The Ring of Death....

Taking out a fresh cigarette

I thoughtfully tapped it on the pack

And then...

I saw,

The Statutory Warning -

"SMOKING KILLS"

Skeptically amused,

And with a smile

I placed it on my lips

And lit the cigarette.

Taking a deep puff

I let the smoke fill my lungs...

Two trails from the nostrils

Let go...

"TOBACCO CAUSES CANCER"

The line dared me again

A scoff from me... another deep puff

I blew a ring into the air... arrogantly.

The ring...

Fluttered, withered

Then hung in the air

A perfect ring...

Playfully descended

.... and strangled me.