Up In Smoke

Or, down in the dumps.

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Quitting Time

A visible vice of choice

was his letter scarlet,

donning him in sorrow and

a bitter epithet.

To acquaintances of youth,

and friends new met,

the mark of that folly was

never offset.

And although there was a solution,

which was no secret,

he could not forgive himself because

he couldn't forget.

His parents used to say,

'You deserve what you get.'

He learned too late that they

were speaking of regret.

If he could give one piece of advice,

he'd say, 'Don't temp kismet.
A vice that won't wane quickly is a
vice you shouldn't covet.'

© 2012 L.E.H.