I worry that, especially as the Millennium edges nearer, pseudoscience and superstition will seem year by year more tempting, the siren song of unreason more sonorous and attractive. Where have we heard it before? Whenever our ethnic or national prejudices are aroused, in times of scarcity, during challenges to national self-esteem or nerve, when we agonize about our diminished cosmic place and purpose, or when fanaticism is bubbling up around us - then, habits of thought familiar from ages past reach for the controls. The candle flame gutters. Its little pool of light trembles. Darkness gathers. The demons begin to stir.
Carl Sagan in The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark
Submitted by Catalin Popescu
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Related quotes
National Front Disco (live)
David, the wind blows,
The wind blows
Bits of your life away.
Your friends all say,
"Where is our boy?
Ah, we've lost our boy".
But they should know,
Where you've gone,
Because again and again you've explained
That you're going to . . .
Oh, oh, oh, going to . . .
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
"England for the English",
"England for the English".
David, the wind's blown,
The wind's blown
All of my dreams away.
And I still say,
"Where is our boy?
Ah, we've lost our boy".
But I should know
Why you've gone,
Because again and again you've explained
You're going to the National . . .
Ah, to the National . . .
There's a country,
You don't live there,
But one day you would like to.
And if you show them what you're made of,
Ah, then you might do.
But David, we wonder,
We wonder if the thunder
Is ever really gonna begin,
Begin, begin
Your mum says,
"I've lost my boy".
But she should know
Why you've gone,
Because again and again you've explained
You're going to the National,
To the National,
To the National Front disco,
Because you want the day to come sooner,
You want the day to come sooner,
You want the day to come sooner,
When you've settled the score.
Oh, the National,
Oh, the National,
Oh, the National,
Oh, the National,
Oh, the National
song performed by by Morrissey
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Piece Of Myself... And For Myself
people in my place worry about me
why i do not worry about next year
the next planting season after this year's bumpy harvest where every room in the house is filled with corn.
people in my place ask me where shall i live after next year
and you should soon inherit the house that i built for 50 years.
they all worry about me with all those particular items like what shall happen
to the glasses in my cabinet
or the white car in my blue garage
or my gold watch and my silver spoons and my china plates
they worry about my gold fish in my aquarium
who shall feed them when i am no longer home
people worry a lot about me
and i begin sometimes when i get tired listening to all the questions
asking: why me? why do you worry all about me?
i am not even dead yet and have no plans retiring from life's works
like the arts and this
pottery and this poetry
people worry about me
and never about us.
i am tired and all i need is sleep.
and i do not worry at all.
because i know that if i am dead
then i am dead
and i do not ask for more
not even on extended dreams
not even on anything
perhaps they worry about me because they all worry about themselves
perhaps i am their mirror
or perhaps they think that with my behavior
i should not have lived
in the first place.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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National boundaries are not evident when we view the Earth from space. Fanatical ethnic or religious or national chauvinisms are a little difficult to maintain when we see our planet as a fragile blue crescent fading to become an inconspicuous point of light against the bastion and citadel of the stars.
Carl Sagan in Cosmos
Submitted by Catalin Popescu
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A Family United
The wedding day
A 37-year-old man
His 14-year-old son
Survivors of divorce
A 27-year-old woman
Her 8-year-old son
Born out of wedlock
Two broken relationships trying to heal
Afraid to love again
But deciding to risk it
Promises by all to make this work
A candle for him - and one for his son
A candle for her - and one for her son
All light the one that unites
And makes them
A family
poem by Natalie Collins
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Babylon Candle
I see your smoke curling up
your tiny flame trembles
black in the center
I smile
what heat can you bring?
can you light my way?
what lies in the shadows
just outside my pool of light?
I will not be frightened
I promise
maybe curious
I will creep and tip-toe and sneak in the night
you my only light
dripping
waning
waxing
melting, hot and liquid
light my path
that I will tread
till my hardy light goes out
a lump of wax all that remains of my journey
'How many miles to Babylon?
Three score miles and ten.
Can I get there by candle-light?
Yes, and back again.
If your heels are nimble and light,
You may get there by candle-light.'
poem by Tsunami HiroshiSu
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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One Year
What's in a year?
We watch it disappear.
Its days go by.
They seem to fly
into the ethers of the past.
A year too swiftly
does not last.
And yet each day within the year
contains within it
every single minute
where your life is resolute
and filled with purpose.
A year is not just calandar days
to be scratched off one by one.
When you do this it's then you find
you miss out on its fun.
In a year one can learn
to appreciate the time you have
to be among the living,
the time you have for giving.
In a year you learn about power
that allows you to fill each hour
with everything you love.
What's in a year?
All things new that can appear,
things you've never given thought to,
things in life you want to do.
Before the year has gone away
see before you each new day
and as the year meets its end
be one who can say
'This year has been my friend.
It gave me solace, gave me peace
and it gave me the chance to release
Pain.
poem by Edwina Reizer
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Candle And A Man.
Someone lights a candle
And I see the things around.
A candle must burn like this
Nay, every candle must burn like this.
I begin to tell every one.
A candle dies as it lives for us
And we appear to live while we travel towards the end.
A candle lives and lives while it appears to be dying..
A lot we have to learn.
I begin to learn none.
It`s a candle which lives and lives throws greater questions
And I begin to be introceptive
-A mental exercise on a confined mind.
When shall I begin to live like a candle?
When shall I give out a flame that lives?
The questions begin to boomerang on me
As I sit in the candle light and see everything.
I see everything?
I miss to see a candle too.
The ghost of a candle haunts me.
poem by M.d Dinesh Nair
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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What Was Christmas For?
What was Christmas truly for, as on the Season we close that door?
As a New Year for all starts, and the Christmas Season now departs.
Does the Christmas spirit depart, from each and every human heart?
As Christmas trim is tucked away, will the spirit in some hearts stay?
Was Christmas truly meant for this, for once a year to change gifts?
Especially within the hearts of us, who in The Savior place our trust?
Shouldn’t Christmas that we know, be His Light in us for all to show,
The Truth and life we have in Him, who came to dwell forever within?
Should not Christmas be a song, we sing in our hearts all year long?
As in our hearts we joyfully sing, to Jesus Christ, our Lord and King.
A song which should never leave, the heart of those who do believe,
Saved by Grace from this world, with that Christmas Song to herald.
A song we sing all year through, as The Spirit moves in me and you,
To be a light men need each day, not just thought of Christmas day,
Song and light, throughout the year, which every man needs to hear,
This, so men may see their need, that God’s message they will heed.
Some men desire Christmas in July, but, did you ever question why?
A time when gifts aren’t bought at all; could it be music to their soul?
Maybe the songs that they heard, moved their hearts to God’s Word,
With a message, when not ignored, could draw any soul to The Lord.
(Copyright ©12/2008)
The National Front Disco
David, the wind blows
The wind blows ...
Bits of your life away
Your friends all say ...
"where is our boy ? aah, we've lost our boy"
But they should know
Where you've gone
Because again and again you've explained
You're going to ...
Oh, that you're going to ...
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
England for the english !
England for the english !
David, the winds blow
The winds blow ...
All of my dreams away
And i still say :
"where is our boy ? ah, i've lost our boy"
But i should know
Where you've gone
Because again and again you've explained
You've gone to the ...
National, oh ...
To the national ..
There's a country; you don't live there
But one day you would like to
And if you show them what you're made of ...
David, we wonder
We wonder if the thunder
Is ever really gonna begin
Oh, begin, oh, begin
Your mom says :
"i've lost my boy"
But she should know
Where you've gone
Because again and again you've explained
You've gone to the :
National
To the national
To the national ... ah ...
Because you want the day to come sooner
You want the day to come sooner
You want the day to come sooner
Oh ...
We might release that as a single ... do you think it would be a hit ?
Crowd answer : no!
Er ... what ?
song performed by by Morrissey
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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In its best prewar year, Europe with almost 300 million people had a gross national product of 150 billion dollars. In that same year, the United States with 150 million people had a gross national product of 300 billion dollars.
quote by Paul Hoffman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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In all her history, from the formation of the federal government until the hour of secession, no year stands out more prominently than the year 1858 as evidencing the national patriotism of Virginia.
quote by John Sergeant Wise
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Just a Pet Rant of Mine
Specifics
Would include
Much more homework
To be placed near
Grocery
Check outs
Off with
Mindless
People
National Enquirer
Pretty Homes, etc.
In place, add
National Geographic
Smithsonian
Scientific American
American Scientist
Artist, Etc.
Promote ~ Lifelong Learning
To adults
Kids
Eating and drinking
Habits
Are learned at home! ! !
(A Rocket Scientist's Mom, Tennessee
~ 14 September,2006)
poem by Debora Short
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Nearer my God to Thee
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee
E'en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Tho' like a wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone,
Yet in my dreams I'll be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
There let the way appear,
Steps unto heaven;
All that Thou sendest me
In mercy be given,
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Then with my waking thoughts
Bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
Bethel I'll raise;
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Or if, on joyful wing
Cleavihg the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot,
Upward I fly,
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
poem by Sarah Flower Adams
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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The National Anthem
A monarch is pestered with cares,
Though, no doubt, he can often trepan them;
But one comes in a shape he can never escape -
The implacable National Anthem!
Though for quiet and rest he may yearn,
It pursues him at every turn -
No chance of forsaking
Its ROCOCO numbers;
They haunt him when waking -
They poison his slumbers -
Like the Banbury Lady, whom every one knows,
He's cursed with its music wherever he goes!
Though its words but imperfectly rhyme,
And the devil himself couldn't scan them;
With composure polite he endures day and night
That illiterate National Anthem!
It serves a good purpose, I own:
Its strains are devout and impressive -
Its heart-stirring notes raise a lump in our throats
As we burn with devotion excessive:
But the King, who's been bored by that song
From his cradle - each day - all day long -
Who's heard it loud-shouted
By throats operatic,
And loyally spouted
By courtiers emphatic -
By soldier - by sailor - by drum and by fife -
Small blame if he thinks it the plague of his life!
While his subjects sing loudly and long,
Their King - who would willingly ban them -
Sits, worry disguising, anathematising
That Bogie, the National Anthem!
poem by William Schwenck Gilbert
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Technology’s speed
The growth of technology
In the present decade
Surpasses that of the past century,
That of the past century
Surpasses that of the past millennium
And that of the millennium
Surpasses that of the human era.
What would be after a year?
22.01.2006
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bacterium
in a cloud like massive fog
where the peace does belong
where the waves smashes
against the rocks
I sense warning's
Behind this fog you hear a bird
sing us a song, in warning that we are not alone.
In this thick massive fog
from my beautiful Islands
I sense hunger for freedom
while on mine cheek bone my tears
like the rivers. And I hide my face
when the light get´s so bright
that it blinds my national right!
Because in this cloud like massive fog
I know in my thought a bacteria
that has poisoned the butterfly
so he carries on
with a bitter national song
poem by Malan Tyril
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Lost times
How come we are worlds apart
How come we have lost
happy memories of past
Golden times we’ve tossed
How I miss the times we’ve had
Sometimes I see it clear
Childhood pictures in my mind
but fading year by year
Where are you now, my childhood friend
Will I see you soon, will we ever mend
our friendship bond
I found the pictures that we took
Looked so happy then
Young and full of hope and chance
Will we feel that again
Sand ran down the hourglass
faster than I thought
Now I think about the past
Times that I forgot
But will we meet again, my childhood friend
Let’s begin again, can we ever mend
our friendship bond
poem by A. V. Asreg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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When the Promise of American life is conceived as a national ideal, whose fulfillment is a matter of artful and laborious work, the effect thereof is substantially to identify the national purpose with the social problem.
quote by Herbert Croly
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Love Song Of The Year
(words & music by christian)
I used to laugh when I should cry
I used to let these feelings pass me by
But now that I believe them
I got no-one to leave them to me
You see I traded love for what I thought must be free
So I confess my loneliness
And I guess Ive lost the best of the year
That I have lost it through my fingers like a golden breath of air
If I cared I wouldnt be singing this love song of the year
I know the time cannot erase the days
Love is past and Ive gone away
From now on Ill make it very clear
Cos I dont want to write
Another love song of the year
Its a lonely song and not too clear
But to me its very dear
I guess this song can only be
My feelings went out in the sea of love
To me this has got to be the love song of the year
I know the time cannot erase the days
Love is past and Ive gone away
From now on Ill make it very clear
Cos I dont want to write
Another love song of the year
I used to laugh I used to cry
I used to laugh, these feelings passed me by
From now on Ill make it very clear cos I dont want to write
Another love song of the year
song performed by by Elvis Presley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Another Year
Writers: leo sayer & frank farrell
Oh its twelve oclock
On the old grey wall
Yet another year
75 is here
I hear all the people celebrating
Its another year
Darkness, darkness
Inside my head
Im on my own again
Thats what I think I said
This place is just a one-horse town
So let the rain fall down
Year and year again
Ill be sitting here reflecting
How nothings changed
But am I still the same
People blow up all around me
Yet I remain
Nothings changed
Another day begins
The same old same again
Its like some movie scene
I know it all frame by frame
Ill try to figure out what it means
Some other day
Now my diary
Is looking back at me
Its another year
76 is here
Im watching all the people celebrating
Another year
Its another year
song performed by by Leo Sayer
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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