Dear Reader
Baudelaire considers you his brother, and Fielding calls out to you every few paragraphs as if to make sure you have not closed the book, and now I am summoning you up again, attentive ghost, dark silent figure standing in the doorway of these words.
poem by Billy Collins
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Dear Reader
Baudelaire considers you his brother,
and Fielding calls out to you every few paragraphs
as if to make sure you have not closed the book,
and now I am summoning you up again,
attentive ghost, dark silent figure standing
in the doorway of these words.
Pope welcomes you into the glow of his study,
takes down a leather-bound Ovid to show you.
Tennyson lifts the latch to a moated garden,
and with Yeats you lean against a broken pear tree,
the day hooded by low clouds.
But now you are here with me,
composed in the open field of this page,
no room or manicured garden to enclose us,
no Zeitgeist marching in the background,
no heavy ethos thrown over us like a cloak.
Instead, our meeting is so brief and accidental,
unnoticed by the monocled eye of History,
you could be the man I held the door for
this morning at the bank or post office
or the one who wrapped my speckled fish.
You could be someone I passed on the street
or the face behind the wheel of an oncoming car.
The sunlight flashes off your windshield,
and when I look up into the small, posted mirror,
I watch you diminish—my echo, my twin—
and vanish around a curve in this whip
of a road we can't help traveling together.
poem by William Taylor Collins
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A Closed Book
A book unopened
leaves words to die.
A book unopened
leaves words to lie
in perpetuity,
never alive, never free
to deliver its thoughts
for any to see.
Who was the writer?
What did he pen?
The absence of readers
are lost and then
the book lies quietly
on a shelf
and maybe all by itself it knows.
It will never be opened.
It will always be closed,
just like some people
who won't open up
and speak their words to you.
Their life is something
you'll never know,
something you won't view.
For they are a closed book too.
poem by Edwina Reizer
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The Ghost
The yawning creak of the door
as ivy branches tap the windowpane,
dancing shadows from the candle
caught in a draught from beneath the door.
I sit in what is reputed to be a very haunted room
waiting to see a ghost no one has ever seen.
They’ve only heard the wailing
in the middle of the night.
Therefore, I’m sitting here
my imagination wanting to play tricks
on me as darkness falls.
I’ve come to help this lost wailing spirit
that seems bound to this room
and to help release it
into the heavenly light,
also to find its secret
why it is bound to this room.
The town clock chimes midnight.
I wait, but nothing happens.
Maybe the lost wailing spirit
has taken the night off.
A voice sounded from the gloom.
“Excuse me, are you still up? ”
I looked around
and there by the doorway
stood a tall dark figure there.
“Yes, how can I help you? ”
“Please put out the candle
as it is keeping me awake.”
“But this room is haunted
and I’m waiting to see the ghost.”
Then came, a hearty chuckle
from the dark figure.
“So they got you at as well.
Turn out the candle
and get good nights sleep.
There is no ghost here.
Who on earth told you that.
Whoever it was
just tell them Smiler told you so.”
The next morning
after one of the best sleeps,
I have ever had.
I told the proprietor who had invited me.
They laughed when I told them
that Smiler had told me so.
When they stopped laughing
they said. “Smiler is the ghost
we were telling you about.”
poem by David Harris
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Ghost
lately ive been thinking
lately ive been dreaming with you
im so resitant to this type of thinking
oh, now its shining through
i was alone for the last time
before my nights vacation with you
alive from the first
now im denied by the ghost of you
you take yourself a photograph and laugh at me
please
i know theres little use in crying
its more wide awake and dying then im used to
i thought wed walk these streets together
now im hoping that ill never have to meet you
step aside from all this anger
and somewhere in between i can feel you
ask me should we try again
im thinking no
yknow, its not what i believe in
its not what i believe in
you take yourself a photograph and laugh at me
please
you make yourself a photograph and laugh at me
please
no i, wanna taste you, love
no i...no i
no i, just wanna taste you, love
standing in your shoes
i turn and now
youre standing bare in my doorway
i only wish that i had been prepared
im gonna have to go along with your way
just take the plastic camera out
its the pants you borrowed in the driveway
alive from the first
now im denied by the ghost of you
make yourself a photgraph and laugh at me
please
you make yourself a photograph and laugh at me
please
no i, wanna taste of love
no i...
i was alive from the first
now im denied by the ghost of you
song performed by by Howie Day
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Stick By You
There'll be no moon tonight
And the stars won't light the sky
There are women on the streets,
But there's no loving in their eyes
Feeling weary, tired and wishing
I was standing in your doorway now
There'll be dancing flames
Something special cooking slow
Perfume heavy and all the lanterns turned down low
Oh that lucky, oh that lucky man
Who is standing in your doorway now
I'm a wandering man
You'll never tie me down
Lifelong sailor, but how I wish I was homeward bound
At this moment tired and wishing
I was standing in your doorway now
song performed by by Chris Rea
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Standing In Your Doorway
Therell be no moon tonight
And the stars won t light the sky
There are women on the streets
But theres no loving in their eyes
Feeling weary, tired and wishing
I was standing in your doorway now
Therell be dancing flames
Something better cooking slow, perfume heavy
And all the lanterns turned down slow
Oh that lucky, oh that lucky man
Whos standing in your doorway now
Im a wandering man, youll never tie me down
Lifelong sailor, but how I wish I was homeward bound
At this moment, tired and wishing
I was standing at your doorway now
song performed by by Chris Rea
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Today... 'God my Maker
I was intricately woven upon His heavenly loom
As He carefully knit me together in my mothers womb
In that most secret of places when my conception took place
Ready at the time of my birth to enter the human race
Before the first moment of my earthly existence began
God had written in His book my inmost being and life plan
Each syllable penned and words in calligraphy composed
There sentences were handwritten and the paragraphs disclosed,
From the first chapter of my birth to the last one of my death
Each had been thoughtfully written before I'd taken a breath
I praise God that I am fearfully and wonderfully made
The handiwork of My Great Creator is in me displayed
Living letters turned into syllables and then became words.
These words began to form phrases and the sentences emerged.
Chapters made out of many paragraphs were arranged with care
each carefully written by the in the book of my life there.
For my life is now that book to be read by everyone
because it speaks of His Grace and the wonders Jesus has done.
For in His mercy before the world was made and time began
He had included Roy Allen in His great Salvation plan.
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box)
Standing In The Doorway
Im walkin through the summer nights
The jukebox playing low
Yesterday everything was goin too fast
Today its movin too slow
I got no place left to turn
I got nothin left to burn
Dont know if I saw you if I would kiss you or kill you
It probably wouldnt matter to you anyhow
You left me standing in the doorway cryin
I got nothin to go back to now.
The light in this place is so bad
Makin me sick in the head
All the laughter is just makin me sad
The stars have turned cherry red
Im strummin on my gay guitar
Smokin a cheap cigar
The ghost of our old love has not gone away
Dont look it like it will anytime soon
You left me standin in the doorway cryin
Under the midnight moon.
Maybe theyll get me and maybe they wont
But not tonight and it wont be here
There are things I could say, but I dont
I know the mercy of God must be near
I been ridin a midnight train
Got ice water in my veins
I would be crazy if I took you back
It would go up against every rule
You left me standin in the doorway cryin
Sufferin like a fool.
When the last rays of daylight go down
Buddy youre old no more
I can hear the church bells ringin in the yard
I wonder who theyre ringin for
I know I cant win
But my heart just wont give in
Last night I danced with a stranger
But she just reminded me you were the one
You left me standin in the doorway cryin
In the dark land of the sun.
I eat when Im hungry drink when Im dry
And live my life on the square
And even if the flesh falls off of my face
I know someone will be there to care
It always means so much
Even the softest touch
I see nothing to be gained by any explanation
Theres no words that need to be said
You left me standin in the doorway cryin
Blues wrapped around my head.
song performed by by Bob Dylan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Summers Gone
Looking in a window on a rainy day.
Thinking about good things that I just threw away.
Looking in the gutter, watching the trash go flowing by.
Thinking its summer, but there are only clouds in the sky.
When I think about what we wasted, makes me sad,
We never appreciated what we had.
Now Im standing in a doorway with my overcoat on,
It really feels like summers gone.
So alone.
Summers gone.
It should have been a laugh, it should have been fun,
When I think of all the things that we did last summer.
Now I look back, it seems such a crime,
We couldnt appreciate it at the time.
Now Im standing in a doorway, thinking of summers gone by.
It ought to make me happy, but it just makes me want to cry.
I was riding in the car with my mum and dad,
He was drivin the car, the kids were drivin him mad.
Dad looked at us, then he looked at his wife,
He must have wondered where we all came from.
And then mum said, dad, you know it wont last for long,
Before you know it, summers gone.
So alone.
Summers gone.
I really blew it all, when I think it through,
I really lost it all when I lost you.
Now Im standing in a doorway with water in my shoes,
It really feels like, feels like summers gone.
So alone.
Summers gone.
Summers gone, so alone.
Summers gone.
song performed by by Kinks
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Of Three Or Four In The Room
Out of three or four in the room
One is always standing at the window.
Forced to see the injustice amongst the thorns,
The fires on the hills.
And people who left whole
Are brought home in the evening, like small change.
Out of three or four in the room
One is always standing at the window.
Hair dark above his thoughts.
Behind him, the words, wandering, without luggage,
Hearts without provision, prophecies without water
Big stones put there
Standing, closed like letters
With no addresses; and no one to receive them.
poem by Yehuda Amichai
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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
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Oh, Brother
Im not much for making little wishes
But Id like a little wish to come true for you
Im not talking about loaves and fishes
But I wish that there was something I could do for you
Heres a little bit of cheap advice
To be taken in an hour of need
Dont assume that the life you left
Is the life you have to lead
(chorus)
When you come home what you gonna do
Oh brother, oh brother
Dont you try to deny
What you know to be true
The same mess of misery that you done been through
Standing in line
And its waiting for you
One kiss leads to another
Brother when you come back home
Id like to know whos knocking on door
Id like to know what they come here for
Youd like to say no
But the words wont come
Come in and sit down, seem to roll off your tongue
You forget to remember, to never die young
One kiss leads to another
Brother when you come back home
Standing in line, all of your friends
Standing in line, party never ends
Standing in line, the river flows, the river bends
Standing in line, all of your friends
- chorus -
And that moon will be
Shining in the trees
All night long
Something bound to happen for sure
Soon youll be
Stopping by talking to a friend again
Swear you aint never tasted nothing so pure
- chorus -
When you come home, your friends are dropping by
When you come home, the moon is gonna shine
When you come home, I tell you no lie
When you come home, theyre gonna offer you a line
Standing in line, all of your friends
Standing in line, party never ends now
Standing in line, the river flows, the river bends
Standing in line, all your so called friends
Standing in line, when you come home
Standing in line, oh brother, oh brother now
Standing in line, when you come home
Standing in line, what youre gonna do now
Standing in line...
song performed by by James Taylor
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Graveyard Ghost
There was a graveyard by my house,
I saw a ghost while sleeping on the couch.
See I had just sprained my ankle,
and was upstairs,
I slept in the basement,
usually but my muscles I did tear.
So one night I woke up to see
what was hovering close to me.
A figure was at the foot of my bed,
it was a figure that I would soon dread,
Ghost whose body was long since dead.
I told him telepathically,
to get away and please do leave.
He put on the sweater that was at my feet,
I felt better and went back to sleep.
Now one month later I did see,
another figure outside by the tree.
He was waiting at the corner for a bus,
I thought was a human I did trust.
When I drove up to the corner
he had disappeared,
The bus was still coming,
it still wasn’t near.
Another ghost comes to see if I’m o.k,
that’s what my friend did say.
No harm from the ghosts across the street,
they keep to themselves unless you
were in pain like me.
Written on Feb.21,2011 by Christina Sunrise
poem by Suzae Chevalier
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Where was my brother
Where was my brother when I needed him there?
Does he think I don’t notice or assume I don’t care?
Where was my bother it was once him and once me?
But now at some bad times it’s him I don’t see.
Where was my brother who’s back I once had?
You were the brother to count on the good times and bad.
Where was my brother by my side he should be?
He should be right here why can’t I see?
Where was my brother when I needed him most?
Now when I look to my side all I see is his ghost.
Where was my brother did I bring shame?
Does he remember me now, does he remember my name?
Where was my brother waiting to long for his call?
So I put up a brick on my emotional wall.
Where was my brother, its his court its his ball?
Guess my brother has proved he’s no brother at all.
poem by Empty Shell
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~ I Watch I Watch I Watch ~
~ I WATCH I WATCH I WATCH ~
Ms. Nivedita. UK
17.09.09.
Ye,
You’re standing in the:
Endless Universe,
Endless Dark,
Endless Light.
Ye,
You’re standing beyond the:
Boundaries of Life and Death.
Ye,
Silent Universe
Silent Dark,
Silent Light
Embosom Your foot prints
When minstrel oozing
From Your harp.
Achefully Joyfully
I watch I watch I watch
Without any utterance
Without any hope.
-------
Copyright reserved by the author
poem by Ms. Nivedita Bagchi Spc. Uk.
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Graveyard Ghost
There was a graveyard by my house,
I saw a ghost while sleeping on the couch.
See I had just sprained my ankle,
and was upstairs,
I slept in the basement,
usually but my muscles I did tear.
So one night I woke up to see
what was hovering close to me.
A figure was at the foot of my bed,
it was a figure that I would soon dread,
Ghost whose body was long since dead.
I told him telepathically,
to get away and please do leave.
He put on the sweater that was at my feet,
I felt better and went back to sleep.
Now one month later I did see,
another figure outside by the tree.
He was waiting at the corner for a bus,
I thought was a human I did trust.
When I drove up to the corner
he had disappeared,
The bus was still coming,
it still wasn’t near.
Another ghost comes to see if I’m o.k,
that’s what my friend did say.
No harm from the ghosts across the street,
they keep to themselves unless you
were in pain like me.
Written on Feb.21,2011 by Christina Sunrise
poem by Christina Sunrise
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Telephone Book
I look at my telephone book
I look at my telephone book
I cant stand the way it look
I hate to think the way you took
Me down into a burnin rage
I wrote your name on every page
But you dont return my calls
You dont return my calls
You dont return my calls
Im ready to bust down the walls
Im going down niagara falls
In a barrel of fun
Hey aint I a lucky one
You dont return my calls
My telephone book is the color red
My telephone book is the color red
The red is all in my head
Some things are left better unsaid
Is that why you dont try
To acknowledge or reply
You dont return my calls
Why did you hear from an old friend
I knew once way back when
I did some bad things to myself and my health
Or did you happen to hear an old song I once sang
Did it make your sweet sweet blood run cold in your veins
And will you never think of me the same
Gordon gano: vocals, guitar
Brian ritchie: bass
Victor delorenzo: drums
Recorded at carriage house, stamford, ct
gorno music reprinted with permission
song performed by by Violent Femmes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Standing There In The Rain
Standing there in the rain
crying through the pain
Standing there in the rain
its so dark no one thought
Standing there in the rain
i watch how all disappears
Standing there in the rain
i dropped to my knees
Standing there in the rain
no strenght to believe again
Standing there in the rain
i wish i can breath again
Standing there in the rain
Im no longer there
Standing there in the rain
wish i knew what to do
Standing there in the rain
the dark is waiting for me
Standing there in the rain
im getting stronger
No longer screaming
no longer believing
Standing there in the rain
i see someone staring
Standing there in the rain
its when the war began....
poem by Priscilla Colon
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Fight Or Flight
We're ready to go
Ticking like a bomb that's about to blow
It's taking control
Pulling at your feet like an undertow
You don't really know
If you're all that capable
But you've been told
Figure it out
Don't pretend you're stupid
Sort it out
Go make yourself useful
You're better than dead
You really made a mess with the words you said
So easily fed
The flames of the fire rise above your head
They want to be led
You've joined the ranks instead
There's a voice in your head
I can't figure it out
Any more than the generation before me
I can't figure it out
How we got where we are today
I can't figure it out
Any more than the generation before me
I can't figure it out
We've got to fight not to fade away
song performed by by Face To Face
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Eye To Eye
Well, I'd like to figure out where we stand
Before darkness falls
And I'd like to figure out
Before too late
Before hope is lost
Cause the sun that's shining on my face
Is shining down on you
And the fruit that gives me strength to live
Is giving you strength too
Can we find a way to find a compromise
Tho' we don't see eye to eye
Eye to eye
Well, I'd like to figure out a way
To leave a troubled past behind
To forget those angry words and wars we fought
Across the battle lines
Cause tomorrow we could find a road to peace
For you and me
And our children in their innocence
Will follow what they see
Oh, we've got to find a way to live our lives
Tho' we don't see eye to eye
Oh...how easy it would be
To close the door and walk away
I can't walk out when I believe
You are my brother
And we owe it to each other
We've got to try
Tho' we don't see eye to eye
Eye to eye
Oh...how easy it would be
To close the door and walk away
I can't walk out when I believe
You are my brother
And we owe it to each other
We've got to try
Tho' we don't see eye to eye
Eye to eye
Eye to eye
Well, I'd like to find a way
Tho' we don't see eye to eye
Eye to eye
Well, I'd like to figure out where we stand
Before darkness falls...
song performed by by Amy Grant
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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