; and drink the occasional beer.
Cigarettes are still, for me a pet peeve. Thank goodness the whole person is not defined by one like or dislike!
And yes, I married a smoker…. and yes, he no longer smokes, but it took a LONG, LONG time for him to reach that point. Too bloody long, if you ask me, but I am grateful that it finally got there.
McLeesBogaert
17 Comments
Wow–and I thought it was going to be on the other c word
Kidding
Cigarette smoke is gross, but everybody forgets the other side of the equation. There are some people for which it’s the only thing that calms them down–many are people who stigmatized enough for having mental problems, and then are treated like criminals for smoking.
That is what I wanted you to think, Pia, grin.
I understand what you are saying about the other side of the issue. At one point in my twenties, I was soooooo shy, I could barely walk in the cafeteria to get a pepsi on break, especially if no one was with me I was comfortable with. I used to want to start smoking because those women had something to do with their hands, so they looked busy and had something, I thought, to concentrate on other than people staring at them….
It was only that I already loathed cigarettes that kept me from doing it. They just grossed me out from the time I first saw one. I have seen, however, many people who relied so heavily on them as you are saying, that managed to stop smoking and find a substitute to calm them, or just found something deep inside themselves. That does not mean all can find a substitute…. and that is a shame, they should not be made to feel criminal.
I am not sure I would have been strong enough to stop though, seriously, I can’t even force myself to exercise regularly, and I love it ONCE I start it.
Oh and whether it was a word poem or not, I really enjoyed it. Nice to read rants
Thank you, Pia.
You covered that very well. I loved the ranting part of it.
C word is THE dreaded word!
Thanks, Gautami. I was afraid it would be too ranting to read.
Hear hear Marcia. I think you’ve done a most excellent Public Health poem. I can see it now on late-late-late night tv. Glad he stopped smoking though.
Rose
xo
Rats, I couldn’t stay awake to see it on a late-late-late night TV, if I had a TV. Wait, I do, 5 inches, but no cable yet. Oh well. You make me grin, Rose. I thought Leon would NEVER stop… but at least from the time our son was 2, he never smoked in our car or our home… He became quite considerate.
I’m with you on cigarette and smoking. It really gross me out. I can’t understand those good looking people smoking on the cold streets.
Nicely written.
Thank you, Lissa. It is always nice to have someone in the same corner.
Oh dear, don’t stop by my blog Marcia…..(smiling). Funnily enough I HATE the smell too, especially now I’ve quit. I was always fanatic about mouthwash and perfume, showers and fresh clothes, and usually only smoked outside my home.
Jo, your words are always too interesting not to stop by. Leon hates it, too, now. He quit over 6 years ago.
as a society we have sanctioned discrimination against smokers.. it is not only legal,, but we are encouraged to take an active part in the ostracism… where do you stand on fat people eating in public???
paisley, it does seem we have sanctioned discrimination against smokers… I know. I think it is a fine line actually, because their smoke affects me and others physically. And I do not have to be having sex with them, or carrying on a conversation with them for their smoke to affect me. Smoke seems to have a mind of its own. Outside, we normally have the option of walking around it, inside, we do not.
It is not the smell of cigarettes, that is no different really, as I said, than smelling someone’s perfume or body odor or garlic, or even orange blossoms. The others may be annoying, may even cause a headache, but it is not something even I, as much as I hate some of them, would attempt to legislate. But if even a tiny bit of what is thought to be known about smoke as a chemical is true, then I do not wish to be exposed to it everywhere I go. And I also, do not like my eyes burning, my throat becoming raw, and when it is really bad, my chest aching. At the same time, I think in some ways it has gone to the extreme in ostracizing as you put it.
Fat people are not at the moment they are in public, by eating, breathing their fat into my body. That is something I would have to do on my own free will - or with the help of genes.
Just as there is choices in other things, I am not sure that personal choice should not also enter into this issue, but not everywhere.
Fat and smoke are two different issues, I believe.
I liked this. I too, can’t stand cigarette smoke. I remember when we were kids visiting my grandma, we were careful not to take anything in that couldn’t be washed as soon as we got home, because it all came out REEKING of cigarette smoke. It’s horrible.
I’m amazed you married a smoker: you must have taught him good hygiene before he quit as kissing ashtrays isn’t much fun.
P.S. Bone’s words used to say something about how “it doesn’t have to be perfect” but he took that particular phrase down some time ago and just left the part you noticed about “it can be anything.” Personally I think the other part should come back.
I honestly didn’t need to teach him, TC. You just gave me the shivers, though. Yeah, we have to talk to Bone, don’t we. Thank you for the story, I bet many of us have similar ones.
I agree with the poem.
Convincing points indeed!
Glad they were a bit convincing, thanks, Jujee.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I get the impression c’s are not your faves. I like the style! ps. I’m no longer a smoker - so far in my past that I can barely remember…
Can’t correct you, Susan, because you are correct! Congrats on it being that far in the past.
I have lasting memories of long winter car rides on the weekend with the windows rolled up and smoke permeating my every pore. My parents may not have known any better, but we suffered just the same. Your rant was spot on. Is there a nasty habit, or a greater public nuisance than a smoker?
Herb, my parents were both smokers and later my in-laws. The only thing that “saved me” was as a child we could not afford A/C, so at least our windows were always open, we were in muggy Florida, after all. I’m sure we could probably come up with a nastier habit or greater public nuisance if we tried, but let’s not go there, right now.
I agree, one hundred percent…’never ever’ is my motto too, had my dad for a chain smoker, his only addiction and it took him years and pain to get over it…but it’s finally over. Thank goodness. Loved your post, brought back lots of memories…
I’m watching two young adults try to get over it now, UL… and they are having a rough time, but who knows, maybe they will succeed. Glad you liked the post.
Very well done!
Now if we could get every teen to read this before they start
Christy
Thank you, Christy. Since many teens are so into grooming, that might help… but I am sure it has been tried, but why not we all try again.
As a teacher, I always felt sorry for kids whose parents smoked while driving them to school in the morning. The poor kids reeked every day.
I agree, Christine.
hey, the c word…the best part are christmas carols and the colored lights…now smoking, there’s nothing worse…oh-h-h-h-h that smellllll…isn’t that a song…great post this week!
Thanks, Little Wind. Colored lights and Christmas carols are great C words to replace cigarette.
Hey Marcia. I hate that stench as well. I’ve even had smokers tell me they couldn’t stand to be around other smokers because of the smell.
Want me to try and use the other C-word next week?
(What is the other C-word?)
O:)
Yes, use the other C word, Bone. I think I was referring to Candy, or was it Californian… or maybe Cranky.
Dead on girl! My dad was a smoker for 18 years before he finally stopped. I guess I have to thank him though because having to deal with that God awful smell everyday made me not want to be a smoker. I did however marry a guy who smoked so, I understand where you’re coming from when you say the smell sticks to your clothes. When I divorced him that smell lingered on my clothes for what seemed like forever. So, I am with you on your ranting poem. You done a nice job with the words. Keep up the good work. Have a nice weekend.
Yep, my parents were smokers, too. Worked for me, but not for my brother, or our son… oh well. Thanks, Michelle.