I Must

For myself, I trust For my kids, I owe For my grandchildren, I must A battle that had defeated me, And had over-taken my will For almost five decades It is now that I proclaim... That in the grasp of my fist, I squeeze tightly in a chokehold... Around Mr. Marlboro's stinky breath It is time to take back, What was once mine... my- "will" It is time- for me To over-take that filthy habit Four days strong I trust I owe I must

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Mark Massey

Date: 5/5/2023 12:47:00 PM

Its always the next day you got to get past. Get out front and stay there. Congrats on the write, AND A BIG CONGRATS TO THE COMMITMENT!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 3/16/2023 11:00:00 PM

Go, Charlie, go!! Hope you're still going strong!! Like Terry Ireland below, I quit 50 years ago, and it was tough. But you CAN DO IT! Yes, you MUST! ~ gw

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 3/16/2023 12:50:00 PM

Congratulations dear friend on being bestowed the honor of POTD. Blessings, Jennifer.

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 3/16/2023 12:43:00 PM

Charlie, any addiction is hard and as you say a day at a time, you have beaten it already my friend, you sound strong willed so know that smoking will become history for you. blessings, Jennifer

Terry Ireland

Date: 3/14/2023 1:53:00 AM

Came back for another look- exactly 50 years ago today that i started to stop, and I still remember the agony, but i made it. Hope you are still hanging in there

Charles Messina
Date: 3/14/2023 3:58:00 AM

Terry, so kind and thoughtful, dear friend. A friend of mine told me.. "It's harder to stop thinking about quitting than it is to actually quit" I believe she is right (lol). I have doubled-down on my days thus far. Eight days now and feeling great about myself. Thank for stopping by again.. All the very best, Charlie

Valsa George

Date: 3/13/2023 3:22:00 AM

When a habit becomes an addiction . it is hard to get rid of it . But if one has a strong will and feels the need, it is easy to win over. You are a gentleman. You can easily defeat your temptation. All the Best , dear Joseph and Congratulations on your POTD

Mahtab Bangalee

Date: 3/12/2023 11:23:00 PM

I trust, I owe, I must~ superbly ended; congrats for being selected the poem as POD

Deb M

Date: 3/12/2023 10:20:00 PM

Congratulations Charlie on a very relatable POTD! Any addiction is hard and l am not one to be giving advice but l hope you conquer it a day at a time Charlie. Stay strong lovely Charlie….Debx

Yann Rolland

Date: 3/11/2023 7:06:00 PM

strong and deep words, thanks yann

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 4:34:00 AM

Thank you, Yann.

Terry Ireland

Date: 3/11/2023 6:55:00 PM

Remember, one day at a time, every one a victory. Congrats on POTD - nice, brief, and to the point poem,but still says it all. Well done.

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 4:34:00 AM

Thank you, Terry. Yep, one day at a time :)

Brandy Nicole

Date: 3/11/2023 6:20:00 PM

I've never started this nasty habit, so I have no idea what you're going through. I do know that I have faith in you, Charles ! You are strong and you'll soon be, nicotine free. Congratulations my dear friend, on Poem of the Day. My best to you. :) Hugs, Brandy

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 4:38:00 AM

You were one of the smart ones, Brandy. It's a terrible habit. Thank you so much for having faith in me, my dear friend. Words kind words mean a lot :) Hugs Charlie

Constance La France

Date: 3/11/2023 5:22:00 PM

Charlie, great poem and congratulations on receiving the POEM OF THE DAY honor, blessings, Constance

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 4:39:00 AM

Thank you so much, Constance. :) Blessings dear friend. Charlie

Fin Chuuk

Date: 3/11/2023 4:28:00 PM

All the best, Charlie, and congratulations on POTD :)

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 4:40:00 AM

Thank you very much, Finn. :)

Robert Gorelick

Date: 3/11/2023 3:37:00 PM

I was finally able to quit smoking when I wrapped my Marlboro pack inside my sock and placed it in a secret spot, a twenty-minute walk from my house. After 6 attempts this technique worked! Congratulations on POTD! Good luck, Robert

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 4:42:00 AM

LOL- Great to hear that technique finally worked, Robert. If If I had tried that myself years ago, I may have quit sooner. Thanks for your support, my friend. Charlie

Heidi Sands

Date: 3/11/2023 2:14:00 PM

Great message. Good luck and congratulations for POTD :)

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 4:48:00 AM

Thank you, Heidi :)

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 3/11/2023 12:25:00 PM

- Good luck ... and congratulations on your p.o.t.d., Charlie :) - hugs

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 4:48:00 AM

Thank you, Anne-Lise :) Hugs

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 3/11/2023 11:46:00 AM

Congratulations Charles. Very witty.

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 4:49:00 AM

Thank you, Victor :)

I Am Anaya

Date: 3/11/2023 11:32:00 AM

Congratulations on POTD Charles Messina! Remember Marlboro Miles? I had saved thousands and thousands of Marlboro Miles for the Canon Camera & red case, the Red Marlboro Gear Bag, Marlboro jacket & cap and T-shirt! Lol Good luck!

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 4:54:00 AM

Anaya, how can I forget about those Marlboro Miles. I still have two sleeping bags, a lighter and one of those gear bags. (lol) I had quite a few left-overs when they stopped giving gifts away. Thanks for your support :) Charlie

Stephan McBride

Date: 3/11/2023 10:32:00 AM

Congratulations on POTD, great motivational poem , no matter what one might be battling, May God bless, comfort, guide and fill you with His peace, love, spirit and joy in abundance: ). With God All things are possible , one day at a time

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 4:57:00 AM

Stephan, thank you very much for your kind and inspiring words and support. One has to believe God is on my side with this. Blessings my friend. Charlie

Speaks Volumes

Date: 3/11/2023 10:07:00 AM

You will be entering a battle with your own mind Charlie. Every time your Brain "twigs" you that you want a smoke, tell it in no uncertain terms that you DONT. Wishing you all the will power in the world and congrats on the POTD, your terrific poem and most of all your decision to Quit. Good luck battling the demon. You can do it. Never give into it again. It does get easier.

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 5:02:00 AM

Wendy, I'm not going to say it's been easy, it's not. But I truly believe I am determined to go all the way...this time. Thank you so much for the good luck wishes and support, my dear friend. Charlie :)

Eve Roper

Date: 3/11/2023 9:55:00 AM

Good for you. I know it’s hard, my prayers are with you. Congratulations with POTD. Blessings my friend

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 5:03:00 AM

Thank you so much, Eve. I welcome all the prayers I can get...so, thanks again. :) Hugs and blessings

Jim Slaughter

Date: 3/11/2023 9:52:00 AM

And Charles...I'll bet you can add "I will" to the list. I've never gotten the "habit" of smoking, but I can imagine how difficult it must be to break it. Good for you, and congrats on POTD.

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 5:06:00 AM

Jim, good on you for never starting this terrible habit. I am sure you, like I, have many friends and acquaintances that have or still do smoke. So damn hard to stop. Thanks for your support, my friend. Charlie

Susan Lawrence

Date: 3/11/2023 9:08:00 AM

Great message- great poem Charlie ! Congratulations on POTD and your success in life . Hugs, Susan :)

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 5:08:00 AM

Susan, I hope this message gets through to some, if not all of whom have bad habits in life. Thank you so much for your support. Hugs, Charlie :)

Bill Baker

Date: 3/11/2023 8:58:00 AM

Congratulations on your POTD, Charlie! A great poem that will encourage others. Prayers for strength and faith to face the challenge for you. The challenge is different for eqach that accepts it. Blessings my friend, Bill

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 5:24:00 AM

Bill, I hope it encourages everyone who needs help and support as I did. Thanks for yours, my friend. Blessings... Charlie

Arlo Parker

Date: 3/11/2023 8:49:00 AM

This piece captures the tone of addiction at the core. You will. POTD for illumination of a human trait so many endure. Congrats. ~:o)

Charles Messina
Date: 3/12/2023 5:28:00 AM

Thank you, Arlo. It's an awful habit like so many other things. I hope this encourages others to try to stop those bad choices as I did. :) Charlie