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Open Poetry #9
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Light One Up!
| Open Poetry #9 |
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Light One Up! |
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Auguste 
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953By the sea 
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Light One Up! by Michael Auguste (My mother died in 1990 after losing her battle with emphysemia. It was a slow and painful process. Last year my little brother was diagnosed with lung cancer. They had to remove his right lung. Only the future will tell if they got it all. I wrote this poem for everyone's children that they may never have to know that kind of sadness in their lives. Please kids, don't smoke. It's not cool. It's stupid! You're all better than that!) Twentyfive cents a day Is what they used to cost Not so much in money But so much in human loss The stench of them is death The price now really high They slowly steal your breath The smoke will sting your eyes Such clever ads they make These things must be so cool Busted in the bathroom While partaking one at school They took my mother's life And now my brother's lung They used such pretty women To make profit off their dung Light one up why don't you? Suck in all that smoke In the future you won't be here And your family will be broke They had to pay the doctor bills And then the men who dug your grave Because you lit that first one up And forever became a slave |
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| © Copyright 2000 Michael Auguste - All Rights Reserved | |||
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catalinamoon
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543The Shores of Alone |
Michael, such an important message here. I have been fortunate not to lose a loved one to this yet, but both my mother and my daughter smoke, also my closest friend, and it terifies me to think of what could lie ahead. I wish this poem could be publicized on billboards throughout the country! Catalinamoon |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
I'm so sorry for your loss of your mother Michael, and for your brother's situation. You've portrayed your message clearly through these tragic words ... very well written. Best wishes, /Kit |
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Auguste
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953By the sea |
catalinamoon, Thanks for your reply. I try to educate my own child about the dangers of smoking and just hope it sinks in and he never starts. Take care and thanks for reading my poem. |
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Auguste
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953By the sea |
Kit, I appreciate your kind words and I thank you for stopping by. Michael |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Michael~ A very poignant message. Well stated with tenderness and emphatic statements. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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JnR4eva Member
since 2000-08-07
Posts 377Bronx, NY |
OH!!! They had to pay the doctor bills And then the men who dug your grave Because you lit that first one up And forever became a slave ...WHAT A FINISH!!!!! so strong and meaningful, and worst of all...SO TRUE!!  auguste you have penned a very powerful message here and i wish the best for your family..good luck and stay strong. "my love is my motivation my love is my inspiration perception of this poem is your interpretation" -- rlt |
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Auguste
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953By the sea |
JnR4eva, Thank you for your nice words. I wish, I hope, this message will stop young people from ever starting smoking...I know I'm only dreaming, but still, anything is worth a try... Take care, and thank you for reading this. Michael But I am so like everyone And everyone is so like me We cork our contents, lest they flee Until our lives are spent and done by Michael Auguste |
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sonjes Senior Member
since 2000-02-18
Posts 564North Carolina |
hmmm...as a smoker(leper) I can relate all too well to this...you have pasted an image in many people's minds with this that I hope, personally, they will not easily forget. Well written Auguste... Don't care what people say Just follow your own way Don't give up and use the chance To return to innocence. -Enigma |
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Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
Michael, the impact of this piece on the reader is most assuredly intense. Having never smoked, I don't know firsthand, physically, what the battle is like, but as you know, having lost my mother to lung cancer, I certainly do know firsthand emotionally the impact of the topic of your message. Thank you, in earnest, for this. ~ Claire Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau |
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Auguste
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953By the sea |
Marge, Thanks for responding to this unusual poem....also, enjoyed the mail earlier this morning. Take care, my friend, and all the best to you. Michael by Michael Auguste "But I am so like everyone<br> And everyone is so like me We cork our contents, lest they flee Until our lives are spent |
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American Princess Junior Member
since 2000-08-21
Posts 49USA |
Michael, Glad to see you share this important message with everyone. Very well written as usual. American Princess |
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English Rose Member
since 2000-08-20
Posts 211Berkshire, England |
Michael...sorry to hear of your family woes. My husband is a smoker and I nag him relentlessly about giving up. His mother went the same way as yours and yet he still choses to smoke....I think it dulls the brain somehow. Maybe I shall make him read this!! |
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Auguste
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953By the sea |
sonjes, Yes, it's true, society now treats smokers as lepers...I remember not too many years ago when it seemed that eveyone smoked. I do so appreciate your repsonse and wish you my best. Michael by Michael Auguste "But I am so like everyone<br> And everyone is so like me We cork our contents, lest they flee Until our lives are spent |
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