A Hymn for the Cigarettes

I had my first cigarette
with the Beach Boys on my Walkman
on a family holiday in Brittany

no bikesheds or leaning out of bedroom windows for me
no peer pressure or impressing bigger boys
I just went to the hotel cigarette machine

with my French francs and a baseball cap covering
my young, sunburnt face
and I put the packet in my pocket

strolled to the market
bought postcards and stamps
using my GCSE French

and sat down in a park. Put on my Walkman
lit my first cigarette
and wrote my first postcard.

Dear Grandma.
Having a lovely time in Brittany
Mum and dad are in the pool

And I’m in town seeing the sights.
The weather is incredible
Love from John.

I put the cigarette out, lit my second
turned over my cassette
strolled to the boulangerie and ordered a baguette.