Living is no laughing matter: you must live with great seriousness like a squirrel for example - I mean without looking for something beyond and above living, I mean living must be your whole occupation.
quote by Nazim Hikmet
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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On Living
I
Living is no laughing matter:
you must live with great seriousness
like a squirrel, for example--
I mean without looking for something beyond and above living,
I mean living must be your whole occupation.
Living is no laughing matter:
you must take it seriously,
so much so and to such a degree
that, for example, your hands tied behind your back,
your back to the wall,
or else in a laboratory
in your white coat and safety glasses,
you can die for people--
even for people whose faces you've never seen,
even though you know living
is the most real, the most beautiful thing.
I mean, you must take living so seriously
that even at seventy, for example, you'll plant olive trees--
and not for your children, either,
but because although you fear death you don't believe it,
because living, I mean, weighs heavier.
II
Let's say you're seriously ill, need surgery--
which is to say we might not get
from the white table.
Even though it's impossible not to feel sad
about going a little too soon,
we'll still laugh at the jokes being told,
we'll look out the window to see it's raining,
or still wait anxiously
for the latest newscast ...
Let's say we're at the front--
for something worth fighting for, say.
There, in the first offensive, on that very day,
we might fall on our face, dead.
We'll know this with a curious anger,
but we'll still worry ourselves to death
about the outcome of the war, which could last years.
Let's say we're in prison
and close to fifty,
and we have eighteen more years, say,
before the iron doors will open.
We'll still live with the outside,
with its people and animals, struggle and wind--
I mean with the outside beyond the walls.
I mean, however and wherever we are,
we must live as if we will never die.
III
This earth will grow cold,
a star among stars
and one of the smallest,
a gilded mote on blue velvet--
I mean this, our great earth.
This earth will grow cold one day,
not like a block of ice
or a dead cloud even
but like an empty walnut it will roll along
in pitch-black space ...
You must grieve for this right now
--you have to feel this sorrow now--
for the world must be loved this much
if you're going to say "I lived" ...
Trans. by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konuk (1993)
poem by Nazim Hikmet
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Last Living Souls
Are we the last living souls?
Are we the last living souls?
Are we the last living souls?
Are we the last living souls?
Take a gun
Or how you say
That's no way you behave
Just a law, a new begin
Sing a song that doesn't sin
And it grows
Hey, you know
Are we the last living souls?
Are we the last living souls?
Are we the last to get away to some another day?
Do we know
Well, we know
Doesn't seem to be complete
Are we, are we the last living souls?
Are we the last living souls?
Are we the last living souls?
Are we the last living souls?
Get up, get up, get up, get up...
What you say?
Cause all I was on
I got it down wrong
I see myself to get
And the Lord, seeing all now
Can you take us in
The part that comin' on
The coldest man doesn't see it's all
We go to the car
I see you walk to the far
And when you get there do you see
You fit the last you need on me
Cause we're the last living souls
We're the last living souls
Yeah, we're the last living souls
We're the last living souls
song performed by by Gorillaz
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Land Of The Living
i found myself
in another world
i found myself
alive and well
i am the vapor
i am the gas
you be the angel
of everything
this is the land of the living
this is the land of reprisal
this is the land of the living
the living
the living
i lost myself
too wide a plane
i opened up
i'm not the same
i am electric
made of wire
you be the match
i'll be the fire
this is the land of the living
this is the land of reprisal
this is the land of the living
the living
the living
the living
in myself i try for you
walk a thousand miles to get us through
airways
jet planes
safe landings
no branding
land
land
this is the land of the living
the land of reprisal
this is the land of the living
the land of survival
survival
land
land
this is the land of the living
the living
the living
the living
song performed by by Bush from Golden State
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Living On A Thin Line
All the stories have been told
Of kings and days of old,
But theres no england now.
All the wars that were won and lost
Somehow dont seem to matter very much anymore.
All the lies we were told,
All the lies of the people running round,
Theyre castles have burned.
Now I see change,
But inside were the same as we ever were.
Living on a thin line,
Tell me now, what are we supposed to do?
Living on a thin line,
Tell me now, what are we supposed to do?
Living on a thin line,
Living this way, each day is a dream.
What am i, what are we supposed to do?
Living on a thin line,
Tell me now, what are we supposed to do?
Now another century nearly gone,
What are we gonna leave for the young?
What we couldnt do, what we wouldnt do,
Its a crime, but does it matter?
Does it matter much, does it matter much to you?
Does it ever really matter?
Yes, it really, really matters.
Living on a thin line,
Tell me now, what are we supposed to do?
Living on a thin line,
Tell me now, what are we supposed to do?
Now another leader says
Break their hearts and break some heads.
Is there nothing we can say or do?
Blame the future on the past,
Always lost in blood and guts.
And when theyre gone, its me and you.
Living on a thin line,
Tell me now, what are we supposed to do?
Living on a thin line,
Tell me now, what are we supposed to do?
Living on a thin line.
song performed by by Kinks
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Wiggly World
They say the fittest shall survive
Yet the unfit may live
Let em wear gaudy colors
Or avoid display
Hey it dont matter
Its all the same
So I do this and I do that
So I do this and I do that
So I do this and I do that
Its never straight up and down
Its never straight up and down
Its never straight up and down
Its never straight up and down
Oh you got a nickel
I got a dime
Id like to get to know you
But I havent got the time
You gotta walk like a mannequin
Roll like a tire
Act on reaction
Dodge the big spud fryer
So wiggle on the bottom
Wiggle on the top
Wiggle up the middle
And laugh a lot
Cause Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggly world, a wiggly world
I got to tell you
Ive been living in a wiggly world now
Wiggly world, a wiggly world
Well Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggly world, a wiggly wor/d
I got to tell you
Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggiy world, a wiggly world
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle
Yeah Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggly world
Oh Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggly world
Well Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggly world
Well Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggly world
Well Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggly world
Well Ive been iiving
In a wiggly world now
Wiggly world
Well Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggly world
Oh, Ive been living in a wiggly
Wiggly world
song performed by by Devo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Living God
Living God
Maker of all the heaven and earth
We want to worship you
Living God
You are the prince of peace
The master of the universe
Living God
We are your children
We will never forget you
And you will never forget us either
Living God
We give all the glory to you
Living God
You take away our sins
Living God
We are not perfect like you
So I hope you understand this
Because we are human beings
And we have our faults also
Living God
You are worth to be praise
Living God
Take the place of all the power
Living God
Behold, it comes in might,
The power that is power,
The light that is in darkness,
The shade in dazzling light
It is joy that never spoke,
Living God
poem by Aldo Kraas
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Who's Living With That Mission?
Who here,
Lives to dance and sing?
Who here,
Lives to hear the birds singing?
And who here,
Lives their life just to give?
Who's living with that mission?
Who's living with that mission?
Who's living with that mission?
Who here,
Wakes up to give a damn?
Who here,
Demands to give a helping hand?
And who here,
Knows that peace has a chance?
Who's living with that mission?
Who's living with that mission?
Who's living with that mission?
Who here,
Thinks about their fellowman?
Who here,
Gives their neighbor understanding?
And who here,
Wants the bleeding done by man...
To end and please them?
Who's living with that mission?
Who's living with that mission?
Who here,
Thinks about what is right?
Who here,
Wants to do that day and night?
And who here,
Prays conflicts and fights
Would end!
Who's living with that mission?
Who's living with that mission?
Who here,
Lives to dance and sing?
Who here,
Lives to hear the birds singing?
And who here,
Lives their life just to give?
Who's living with that mission?
Who's living with that mission?
Who's living with that mission?
Who's living with that mission?
Who's living with that mission?
And who here,
Wants the bleeding done by man...
To end and please them?
Who's living with that mission?
Who's living with that,
As ambition?
To live to give as a mission?
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sun Goes Down (Livin' It Up)
Though I live on the edge time is on my side
all the doors to my life are open wide
just as long as the wheels keep on turning 'round
I will live for the groove 'til the sun goes down
living it up, living it up
I can feel it
living it up
is it a crazy notion?
living it up, living it up
I can feel it
living it up
I got forward motion
I don't wanna go to war, I don't wanna go to war
I said I know what I want and I don't wanna go war - do you follow me?
I saw a soldier standing in a bar
looked so tired he'd come so far
he said "I need to love someone, before they drop the atom bomb"
there's a girl at the back making eyes at me
and her hair long and black is a sight to see
but I get kind of scared when love's around
I just live for the groove 'til the sun goes down
living it up, living it up
I can feel it
living it up
is it a false emotion?
living it up, living it up
I can feel it
living it up
I got forward motion
so I'm a-taking you out but I'm a-faking
I'm married to the beat
but to the music I gave the heart I could have given you
still there's something 'bout the way that you move
and the way that people stare it's the shock of the new
I want my friends to see me standing next to you
the sun goes down . . .
time is on my side
I don't care what they say I'll enjoy the ride
but I get kind of scared when I turn around
so I'll stay with the groove 'til the sun goes down
living it up
living it up
I can feel it
living it up
I got forward motion
ooh - watch her dance
there must be one like her in every club in every town
but I don't mind if that the way she wants to be
there's something 'bout her that reminds me of me
she's my soulmate - we'll be together 'til the sun goes down
the sun goes down
living it up
living it up
I can feel it
living it up
I got forwand motion
song performed by by Level 42
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Living With The Enemy
I gave you all that you wanted
and still you come back for more
You say that you're brokenhearted
but then you walk out the door
Maybe it is time for us to say goodbye
Where are the tears you never cried?
Hey baby what you got on your mind
are you looking for some sympathy?
I can tell you if it's a truth or a lie
'Cos it's just like living,
living with the enemy
You got me going in circles,
I'm slowly loosing my head
What did I do to deserve this,
you make me wish I was dead
Tell me I'm wrong and I'll be on my way
See you around another day
Hey baby what you doin' tonite?
Are you giving me the perfect dream
I'm so tired and I don't wanna fight
'Cos it's just like living,
living with the enemy, enemy
Living with the enemy, living with the enemy, enemy
Living with the enemy,enemy
Living with the enemy, living with the enemy, enemy
song performed by by Ozzy Osbourne
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Sun Goes Down
Though I live on the edge time is on my side
All the doors to my life are open wide
Just as long as the wheels keep on turning round
I will live for the groove til the sun goes down
Living it up, living it up
I can feel it
Living it up
Is it a crazy notion?
Living it up, living it up
I can feel it
Living it up
I got forward motion
I dont wanna go to war, I dont wanna go to war
I said I know what I want and I dont wanna go war - do you follow me?
I saw a soldier standing in a bar
Looked so tired hed come so far
He said I need to love someone, before they drop the atom bomb
Theres a girl at the back making eyes at me
And her hair long and black is a sight to see
But I get kind of scared when loves around
I just live for the groove til the sun goes down
Living it up, living it up
I can feel it
Living it up
Is it a false emotion?
Living it up, living it up
I can feel it
Living it up
I got forward motion
So Im a-taking you out but Im a-faking
Im married to the beat
But to the music I gave the heart I could have given you
Still theres something bout the way that you move
And the way that people stare its the shock of the new
I want my friends to see me standing next to you
The sun goes down . . .
Time is on my side
I dont care what they say Ill enjoy the ride
But I get kind of scared when I turn around
So Ill stay with the groove til the sun goes down
Living it up
Living it up
I can feel it
Living it up
I got forward motion
Ooh - watch her dance
There must be one like her in every club in every town
But I dont mind if that the way she wants to be
Theres something bout her that reminds me of me
Shes my soulmate - well be together til the sun goes down
The sun goes down
Living it up
Living it up
I can feel it
Living it up
I got forwand motion
song performed by by Level 42
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Living In Oz
Ever since I was a kid
I remember having dreams of grandeur
I was gonna be someone, I know what I want
Everybody played second best
And I held you back just like all the rest
I think I got what I want
Everybodys got to fight their demons
And you know I had to fight mine, too
It took a lot out of me, it took a lot out of you
To be living in oz, living in oz
Sometimes the dream can wake you
Living in oz, living in oz
Sometimes the dream can shock you, too
All the money that I spend on you
Doesnt mean a thing if the loves not true
Baby please, Ill get what you want
Cant you tell me you and me aint lost
I know what I did, I know what it cost
Now Im yours and Ive got what you want
All the fightin will have been for nothin
If at the end I cant have you
Ill throw it all away if thats what you want me to do
Living in oz, living in oz
Sometimes the dream can wake you
Living in oz, living in oz
Sometimes the dream can shake you, too
Funny how desire can burn you up inside
And make you commit emotional suicide
Everybodys got the desire to leave their mark
Some just do it over a trail of broken hearts
And all the people that protect and serve
Would disappear if the well dried up
Im thirsty for affection
Let me drink from your loving cup
Living in oz, living in oz
Sometimes the dream can shock you
Living in oz, living in oz
Sometimes the dream can rock you
Living in oz, living in oz
Sometimes the dream can shake you
Living in oz, living in oz
Sometimes the dream can wake you, too
song performed by by Rick Springfield
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Motorbreath
Living and dying laughing and crying
Once you have seen it you will never be the same
Life in the fast lane is just how it seems
Hard and it is heavy dirty and mean
Motorbreath
Its how I live my life
I can't take it any other way
Motorbreath
The sign of living fast
It is going to take
Your breath away
Don't stop for nothing its full speed or nothing
I am taking down you know whatever is in my way
Getting your kicks as you are shooting the line
Sending the shivers up and down your spine
Motorbreath
Its how I live my life
I can't take it any other way
Motorbreath
The sign of living fast
It is going to take
Your breath away
Those people who tell you not to take chances
They are all missing on what life is about
You only live once so take hold of the chance
Don't end op like others the same song and dance
Motorbreath
Its how I live my life
I can't take it any other way
Motorbreath
The sign of living fast
It is going to take
Your breath away
song performed by by Metallica from Kill 'Em All
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Life Is Just Life
life is neither a heaven nor a hell.
not a puzzle to get displace.
life is life n only life
which we have to live n survive..
life is not a trauma of tumult..
nor of sporadic spryness or sundry sadness
life is living n to live is life
life is not a season of summer or springs..
or of being at shed or scortching heat
life is what it is l-iving i-t f-ullest e-clatically
is the message it gives..
life is not a sea of sorrow or plethora of pleasure
nothing so special nothin to err
life is living n only living..
& the one who defines it, does it for living
life is not a boon nor a bane
& nthng being so estrange
life is to live n to live is life..
& living life makes us suffice.........
poem by Srishti Shrivastava
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Livin In The Limelight
**everybody wants to be a star
Living in the limelight
A big house and a fancy car
Living in the limelight
Everybody gonna know your name
Surely pleased to meet you
Ask you for your autograph
See your latest feature
In the middle of the middle of a dream
Living in the limelight
See yourself on the silver screen
Living in the limelight
*how you gonna keep em down on the farm
Never make em happy
How you gonna keep em close to home
Everybodys leavin, headin for hollywood
Everybody has a fantasy
Living in the limelight
A personality
Living in the limelight
Hypnotisin the roar of the crowd
Living in the limelight
Never heard of stagefright
First one back for the curtain call
Fall in love with the spotlight
On the cover of a magazine
Living in the limelight
In your limousine
Living in the limelight
Everybody gonna know your name
Living in the limelight
Say, gonna be pleased to meet you
Living in the limelight
Living in the lime, living in the limelight
Living in the limelight
They go to hollywood, be a star
Living in the limelight...
(* repeat)
(**repeat)
song performed by by Peter Cetera
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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What Are We Really Living For?
What are we really living for?
If we don't seek love.
What are we living for?
If inside we can't be happy.
We're living for,
The pursuit of it...
And some people think,
It is a ship coming in.
And all they have to do is sit and giggle and grin.
What are we really living for?
Does it get to show.
What are we really living for?
Who on Earth knows.
What are we really living for?
Is it for upheavel.
What are we really living for?
Or a treated evil.
What are we really living for?
Deceit and disbelief.
What are we really living for?
Or for other people.
What are we really living for?
To meet and greet.
What are we really living for?
Does it get to show.
What are we really living for?
Who on Earth knows.
What are we really living for?
Is it for upheavel.
What are we really living for?
Or a treated evil.
What are we really living for?
Or, are we too blind...
What are we really living for?
To see we're here...
And are together on the right scene.
We just don't want to know what it means...
To Let go, Let God, and let happiness,
Be released!
What are we really living for?
If we don't seek love.
What are we really living for?
If inside,
We can't-be-happy.
Are we really living for,
The pursuit of it...
And some people think,
It is a ship coming in.
And all they have to do is sit and giggle and grin.
What are we really living for?
Not for snicks and giggles.
What are we really living for?
Not for snicks and giggles.
What are we really living for?
Not for snicks and giggles.
What are we really living for?
Not for snicks and giggles.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Hard Livin' Without You
Nothing to say no place to hide
I can't find a good reason even to lie
All of our dreams are gone
I may not be right but I'm surely not wrong
And it's gonna be hard
So very, very hard living without you
Well don't you know that it's
Hard living without you
Nowhere to go, no place to run
We started out just having fun
Well, I never cared too much
Not till the going got so very rough
And it's gonna be hard
So very, very hard living without you
Don't you know that it's
Hard living without you
Don't you know that it's
Hard living without you
Well, don't you know that it's
Hard living without you
Baby don't you know that it's
Hard living without you
Don't you know that it's
Hard living without you
Well, don't you know that it's
Hard living without you
Baby don't you know that it's
Hard living without you
Don't you know that it's
song performed by by Zebra
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Done To Do With A Seriousness
To witness someone loved,
Sacrifice their time and giving...
With a knowing that is realized,
How much one means to them...
In the living of their life.
Makes it easier to walk away,
From those self obsessed.
And living with only themselves to address.
Everyday.
Then one day hearing them say...
What others have not done for them.
And who does not live up to their expecations.
It makes it easy to walk away,
From those like this.
And when it is done to do with a seriousness,
One is left to wonder,
Why it wasn't quicker?
Since the doing of it was painless.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Living & Living Well
Had a nice little life
A little boat a little beach
A little routine I liked
A blue ocean view
Free to go with the flow
Anywhere that I wanted to
But the moment you set foot on my shore
Thats when I knew
Theres a difference in
Living and living well
You cant have it all
All by yourself
Somethings always missing
til you share it with someone else
Theres a difference in living and living well
til you smiled with me
Thought that I had it good
As good as it could be
From the back of my deck
Caught a fish caught a breeze
And a thousand red sunsets
But sitting here with you girl I just saw
The best one yet
Theres a difference in
Living and living well
You cant have it all
All by yourself
Somethings always missing
til you share it with someone else
Theres a difference in living and living well
My days are brighter
My sky a deeper blue
My nights are sweeter
When Im with you
Theres a difference in
Living and living well
You cant have it all
All by yourself
Somethings always missing
til you share it with someone else
Theres a difference in living and living well
song performed by by George Strait
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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There Are No Minutes Kept Backed Up
There are no minutes kept backed up,
To put aside to decide to live them.
There are no minutes that can be stored as such,
For one to decide life is worth living.
There are no minutes kept backed up.
None one can say they have wrapped up.
There is no one on Earth with that much luck...
To decide when their life is worth the living.
People think they should be shown some proof,
That a life they live is worth the living.
While they isolate themselves locked up in coops,
To decide that a life they live is worth the living.
While awaiting for someone to approve what they do,
That a life given to them is worth the living.
With a choosing of every move...
Excusing some choices while others are removed.
To clarify that a life they live is worth the living.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Danger Zone
Ooh, I wrote you a letter,
And you never sent a reply.
Its a shame, always money or power,
And it doesnt really matter what you think.
Oh, Id give you all I had to give,
Over and over again.
While the government hides its head in the sand,
We live in a danger zone.
Were living in a danger zone.
Youre living in the twilight zone.
Watch out, fall out, gonna get ya, check it out.
All the sad politicians
Hold the world in the palm of their hands.
Its a lie, just an old film on the late show,
In the end everybody dies.
Ooh, Ill give you all I have to give,
Over and over again.
Oh, when will we get it into our heads?
We live in a danger zone.
Were living in a danger zone.
Youre living in the twilight zone.
Watch out, fall out, gonna get ya, check it out.
Were living in a danger zone,
Youre living in the twilight zone.
Whats wrong with solar power? (no profit)
Money money money makes me sick,
You cant get enough of it, of it.
Were living in a danger zone,
Youre living in the twilight zone.
song performed by by Kinks
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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