POETRY

As I was coming

To join your encampment

I saw a young woman

Who wanted to light her cigarette.

She neither bought matches

Nor begged  for a lighter.

She simply asked a man

Who was smoking a cigarette:

"May I borrow your fire?"

And she recognized

The reflection of his red fire

In his shining eyes.


Yes,

One fire

Can light more than one cigarette.

Fire belongs to all

And "to each according to his needs."(1)


Oh, you nonbelievers

In the "invisible hand of the market!" (2)

I am not kidding

The fire of sharing in your campground

Is undoubtedly

The fiery tradition of our smokers.

May your bright fire be smokeless!


November 8, 2011



1. Karl Marx Critique of the Gotha Program.
2. Adam Smith  The Wealth of Nation.