Life, 1917-05-10 · page 12 of 46
Life — May 10, 1917 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page announces a $500 poetry contest. Life is soliciting patriotic verses about American ideals and democracy during what appears to be World War I era (the deadline is June 18, 1917). The cartoon below depicts a doctor lecturing a patient about health, with the doctor saying coffee is "a slow poison" and the patient joking it's "internally slow." This is likely satirizing contemporary medical claims about coffee's dangers—a common health debate in the early 1900s. The cartoon uses humor to mock both exaggerated medical warnings and people's stubborn resistance to heeding them. The overall page blends patriotic appeals with domestic humor typical of Life's satirical approach.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“LIFE- A Song for America Lire will pay Five Hundred Dollars for the best one Are there poets in America who feel the thrill of the American spirit in the present war? Let them put their song into words. America needs the in- spirational value of a great song. Conditions No poem or song should be longer than twenty-four It should be an original song of modern Democ- ypifying the spirit of human Liberty. Its adapta- y to be set to music will be a factor. By “best” is meant its close conformity to the description just given united with correct metrical rendering. It should be type- written and addressed to the Poetry Editor of Lire, 17 West 31st Street, New York, and the author’s name and address should be plainly writ- ten upon each manuscript, which should be accompanied by return postage in case of rejection. The Editors will exer- cise due care in returning unavailable contributions, but will not hold themselves responsible for loss. Contestants are advised to keep duplicate copies. All manuscripts must be in Lire office by noon of | 18, 1917. No manuscripts received after that date will be considered. The final award will be announced as carly thereafter as possible. Of this there will be due notice. Check for $500 will be sent simultaneously with the an- nouncement of award. If any of the rules of this contest are violated the Editor of Lire, who are the final judges, reserve the right to de the contributions. Each contestant may send in any number of contrilu- tions. No music should accompany manuscripts—worids alone will be considered. Contestants are urged to send in verses only that conform to the highest standards ot metrical composition. No corrections or changes can he made after manuscripts have been received. It is not necessary to be a subscriber to Lire in order to compete. The contest is open to everyone. In the event of a tie the prize will be duplicated. Doctor: YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST GIVE UP COFFEE. IT’S A SLOW POISON. “HA! HA! I BET MY HEIRS THINK IT’S INFERNALLY SLOW.” comichooks.gom