Hard times
I didn't have much as a kid;
Oh, we were always fed and clad.
but for luxuries, God forbid!
Two-bits a week was all I had.
Fifteen cents spent on a movie
The remaining ten bought candy
Even that wasn't guaranteed.
Picking a landfill was handy
When money wasn't to be had
I'd pick the dump for tin and rags
And head for the junkyard with dad
Carrying the days find in bags.
Although a youth I recognized
the wounded pride in daddy's eyes.
poem by Albert Ahearn
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Believe Me Baby
(written by Kim Richey, Angelo, Larry Gottlieb)
If there ever was a time
That I could use your trust in me
And if there ever was a reason
For me to get down on my knees
And if there's any way (if there's any way)
That you could love me anyhow
If you ever had much faith in me
I could use a little now
When I said it would suit me fine
If you were out of sight and out of mind
That wasn't me talking
That was my wounded pride
When I said I didn't want your love
And you were no one I was thinking of
Believe me baby I lied
Well I got no good excuses
But I got plenty of regrets
And I wish this was some bad dream
I could wake up and forget
'Cause you're the only one (you're the only one)
That I could never stand to lose
You're all I've ever wanted
Baby that's the truth
When I said it would suit me fine
If you were out of sight and out of mind
That wasn't me talking
That was my wounded pride
When I said I didn't want your love
And you were no one I was thinking of
Believe me baby I lied
Hey!
When I said it would suit me fine
If you were out of sight and out of mind
That wasn't me talking
That was my wounded pride
When I said I didn't want your love
And you were no one I was thinking of
Believe me baby I lied
Believe me baby I lied
song performed by by Trisha Yearwood
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Church of the Little Drummer Boy
He didn't do it for money,
He didn't to it for power,
It wasn't an inside job,
And he probably wasn't real.
But he wasn't controlled by the Mafia,
Maybe he was just a dream,
Or maybe just a hope,
Of what Christmas might mean.
Over the years many a child
Has heard of the Little Drummer Boy,
How he played his drum for Jesus
To bring the Baby some joy.
He didn't do it to be a big shot,
He wasn't Ginger Baker,
He played out of musical love,
And he wasn't a faker.
If you're looking for religion,
The Drummer Boy is good to go,
I mean, he's as churchy as it gets,
Considering the show.
poem by Richard Jarboe
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Handy Dandy
Handy dandy, controversy surrounds him
He been around the world and back again
Something in the moonlight still hounds him
Handy dandy, just like sugar and candy
Handy dandy, if every bone in his body was broken he would never admit it
He got an all girl orchestra and when he says
Strike up the band, they hit it
Handy dandy, handy dandy
Bridge #1:
You say, what are ya made of?
He says, can you repeat what you said?
Youll say, what are you afraid of?
Hell say, nothin neither live nor dead.
Handy dandy, he got a stick in his hand and a pocket full of money
He says, darling, tell me the truth, how much time I got?
She says, you got all the time in the world, honey.
Handy dandy, handy dandy
Bridge #2:
Hes got that clear crystal fountain
Hes got that soft silky skin
Hes got that fortress on the mountain
With no doors, no windows, no thieves can break in
Handy dandy, sitting with a girl named nancy in a garden feelin kind of lazy
He says, ya want a gun? Ill give you one. she says, boy, you talking crazy.
Handy dandy, just like sugar and candy
Handy dandy, pour him another brandy
Handy dandy, he got a basket of flowers and a bag full or sorrow
He finishes his drink, he gets up from the table he says,
Okay, boys, Ill see you tomorrow.
Handy dandy, handy dandy, just like sugar and candy
Handy dandy, just like sugar and candy
song performed by by Bob Dylan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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No Football
When we first met we didn't,
it wasn't on the menu.
Of course it had me curious
I gave it much attention.
In April we indulged,
we were so very proud,
bouncing on the sofa
we did it in the lounge!
Later, in July
there was a time, I think
when we hit all the high notes
a few times by the sink.
In Autumn he got lazy
all this just had him spent
so I baked him pastries
and he ate those instead.
New Year was so merry
we drunk all Daddy's Sherry
I think perhaps we did it,
I wasn't really with it.
Last time was the best
and lasted quite a while
it was in Central Park
We had a bloomin' lark.
These days we just don't,
he's got so fat and heavy,
except for when we're bored
and no football's on the telly.
poem by Ruth Walters
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Tell Me
Tell me I wasn't true
Tell me I didn't believe in you
Tell me a moment I didn't share
Tell me when I acted like I didn't care
Tell me a moment with me that was hard to bear
Tell me when I was fake
Tell me the time we spent wasn't great
Tell me I wasn't a good friend
Tell me I wouldn't have your back until the end
Tell me I treated you like a child
Tell me a time I couldn't make you smile
Tell me a time I didn't miss you
Tell me I never kissed you
Tell me a time I used you
Tell me a time I abused you
Tell me you're not all I have
Tell me when I didn't speak on your behalf
Tell me when I didn't have your back
What I'm seeing I feel like you're telling me all of that
poem by Daniel Chapman
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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You Made Okay To Do It Your Way
You pick up then you kicked the ball.
You pick up then you kicked the ball.
You pick up then you kicked the ball.
You pick up then you kicked the ball.
Why did you choose to pick a ball,
Knowing picking it...
Wasn't cool to do.
You complained,
That you couldn't take the weight.
And a waiting too late makes it okay.
You pick up then you kicked the ball.
You pick up then you kicked the ball.
You pick up then you kicked the ball.
You pick up then you kicked the ball.
You made okay to do it your way,
To...
Pick then kick a ball.
To,
Pick then kick a ball.
You made okay to do it your way,
To...
Pick then kick a ball.
To,
Pick then kick a ball.
Why did you choose to pick a ball,
Knowing picking it...
Wasn't cool to do.
You made okay to do it your way,
To...
Pick then kick a ball.
To,
Pick then kick a ball.
You pick up then you kicked the ball.
You pick up then you kicked the ball.
You pick up then you kicked the ball.
You pick up then you kicked the ball.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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In Germany, they first came for the communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Catholic. Then they came for me -- and by that time there was nobody left to speak up.
quote by Martin Niemller
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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It took me about three years to write About Grace. I wasn't teaching two of those years, so I was working eight-hour days, five days a week. And it would include research and reading - it wasn't just a blank page, laying down words.
quote by Anthony Doerr
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Daddy's Moonshine Still
Folks say my daddy wasn't much of a man
For disobeying the laws of the land
Folks say that my daddy wasn't fit to kill
Oh and I know it was true what the people said
Cause we'd all've been better of dead
Than to live a life of shame and strife
Cause of daddy's moonshine still
My mama was always sweet and kind
But she grew old before her time
Worryin' about the way we had to live
Yeah my daddy put the wrinkles in my mama's face
He drunk his share of all he made
And just one more reason I grew to hate
My daddy's moonshine still
Chorus:
Daddy's moonshine still was good for nothin'
But to break mama's heart
And to tear our home apart
Make our lives a livin' hell
Them old mason jars that daddy made us wash
And set them out to sun on our back porch
'Til he got ready to take 'em up on the hill
And when daddy got word of the revenue
He made us kids help hide his brew
Made us swear that we never knew
About daddy's moonshine still
Yeah and two of my brothers drove across the state line
Once a week with a load of moonshine
And the wounds that came from that won't ever heal
Cause on a moonshine run one rainy night
My two brothers lost their lives
And oh my god how I despise
My daddy's moonshine still
Repeat Chorus
Well it broke mama's heart but she understood
The day that I left home for good
But I had to find me another way to live
Well I sent mama money nearly every day
And how I made it, well I'd rather not say
But at least it took me far away
From daddy's moonshine still
My bootlegging daddy was known quite well
And he made our home a livin' hell
And I ain't forgot it and I know that I never will
My mama finally died she just gave up
And daddy finally died from drinkin' that stuff
And bad memories haunt the rest of us
From daddy's moonshine still
Repeat Chorus
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Nicky Nicky Nicky Nicky Nicky Nick Pick
You can't win the war and the battle cause,
That struggle is in your head.
And kept there seven days a week.
With no sleep there you're reaping.
You can't win the war and the battle cause,
That struggle is in your head.
And kept there seven days a week.
With no sleep there you're reaping.
All you like to do is nitpick my wrongs.
With that constant picking that you see fit.
But only you brood sucking your thumb.
Without that finger licking that you want done!
Nicky nicky nicky nicky nicky nick pick,
Pick bones...
That's all you really want to do,
Pick bones...
Pick over bones that's gone!
Nicky nicky nicky nicky nicky nick pick,
Pick bones...
That's all you really want to do,
Pick bones...
Pick over bones that's gone,
With a finger licking done like you've won!
You can't win the war and the battle cause,
That struggle is in your head.
And kept there seven days a week.
With no sleep there you're reaping.
Nicky nicky nicky nicky nicky nick pick,
Pick bones...
That's all you really want to do,
Pick bones...
Pick over bones that's gone,
With a finger licking done like you've won!
Nicky nicky nicky nicky nicky nick pick,
Pick bones...
That's all you really want to do,
Pick bones...
Pick over bones that's gone,
With a finger licking done like you've won!
You can't win the war and the battle cause,
That struggle is in your head.
And kept there seven days a week.
With no sleep there you're reaping.
With no sleep there you're reaping.
Nicky nicky nicky nicky nicky nick pick,
Pick bones...
With no sleep there you're reaping.
With no sleep there you're reaping.
Nicky nicky nicky nicky nicky nick pick,
Pick bones...
With no sleep there you're reaping.
With no sleep there you're reaping.
Nicky nicky nicky nicky nicky nick pick.
With no sleep there you're reaping.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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I Wasn't The One
Your eyes and my eyes haven't talked in quite a while
Seems like a lifetime since i walked beside your smile
There's a dark cloud that's hanging above
Memories never lie
Still we talk about the way that it was
And i think we both know the feeling hasn't died
I wasn't the one who said goodbye, oh no
I wasn't the one who disappeared in the night
And i won't be the one to say that we can't try
Da da
Your touch and my touch haven't spoken for some time
You say we've both changed and your always on my mind
I can tell you that it's over and done but i would only lose
Being close to the want that i want
So go on and ask me if i'm still in love with you
I wasn't the one who said goodbye, oh no
I wasn't the one who disappeared in the night
And i won't be the one to say that we can't try
Da da
There was no need for you to ask - please don't ask
You oughta know by now, ooo babe, i want you back
I wasn't the one who said goodbye, oh no
I wasn't the one who disappeared in the night
I wasn't the one who said goodbye, oh no
I wasn't the one who disappeared in the night
song performed by by Peter Cetera
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Penny Candies
Let's search for money!
Couch cushions...
laundry room...
junk drawers...
LOOK EVERYWHERE!
Between the five of us kids
we found about 12 cents.
No food in the house.
Buy dinner with 12 cents?
We have to.
Aha! Penny Candy!
Yeah, we can buy 12
and split them.
GENIUS!
Back then the fruit flavored tootsie rolls
were only a penny (thank God) .
We bundled up, since it was wintertime
in Michigan
and walked to the candy store.
We didn't eat them until we were back home.
That way we could just sit and savor our meal.
That was the most delicious candy
I had ever tasted.
I didn't chew them as they're meant to be eaten.
I just placed it in my mouth
and let it melt
as slowly as possible.
No talking...
I didn't want to waste a second of
this pleasure.
When SHE returns from the bar
she'll wonder (or maybe she won't)
if we ate.
I'm not telling her we ate candy for dinner.
25 years later, I went to visit HER.
Trying to move on
forget the past (it's for the best) .
As soon as I walk into her house...
sitting on the dining room table
is a punchbowl filled
with fruit flavored tootsie rolls.
I didn't mention our ''meal''
25 years earlier.
I wondered if she knew
and this was some cruel joke
to have such a huge bowl
filled with just the thing that would trigger
so many emotions.
Where's my dad?
Growing up without a dad wasn’t so bad.
I mean, You can’t miss what you never had.
It wasn’t until I got a little older
That I felt that soft tap on my shoulder.
That had me looking back on the past
Wondering where my dad was at.
I see my husband with our kids and I
Sometimes blink so that I won’t cry.
As I begin to realize
And start to ask why
I never had a dad to hold my hand
To show me what it’s like to trust a man
To wlk me to school or yell at my games
I’m left incomplete without even his name
I see my daughters with their dad
And start to recognize what I never had
Wondering what he might be like
If his name is Tom, Bobby, Dennis or Mike
Do I look like him?
Would he recognize me?
I wonder if I have his eyes
Or maybe I have his teeth.
What would it have been like to have him around
I wonder what he’d think of me now
I wonder if I’d make him proud
Would he tell me im beautiful and smart?
For his empty mantelpiece I’m his work of art?
Daddy I’ve missed you all these years
I’ve thought about you and shed some tears.
I wish I could have known you
Had you there to tell me what to do
Daddy I wish you were there to hold me
Keep me close, maybe console me.
I wish you had been there to protect me
Hug me kiss me and never reject me.
I know you didn’t know that I longed for you
And maybe you would have found me if you knew
I wonder how it feels to be held in daddy’s arms
Where I could feel safe and far from harm
To have you give me away on my wedding day
With all the words of wisdom I’d hear you say
I missed you on graduation day too
I looked into the stands but didn’t see you
I missed you when my children were born
I keep looking, waiting for you to walk through that door
But you didn’t come because you never knew
And Daddy, wherever you are – just know I love you.
poem by Miss Thang
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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I Wasn't The One (Who Say Goodbye)
Your eyes and my eyes haven't talked in quite a while
Seems like a lifetime since I walked beside your smile
There's a dark cloud that's hanging above
Memories never lie
Still we talk about the way that it was
And I think we both know the feelings haven't died
I wasn't the one who said goodbye, oh no
I wasn't the one who disappeared in the night
And I won't be the one to say that we can't try
Da Da
Your touch and my touch haven't spoken for some time
You say we've both changed and your always on my mind
I can tell you that it's over and done but I would only lose
Being close to the one that I want
So go on and ask me if I'm still in love with you
I wasn't the one who said goodbye, oh no
I wasn't the one who disappeared in the night
And I won't be the one to say that we can't try
Da Da
There was no need for you to ask - please don't ask
You oughta know by now, ooo babe, I want you back
I wasn't the one who said goodbye, oh no
I wasn't the one who disappeared in the night
I wasn't the one who said goodbye, oh no
I wasn't the one who disappeared in the night
song performed by by Peter Cetera
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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It's Just That Simple
There's a whole lot of money that you gave me
I'd gladly empty my pockets right now
You'd parlay all that by triple
It's just that simple
Those days I'd gladly walk so long for you,
Although it seemed I crawled most of the way
After some time I felt like a cripple
It's just that simple
Last week I was thinking about traveling by land,
And the time you remember we were by the lake
It wasn't even like we made a ripple
It's just that simple
In my head, the time didn't make a ripple
It's just that simple
song performed by by Wilco
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Africa
It wasn't the flowing blond weave,
Attached to your head like a hat.
Or those blue eye contacts.
It wasn't your three inch painted nails,
That scratched my hand...
As your long eyelashes flapped.
Reminding me of fly traps.
Not even your smile bothered me.
Exposing a mouth full of gold teeth
It was when you purred like a cat.
To announce your name was 'Africa'.
That offended me.
And for some reason I had to get up...
To look for the nearest exit to leave.
I knew right then we didn't have chemistry.
And there was no doubt in my mind...
A you and I together was never going to be.
And that might have been your real name.
I just didn't want to stay to hear how you got it.
Or why or when you began to accessorize your pride.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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What Else Ahead of Us Is Next?
I wasn't looking for love.
I wasn't looking for 'you'...
That's for sure!
But...
When our eyes met,
In the way that 'our' eyes met...
We both knew what that feeling was between us.
We both knew what that feeling meant.
What Else Ahead Of Us Is Next?
And for seconds we let it linger.
As if 'forever' came to not forget.
I was not looking for love.
Especially at that time of the day.
And under the circumstances.
We were at work and not at play.
It wasn't a setting for where love should be.
The humidity was high...
And we both were inside,
Sitting amongst others...
Preparing to eat,
Escaping from a Summer heat.
You with other obligations.
And me...
Determined to stay single.
For the rest of my life...
I expected to be.
We were all talking!
And suddenly our eyes...
From opposite ends of a table,
It then 'happened' as if secretly.
THERE.
Our eyes met each other,
And 'there' those feelings we both had...
Knew what it was instantly.
I wasn't looking for love.
I wasn't looking for 'you'...
That's for sure!
But...
When our eyes met,
I did not regret it.
But...
When our eyes met,
There was love understood.
And you and I both let it...
Be!
With a knowing we,
Fell in love magically.
And now...
What on Earth will we choose,
To do...
Next?
Meet discreetly,
To share our passion and sex?
What Else Ahead Of Us Is Next?
I wasn't looking for love.
I wasn't looking for 'you'...
That's for sure!
But...
When our eyes met,
In the way that 'our' eyes met...
What else ahead of us is next?
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Centre Stage
There were times when I was young
I wanted to be centre stage,
the one everyone screamed to for more
whenever I sang my song.
As the years progressed
and I could see it wasn’t going to happen,
I grew content to sit in the stalls
and watch someone else take the applause.
I realized that centre stage
wasn’t where I wanted to be
and that I could entertain
just by being me.
I did not need a spotlight
to show the sparkle in my eyes.
I did not need to dress up
to be someone I wasn’t,
I didn’t need a centre stage,
I only need to be me.
I didn’t need glitz and glamour,
just an opportunity to give others pleasure
from any talent that I had.
I didn’t need the centre stage,
but just a means of escape
and just be ordinary me.
20 March 2010
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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I Wish My Own Uterus Was Left Alone
Didn't I tell you not to use,
That kind of language 'inside' this house?
'Yeah, but mommy...
Daddy uses it inside, outside,
And 'everywhere'.'
And tell me this,
Why is it you rush to the mailbox...
When the mailman comes everyday.
What's going on?
'I'm waiting for a letter from the President.
I wrote to ask him a question.
I want to know why he hasn't replaced my piggy bank.
With the money I had in it.'
Didn't I tell you your father did that?
'Yeah but daddy said if it wasn't for the President,
The gas prices wouldn't be high.
And he would be able to buy his own cigarettes.'
The President had nothing to do with your father's actions.
'Tell that to daddy.
He said he can't wait to vote him out of office.'
And what do you think the President will say about that?
'I don't care.
I just want my money and my piggy bank back.'
I wish my own uterus was left alone.
Without debating over who stays and who goes.
Pretty soon we'll need permission to use the bathroom.
'Huh? '
Don't worry about it.
Trust me.
What you have and how it's used...
Will 'never' be up for debate.
'Mommy?
Nevermind.
I don't even know what to ask.
I'll just wait to get my letter from the President.'
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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It Was How I Remember And That’s Not How It Was
It may have been Classic, yet not elegant
It may have been Love, yet not romantic
It may have been hidden, yet not unforeseen
Yet none came to you
It was my brother’s irreplaceable companion and his little sister
It was my brother’s incredulity and his greatest suspicion
It was my brother’s settlement and his authorization
Yet none came to you
It wasn’t my dream and it wasn’t my fantasy
It wasn’t my concern and it wasn’t my guarantee
It wasn’t my content and it wasn’t my sorrow
It may have been my mother’s hope, yet not her premonition
And now its my animosity