My dad could sleep all night without smoking
Except when my ear waxed hard and hurt so
That I came dreadfully awake in sleepers to their bed
With a sore balloon for an ear. He stood up
And made a cigarette, while I lay
Down, my head aching side up for care. Bending
He dragged quick fire and said smoke into the crevices
With aromatic and domestic warmth in and again.
I waited for the pop and the wet wax
Dissolving the dam and it was over. What he whispered was
Dearer than eardrops and closer than the money.
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