Laissez les bons temps rouler!
When death and suffering's around
And there is no one to call,
There's still a sign of life that's found
Within these silent streets and walls.
The government can screw the poor
But it can never kill their soul,
There is a spirit bright and pure -
Zydeco, Cajun and Creole.
You cannot kill the Crescent City
With contracts that would turn it all
Into a suburb looking pretty
With condos and big shopping malls.
Let them pour billions on construction
To ease the guilt of those who sold
The city's poor to face destruction
Exacted by Katrina's toll.
And when the streets are filled with laughter,
With jazz and blues to lift the soul,
Forget their phony hereafter -
Just live and let the good times roll!
September 16,2005
poem by Alexander Shaumyan
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New York City Rhythm
Words by Marty Panzer
Music by Barry Manilow
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When my heart is torn apart
by love I wish I had,
Well, I spend my nights in the city's lights
and things don't seem so bad.
Ya know the movement seems to soothe me,
and the temp takes control,
and I lose my blues
when the Ne w York City rhythm fill my soul;
it's the New York City rhythm runnin' thru' my life,
the pounding beat of the city streets
that keeps mydreams alive.
I'm lost, I'm found, I'm up, I'm down,
but somehow I survive.
It's got to be the New Y ork City rhythm in my life,
It's got to be the New York City rhythm in my life,
in my life.
When I'm out for love or sin,
Oh, it's good to be in town,
In the funky dives on the old west sid
there's always somethin' goin' down.
Oh yes , I live my life with strangers,
and the danger's always there,
but when I hit Broadway and it's time to play,
ya know that I don't care;
It's the New York City rhythm runnin' thru my life,
the poundin' beat of the city streets
that kee ps my dreams alive.
I'm lost, I'm found, I'm up, I'm down, ,
but somehow I survive.
It's got to be the New York City rhythm in my life,
in my life.
City rhythm, oo city rhythm.
song performed by by Barry Manilow
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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City Streets
The gaudy glow of neon lights
dispels the darkness of the nights
on city streets.
They pop and fizzle noisily
creating a cacophony
on city streets.
The sober folks walk warily
and drunks stagger uncaringly
on city streets.
The ladies of the night parade
for there is money to be made
on city streets.
Drug dealers ready to retreat
if they should hear a coppers feet
on city streets.
The night shift workers wend their way
towards their work to start their day
on city streets.
The noisy revellers thin out
as one by one the signs go out
on city streets.
The gradually noises abate
and ghostly shadow congregate
on city streets.
For some few hours peace will reign
before the noise will start again
on city streets.
The early morning traffic sounds
start with the milkmen on their rounds
on city streets.
This builds up to an angry roar
as cars and lorries inward pour
on city streets
then when at last rush hour has passed
noise levels will subside at last
on city streets
I thank the lord that I am free
to leave this noise far behind me
on city streets.
I walked my beat the whole night
through exactly as I’m paid to do
on city streets.
I choose to live outside the town
where constant noise won’t get me down
on city streets.
My village is a quiet place
A haven where I need not face
the noisy streets.
8-Jun-07
poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Katrina's Wake Up Call
It's a far too familiar sight -
All the poor who were left behind,
In the cesspool that once had been
The great city of New Orleans.
No carnivals here, just death -
Sick and elderly out of breath,
Hungry children barely alive
In the heat and filth, left to die.
In the flood of drowning cries
They were given nothing but lies -
Promised rescue that never arrived
For the thousands still alive.
Private charity drives will roll,
But the poor have taken their toll -
Jobless, homeless, with nothing at all,
Having trusted the government's bull.
Billions spent on a pointless war,
Many start to say 'no more' -
Time to get the priorities straight -
Time to act before it's too late.
Yes, it's time to wake up again -
Every woman and child, every man -
To rise up for the people's needs
Against corporate lies and greed.
September 2,2005
poem by Alexander Shaumyan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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In My City
In my city the sky can cry all night;
In my city the streets can whine all night;
In my city people die all the time;
In my city, boi, in my city...
In my city, boi, God is forgotten;
people follow religion, their minds are rotten.
People kill for money, die 'cause of money,
banks spend our money, and find it funny.
Kids drink till they forget, they forget till they drink;
it's Apocalypse now, we're way past the brink...
it's a theatrical city, everyone's an actor,
everyone's waitin for next great disaster.
'I would kill for a phone' ain't just an expression,
it's more of a statement - kids full of agression.
kids full of the city, like the city's full of kids,
but they're workin on it - they're killin all the kids...
In my city the sky can cry all night;
In my city the streets can whine all night;
In my city people die all the time;
In my city, boi, in my city...
I'm a Silesian boy who moved to Tottenham,
I'm a Tottenham boy who'll always love London,
I'm a London boy who's Silesia-born,
and my people will be free - so go on, sound the horn!
Exile like Chopin, likewise keeps hoping,
Exile from Home, but somehow I'm coping...
I wasn't bought or sold, jus brought and told
you're gonna study here, and live here - be bold!
so I let my heart turn cold, f- it, why care?
carin never really got us anywhere...
nothing's holdin me back, so come and hold me back,
I ain't no ref, but I change the rules like Shaq.
it's time to speak of feelin, son, you're insecure,
that's why you want the finest chic, but she ain't the cure,
you want the fastest cars, you want the longest chain,
but none of that bulls- will take away the pain...
poem by Patryk Krzywon
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times & Live ?
(alfred reed)
(g) - (c) - (g7) - (d) - (d7) - (am)
(g) I remember a time when every (d) thing was (g) cheap
Now prices nearly puts a man to (d) sleep
(d7) well, when we (g) get our grocery (g7) bill
We (c) feel like making our (am) will
Tell me, (g) how can a poor man (d7) stand such times and (g) live ?
Tell me, (g) how can a poor man (d7) stand such times and (g) live ?
Well, the doctor comes around with his face all bright
And he says, in a little while youll be all right!
Well, all he gives is a humbug pill
Dose of dope and a great big bill
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live ?
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live ?
Most preachers, well, they preach for gold and not for soul
Well, thats what keeps us poor folks always in a hole
Now, we can hardly get our breath
Taxed and schooled and preached to death
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live ?
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live ?
song performed by by Ry Cooder
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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City of Jazz (in defiance of Katrina AKA the Beast)
In the land of Blues
There once came a beast
A wild, uncaring, disparaging scourge
She tore through the soul of city of gold
She drove every household to the cold
Then came the tears
All night and all day
Flooding the streets and swelling the blue bay
Then came the snakes
Both men and green
They lashed at the people with tainted white teeth.
But the land was strong
Full of ole passion and pride
And the city of golden jazz would not give up without a fight
The struggle was hard
And the people were weary
Together the music lifted thier sad souls
The more they sang the stronger they played
And the people drove the beast, the tears, and the snakes away
After they were gone
The jeweled people all see
The city of Jazz in the land of Blues was meant to be
And the music will play in the heart of New Orleans
The city of Jazz in the land of Blues will be
poem by T.L. Taylor
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Dem Inner City Blues
I got dem Inner City Blues,
The same ones that made Marvin wanna Holla!
It's hard for people like me to get a dolla,
So i can make ends meet
So i gotta resort to bein' in the streets
Slangin' dem thangs to crack fiends
Not knowin' if they the one that's gonna
Have me doin' time on cell block 18.
Dem Inner City Blues ain't no joke
Got me so stressed out I just sit back,
Roll up some Haze and toke,
On probation for a year,
If P.O. pull a urine I know
I'm up outta here!
Damn those Inner City Blues,
I wish I could wake up and
Have some good news,
'Cause I'm tired of
Dem Inner City Blues.
poem by by unknown author
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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We Kill The World
I see mushrooms, atomic mushrooms.
I see rockets, missiles in the sky.
Day by day, more and more,
Where will this lead to
And what is this good for?
Poor world, poor world.
Concrete's rising up,
Where yearerday was park
You heard the robin's song
Heavy tractor runs
Where air was clean and cool
Make money, bringing fuel.
Where will this lead to
And what is this good for?
A poor world, poor world.
Fishes doomed to die
As people live close by
And oaktree falls with moon
Parking lots will come
With flowerfields were bright
As junkyard covers sight!
Where will this lead to
And what is this good for?
Poor world, is hurting bad,
Poor world, is doomed to die.
We kill the world
Kill the world
We surely do
In peace we do!
We kill the world
Kill the world
'cause we don't know
What we are doing!
We kill it
One by one
Don't realize!
And nuclear piles stand like monuments
Of destruction throughout over the country
Promenades must go
So cars can drive in row
New fact'ry towers tall
Farmhouse had to fall
No flowers in the air
Pollution everywhere.
Where will this lead to
And what is this good for?
A poor world, poor world.
Oceans in despair
There's rubbish everywhere
The seaweed chokes in mud
Nature's had her lot
With nuclear waste and rot
And mushrooms bloom as clouds.
Where will this lead to
And what is this good for?
Poor world, is hurting bad,
Poor world, is doomed to die.
We kill the world...
Don't kill the world
Don't let her down.
Do not destroy basic ground.
Don't kill the world
Our means of life.
Lend ear to nature's cry.
Don't kill the world
She's all we have,
And surely is worth to save.
Don't let her die,
Fight for her trees,
Pollution robs air to breathe.
Don't kill the world
Help her survive
And she'll reward you with life
And don't just talk,
Go on and do the one, who wins is you.
Cherish the world,
A present from god
On behalf of all creatures,
Made by the lord
Care for the earth,
Foundation of life
Slow progress down help her survive
song performed by by Boney M.
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Life In The City
People sleepin on the sidewalks
On a rainy day
Families livin under freeways
Its the american way
Starvin in the city
While the farm goes to seed
Murder in the home
And crime on the streets.
Dont that trouble you brother?
Dont that trouble you pal?
Dont that trouble you sister?
Well, thats life in the city.
All our old hangouts
Are boarded up and closed
Or being sold to someone
Nobody knows
I got a woman that loves me
And I love her so
Shes all dressed up now
With nowhere to go.
Dont that trouble you brother?
Dont that trouble you pal?
Dont that trouble you sister?
Well, thats life in the city.
Thats life in the city.
Listen to me people
Hear what I have to say
Ever since I was knee high
I rocked my blues away
But people sleepin on the sidewalks
And families in need
Murder in the home
And crime on the streets.
Dont that trouble you brother?
Dont that trouble you pal?
Dont that kill you sister?
Well, thats life in the city.
song performed by by Neil Young
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Lost People
Everyday I encounter a lost people
People who beat at their bodies in daylight
then feed it on fast foods in the dark of their
closets!
People who carry a cross on their backs in the
city streets and shopping malls but are still
nailed to the cross,
Wanting smone to bring them down from their
watchtower of pain!
I see people in a city on hill...a city whose walls
are well lit for the people dead in the valley
below to see!
Yet these people in the city have no lights on
the city streets they walk!
I see people who believe in a superhuman
being...
One who was thrown in a tomb and though he
was held in by a great boulder...
This hero found his way out and not just out of
the crypt but out of the abyss!
But everyday I’m forced to believe that these
people were the thorns in the crown of their
hero,
The nails that held him to the tree,
The whip that tore his back into shreds
And still I believe....
They were that boulder that tried to hold him
inside that cave damp with the stench of death
Yet they could see he was so full of life!
And still every day I watch kids play with action
figures of this great hero...
He has been turned to a crucifix round their
necks...
Unaware of the yoke their action-figure-hero
had to bear
I can’t call him superman coz he aint just a
man...
But the kids know he is cool coz he walks on
water n makes the wise guys look daft!
Everyday I see these people and when I raise
my fist to hurl insult at this lost lot of wolves in
sheep skins...
I can’t help but notice the 6 by 6 inch nails that
rust hanging from my wrists!
I to, am among this herd of ungrateful sheep in
black fleece...
The herd that sold its shepherd
poem by Kelvin Kaesa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Hollyweird
welcome to my city
the girls are so damn pretty
such a pity, they don't come for free
just call me pimp daddy
i'll roll ya one big fatty
i think your gonna like hangin with me
chorus
welcome to my city of sin
i believe your gonna fit right in
yes this is my city of sin
your first lesson is about to begin
now you're living in the city of sin
you don't mind if i call you friend
once you enter you can never get out of here
welcome to hollyweird
i'm the king of the streets
i own the cops, the junkies and freaks
it's human wasteland i call home
grow your hair to your shoes
trust me boy you just can't lose
soon this be the only life you've ever known
chorus (solo)
chorus out
song performed by by Poison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Club Soul City
Pack up your bags
Dont look back
Theres a little place
Out cross the the railroad tracks
If youre broken-hearted
And you dont know what to do
But they got a place down there thats just for you
Club soul, club soul city, yeah yeah yeah
Club soul, club soul city, oh yeah
Theres a waitress at the back bar
Goes with the the guy that runs the place
Shes got hair like a weeping willow
And tears running down her face
Shes seen a lot of guys like you coming around
Looking for something that theyve lost
Or trying to lose something that theyve found
Down at
Club soul, club soul city, yeah yeah yeah
Club soul, club soul city, oh yeah
So if youre down on your spirit
And there aint no-one who cares
If youre lost and youre lonely
You wont be lonely down there
You cant miss it, its just up the highway
On the front door theres a sign that says
Restricted to the losing kind
Club soul, club soul city, yeah yeah yeah
Club soul, club soul city, oh yeah
Club soul, club soul city, yeah yeah yeah
Club soul, club soul city, oh yeah
song performed by by Bruce Springsteen
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sold Souls
Supple oppression the dress of religion
Sacrifice the poor, the naïve, the insecure
Your profits are paths to hell
Restless streets shall rob your gated city
God fights against you
Tax breaks for the rich that piss on the world
These liars and thieves shall be brought down
Right wing bullshit
They use religion for gain
Stupid oppressed bubba votes for vampires
They suck the blood out of the working class
Phony hypocrites, phony right wing religion
They step on the poor, despise the broken
Pompous assholes of the world
They like slave labor as they live in palaces
They want healthcare and college for the rich
They step on the poor, despise the broken
Shills for corporate greed
In Money We Trust!
Children of hell with sold souls
poem by Joseph Narusiewicz
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The City Of Damn-His Soul
He was nursed and cursed : he lied and died,
In the City of Damn-His-Soul ;
He was mothered and smothered in the slimy tide
Of the City of Damn-His-Soul,
And, strange to say, there were preachers there,
And temples, many and broad ;
But he never had taught him the simplest prayer,
Or had heard of the word of God !
For nobody cared for the poor galoot,
And fewer had cared for his soul
For they said that Hell had a new recruit
From the City of Damn-His-Soul.
But the angels they waited, outside the gate
Of the City of Damn His Soul ;
And they bore him away, with step elate,
To the City of Save-His-Soul ;
And the angels they put him to school How odd !
And they taught him the A B C
Of the Love, and the Wisdom, and Truth of God.
On the winterless side of the sea
He played and was taught, with the angels for chums,
Where the rivers of Paradise roll :
Ah, me, what a change from the bums and the slums
Of the City of Damn-His-Soul !
He has learned a trade in that wonderful place
In the City of Save-His-Soul ;
All traces of sin have been wiped from his face
In the college of Save-His-Soul ;
They Ve taught him to work : they Ve taught him to
pray:
They 've taught him to read and write ;
He works in the gardens of God, by day,
And learns new lessons by night.
The poor lone youth, who had carried the hod
For the devil's designs below,
Is a power and a prince in the realms of God
And I 'm glad that these things are so.
poem by Robert Kirkland Kernighan
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It’s called the inner city
On death row I ask what happen to me
This is not the way it was suppose be
So I drag my mind trying to recall
The life I had beyond these prison walls
I see
Thin walls no privacy
Big yard, living in close proximity
It’s called the inner city
It’s called the inner city
A city no one build for me
It’s called the inner city
Yes it has shaped my destiny
On death row I ask what happen to me
This is not the way it was suppose be
So I drag my mind trying to recall
The life I had beyond these prison walls
I see
Adults sit around
Getting shot and maim
Children run around
Oblivious
Playing their games
In the filth that flows untamed
It’s called the inner city
It’s called the inner city
A city no one build for me
It’s called the inner city
Yes, it has shaped my destiny
On death row I ask what happen to me
This is not the way it was suppose be
So I drag my mind trying to recall
The life I had beyond these prison walls
I see
How hard I try not to run with the pack
But against me the cards were stack
They need protection they need someone
But you can’t protect them with empty hand
In the inner city
It’s called the inner city
Poverty, amidst luxury
A city no one build for me
It’s called the inner city
Yes, it has shaped my destiny
Political connections, fearless and strong
Dispensing justice with an even hand
Truth be told, I am a ladies’ man
So naturally they call me the “Don”
In the inner city
It’s called the inner city
It’s called the inner city
A city, no one build for me
It’s called the inner city
Yes, it has shaped my destiny
Now on death row
Soon, I’ll go
I am guilty?
No one will know
The script is written and sing like a song
They used, refused and then they kill the “Don”
In the inner city
Hah, ha, ha, a, a, a
Hah, ha, ha, a, a, a
poem by Ikhalfani Solan
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Let it Kill
let it kill me and if it doesnt let it try again and again and again till i die, then let it try again and again and finally let it kill me if not then let it try again till i die of pain cause this pain i cannot take, so let it kill until i feel death creep up the corner, let me die with honor or without it just let me die, so let it kill me again and again and if not let it try until i die, for this life i cannot take i have lost all faith so just let me die, let it try to kill me dont set me free come on kill me i refuse mercy or sympathy all i want is death so please let it kill let it send me to death as fast as things go past, let it kill, let it destroy my soul and leave it not whole for i want death, i want death again i say i want death let it kill and if not let it kill again and again till death is all that remain, let it kill
poem by Adens Kamwi
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Growing Up In America!
you turned your children loose,
out in the streets of poverty....
only a few given a chance,
the rest left to fend for theirselves!
no jobs, unless you wanna soldier,
kill or be killed for oil....
then no jobs when you return,
and no house to return to!
food stamps and government aid,
till that eventually runs out....
then back on the streets where you started,
kill or be killed to survive....
dealing dope, dealing flesh, stealing cars,
no hope of anything more!
get caught and go to prison,
not in a gang, better join one!
poor white kids, poor kids of color,
growing up in America!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Organic Poem
Let's grow
organic poems,
verse vitamins
for the soul.
Let’s spray
the streets with
luminous songs.
Let’s sow
the squares with
ethereal grace
and charm.
And then
let’s lift the city
above the clouds.
Let the air
be pure
and the sky
blue again.
Let the city fly
on magic wings
of words in peace
and prosperity.
poem by Paul Hartal
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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New York City
You called me last night on the telephone
And I was glad to hear from you cause I was all alone
You said, its snowing, its snowing! god, I hate this weather.
Now I walk through blizzards just to get us back together
We met in the springtime at a rock-and-roll show
It was on the bowery when it was time to go
We kissed on the subway in the middle of the night
I held your hand, you held mine, it was the best night of my life.
cause everyones your friend in new york city
And everything looks beautiful when youre young and pretty
The streets are paved with diamonds and theres just so much to see
But the best thing about new york city is you and me
Statue of liberty, staten island ferry, co-op city, katzs and tiffanys*
Central park, brooklyn bridge, the empire state where dylan lived**
Coney island and times square, rockefeller center
Wish I was there
You wrote me a letter just the other day
Said, springtime is coming soon so why dont you come to stay.
I packed my stuff, got on the bus, I cant believe its true
Im three days from new york city and Im three days from you
cause everyones my friend in new york city
And everything looks beautiful when youre young and pretty
The streets are paved with diamonds and theres just so much to see
But the best thing about new york city is you and me
cause everyones my friend in new york city
And everything looks beautiful when youre young and pretty
The streets are paved with diamonds and theres just so much to see
But the best thing about new york city is you and me.
song performed by by They Might Be Giants
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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My Hometown
Jersey City is where I was born
I woke up to see many a dawns
It's not a bad city, it was a place to live
But there were many times it didn't forgive
The streets were tough, the winter's cold
It s city you can embrace, but one you can never hold
The streets will own you and rule you
There's not too much one can do
After some years you'll be ready to leave
It will no longer have the things you need
That's when you know it's time to leave
Because in the city you can longer believe
Now people grow up there and decide to stay
But so many many more just go a different way
6-18-10/RJH
poem by Ray Hansell
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