NaPoWriMo 2024 day 9

Pen on top of an open book

Day 9 of NaPoWriMo.

My poem

Quickly concocted couplets.

At a snail's pace

At a snail's pace, I gently move along
Leaving trails of slime with every step
Looking for a place, where I can belong
The shell I carry with me hurts my neck

Featured poem

A classic by Ella Wheeler Wilcox.

Don't Drink

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Don't drink, boys, don't!
There is nothing of happiness, pleasure, or cheer,
In brandy, in whiskey, in rum, ale, or beer.
If they cheer you when drunk, you are certain to pay
In headaches and crossness the following day.
Don't drink, boys, don't!

Boys, let it alone!
Turn your back on your deadliest enemy — Drink !
An assassin disguised; nor for one moment think,
As some rashly say, that true women admire
The man who can boast that he's playing with fire.
Boys, let it alone!

No, boys, don't drink!
If the habit's begun, stop now! stop to-day!
Ere the spirit of thirst leads you on and away
Into vice, shame, and drunkenness. This is the goal,
Where the spirit of thrirst leads the slave of the bowl.
No, boys, don't drink!

Boys, touch not, nor taste!
Don't think you can stop at the social "First Glass."
Too many have boasted that power, alas!
And found they were slaves to this seeming good friend,
And have grown into drunkards and knaves, in the end.
Boys, touch not, nor taste!

Don't drink, boys, Don't!
If loafers and idlers scoff, never heed:
True men and true women will wish you "God-speed."
There is nothing of purity, pleasure, or cheer
To be gotten from whiskey, wine, brandy, or beer.
Don't drink, boys, Don't!

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