Venetian Night
Her eyes in the darkness shone, in the twilight shed
By the gondola bent like the darkness over her head.
Softly the gondola rocked, lights came and went;
A white glove shone as her black fan lifted and leant
Where the silk of her dress, the blue of a bittern's wing,
Rustled against my knee, and, murmuring
The sweet slow hesitant English of a child,
Her voice was articulate laughter, her soul smiled.
Softly the gondola rocked, lights came and went;
From the sleeping houses a shadow of slumber leant
Over our heads like a wing, and the dim lagoon,
Rustling with silence, slumbered under the moon.
Softly the gondola rocked, and a pale light came
Over the waters, mild as a silver flame;
She lay back, thrilling with smiles, in the twilight shed
By the gondola bend like the darkness over her head;
I saw her eyes shine subtly, then close awhile:
I remember her silence, and, in the night, her smile.
poem by Arthur Symons
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Meandering
Meandering
The moon tonight looks like a golden gondola sailing on a black sea
only casting anchor at dawn. I remember a gondola trip in Venice
grey water, cabbage, onions and apple peels, I wished the gondolier
had been quieter. I sailed across the Black Sea once, from Georgia
To the Dardanelles, and sea was frosty white.
We anchored just outside Istanbul waiting for clearance, small boats
came sold us sweet wine and liqueurs. After an endless journey on
an old ship we drank too much and got sick, but for a few hours we
forgot about the poverty of our wretched life.
An endless voyage to Reykjavik, Iceland, the sea around the island
was dark blue. But the beer there was so insipid that we had no chance
to forget our misery. Moon, it has no business looking like a gondola,
it is a balloon. So bring in the empty horses; suave was David Niven
you couldn’t see he was acting his socks off.
poem by Oskar Hansen
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Adela
Jupiter Mars P Moon
VENEZIA, "May" 19"th", 1910.
Jupiter's foursquare blaze of gold and blue
Rides on the moon, a lilac conch of pearl,
As if the dread god, charioted anew
Came conquering, his amazing disk awhirl
To war down all the stars. I see him through
The hair of this mine own Italian girl,
Adela
That bends her face on mine in the gondola!
There is scarce a breath of wind on the lagoon.
Life is absorbed in its beatitude,
A meditative mage beneath the moon
Ah! should we come, a delicate interlude,
To Campo Santo that, this night of June,
Heals for awhile the immitigable feud?
Adela!
Your breath ruffles my soul in the gondola!
Through maze on maze of silent waterways,
Guarded by lightless sentinel palaces,
We glide; the soft plash of the oar, that sways
Our life, like love does, laps --- no softer seas
Swoon in the bosom of Pacific bays!
We are in tune with the infinite ecstasies,
Adela!
Sway with me, sway with me in the gondola!
They hold us in, these tangled sepulchres
That guard such ghostly life. They tower above
Our passage like the cliffs of death. There stirs
No angel from the pinnacles thereof.
All broods, all breeds. But immanent as Hers
That reigns is this most silent crown of love
Adela
That broods on me, and is I, in the gondola.
They twist, they twine, these white and black canals,
Now stark with lamplight, now a reach of Styx.
Even as out love - raging wild animals
Suddenly hoisted on the crucifix
To radiate seraphic coronals,
Flowers, flowers - O let our light and darkness mix,
Adela,
Goddess and beast with me in the gondola!
Come! though your hair be a cascade of fire,
Your lips twin snakes, your tongue the lightning flash,
Your teeth God's grip on life, your face His lyre,
Your eyes His stars - come, let our Venus lash
Our bodies with the whips of Her desire.
Your bed's the world, your body the world-ash,
Adela!
Shall I give the word to the man of the gondola?
poem by Aleister Crowley
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Along the river
Water bends, rolls down
to fiind a place to banks,
waves break by stones
and curl up around them,
yellow poplars,
that watch the river, tremble,
drooping willows wash their locks
in hesitating water.
I remember how I was fishing
under shaded banks
with my friends.
Fishes were avoiding my fishing rod
and were inviting me to the competition with them.
From the river that winds tremblingly,
I hear melancholic verse of the natives
gone to the fishing with the boat.I have felt asleep.
It has seemed to me that a beautiful gondola with a miraculous fairy
has crossed the river.
I was charmed by the beauty of the fairy
that has glittered on the lustre of the water.
On the bank, I have done token to the gondola
and the oarsman has brought the gondola near the bank.
At the light of the torch, I have caught the hand of the fairy
and I have invited her on the bank.
A spark has died out in her heart,
bugle of silver has blown long
the disappearance of the gondola.
The fishers from the village have woken me up:
„ It was getting late.You have to go home”.
poem by Valentin Gabriel Cristea
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Old Ramshackled Bar
In gondola
On waterway
I traded blues and greens
Today.
And other sunlit colour schemes,
For hidden serenade.
A jazz piano played.
Where notes escaped
Like happy dreams.
From old ramshackled bar.
To burn
And crackle far.
Then quickly die
In twilight creams
Of cooling sunset sky.
A gondolier
On waterway
Took me and my guitar.
To play the blues of 'Frisco bay.
And rock
The old ramshackled bar.
To solve the clues
Of love's dismay.
The songs of pain
Would float away.
And douse
The nearest star.
In gondola
On waterway
I awoke from my reverie
Today.
My lover laying next to me.
Sunlight playing
Through her hair
Like music from a harp.
The day as clear
As bluest eyes so fair
And oh so sharp.
Under lazy Venetian skies.
It was then
That I would realise.
All the notes
The night had cast
Were merely ghosts
Of heartaches past.
Like the old ramshackled bar
- Long gone.
Just leaving a broken guitar
To play in the wind.
Where the moon
Once shone.
From afar.
poem by Kevin East
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Midwinter
A blue light
radiates from my clothing.
Midwinter.
Clattering tambourines of ice.
I close my eyes.
There is a silent world
there is a crack
where the dead
are smuggled across the border.
poem by Tomas Transtromer from The Sorrow Gondola
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Blue jeans are the most beautiful things since the gondola.
quote by Diana Vreeland
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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April and Silence
Spring lies deserted.
The velvet-dark ditch
crawls by my side without reflections.
All that shines
are yellow flowers.
I’m carried in my shadow
like a violin in its black case.
The only thing I want to say
gleams out of reach
like the silver
in a pawnshop.
poem by Tomas Transtromer from The Sorrow Gondola
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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A Canopy Of Silence
The wings of night
few silently under a silver moon,
lovers gazed into each other’s eyes
as they walked together
under a canopy of silence.
The eyes of night watched
as they walked
and no murmur was heard.
It was if they were enveloped
within a canopy of silence.
The two lovers leant against a tree
entangled in each other’s arms
as the moon shone down on them
and the stars danced in the night sky.
They held each other close
under a canopy of silence.
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Human Face
upon his face
the smile floats like
a gondola
on the River of
Venice
one can hear the
song of the
gondolier
the eyes of his face
are windows
opening because the
songs are
tempting
they are the eyes of
women
looking for love
the nose serves as
the only bridge
there
to connect the ears
and chin
in that atmosphere
of indifference
the princess is
the tongue
salivating
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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Love's Old Sweet Song
Once in the dear dead days beyond recall,
When on the world the mists began to fall,
Out of the dreams that rose in happy throng
Low to our hearts Love sung an old sweet song;
And in the dusk where fell the firelight gleam,
Softly it wove itself into our dream.
Just a song at twilight, when the lights are low,
And the flick'ring shadows softly come and go,
Tho' the heart be weary, sad the day and long,
Still to us at twilight comes Love's old song,
Comes Love's old sweet song.
Even today we hear Love's song of yore,
Deep in our hearts it dwells for evermore
Footsteps may falter, weary grow the way,
Still we can hear it at the close of day,
So till the end, when life's dim shadows fall,
Love will be found the sweetest song of all.
Just a song at twilight, when the lights are low,
And the flick'ring shadows softly come and go,
Tho' the heart be weary, sad the day and long,
Still to us at twilight comes Love's old song,
Comes Love's old sweet song.
poem by Clifton Bingham
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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The Darkness Falls Like A Shadow Over You (In Answer To Pablo Neruda)
The darkness falls like a shadow over you,
where your eyes gleam like that of a cat
as the silver twilight sudden start to rush in
and abstracted your face fades into twilight.
Without a word you gaze into the night,
gaze down at neon lights flickering on,
while I am alone in our big hot bed
and there is a kind of loneliness that comes
with this early evening’s magical hour,
while the sun flames in its red glowing fire
that splashes over your white dress
as the night sets its roots into our souls
while hidden things suddenly come to life,
as your gentle laughter touches me very deep
when you enter our bedroom with a bottle
full of sparkling champagne, full of joy.
Suddenly life is rich as if the act of creation,
is in every gentle touch, as if new beginnings
of love, joy and tender bliss are totally endless
as the city lights suddenly wink on below.
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Darkness Of...
Darkness is not the darkness of night
it is the darkness of mind and soul.
darkness is not the darkness of night,
it is the darkness of discrimination between poor and rich.
darkness is not the darkness of night,
it is the darkness of dishonesty.
darkness is not the darkness of night,
it is the darkness of aggravate.
darkness is not the darkness of night,
it is darkness of corruption.
darkness is not the darkness of night,
it is the darkness of indiscipline.
darkness is not the darkness of night,
it is the darkness of animosity.
darkness is not the darkness of night,
it is the darkness of inveterate.
darkness is not the darkness of night,
it is the darkness of perjury.
darkness is not the darkness of night,
it is the darkness that we all brought up inside us,
so, light the lamp of light inside you...
poem by Suniya Garg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Raven's Song
My Love,
The nights have grown longer,
The days have become shorter,
Yet still the length of which I spend watching you.
So graceful and delicate,
Moving through the day watching in silence,
Bowing your head with solitude and knowing.
The way your white satin dress blows in the fall breeze,
Such white against such grey,
Why, my love, can’t I be like you?
Why can I blow through the wind so simply as a fallen leaf?
My tears fall gently for I long to be near you,
Though here I remain,
A black stain against your white,
An impossible friend,
An omen of sorrow and death.
Oh how you shine with your light of beauty,
Your understanding of life,
The way you live in a world that is so open and free.
Your movements captivate me in awe,
Your slow silhouetted body,
A panicle against the dusky grey of gloom.
Mist and fog wrapping around you as a blanket does a small child,
Such a simple life you must lead.
No cares or sorrows,
No pain or grief.
My dear love, I wish you could see me,
I wish I were not as blind to you as a sunset to a blind man.
Shed your light on my darkness,
On everything that I stand for,
People fear me, for who I am,
What I represent,
Why can’t you show them differently?
Maybe if you looked upon me they would see,
That my darkness can bring light,
My sorrow can bring love,
That my deep chasm eyes do not hold death or unwanted knowledge,
Please, love, for that is what you are,
A forbidden love whom I can never have,
If only for a day I could be reborn,
As A feather from your wing,
A beam of light from your grace,
The shine in your eyes that carry so much joyful remorse,
Be such to me that I could never be to thee.
Listen to my call,
As a deaf man listens to his heart,
Hear what I have to say my love,
Listen with your eyes,
For this is my lungful song to you,
From the Raven to the Swan.
song, lyrics by Bethany Maxwell (2010)
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Landscape with Suns
The sun emerges from behind the house
stands in the middle of the street
and breathes on us
with its red wind.
Innsbruck I must leave you.
But tomorrow
there will be a glowing sun
in the gray, half-dead forest
where we must work and live.
poem by Tomas Transtromer from The Sorrow Gondola
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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When Im Over You
(words & music by milete)
When Im over you therell be darkness where my soul has been
And no light will ever shine again when Im o-over you
When youre leavin is over and theres not another tear to cry
In the silence of that last goodbye just remember, remember this
When Im over you therell be darkness where my soul has been
And no light will ever shine again when Im over, over you.
Ooh-ooh-ooh
When Im over you therell be darkness, darkness where my soul has been
And no light will ever shine again when Im over, over you.
When Im over you therell be darkness where my soul has been
And no light will ever shine again when Im over, over you.
When Im over you therell be darkness, darkness, darkness where my soul has been
And no light will ever, ever shine again when Im over you.
song performed by by Elvis Presley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Nocturne
Indigo bulb of darkness
Punctured by needle lights
Through a fissure of brick canyon shutting out stars,
And a sliver of moon
Spigoting two high windows over the West river….
Boy, I met to-night,
Your eyes are two red-glowing arcs shifting with my vision….
They reflect as in a fading proof
The deadened eyes of a woman,
And your shed virginity,
Light as the withered pod of a sweet pea,
Moist and fragrant
Blows against my soul.
What are you to me, boy,
That I, who have passed so many lights,
Should carry your eyes
Like swinging lanterns?
poem by Lola Ridge
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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That One Blue Candle
(danny okeefe/vince melamed)
Turn out the light
Darkness makes me sentimental
Warm breeze wraps around us
And theres comfort in your voice
On second thought
Please leave on that one blue candle
Life reveals your secrets
And it gives my eyes a choice
All the shadows dance upon the walls
Love is all thats left to say
As the glow from that one blue candle
Softly lights the way
And tomorrow when the world returns
And the shadows of the night depart
Will the light from that one blue candle
Still be burning in our hearts?
By candle light
These moments slowly melt together
And well make love last forever
This time its only us
All the shadows dance upon the walls
Love is all thats left to save
As the glow from that one blue candle
Softly lights the way
And tomorrow when the world returns
And the shadows of the night depart
Will the light from that one blue candle?
Still be burning in our hearts
Still be burning in our hearts
Still be burning in our hearts
song performed by by Tiffany
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Faery Songs
I.
Shed no tear! oh, shed no tear!
The flower will bloom another year.
Weep no more! oh, weep no more!
Young buds sleep in the root's white core.
Dry your eyes! oh, dry your eyes!
For I was taught in Paradise
To ease my breast of melodies,--
Shed no tear.
Overhead! look overhead!
'Mong the blossoms white and red--
Look up, look up! I flutter now
On this fresh pomegranate bough.
See me! 'tis this silvery bill
Ever cures the good man's ill.
Shed no tear! oh, shed no tear!
The flower will bloom another year.
Adieu, adieu -- I fly -- adieu!
I vanish in the heaven’s blue,--
Adieu, adieu!
II.
Ah! woe is me! poor silver-wing!
That I must chant thy lady's dirge,
And death to this fair haunt of spring,
Of melody, and streams of flowery verge,--
Poor silver-wing! ah! woe is me!
That I must see
These blossoms snow upon thy lady's pall!
Go, pretty page! and in her ear
Whisper that the hour is near!
Softly tell her not to fear
Such calm favonian burial!
Go, pretty page! and soothly tell,--
The blossoms hang by a melting spell,
And fall they must, ere a star wink thrice
Upon her closed eyes,
That now in vain are weeping their last tears,
At sweet life leaving, and these arbours green,--
Rich dowry from the Spirit of the Spheres,
Alas! poor Queen!
poem by John Keats
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Lets Get Rocked
Do you wanna get rocked?
Lets get, lets get, lets get, lets get rocked
Im your average ordinary everyday kid
Happy to do nothin, in fact thats what I did
I got a million ways to make my day
But daddy dont agree
Cause when I try to get away
He says he got plans for me
Get your butt right out of bed
Stop buggin me
Get up and move your sleepy head
Dont shake my tree
He said mow the lawn - who me?
Walk the dog - not my style, man
Take out the trash - no way
Tidy your room - cmon get real
Sorry dad, gotta disappear
Lets get the rock out of here
Seven day weekend, up all night
In at the deep end, hang on tight
It wont take a minute, it wont take long
So get on in it, come on, come on, come on
Lets get, lets get, lets get, lets get rocked
Lets get, lets get, lets get, lets get rocked
Lets go all the way
Get it nightnday
Come on, lets get, lets get, lets get, lets get rocked
Im your average ordinary everyday dude
Drivin with my baby to get her in the mood
Shes dialin through my radio
And Im ready to make my move
But what she got aint rocknroll
And it really blew my groove
It was chopin, mozart, beethoven
It makes me wanna scream
Bach, tschaikovsky, violins
Turn it off, that aint my scene
Well Im sorry girl heres my confession
I suppose a rocks out of the question
Seven day weekend, up all night
In at the deep end, hang on tight
It wont take a minute, it wont take long
So get on in it, come on, come on, come on
Lets get, lets get, lets get, lets get rocked
Lets get, lets get, lets get, lets get rocked
Lets go all the way
Get it nightnday
Come on, lets get, lets get, lets get, lets get rocked
All I wanna do is take a ride into the blue
Every time I want to love you
I get stuck inside my room
Heaven knows Im sick n tired of dancin with this broom
I feel lucky today
Hey look at that, man
Do you wanna get rocked?
Do you wanna get rocked?
It wont take you a minute
It wont take that long
So get on, get with it
Oh, come on everybody
Lets get, lets get, lets get, lets get rocked
Get on top baby
Lets get, lets get, lets get, lets get rocked
Do you wanna, do you wanna?
Lets get, lets get, lets get, lets get rocked
Get on top of it
Lets get, lets get, lets get, lets get rocked
Love to rock your body baby
Lets get, lets get, lets get, lets get rocked
Lets go all the way
Lets do it nightnday
Lets get out and play
Rock the night away
Come on, lets get, lets get, lets get, lets get rocked
Do you wanna get rocked?
song performed by by Def Leppard
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Dead Lights' Lies
Something, anything, anywhere
I’m scared, shut off, closed in
In a darkness to heavy to bear
That is where I will sing
It is a song of sadness
Loneliness but also braveness
In this dead light my fear I must suppress
I’ve my life, my hope and soon I shall impress
A star I see so far away
Is it my hope, my lights first sign?
Will it keep this darkness at bay
Will it show the way, will it shine?
Eyes that show a soul
Voice that melts this cold
A life to fill this black hole
A presence that cannot be sold
All songs must end
The sun will always rise
Even if pain is what darkness will send
Never fall for the dead lights lies
poem by Rebecca Pepper
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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