It's Still Life

And All Those Things

Quite simply,
I don’t remember
the last time I saw
an ashtray in a restaurant.
It used to be the norm,
like salt shakers with
a piece of Saltine cracker in it,
or laminated menus, or
never having to ask a waitress
for a glass of water, and
as a treat we’d say
“with ice, please”.
But unlike ashtrays, I do
remember my last cigarette.
I was buying a new car,
and I said,
“I’m going to step outside
and think for a second.”
And that’s when I lit the last one,
smoked it nearly down to the filter.
Then went back in — bought that car.
And I never smoked again.
Packed away the ashtrays and
the lighters and all that stuff.
It’s still sitting in the loft,
along with all those things that
used to be so much a part of me.

written for Miz Quickly “Simply prompt”