Consolation
Darwin.
They say he read novels to relax,
But only certain kinds:
nothing that ended unhappily.
If anything like that turned up,
enraged, he flung the book into the fire.
True or not,
I’m ready to believe it.
Scanning in his mind so many times and places,
he’d had enough of dying species,
the triumphs of the strong over the weak,
the endless struggles to survive,
all doomed sooner or later.
He’d earned the right to happy endings,
at least in fiction
with its diminutions.
Hence the indispensable
silver lining,
the lovers reunited, the families reconciled,
the doubts dispelled, fidelity rewarded,
fortunes regained, treasures uncovered,
stiff-necked neighbors mending their ways,
good names restored, greed daunted,
old maids married off to worthy parsons,
troublemakers banished to other hemispheres,
forgers of documents tossed down the stairs,
seducers scurrying to the altar,
orphans sheltered, widows comforted,
pride humbled, wounds healed over,
prodigal sons summoned home,
cups of sorrow thrown into the ocean,
hankies drenched with tears of reconciliation,
general merriment and celebration,
and the dog Fido,
gone astray in the first chapter,
turns up barking gladly
in the last.
poem by Wislawa Szymborska
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Related quotes
A Married Man's A Fool
(Willie McTell)
Had a friend, Louie Brown, he was a deacon
Just as wise as he could be
Now I realized he could read the Good Book
Back from Revelations down to Genesis
You know last Sunday morning we was over to the church
My buddy wants to take him a stand
And he looks out upon that whole congregation
The Good Book in his hand
Now he cast his eye about, and then he looks over in the Amen Corner
All the sisters commenced to shout [What'd he say ?]
He said a married man's a fool to think that his wife love nobody else but him
She stick by you all your life the chances is mighty slim
Now you read the Good Book, chapter twenty-one:
Every married woman got to have a little fun
Read on over chapter twenty-two:
It's a sin to let that woman make a fool outta you
Now you read a little further, chapter twenty-three:
She two-time you, brother, like she double-crossed me
Read on back, over chapter ten:
She shimmy one time, you got the problem again
'Cause a married man's a fool to think that his wife
Loves nobody else but him, I mean, loves nobody else but him
Well, a married man's a fool to think that his wife
Loves nobody else but him
She stands by you all your life the chances is mighty and slim
Now you read on over twenty-fifth page:
Married womens, Lord, is hard to engage
Read kinda careful, chapter twenty-six:
Back door slamming you got to learn to get it fixed
Read on out, chapter twenty-eight:
Who's that back slidin' out through the back gate ?
I believe I'll close on chapter twenty-nine:
Woman get tired of the same man all the time
'Cause a married man's fool to think that his wife love nobody else but him
song performed by by Ry Cooder
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Married Mans A Fool
(willie mctell)
Had a friend, louie brown, he was a deacon
Just as wise as he could be
Now I realized he could read the good book
Back from revelations down to genesis
You know last sunday morning we was over to the church
My buddy wants to take him a stand
And he looks out upon that whole congregation
The good book in his hand
Now he cast his eye about, and then he looks over in the amen corner
All the sisters commenced to shout [whatd he say ? ]
He said a married mans a fool to think that his wife love nobody else but him
She stick by you all your life the chances is mighty slim
Now you read the good book, chapter twenty-one:
Every married woman got to have a little fun
Read on over chapter twenty-two:
Its a sin to let that woman make a fool outta you
Now you read a little further, chapter twenty-three:
She two-time you, brother, like she double-crossed me
Read on back, over chapter ten:
She shimmy one time, you got the problem again
cause a married mans a fool to think that his wife
Loves nobody else but him, I mean, loves nobody else but him
Well, a married mans a fool to think that his wife
Loves nobody else but him
She stands by you all your life the chances is mighty and slim
Now you read on over twenty-fifth page:
Married womens, lord, is hard to engage
Read kinda careful, chapter twenty-six:
Back door slamming you got to learn to get it fixed
Read on out, chapter twenty-eight:
Whos that back slidin out through the back gate ?
I believe Ill close on chapter twenty-nine:
Woman get tired of the same man all the time
cause a married mans fool to think that his wife love nobody else but him
song performed by by Ry Cooder
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Book Of My Life
Let me watch by the fire and remember my days
And it may be a trick of the firelight
But the flickering pages that trouble my sight
Is a book I'm afraid to write
It's the book of my days, it's the book of my life
And it's cut like a fruit on the blade of a knife
And it's all there to see as the section reveals
There's some sorrow in every life
If it reads like a puzzle, a wandering maze
Then I won't understand 'til the end of my days
I'm still forced to remember,
Remember the words of my life
There are promises broken and promises kept
Angry words that were spoken, when I should have wept
There's a chapter of secrets, and words to confess
If I lose everything that I possess
There's a chapter on loss and a ghost who won't die
There's a chapter on love where the ink's never dry
There are sentences served in a prison I built out of lies.
Though the pages are numbered
I can't see where they lead
For the end is a mystery no-one can read
In the book of my life
There's a chapter on fathers a chapter on sons
There are pages of conflicts that nobody won
And the battles you lost and your bitter defeat,
There's a page where we fail to meet
There are tales of good fortune that couldn't be planned
There's a chapter on god that I don't understand
There's a promise of Heaven and Hell but I'm damned if I see
Though the pages are numbered
I can't see where they lead
For the end is a mystery no-one can read
In the book of my life
Now the daylight's returning
And if one sentence is true
All these pages are burning
And all that's left is you
Though the pages are number
song performed by by Sting
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Greed
“Greed”
GREED
IT IS SUCH A TERRIBLE THING
HEARTS IT TEARS AND MAKES THEM BLEED
AT TIMES IT BURNS SO BAD WHAT A STING
SO MUCH EVIL IT NEVER LEADS TO A GOOD DEED
GREED SUCH A VICIOUS THING
GREED
IT DESTROYS MARRIGES AND LIFES
IT DESTROYS WHAT WE WORK SO HARD TO EARN
IN CASES LEAVING MEN WITHOUT WIFES
BUT YET WE NEVER LEARN
TRUE TOO WIFES WITHOUT MEN
THE WORST PAIN UNDER THIS HAT
ARE CHILDREN THAT STAY WITH NONE OF THEM
SO UNDERSTAND WHAT A BAD BREED
THIS MONSTER IS, THIS MONSTER THAT
WE OFTEN CALL GREED
GREED
IT MAKES FREINDS INTO FOES
IT TURNS BROTHERS AGAINST BROTHERS
IT BRINGS SO MUCH WOES
IT TURNS MOTHERS AGAINST FATHERS
AND STILL WE DONT CONTROL THE NEED
AND TRY AND GET RID OF THIS BEAST
THIS BEAST WE CALL GREED
GREED
IT LEAVES FAMILIES HOMELESS
AND CHILDREN WITHOUT HOPES AND DREAMS
IT MAKES ALL FEEL LIKE SO MUCH LESS
IT BREAKS HEARTS AND MANY TEAMS
THIS TEAMS THAT AT MANY TIMES
WERE BEATIFUL AND HAPPY FAMILIES
BUT DUE TO GREED, FELL FOR THEIR CRIMES
SUCH A BAD CREATURE THAT LIKES TO FEED
ON THE HORRIBLE AND TRAGIC
FOOD WE CALL GREED.
SO PLEASE UNITE AND PRAY
THAT YOU CAN HAVE THE MAGIC
AND HOPE YOU’LL NEVER SEE THE DAY
THAT YOU BECOME THIS THING
CALLED GREED.
GOD BLESS.
MARTIN JAIME GONZALEZ
poem by Martin Gonzalez
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Beginning of destruction
pride it’s all your fault
Pride it’s all your fault we in this mess
Pride it’s all your fault we are suffering
Pride it’s all your fault people are shedding blood
Pride it’s all your fault families are destroyed
Pride it’s all your fault people are so greedy and selfish
Pride it’s all your fault people have no love
Pride it’s all your fault are so jealous of each other
Pride it’s all your fault people are so lost
Pride it’s all your fault dying from this horrible diseases
Pride it’s all your fault we have so many orphans
Pride it’s all your fault people are betraying each other
Pride it’s all your fault are dying of hunger
Pride it’s all your fault fathers are sleeping with their children
Pride it’s all your fault people are so heartless
Pride it’s all your fault there is no peace, unity and harmony in this world
Pride it’s all your fault we have all this sorrow
Pride it’s all your fault God has rejected us
Pride it’s all your fault people are so evil
And they have decided to be in love with evil rather than good
You have ruined this world
You are to blame for all this misery
If lucifer did not have pride in his heart we wouldn’t be in this mess
Pride it all your fault! ! !
Vangile Mtyali
poem by Vangile Mtyali
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Greed
Where there is a need
There is always greed
A rotten exploiting deed
That manifests with speed
When there are mouths to feed
Read between the lines and take heed!
Lurking around is an Inspiring greed
Ready to take advantage and proceed
Even when there is no need to succeed
By now it is agreed, there is always greed
Our desire for more always exceeds our needs
Hence wealth, power and greed have always been married
We always want more
Sometimes I don't know what for
I read to understand what generation of breed
Has given birth to this senseless weed
Because life is a circle of endless greed
I urgently need to know, I plead
Who planted this seed of greed to deliberately mislead?
poem by Sylvia Chidi
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Persian Blues!
That dog next door gets on one's wick! He's just so juvenile...
He's thrilled to bits to chase a stick - he only stops to smile...
They've got him running all day long! They think he's so sublime!
'Gosh, Fido's cute! Gosh, Fido's strong! He's really in his prime! '
This used to be a quiet street - till 'floppy ears' moved in!
Now all I hear is floppy feet that run and make a din!
One likes one's rest! One really does! One doesn't need his sort!
One treasures calm instead of fuss! He doesn't spare a thought!
How can one sleep when he's around? He barks the whole day through!
Fat Fido's just a common hound, while I'm a Persian blue!
One likes to be a cultured cat surrounded by one's peers...
Instead of which, one's on one's mat, nerves jangling, full of fears!
One's whiskers twitch with every bark with bloodshot eyes to boot!
One used to snooze till almost dark, now life's one constant hoot!
It's Fido this and Fido that! When will this Fido rest?
One likes to be a cultured cat, but F. F. Fido, you're a pest!
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Old Faithful Dog
I never thought him dead.
Only running in the park,
and sitting stretched by fire,
or with his paw,
pushing the dish,
' more water now'.
And barking, for post,
and visitor, and exits,
from his home domain,
and up the stairs at ten,
and down again at six.
A rhythm of memories
and habits.
Until his back legs gave,
and the vets scanning eyes
' he has had a good and happy life'.
I help him as he passed,
and watched him go,
to another field or park.
I can still sense him here,
in the house,
on the staircase just past ten,
and at the duvets' edge.
Luther was the collies name.
poem by Bernard Kennedy
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sons N Lovers
(ian hunter)
I was your baby-you were my girl
When I asked you to marry me- the tears fell
Sons n lovers, sons n lovers, waving
My childhood goodbye-it seems so sad
Well how long have you been my best friend
This wont be the end of
Sons n lovers-sons n lovers--she wont wanna talk anymore about it
You were my lady- I was your number one
When I said I was leaving- tears run
Sons n lovers-sons n lovers, breakin
Tryin not to hurt each others hearts
Well how long can we exist- I know
We cant go on like this
Sons n lovers-sons and lovers--i dont wanna lie anymore
Was that you I saw--walkin out along the shore
Was that you I saw-talkin to him
Was that you I saw-puttin his hands in yours
Thats alright ma- you can still love him
Thats alright ma- you can still love
And through the years-you know- we will remember
Time will never take old times away
How long for you to discover that- there still some strings attached to
Sons n lovers-sons and lovers
But I dont wanna play anymore
Sons n lovers
song performed by by Ian Hunter
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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We Believe In Happy Endings (feat. Earl Thomas Conley)
(Bob McDill)
Who can tell just how it starts
Angry words and broken hearts
Till silently we sit apart
You and I
But in awhile the anger's gone
And we forget who's right or wrong
Then one of us will end it all
With just a smile
We believe in happy endings
Never breaking
Only bending
Taking time enough for mending
The hurt inside
We believe in new beginnings
Giving in
And forgiving
We believe happy endings
You and I
Just a word is all it takes
And so it pass
The silence breaks
And looking back it makes us ache
For what we've done
And so we cling together now
And wonder why we're oh so proud
When all that matters anyhow
Is our love
We believe in happy endings
Never breaking
Only bending
Taking time enough for mending
The hurt inside
We believe in new beginnings
Giving in
And forgiving
We believe in happy endings
You and I
song performed by by Emmylou Harris
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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We Believe In Happy Endings
(bob mcdill)
Who can tell just how it starts
Angry words and broken hearts
Till silently we sit apart
You and i
But in awhile the angers gone
And we forget whos right or wrong
Then one of us will end it all
With just a smile
We believe in happy endings
Never breaking
Only bending
Taking time enough for mending
The hurt inside
We believe in new beginnings
Giving in
And forgiving
We believe happy endings
You and i
Just a word is all it takes
And so it pass
The silence breaks
And looking back it makes us ache
For what weve done
And so we cling together now
And wonder why were oh so proud
When all that matters anyhow
Is our love
We believe in happy endings
Never breaking
Only bending
Taking time enough for mending
The hurt inside
We believe in new beginnings
Giving in
And forgiving
We believe in happy endings
You and i
song performed by by Emmylou Harris
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Another Reason Why I Don't Keep A Gun In The House
The neighbors' dog will not stop barking.
He is barking the same high, rhythmic bark
that he barks every time they leave the house.
They must switch him on on their way out.
The neighbors' dog will not stop barking.
I close all the windows in the house
and put on a Beethoven symphony full blast
but I can still hear him muffled under the music,
barking, barking, barking,
and now I can see him sitting in the orchestra,
his head raised confidently as if Beethoven
had included a part for barking dog.
When the record finally ends he is still barking,
sitting there in the oboe section barking,
his eyes fixed on the conductor who is
entreating him with his baton
while the other musicians listen in respectful
silence to the famous barking dog solo,
that endless coda that first established
Beethoven as an innovative genius.
poem by Billy Collins
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Just before the Harvest
That day stands sharp in focus
Whenever it's called to mind;
A peaceful Sunday Morning,
just before the Harvest time.
They held a picnic benefit
Each year on public land
For the Widows and the Orphans
Of the firefighters clan
.
All gladly paid to enter
and bought chance books besides.
The old men brought their families
The young men brought their brides.
Bouncing on the rides and slides
erected for them here-
The children had the best of times
as their mothers hovered near.
The men were cooking barbecue,
Tossing footballs, drinking beers
You'd recognize their names-
because you hear them once a year.
The day was nearly cloudless
Seldom was the sky so blue.
Who knew so many would be lost
before that week was through.
Within two days too many here
were cut down in their prime.
Betrayed by poor equipment-
They could not escape in time.
But I, permitted to grow old,
remain to testify
about the courage of my friends-.
so that their memory never dies.
That day is sharp in focus
Whenever it's called to mind;
A peaceful Sunday Morning,
just before the Harvest time.
My Brother-in –law is an active member of the F.D.N.Y. and on Sunday, September 9,2001 we joined with his family to attend a picnic held on Staten Island. It was a charity event designed to raise funds for the Widows and Orphans of Firefighters who had answered the last alarm.
I am often asked if I lost friends in the World Trade Center. My answer is that we all did.
poem by John F. McCullagh
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Endless Dark
Softly the light shines in through
gates of grace on me and you
deceiving our restless hearts
a flickering flame so serene
it fires the night so we could see
the feeling we hold on to so strong
and I know where I belong
away from your Gods
that heal all wounds and light this endless dark
endless dark
this endless dark
Lonely the light shines on you
through the gates of fire entombed
feeding on your love
weak is the blaze that kept me away
from cruelty and tenderness embraced
saving my soul no more
and I know where I belong
away from your Gods
that heal all wounds and light this endless dark
endless dark
this endless dark
I know where I belong
away from you Gods
that heal all wounds and light this endless dark
that shines on you and tame your burning heart
that bury my truth right into your arms
that worship the tomb of our forlorn love
that heal all wounds and light this endless dark
that heal all wounds and light this endless dark
that heal all wounds and light this endless dark
that heal all wounds and light this endless dark
song performed by by H.I.M.
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Endless Dark
Softly the light shines in through
Gates of grace on me and you
Deceiving our restless hearts
A flickering flame so serene
It fires the night so we could see
Feeling alone so strong
And I know where I belong
Away from your guards
That heal our wounds in life
This endless dark
Endless dark
This endless dark
Lovely the light shines on you
Through the gates of fire entombed
Feeling on your own
Weak is the blaze that kept me away
From cruelty and tenderness embraced
Saving my soul no more
And I know where I belong
Away from your guards
That heal our wounds in life
This endless dark
Endless dark
This endless dark
I know where I belong
Away from you guards
That heal our wounds in life,
This endless dark
The shadow on you that tamed your burning heart
That buried my truth right into your arms
The words of the tomb of I fall on lone
That heal our wounds and light , this endless dark
That heal our wounds and light , this endless dark
That heal our wounds and light , this endless dark
That heal our wounds and light , this endless dark
song performed by by H.i.m. (his Infernal Majesty)
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.
quote by Oscar Wilde
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Flexible...And, Resilient You Are!
You find you are alone...
Faced and pleased with pride
Earned and undenied by the trying.
Fueled by tasks grasped,
And mastered!
You weren't always,
On a path fast pacing.
I see your knees expose wounds...
From crawling stalled by emotions.
Reviewed and glued to cement,
In revolving mental inventions meant
To keep you 'dramafied' in suspense...
And confusion!
Back on track
From doubts attacking
Patience to see scars from scabs
Peel
To fall by the wayside
From the mending of your 'thickening' skin!
Trials and tribulations,
For you...
Begin to loosen their hold
On your up...held...chin!
From its sifting through despair,
YOU.PUT.THERE!
As if missed...
With visits!
Pushing you from behind come winds,
Strong as the 'will' you have to breathe
Fresh air!
Pleasing you with strong daring breezes!
And...
You find you are alone.
Faced and much pleased with pride,
That fueled tasks grasped and mastered.
'What more can be done? '
You have fun with these thoughts...
That lift to comfort and cushion your feet!
You find you are alone!
Faced and pleased,
With pride that once hid teasing!
You grew to let your wings sprout out!
And your flight takes you even higher...
Higher
Far beyond expectations tossed about!
As onlookers witness you 'soar'...
Flexible and resilient you are!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Falling.
Flipped over and tossed.
Lies.
Thrown into the violent storm of the ocean,
I have no where to go, aimlessly drifting in the brutal tides,
Its not so bad,
sooner or later,
The storm will end,
but,
...there will always be another storm,
And
There will always be another bad day.
So come and get me rescue boat,
Or have you too,
been tossed into the ocean?
poem by Leonardo Atticus
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2012 - Hopes And Dreams
A new year begins
with it high aspirations,
out with the old and
in with the new.
Bad habits thrown away
better one's in there place,
this one's going to be a good one.
Dreams will become reality,
wishes will finally come true,
more good days than bad ones.
Places to visit and sights to see
jobs to be finished off,
that book to be read
that movie to be seen
that language to be learnt.
Above all take each day as it comes,
be thankful, be contented, be happy,
this can (will) be a really good year!
poem by Kevin Halls
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Read Me Like a Book
You wish to read me like a book?
Good.
You will find each piece to fit.
Very little of it will be misunderstood.
I am not a one dimensional quick read at all.
I lay it on the line.
You will find I wont allow anyone,
To sit and pick my mind.
I don't waste that kind of time.
Unless,
Of course...
You are divorced from that as well?
Hmmm...
You wish to read me like a book?
Good.
You have no idea how much I wish,
To get you hooked.
Craving to salivate.
Drooling!
Each chapter has been crafted,
With some sentiment and pain.
You will find some sorrow and regret.
And some expression of heartache left.
You will discover blemishes and flaws,
With attempts to have them corrected.
Notice I admit imperfection...
With self reflection I don't neglect.
Or regret it is you I wish to impress.
No games of tit for tat I play.
I say what I mean.
Not what you wish to hear me say.
And none of it is from mumbled lips.
I want each word read you 'read' conveyed!
I want what I say in your mind to stay.
You wish to read me like a book?
Good.
But you will never comprehend...
How long this process took.
Flip through each page,
As if you seek definition.
You will discover I am not perfect.
But freed by a peace...
To solict your complete and total admission.
Willing to show you mended scars.
You wish to read me like a book?
Good.
I knew you were coming!
That's why it is already open.
Take your time.
I want you to find me an easy read.
Hopefully to collaborate on new chapters.
Together,
You and me.
You wish to read me like a book?
Good.
Take me with your eyes.
Hold me in your hands.
And bring me close to your heart!
There we are.
Touching!
That's how I like it.
Do you?
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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