(Inspired by millions of true stories worldwide)
…
There was once a man, who picked smoking as a habit
He didn’t know why he started, which soon got impossible to quit.
Maybe he got bored, of breathing air every minute
Or just wanted to try something new for a bit, to see how he’d feel it.
..
Oxygen got old school, a breath experience without a kick
To the mind which wanted more, unsatisfied with what it already had before.
Now air always readily available, present everywhere, all over the place
Nourishing the soul, energizing cells, no matter what, no need to chase.
..
Cigarette on the other hand, a dose of dopamine on demand
Luring in with the memory of a new drag, only the soul knew - it was a snag.
This new feeling to the mind was ecstatic, felt fresh in the lungs at start
So different from plain old oxygen, a sensation that appealed to the heart.
..
Well, nicotine played its part too, brain hijacked, nerves numb and blue
He didn’t have a clue, why he got tense, without a drag or an occasional chew.
Thus began the battle inside, between body soul and mind
Soul on one side, mind on the other, body torn in between
Lungs on one, nerves on the other, with two fingers stuck shivering.
..
His soul gave its signs and signals, made him pukish, hate the smell and taste
While his mind played illusionary games, memory its weapon, numbing to a Zen-like state
The mind seemed to win in the beginning, a high that the man kept craving
But slowly over time, the soul started taking over
Showing how karma worked, a complete cycle spinning forever.
..
The mind almost lost now, played its final game
Said it’s not bad karma, if a cancer vaccine came
To which the soul replied, it’s not about a disease
It is about how it controls you, harming inner peace.
..
Now with the mind & soul on the same side, realizing how this created chaos
Not just inside but also outside, immunity out for a toss.
The inner war now almost over, a decision for good, almost inching closer
A pandemic hit the world at large; hurting lungs, killing people, leaving scars.
..
The soul’s message only amplified, the need for oxygen now magnified
Once ignored by the mind’s desires, that wanted to taste a new fire
Had now become the need of the hour.
The man finally decided for good, to quit this habit once and for all
Breathe fresh air no matter the mood, which always stood tall beside him like a wall. X