Notes About The Poem

For 'Repeat After Me' poetry contest.

Excellence

If you hope to be one of means and property,
And to be perceived as truly ‘one of a kind’, 
Never tolerate or accept mediocrity.

Develop, while young, this fine quality.
Reaffirm it daily in your mind.
If you hope to be one of means and property.

Over-acheivers are definitely a scarcity;
Average and below average people aren’t hard to find.
Never tolerate or accept mediocrity.

You’ll always be surrounded by those in poverty.
Work harder in body and smarter in mind
If you hope to be one of means and property

While you’re young, consider this your duty:
Knowledge is power--education of any and every kind.
Never tolerate or accept mediocrity.

Someday when you're frail, old, and crotchety,
You’ll recall what I had you commit to mind:
If you hope to be one of means and property, 
Never tolerate or accept mediocrity.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Sankey- Lewis Avatar
May 30, 2015 at 5:28 PM
Wonderfully written, Mark thanks for sharing. Blessings.
Halliday Avatar
May 31, 2015 at 11:21 AM
Thanks for commenting. Blessings back at you.
Bickerstaffe Avatar
May 27, 2015 at 9:03 AM
Excellent VILLANELLE my friend. I love how you squeezed in 'crotchety' for the rhyme in the final verse! BRAVO!! Best wishes, Keith
Halliday Avatar
May 31, 2015 at 11:23 AM
Yes, I did enjoy putting crotchety in there. Thanks for commenting.
Nance Avatar
March 18, 2015 at 8:11 PM
Great advice! I enjoyed this, it flowed together real nice!
Halliday Avatar
April 1, 2015 at 4:18 PM
Thanks. Glad you liked it. Hard to live up to though.
Hunjeri Avatar
March 18, 2015 at 6:12 PM
Nice. I love the advice. Its definitely a keeper.
Halliday Avatar
April 1, 2015 at 4:18 PM
Thanks. Glad you liked it. It is easy to say but hard to live up to though.
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