If, like Harry Keogh, I could talk to the dead - God, there are an awful lot of people I would like to speak to! Not least my father. Being in the army for 22 years, I didn't see enough of him, and I know there are a great many things I could have learned from him.
quote by Brian Lumley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Father Boy
Oh Father Boy, Oh Father Boy
You didn’t see the signs
You didn’t hear a thing did you
Oh Father Boy, my dear
You didn’t see, you didn’t look, you didn’t listen either
You didn’t try to understand
You didn’t take the time
You weren’t a Father, Father Boy, you weren’t a Father, Father.
Oh Father Boy, Father Boy
When a Father has a Boy
To be a Father, Father see
You have to see the Boy
The Boy inside the Father
And the Father in the Boy
But Father Boy, Oh Father Boy
You just didn’t pay attention
For a Boy to be a Father, Father
He cannot be a Father Boy.
(Previously published in Megaera, #4, Fall 2000)
poem by Laurence Overmire
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Father Spoke in Code
Father spoke in code
Mother understood.
She would cry
once he went to bed.
I never understood the code.
My sister didn't either.
As we got older, we quit
asking Mother what he said.
A feral cat claimed our yard.
It would leap the fence
when anyone appeared.
Except, of course, Father.
When he came out to walk
around the garden after supper,
the cat would sit straight up,
then rub against his leg
and look at him as if it understood
what others never could.
My sister used to say
the two of us were proof
Father and Mother
got together twice.
I told her I wasn't so certain.
I looked a lot like Mr. Brompton,
the next-door neighbor.
He used to buy us sugar cones
from the ice cream truck.
My sister, by the way, didn't look
like anyone in the family either,
but that was 40 years ago
when I last saw her.
I went away to college
and she got married.
We were never close after that.
Not even Christmas cards.
Forty years is a long time.
Now, we plan to get together
for a weekend this summer
before one of us dies.
I suggested we wait
till one of us is terminal.
What's the rush, I said.
But my wife told her
I was only kidding,
that we'll be coming
and not to make a fuss.
Burgers and hot dogs
will do just fine.
I know what Sis and I
will talk about that weekend,
the two people we'll always
have in common, no matter
how many years and miles
may lie between us.
Father and Mother have been
dead for decades now
but they're still alive in us.
I talk in code, my wife says,
and my sister cries a lot,
now that her husband's dead.
The one thing I want to know
is if my sister knows
what happened to the cat.
It knew the code,
may have had some answers.
poem by Donal Mahoney
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Harry the Wu
What can I do, Harry the Wu,
A policeman will come
And ask questions of you,
He'll pull out his book
And his pencil, too,
And look very sternly
At Harry the Wu.
Oh, Harry the Wu, what did you do,
While I was in bed
Going down with the flu,
I didn't get up until
Half past two,
And you're so impatient,
Harry the Wu.
I knew there was something that
I had to do,
I had to get up and feed
Harry the Wu,
That bowl in the fridge of
The left-over stew
Was meant for your dinner,
Harry the Wu.
Oh what can I do, Harry the Wu,
They'll probably lock you
Away in the zoo,
And then you will miss me
And I'll miss you too,
Life is a tragedy,
Harry the Wu.
I thought that you knew,
Harry the Wu,
That there are some things
You are not meant to do,
Now all that is left is
The Postman's shoe,
His hat and his bag
You have eaten them too.
What can I do, Harry the Wu,
You've ripped off the policeman's
Trousers, too,
You'd better go hide in
The chimney flu,
Stop wagging your tail at me
Harry the Wu.
13 April 2009
poem by David Lewis Paget
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Harry's Circumcision
Looking in the mirror Harry didn't like what he saw
The cheeks of his mother the eyes of his father
As each day crashed around him the future stood revealed
He was turning into his parents
The final disappointment
Stepping out of the shower Harry stared at himself
His hairline receding the slight overbite
He picked up the razor to begin his shaving
and thought oh I wish I was different
I wish I was stronger I wish I was thinner
I wish I didn't have this nose
These ears that stick out remind me of my father
and I don't want to be reminded at all
The final disappointment
Harry looked into the mirror thinking of Vincent Van Gogh
and with a quick swipe lopped off his nose
And happy with that he made a slice where his chin was
He's always wanted a dimple
The end of all illusion
Then peering down straight between his legs
Harry thought of the range of possibilities
A new face a new life no memories of the past
and slit his throat from ear to ear
Harry woke up with a cough the stitches made his wince
A doctor smiled at him from somewhere across the room
Son we saved your life but you'll never look the same
And when he heard that, Harry had to laugh
Although it hurt Harry had to laugh
The final disappointment
song performed by by Lou Reed
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Letter My Father Will Never See
if only one last time i could see you. if only one time i could tell you what i think. if only one time i could say what i've been thinking for all these years. if only i could just not care. if only it didn't hurt so much. if only i could say that you dont matter. if only i could tell you. if only one time you'd listen. if only you knew. if only i could tell you your an ass. if only i could say and put into words what you've put me through. if only you were around to say good job.
as a father you have failed. as a father you were never there. as a father you never held me. as a father you never cared. as a father you never gave me praise. as a father you never brushed my hair. as a father you didn't teach me about life. as a father you didn't teach me how to care. as a father you never showed me love. as a a father you you let me cower in the corner. as a father you scared the hell out of me every night of the week. as a father you came home drunk. as a father you didn't put me to bed. as a father you never gave me a hug as a father you were my worst night. however, for some reason i cant fathom your my father. and for the same reason i cant fathom how you earned the title when being a father was one thing that you never were and dont seem to want to be.
Harry Truman
America needs you
Harry truman
Harry could you please come home
Things are looking bad
I know you would be mad
To see your favorite men
Prevail upon the land you love
Americas wondering
How we got here
Harry all we get is lies
Were gettin safer cars
Rocket ships to mars
From men whod sell us out
To get themselves a piece of power
Wed love to hear you speak your mind
In plain and simple ways
Call a spade a spade
Like you did back in the days
You would play piano
Each morning walk a mile
Speak of what was going down
With honesty and style
Americas calling
Harry truman
Harry you know what to do
The world is turnin round and losin lots of ground
Oh harry is there something we can do to save the land we love
Oh woah woah woah
Americas calling
Harry truman
Harry you know what to do
The world is turnin round
And losin lots of ground
Harry is there something we can do to save the land we love
Oh
Harry is there something we can do to save the land we love
Harry
Harry is there something we can do to save the land we love
song performed by by Chicago
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Harry
you must be smellin' cherries and strawberries and peaches
and plums
roses and dandelions
special lovin' on the nite I spent with you
it was the best that I've had lately
but it didn't mean anything
and I will be glad when you stop callin' me
harry
don't wanna be your girlfriend
but boy when you want the lovin'
come and see me harry
swore my ever lasting true love to you
said that I need ya I want ya didn't I baby
but I was just kiddin' 'round
and I will be glad when you stop callin' my house
harry
don't wanna be your girlfriend
but boy when you want the lovin'
come and see me harry
it's a shame harry
cause you such a beautiful thing harry
you tell em that you love and I bet you do
but love's not my thing right now harry
all I wanna do is swing
and when you're ready
I'm here for you
please harry
stop callin' me
harry
don't wanna be your girlfriend
but boy when you want the lovin'
feel free to come and see me harry
song performed by by Macy Gray from The ID
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Poor old Harry!
Harry looked in his mirror
and he didn't like what he saw
his hair was thin and Grey
in fact he didn't have a lot anymore.
Although he was now in his fifties
he wanted to appear trendy and young
so when he noticed his thinning locks
it upset him because he was highly strung.
So he decided to change his look
and he went and bought himself a wig
Harry began to dress like a teenager
and pumped Iron to build muscle real big.
His wife thought that he'd gone mad
or he was having a secret affair
but Harry thought he looked great
especially with his new dark hair.
He felt like a young man again
as he danced at the disco every Saturday
but one night he slipped a disc in his back
and a strong wind blew his toupee away.
So no longer could he lift any heavy weights
and he couldn't afford another costly wig
then all that muscle turned to fat
and he grew large and very big.
So Harry decided to just age naturally
but alas things didn't go according to plan
sadly his wife had her own mid-life crisis
and she ran off with a much younger man!
poem by Kevin Halls
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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From the Lips
Excuse:
'I didn't want to see them like that.
That is why I didn't come by to see them,
Before they passed away.'
Excuse:
'I know I should have asked you
How you were doing!
But I was told you were doing fine,
And that's why I hadn't called! '
Excuse:
'Even though I know most of our relatives
Attended.
I didn't get an invitation.
My father got one.
I should have received one too! '
Excuse:
'I really didn't tell lies on you and things you did.
I just told them what I heard.
And when I saw you the other day,
You didn't speak to me.
But I didn't tell them you didn't see me...
And what I heard came from someone,
Who hasn't seen you at all! '
These excuses come from the lips,
Of those who will swear they know you!
Everything about you...
And more!
Why they stay amazed,
You would rather keep away from them...
Day and night to remain in peace,
Will not stop a dropp of their gossip!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Ready To Leave
My life is screwed my days are dome I need to die to have some fun
I need to die and leave this place and meet my father face to face!
My father is the devil you see and the evil in him is the evil in me, and no holy man can get him out of me, because its in my blood and its in my soul and the only way to get rid of it is to get rid of me hole,
my father is great my father is fun instead of sitting in a church reading a book to worship him you kill random people and spend the money you took, instead of caring about the living you talk to the dead and blow off peoples head,
so im ready to go is ready to leave so I can meet my father and finally be free.
poem by Amber Vasquez
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Men Can't Say Please
Why is it that a man somehow, just cannot mention 'Please',
When asking for some help from me and you,
It really seems to me, that it is such an awful shame,
It tends to leave one feeling down and blue.
It's fetch me this, and, over there is what I want, Yes that! , .
But not one 'Please' is heard, it's not in sight,
And however much you give them hints, and however long you wait,
Their minds just stick, and never seem to bite.
It's like being in the army with the voice of the commander,
Shouting out his regular orders to his troops,
But when we tied the knot, I didn't join the army,
Oh! It really rankles, and give's one's heart the droops.
Sometimes one feels that all in all, one's just a useful soul,
Who's not really there, and invisible for sure,
We are so taken for granted, yet we answer every call,
I don't know why, we just don't, walk out the door! .
So a little 'Please' and 'Thank you' would go a long, long way,
'Manners make the man', my late dear Father said,
But can we expect some miracle to happen over night?
Never! So I'll 'knock off' now and 'disappear' to bed!
poem by Ernestine Northover
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bible in Poetry: Gospel of St. John (Chapter 16)
‘I‘ve told you so that you don’t go astray;
They’ll expel you from all the synagogues;
The hour has come when people kill you too;
And think they worship God by offerings’
‘They neither know me well nor my Father,
And so, they’ll try to do these crimes and sins;
When comes the hour, remember what I’ve said;
I didn’t tell earlier for I was with you.’
‘And now, I go to my Father’s abode,
And no one seems to ask, to where I go,
Because I told you, grief has filled your hearts;
The truth is that ’Tis better that I leave;
For, if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come;
But when I go, I’ll send him to you fast.’
‘And when he comes, he’ll convict world in sin
And condemn evils done upon the earth:
Sin, because they don’t believe in me;
Righteousness, as you can’t perceive me well;
Condemnation, for the earth’s ruler;
I have much more to tell, but you can’t bear.’
‘Spirit of Truth will guide you just to truth;
He’ll speak whatev’r He hears and not on own;
He will declare the things that are to come;
He’ll glorify me and declare to you;
All things my Father has are also mine;
He’ll take what’s mine and declare unto you;
A little while and you will not see me;
A little while and you’ll see me again! ’
‘What He meant by a little while? ’ they asked
We do not know what He means really;
When Jesus saw they were discussing this;
‘Amen, amen, I say to you, said He;
You’ll weep and mourn while world still rejoices;
Your grief will joy become with fleeting time! ’
‘Woman in labor lies in anguish great;
The hour has come to deliver a child;
She forgets all the pain, she underwent,
Because the joy of bringing forth a child,
Surpasses pain of any delivery! ’
‘Likewise, you are afilled with anguish now;
But when I see you once again later;
Your hearts will surely rejoice endlessly,
And none can take away that joy from you.
That day, you’ll question me not anything.’
‘Amen, amen, amen, I say to you,
Whatev’r you ask of my Father in heav’n,
He’ll give you when you ask it in my name;
Till now, you have not asked for anything;
You will receive until complete is joy! ’
‘I have told you in figured speech before;
The hour has come when no longer I talk;
But I will clearly reveal my Father.’
‘That day, although you’ll ask in my name but,
I tell you I shall ask my Father not;
My Father Himself loves you much because
You’ve loved me and believed that I’m from God.
From Father, I had come into this world;
I’m leaving to my Father to return.’
‘His disciples told, ‘Now your talk is clear,
And spoken well without figures of speech;
We realize that you know everything,
And need not have to question anyone,
Because, we all believe you are from God.’
Then Jesus answered, ‘You do now believe! ’
‘Behold the hour has come to be scattered
To homes and you will leave me all alone;
But I am not alone, my Father’s with me.
I’ve told because you might have peace in me;
This world will give you troubles aplenty;
But be courageous, I’ve conquered the world!
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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We Have Not Learned That Much From The Past
We have not learned that much from past history the men of power repeat the same mistake
By threatening war on the Iraqi people for in war there's death and suffering and heartbreak
And in war there's never happiness and laughter the bomber jets they dropp death from the sky
Why to kill or capture the Iraqi leader will so many innocents have to suffer and die? .
I wonder when I hear talk of 'A Just War' since any war it never has been just
And war gives rise to vengeance and to hatred and between peoples build the barriers of mistrust,
Who ever coined that phrase was far from clever though many of those words have taken note
And too many far too many silly people that awful saying are too inclined to quote.
We have not learned much from man's past history if we have learned anything at all
The innocents of Baghdad and Basra will suffer when the big bombs from the night sky will fall
For bombs don't always hit their designated targets and for war mistakes it's the innocents who pay
With their lives or the most horrific injuries and the scars of war till death with them will stay.
We have not learned much from the mistakes of our forefathers for talk of war we hear now every day
And only on the day of the Election do the people ever seem to have a say
And the hawkish leaders who see war as okay from the path that leads to war cannot be cowed
They never seem to listen to their people though the voice of protest in their ears ring loud.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Ready to leave
My life is screwed my day's are done I need to die to have some fun
I need to die and leave this place and meet my father face to face!
My father is the devil you see and the evil in him is the evil in me,
and no holy man can get him out of me,
because its in my blood and its in my soul and the only way to get rid of it is to get rid of me hole, silver bullet pierce my chest put me down put me to rest,
my father is great my father is fun instead of sitting in a church reading a book
to worship him you kill random people and spend the money you took,
instead of caring about the living you talk to the dead and blow off peoples head,
so i'm ready to go is ready to leave so I can meet my father and finally be free.
poem by Liera Bloodheart
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Hey brother, why do you want me to talk?
Hey brother, why do you want me to talk?
Talk and talk and the real things get lost.
Talk and talk and things get out of hand.
Why not stop talking and think?
If you meet someone good, listen a little, speak;
If you meet someone bad, clench up like a fist.
Talking with a wise man is a great reward.
Talking with a fool? A waste.
Kabir says: A pot makes noise if it's half full,
But fill it to the brim - no sound.
How Do You Speak To An Angel
A son who is cursed with a harridan mother
Or a weak simpering father at best
Is raised to play out the timeless classical motives
Of filial love and incest
How does he speak to a
How does he speak to the prettiest girl
How does he talk to her
What does he say for an opening line
What does he say if hes shy
What do you do with your pragmatic passions
With your classically neurotic style
How do you deal with your vague self-comprehensions
What do you do when you lie
How do you speak to a
How do you speak to the prettiest girl
How do you speak to her
How do you dance on the head of a pin
When youre on the outside looking in
How do you speak to a
How do you speak to the prettiest girl
How do you speak to a
How do you speak to the prettiest girl
How do you speak to a
How do you speak to the prettiest girl
How do you speak to a
How do you speak to the prettiest girl
How do you speak to a
How do you speak to the prettiest girl
How do you speak to a
How do you speak to the prettiest girl
You just say, hello, (hello) baby (hello)
...
Baby, angel, how do you talk to the prettiest girl, you say
Hello baby, hello baby, angel, angel, pretty little girl
Angel, angel ....
song performed by by Lou Reed
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Great people talk about ideas, average people talk about things, and small people talk about wine.
quote by Fran Lebowitz
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Keep Talking
For millions of years mankind lived just like the animals
Then something happenend which unleashed the power of our imagination
We learned to talk
Theres a silence surrounding me
I cant seem to think straight
Ill sit in the corner
No one can bother me
I think I should speak now ___________ why wont you talk to me
I cant seem to speak now ____________ you never talk to me
My words wont come out right ________ what are you thinking
I feel like Im drowning _____________ what are you feeling
Im feeling weak now _________________ you never talk to me
But I cant show my weakness _________ what are you thinking
I sometimes wonder ___________________ what are you feeling
Where do we go from here
It doesnt have to be like this
All we need to do is make sure we keep talking
Why wont you talk to me _____________ I feel like Im drowning
You never talk to me _________________ you know I cant breathe now
What are you thinking ________________ were going nowhere
What are you feeling _________________ were going nowhere
Why wont you talk to me
You never talk to me
What are you thinking
Where do we go from here
It doesnt have to be like this
All we need to do is make sure we keep talking
song performed by by Pink Floyd
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I spent two years in the Army. And my older brother, who was also a great positive influence on me, encouraged me to think about law school, and I said - well, I didn't have any money.
quote by George J. Mitchell
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The things I learned from the army - and I think it was a lesson for life - was how to work in unison with other people. How to take responsibility.