Smokers

The poem explores how smoking becomes a coping mechanism for grief and loss. It dedicates the piece to those who smoke in memory of lost loved ones, using cigarettes and smoke as metaphors for the emptiness and pain left behind after someone's passing.

People often turn to smoking as a form of emotional escape during grief because it provides a temporary distraction and ritualistic behavior. The habit can serve as a way to feel connected to memories of the lost person, making the pain seem more bearable in moments of intense sadness.

The poem contrasts what was present before (the person's picture, their hand, their presence) with what exists now (cigarette packets, smoke, ashes). This powerful imagery illustrates how a person's absence transforms the smoker's entire life from fullness to emptiness.

The poem suggests that smoking becomes more than just a habit—it transforms into a memorial practice and a way to process grief. It highlights the destructive cycle where loss drives people toward harmful coping mechanisms, illustrating the psychological connection between mourning and substance use.