Now between the meanings of words and their sounds there is ordinarily no discoverable relation except one of accident; and it is therefore miraculous, to the mystic, when words which make sense can also make a uniform objective structure of accents and rhymes.
quote by John C. Ransom
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
The task is to investigate speech sounds in relation to the meanings with which they are invested, i.e., sounds viewed as signifiers, and above all to throw light on the structure of the relation between sounds and meaning.
quote by Roman Jakobson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
To Regina Spektor
Words
Smart, surprising, naive
Words
That can reach so deep
That have no pretense
That at times make no sense
At first
At third
But then they do
Words
That can be so dark
Or witty
Or be so true
Sounds
To laugh and to cry
And to dream
And to pine
Sounds
That were born in a beautiful mind
That fly
From piano afar
Carrying my heart...
One song, third minute -
Falling in love with you was so easy, Regina.
poem by Anna Kirshenbaum
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
If words are not things, or maps are not the actual territory, then, obviously, the only possible link between the objective world and the linguistic world is found in structure, and structure alone.
quote by Alfred Korzybski
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
When I Found The Words
When I found the words,
that turned into poems
I was instructed to follow a career
that could earn a living,
something away from literature
or even journalism,
that would not come to defy
my relationship with God.
I was taught the languages
of mathematics and accounting
but the words were hunting
for a way of expression,
being stored up for years
even while my then wife,
saw my poetry
as just sentimental rubbish
and now that I am hammering out
the words, the meanings and sounds
I am again haunted by an elitist clique
for whom the position of the self
has become much higher
that the power of words,
who comprehends any able wordsmith
as a threatening menace
as they have to hammer away
at one verse for weeks and months,
rewriting it up to sixty times
to make a poem from it.
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Man In A Uniform
Oh, she said
(hut!)
She said c man in a uniform
2night thats what I want u 2 be
She said c 3rd time this week u wore that old suit
But I dont give a damn, u see?
Because man in a uniform do funny things 2 me
And I said c its the 3rd time, but I dont mind
Cuz that sister just so damn fine, ah
Man in a uniform (hut!)
Thats what I am
Man in a uniform, uh
Thats what I am
She said c man in a uniform
Sufferin every stroke of my hand
From the dusk until the early morn
U will grant this girls demands (why? )
Cuz she need 2 be drunk with pride
Wait a minute, Im gon tell u why
2 make up, 2 make up
2 make up 4 the emptiness that she feel inside
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Come on
Man in a uniform, mama
Thats what I am (hut!)
(hut!)
Man in a uniform
She said c 2night (2night)
I want your attention (tention)
She said c 2night I want your violent tongue
2 swallow my stench and be loyal 2 me
Shell never be free
Until u do me like a man in a uniform (hut!)
Man in a uniform (in a uniform)
Thats what I am
In a uniform (baby, baby, yeah)
Thats what I am
Dirty little man in a uniform
Thats what I am (hut!)
song performed by by Prince
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
I'm a man
I'm a man
clothed in mystic, power and structure
labeled by the socialization
after arrival
arrival on a land
of picturesque terrain
that changes with the land holder
but I was taught
everything, nothing, something
and
not the make of the chromosomes
that I could
cry, cry, cry
and
still be a man of substance
I'm a man
clothed in mystic, power and structure
labeled by the socialization
after arrival
who did not see the same
landmark for the sexes
A man meant power
born of a woman
given different definitions,
interpretations and signals
not a biological inscription
but one cultural defined
no softness, tenderness and finesse
a man like beast is product of that mould
tagged manhood, male, dominance
and power
I'm a man
clothes in mystic, power and structure
labeled by the socialization
and if I object
a new label I hold
a man of effeminate make
yet I should be
a father who cares, cuddles, protects
a standard of immense hypocrisy
a frame fashioned in contradictions
a man, manhood
with no rationality
a man that is make for the
slaughter
a man made for the alter of sacrifice
a man who with
one sex
having two genealogy
poem by Paul Andrew Bourne
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Before My Eyes
I see before my eyes the wonderful words,
Speak them around the mouth to sustain,
So that meanings are clear to the birds.
I saw so many reasons to master and also afterwards,
Seen so many sessions of praise of this book to attain,
I see before my eyes the wonderful words.
Created and longed for, the books and pages are blizzards,
Looking for times so tight with sin again,
So that meanings are clear to the birds.
May we attain longevity when we read books backwards,
Leaning against the wall to hasten the air plane,
I see before my eyes the wonderful words.
Pleasing us one way is like living a way of life with hazards,
Leading is a disease of words, so frightening for after pain,
So that meanings are clear to the birds.
Can the heraldry of our country be the same innards,
Liking this sign captures the books’ meanings from the brain,
So that meanings are clear to the birds,
I see before my eyes the wonderful words.
poem by Naveed Akram
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Do it your way for Stephen Stirk
Sometimes the words that writers use
have different meanings and values.
For words don’t always mean the same
and common words don’t play the game.
Some words can mean their opposite
A writer must be explicit
selecting words in such a way.
Their meaning is as clear as day.
Avoiding in particular
the words that seem familiar
That sound the same when they are not.
Meanings can differ quite a lot
Like seams and seems or there and their.
A writer has to be aware
Simplicity is his finest tool
and that his readers as a rule
Are not concerned with the syntax
Your words should help them to relax
If they do not then you will fail
your efforts all to no avail.
Although your words are scholarly
perfectly composed grammatically.
Successful writers in the main
make sure they write to entertain.
They cater to the public taste
they haven’t got the time to waste
Writing works which won’t be read
That will not earn their daily bread.
Those who write professionally
research their market thoroughly.
The must be certain it will sell
and some of them do very well.
Amateurs, who post on the net
are not constrained they can forget
The publishers and critics views
and simply write the way they choose.
Though they won’t earn a single cent
it doesn’t matter, They’re content
with comments that their readers make.
They love to write for its own sake.
23/06/2009
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Baby, You Look Good To Me Tonight
This song appears on two albums, and was first released on the spirit album, and has also been released on the country classics album.
Ive been out on this highway now
Five days in a row
My words all run together
My feet are movin slow
Ive got to stop and eat
While its still light
Theres a local angel sitting on my right
Do you believe in love at first sight
Baby, you look good to me tonight
Im ordinarily very shy
And Id be polite if I had time
Baby, you look good to me tonight
Tomorrow, Ill be good and gone
Please dont make me wait that long
Baby, you look good to me tonight
i get off at eleven, she said
And walked away
She poured a cup of coffee and
She brought it on a tray
She said, it would be nice if you could stay
Youre the best idea Ive had all day
Usually I put up a fight but
Baby, you look good to me tonight.
Well Im ordinarily very shy
But I grinned at her as I ate my pie
Baby, you look good to me tonight
I thought I must be in a dream
When she asked me if I wanted cream
Baby, you look good to me tonight
All in all you know
Its not a bad life on the road
If youve got wheels to roll
And lucky stars above
Your destinys your own
You go as far as you can go
And if theres time to sleep
Theres time to make love
I came, I saw, I conquered
But I rode off in the sun
But I know the look she left with me
Keeps telling me she won
Her face is the only thing I see
Whispering those words of prophesy
i may come easy, but I dont come free
Youre never gonna see the last of me
Baby, you look good to me tonight
I was born to love you now cant you see
Baby, you look good to me tonight
Im ordinarily very shy
But I take the time to satisfy
Baby, you look good to me tonight
Words and music by bill danoff
song performed by by John Denver
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
A Senseless Night
Do not know what is going to happen with my life?
Really, I have no idea and all that I can say is that I know nothing
It is late at night and I am just typing words on the keyboard
Trying to make sense by joining these alphabets
What do these alphabets mean?
Why am I trying to pen these words together?
Sense, what is the sense behind it all?
Basic meaning of it is what?
Actually, it is senseless
I have just gone berserk and that is all I know
Is there any sense behind these words, I do not know
Sensibility has lost its identification
A senseless night awaits me.
poem by Rohit Sapra
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The effect of words
Her words stung like a wasp
Their effect had me in a sad grasp
I never knew words hurt so much
Those words postulated a form of retouch
You see;
Words make you
Words break you
Words can set you free
Words can let you be
You see;
Words tend to hurt
When dished out carelessly without effort
The right choice of words can give hope
The wrong choice of words can take away hope
And make someone tie themselves with a rope
Words can make you love
Words can make you hate
Words can encourage
Or set you on a stormy rage
Words need to be sensitive
Words can be expensive
When constructively comprehensive
If you dismiss words saying they don't hurt
You are wrong my dear, so wrong
Then why do we have courts?
Saturated with overpriced lawyers
Confusing us with grammer
Abusing us with grammer
Reducing any chances of freedom if you stammer
As you stand before that vicious unpredictable hammer
Copyright 2006 - Sylvia Chidi
poem by Sylvia Chidi
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Subways Of The Subconscious...
you post a poem
it is not that you believe in the integrity of the site,
or the blog, you do not even attempt to find out
who are there and what causes are they supporting
you make a poem
because the words are there
and you do not even choose which word to use
whether this rhymes with this
or not
it is just a matter of a word coming out from your fingertips
and then
they are there
no filtering of meanings, no sifting of significances
it flows like a river, it runs like a creek, it settles on some ponds
it rains, and then it overflows
and you make it run again like a flood, over reaching
carrying all driftwood and all lost things
you go under bridges, you even go on top of canals
the words are terrible
now on the streams of consciousness and then under
the commands of the the subconscious
actually you do not know what is happening
your hands are merely riding on a wave
your sight relying on the ripple
you do not even feel that you have wings
but Of God you Swear
you are flying
the clouds pushing your heels
into Space into the sleepy emptiness.....
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Words Again
Thoughts can be words, can be flowers that burgeon like words,
Thunders that are right in the middle of happiness,
Ones that make talk with books and with all speaking sense.
The sounds are not anywhere near us,
Yet the word can believe in living free,
Where actions cannot, and nor can thoughts necessarily.
We work on the words of leaders like listening is,
When speech is hazardous and non-wrong,
And liars can speak offensively, like a long long wrong.
Speech is therefore recommended in the form of words,
Of dementia I give word not or word obvious,
But of sound advice for any goodness to come and seize.
Deceased are the word-lovers as much as fences are put up,
As if the sea is given a status that delves too deep
Of words, and it is funny how many words that there are.
poem by Naveed Akram
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Furious Way
You had gone blind
From kind to unkind
You strained the relation
Forget about the appreciation alone
Now also you run in direction
Where absolutely needed no action
Your prestige is salvaged
As you have ably managed
Words can't be enough always
That can lead you to good way
Words are after all words
Only means to learn and look forward
It did hurt me often
But you were not bothered even
You did what you wanted!
And I almost fainted
No worth can be realized
Until it is proved and obliged
It has its own meaning
It is simple way of winning
Sometimes truth is taken for lies
It has no other means to try
It is like vast horizon with sky
Less you ask more you create why?
Bygones are bygones
There can be only conclusion
What should we remember?
And what should be forgotten?
Even dustbin does his job
No one can deny her role or rob
It how best we can make use of
Make mockery of it or simply laugh
Human relation is more important
Person may come and go for instant
What remains behind is just shadow
We may always remember it allow
poem by Hasmukh Amathalal
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Untitled 15
there is a mountain of words
an ocean of words
a continent of words
there is a rain of words
a flood of words
a river of words and true to their being words
they also disintegrate as syllables
on the other hand some form the clauses
conditions and terms
some make sentences and paragraphs
a world of words full of words
i am not a word and i am buried in a mountain of words
a sea of words i drown
a continent of words i am condemned to walk all the days of my life
too may words my ears do not listen anymore.
my eyes do not like to read anymore.
i like something not having to do with words.
what about a touch? what about a picture?
what about a kiss?
why don't people just make love without saying a word?
let us start touching the hearts of people
to avoid this war of words that lead us to our own perdition.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Rhymes...
Roses are red
Violets are blue
These rhymes make no sense
But sound good they do
Worn out cliché
Guess some like it this way
If the words fit the puzzle
I will put on my muzzle
But
Unless you think like a limerick
Say what you want to speak
Not what you want me to read
poem by Adam Holmes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
In Poetic
In a way all words are poetic
Doesn't need to be set in any particular way;
for one to stomach it
"It's an injustice I must say
for a mother to never allow her son to play
to disarm belief before it take place
running in an open field of ever green
maneuvering, left and right up and down
with arms spread like flying a plane
a thunderous yell from an obscured mother
child, you have no time to be playing these silly games
make haste
you have studies to attend to"
A poetic line is not just in the mind
it's not necessarily how it sounds or whether or not it rhymes
it's a feeling one gets that sends chills down the spine
simple words of truth and wisdom
is poetic in its own right
Let me take flight
see things from a different point of view
help me take flight
maybe then I can better understand
maybe then I can see
the beauty that you sense
from this hellish land
poem by Kelvin Owusu
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Making Sense
if our choice of words
is smooth and reserved like
a lady educated in a state university
they say we make sense,
if you are rich and flamboyant
and ride in flashy cars and live
in expensive mansions in exclusive
subdivisions, then by all means
you make sense
despite the fact that you are
immoral, and treacherous and
scheming and oppressive and
congenitally lying with your teeth grinning,
to them you still make sense
they still want to be pictured beside you
and you make them your own property
as they all adore and worship you,
i don't.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Loves Cacophony
For a love which seems so simple
That with quiet ease it must ring true
A rousing chorus does sound
Which deafens the calls of sanity
Should love be an illness of the mind
A sick note to the heart
Let it play and be sung in my own
That I am maddened by the sounds
The words of love which speak
Make no sense but to themselves
The song of which this word does sing
Let me be lost in their melody
Confused in their chorus
And drawn to their verse
Oh the words and sounds of love
How simple they claim to be
I find myself happily lost
In loves cacophony
poem by Matthew Holloway
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Lunch With a Poet
I had lunch with a poet, just the other day.
A poet who has written fine and lofty verse,
Conveying his experiences, emotions and his ideas, in
Vivid, imaginative ways, condensed in simple language,
Choosing words for sound and power,
Rather than impressing readers with poetic adulterations.
Almost apologetically, he said he uses 'nickel words'
To write his inner thoughts. It was as if he were at fault,
As though he thought those simple sounds
Had lessened the intent of his poetic worth.
I emphasized how wrong he was, and tried
To make clear, a poet writes in sympathy with his reader,
Overleaping the barriers of understanding by the simplicity
Of his language, and of his words.
To write with words of misty meaning does not make
A mystic.
To write with vulgar words does not lift up the poem
On wings of song, it only floats as high as the poet's
Commonality who, mistaking flatulence for inspiration, becomes
Enmeshed in a literary byproduct of the foulest of excretion and Smells.
My friend failed to intellectually understand,
But spiritually Accepts, as his writings reveal,
That clarity of thought and mind is the poet's
Highest point of the poet's integrity.
poem by Lynn W. Petty
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!