Will's Cigarette Pack

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It's half wrapped, neatly in plastic.

Inside, there are 15 unused   
and therefore, unabused, 
"filter" cigarettes, formerly 
stashed by former flame, Will 

Securely in my scrapbook chest
is the pack of his preferred puffs
Marlboro, the Gold Pack
originally with
 "Class A" cigs, deemed "the best".

Initially, I kept the pack
in attempt to save him, to help
kick that nasty ol' habit
He even told me to pack them
away from him... "Hide 'em!"

With cigs out of convenient sight
my lips became the main somethings
to press upon his own
No more cig-lit competition 
was to be allowed on!

(Assuming he didn't give in
at cig stands, miscellany stores
or didn't bum a cig
from random suppliers
encounted off the street.)

Gladly I served as protector
of Will's non-smoking well-being
 to detox, to de-stress...
This role did not last long
sadly, as had wanted

I tried, tried and tried once more 'til
I realized I grew tired—
too much so— of trying
to save somebody from himself
while neglecting myself

He truly got trying on my nerves
Although never too much so to 
puff out my frustration 
with a lit cigarette
Would never ever let...

So, why on Earth  haven't I yet
thrown away Will's ol' Marlboros?
I'm surely not saving
cigs as generous offering
to potential street bums

Why do I still keep this pack here?
Maybe for sake of momento
more than a mere photo
to fondly reminisce the past
as in a time capsule?

Hardly I have touched his cig pack
but I still feel the need to touch
upon the times back
recognize this relationship
yet not hold on to it.

---

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