And so uncle Manny
smoked cigars and whenever 
at the age of 
three we visited their 
home in Port Washington 
I remember opening the 
door and being struck 
by that manly associated
aroma followed by my 
Aunt Jeanette’s arms and 
Tippy’s cold wet nose 
Cigars then became to
me and continue to 
do the odor of 
family and love and 
of support for while 
my own family life 
was abysmal filled with 
hate bigotry and ignorance 
there in Port Washington 
and with the cigars
came love and affection