my father drinks at least three cups of
coffee
one in the morning, afternoon and night
caffeine speeds through his veins, and he lies awake in bed, a man-made
insomniac
my boyfriend puts at least three sprays of cologne
when he goes out to parties with me
it's his protection from the world
the gas mask with which he hides his self
from the rest
my sister smokes, in one day, at least three cigarettes
once she's relieved herself of suffocating air
she stands outside, content
with the mutually assured destruction
of others' lungs and hers.