What I Would Say

I would say I feel old
And annoying
Lecturing them as I am
But it needs to be done

I would say it is intimidating
Frightening
To see them like that
To know it could be me

I would say they act stupid
Strange
And it makes me sad
When they do what they do

I would say the idea
that they could damage themselves
Permanently
Is unbearable

I would say the smoke
Choking their lungs
Would kill them
And thus kill me

I would say if I could
I would leave
But I am not strong enough
And so I have made this one plea

And then I would be silent again.