The Shades of Life

I was reminded of this poem by the article I referenced earlier today : Effects Of Unconscious Exposure To Advertisements

The Shades of Life
copyright 2000 Patricia M. Shannon

(chorus)
I am so sad that I must leave you,
I love you more than words can say;
but the shades of life are closing,
it gets more painful everyday.

When I was just a kid, smoking seemed the thing to do;
it made me feel real grownup, sophisticated and so cool.
But that was just a trick the advertisers pulled on me;
they didn't mention the addiction, which is a form of slavery.

(chorus)
I am so sad that I must leave you,
I love you more than words can say;
I wish I'd never started smoking,
now the price I have to pay.

It seemed so very glamorous, 'cause in the movies that I saw,
all the stars were smoking cigarettes, pipes, or cigars.
I didn't know tobacco companies had paid them well;
a secret form of advertising for which many of us fell.

(chorus)
I am so sad that I must leave you,
I love you more than words can say;
please learn from my example, and from smoking stay away.

My face is full of wrinkles, and my teeth are stained all brown,
nobody wants to kiss me, my breath makes people frown.
I lost two little babies before they were even born;
I killed them with my smoking, still for them I mourn.

(chorus)
I am so sad that I must leave you,
I love you more than words can say;
now the shades of life are closing,
and the world is growing gray.