Buttons
I have been watching the war map slammed up for advertising in front of the newspaper office.
Buttons—red and yellow buttons—blue and black buttons—are shoved back and forth across the map.
A laughing young man, sunny with freckles,
Climbs a ladder, yells a joke to somebody in the crowd,
And then fixes a yellow button one inch west
And follows the yellow button with a black button one inch west.
(Ten thousand men and boys twist on their bodies in a red soak along a river edge,
Gasping of wounds, calling for water, some rattling death in their throats.)
Who would guess what it cost to move two buttons one inch on the war map here in front of the newspaper office where the freckle-faced young man is laughing to us?
poem by Carl Sandburg
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Related quotes
Festa Major de Gracia
buttons buttons everywhere
never button up our creativity
haiku by John Tiong Chunghoo
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The New Shirt...
she bought me
lies on the table, still folded
and pinned. Palm trees
and a small island parade
across a black background.
The perfect gift for a man
who refuses to wear golf shirts
or one of those boring button down
bargains you find at JCPenny.
I remove the pins, the plastic
strip and the collar becomes
compliant, though not as soft
as her mouth on my neck.
The sleeves, folded across
the chest, reminded me
of the last time I held her
prisoner in my arms.
I count the buttons: seven.
Two more than on that blouse
she wore last night.
I imagine the next time
we are together, know
I won’t let a dozen buttons
come between us.
poem by Clifton King
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Beautiful Day
It doesn't rhyme and might not qualify as poetry but I kind of had fun writing it so I consider it poetry.
What a lovely dream
I came to school naked
I did my homework but my dog ate it
Then he got hit by a car
So I blamed the mailman
But the mailman got shot in the head
So I blamed Joey Mack
But Joey killed my dad
So I killed him back
But my friend caught one of the bullets
His mom was so pissed
Then I got chased by a rapist
But he spontaneously combusted
Before he could get busted
A fat man was watching
He had a heart attack
The ambulance caused a 16 car pileup
On the way to help him
32 deaths later somebody pressed a red button
3 million fried while 6 billion watched in horror
So somebody else responded by pressing all of their red buttons
But nothing happened because the electrician was a dumbass
So they called their friends who pressed all of their red buttons
And then the world was gone
So what a lovely dream
I had such a good nightmare
Why do my classmates keep staring at me like I'm naked or something?
Where's my dog?
Why didn't I get any mail?
I swear I did my homework
Hey! What's this red button for? !
BOOM! ! ! R.I.P.
poem by Ryan Sheets
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Little Green Buttons
The honeymoon ended a decade ago,
If he still loves her he don't say so,
So she's taking her blues to the House af Tattoos,
Getting little green buttons on her birthday suit.
Little green buttons all in a row
From her face to the place they ain't never gonna slow.
Might sound crazy but they sure look cute,
Those little green buttons on her birthday suit.
She had supper in the oven when he came home,
Now he's snoring on the sofa to the Late, Late Show.
It was ten days later before he knew
'Bout those little green buttons on her birthday suit.
But now she's living in a house of love,
She's got his attention, he can't get enough
He spends every evening trying to undo
The little green buttons on her birthday suit.
poem by Sheldon Allan Silverstein
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Sonia and You and The Promise
Sonia closed
the door
behind her
and leaned
against it
you go out
with me?
she asked
her Polish/English
grated on your ears
look I can't
I have other
things to do
you said
running a hand
to smooth
Mr Dubbin's bed
she looked around
the room
and said
what if someone
come in
and see you
here with me?
what if they think
you been having me?
but it wouldn't
be true
you said
standing up
and moving away
from the bed
you know that
and I know it
but others
they do not
she said
her voice
crisp and cool
what if I undo
my uniform
and show my breasts
and say you did it?
you blushed
at the thought
look
just leave me be
you said
she stood firm
against the door
her hands
on the lapels
of her uniform
you could say yes
she said
you could take me
out to cinema
and then
it would be good
huh?
you watched
as she undid
one button
at a time
you watched
her fingers undo
each button
with deliberate
slowness
if I say yes
you'll stop this folly?
you asked
if you mean it
I will walk
from the door
and we can leave
and I do up
the buttons
before others see
she stared at you
her pale blue eyes
on you
her lips parted
just so
you could see
her small white teeth
where do you want to go?
you asked
cinema is good
she said
in the dark
we can kiss yes?
the buttons
were undone
to reveal
her compacted tits
ok ok
you said
the cinema
it is promise?
she said coolly
you make promise
and keep?
yes I make promise
and keep
you repeated
she began to do up
the buttons
her eyes
looking at you
and she smiled
and said
good boy
we have fun no?
you breathed out
the held in breath
sweat dampened
the back
of your shirt
and trouser legs
but if
you do not
show up
she said
brushing her uniform
I'll say you make love
to me on this
Mr Dubbin's bed
and I make bed
look all untidy
and they believe
me yes?
I'll be there
trust me
you said
just let me go
I need to get
the other beds
made before lunch
she moved aside
and opened the door
her perfume
filtering your nose
off you go
she said
and be good
you went off
to make the beds
and show up
that night
as she knew
you would.
poem by Terry Collett
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Inch By Inch
You can take a powder
You can take a drink
You can keep the shrink
And the kitchen sink
Write my name in heaven
In invisible ink
I just woke up from dreaming, I think
You can take me over
You can give me a lip
You can take me under
You can give me the slip
Take off everything or tear me off a strip
Like a lady in the chamber
And another in the clip
Chorus
Dont move a muscle baby
Dont even flinch
You can miss me by a mile
Or just inch by inch
Inch by inch
Inch by inch
Inch by inch
You can pull me up again
Inch by inch
Inch by inch
As pulses race
I long to see that look upon your face
You can take me outside
You can take me apart
You can take me upstairs
You can take me to heart
You made me love you when
You thought you were so smart
Dont try to stop me when
You told me to start
Chorus
song performed by by Elvis Costello
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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It usually takes two people a little while to learn where the funny buttons are and testy buttons are.
quote by Matt Lauer
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Instead of raising your hand to ask a question in class, how about individual push buttons on each desk That way, when you want to ask a question, you just push the button and it lights up a corresponding number on a tote board at the front of the class. Then all the professor has to do is check the lighted number against a master sheet of names and numbers to see who is asking the question.
Jack Handey in Deep Thoughts
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Yellow School Bus
The yellow school bus with the black wheels took sick children to school each day.
The yellow school bus with the black wheels was driven whether or not the sky was gray.
The yellow school bus with the black wheels went pass three streets and up a hill.
The yellow school bus with the black wheels was driven whether sunny or chilled.
The yellow school bus with the black wheels always brought a smile to little kids face.
The yellow school bus with the black wheels was filled with love and filled with grace.
The yellow school bus with the black wheels kept breathing until that final breath.
The yellow school bus with the black wheels was painted red with blood and death.
The yellow school bus with the black wheels and the little sick children were all of friends.
But the now dead children will never take a ride in the yellow school bus again.
poem by RaShawn Ince
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TiTi
I have a queer stuffed toy
Its filled with love and joy
Its ornge and black
She has striped from front to back
She growls
She howl
She even scares the owls
Buttons substitute her eye
And inside her is a bid suprise
Stiches along her head
She lays on my bed
poem by Saranae Nae
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Easter Zunday
Last Easter Jim put on his blue
Frock cwoat, the vu'st time-vier new;
Wi' yollow buttons all o' brass,
That glitter'd in the zun lik' glass;
An' pok'd 'ithin the button-hole
A tutty he'd a-begg'd or stole.
A span-new wes-co't, too, he wore,
Wi' yellow stripes all down avore;
An' tied his breeches' lags below
The knee, wi' ribbon in a bow;
An' drow'd his kitty-boots azide,
An' put his laggens on, an' tied
His shoes wi' strings two vingers wide,
Because 'twer Easter Zunday.
An' after mornen church wer out
He come back hwome, an' stroll'd about
All down the vields, an' drough the leane,
Wi' sister Kit an' cousin Jeane,
A-turnen proudly to their view
His yollow breast an' back o' blue.
The lambs did play, the grounds wer green,
The trees did bud, the zun did sheen;
The lark did zing below the sky,
An' roads wer all a-blown so dry,
As if the zummer wer begun;
An' he had sich a bit o' fun!
He meade the maidens squeal an' run,
Because 'twer Easter Zunday.
poem by William Barnes
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Easter Zunday
Last Easter Jim put on his blue
Frock cwoat, the vu'st time-vier new;
Wi' yollow buttons all o' brass,
That glitter'd in the zun lik' glass;
An' pok'd 'ithin the button-hole
A tutty he'd a-begg'd or stole.
A span-new wes-co't, too, he wore,
Wi' yellow stripes all down avore;
An' tied his breeches' lags below
The knee, wi' ribbon in a bow;
An' drow'd his kitty-boots azide,
An' put his laggens on, an' tied
His shoes wi' strings two vingers wide,
Because 'twer Easter Zunday.
An' after mornen church wer out
He come back hwome, an' stroll'd about
All down the vields, an' drough the leane,
Wi' sister Kit an' cousin Jeane,
A-turnen proudly to their view
His yollow breast an' back o' blue.
The lambs did play, the grounds wer green,
The trees did bud, the zun did sheen;
The lark did zing below the sky,
An' roads wer all a-blown so dry,
As if the zummer wer begun;
An' he had sich a bit o' fun!
He meade the maidens squeal an' run,
Because 'twer Easter Zunday.
poem by Ingeborg Bachmann
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Crowded Elevator
Fifteen minutes to six and fourteen floors to go
Thirteen suited strangers makes the crowded elevator slow
And i've got a million words and phrases on the tip of my tongue
For the only non stranger next to me soon she'll know
Know, know. so let them stare
If i cry think of what you'll be and how much you will how i feel me to spill
Let all of it out right now as and expose every inch in front of them
A twelve more floors your eyes and mine all i need to come clean
Or should i wait for the lobby, spare the lies
Some 26 nervous eyes argue by the little red numbers passing by
If i wait one minute longer, i think i will die
Die, die. it isn't fair.
If i cry think of what you'll be and how much you will how i feel me to spill
Let all of it out right now as and expose every inch in front of them
If i cry think of what you'll be and how much you will how i feel me to spill
Let all of it out right now as and expose every inch in front of them
You help me to feel safe and know
All the while i've been so inquisitive
I can't go back cuz now i know how it feels to open up and breathe
I can't go back cuz now i . . .
I can't go back cuz now i . . .
I can't go back cuz now i . . .
If i cry think of what you'll be and how much you will how i feel me to spill
Let all of it out right now as and expose every inch in front of them
Yeah
Infront of them
Infront of them
Infront of them
song performed by by Incubus
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Flying
(rod stewart, ron wood, ronnie lane)
Im flying across the ocean
And Im soaring back home
To the place I was born and probably raised.
And Im flying across the mountains and valleys,
Back home to the one that I love so happily.
Can ya blame me for feeling homesick
cause Ive been away such a very long long time ?
I served a while in the county jail, five years for
For bein hungry tired and poor, I got worried so.
On and on this I will follow with your buttons and bows.
On and on this I will follow, all alone,
You know I will follow with your buttons and bows,
With your buttons and your bows.
On and on Im flying across the ocean, going home.
Im flying across the ocean
Goin home, hoo hoo
song performed by by Rod Stewart
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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An Old-Fashioned Garden
Strange, is it not? She was making her garden,
Planting the old-fashioned flowers that day—
Bleeding-hearts tender and bachelors-buttons—
Spreading the seeds in the old-fashioned way.
Just in the old fashioned way, too, our quarrel
Grew until, angrily, she set me free—
Planting, indeed, bleeding hearts for the two of us,—
Ordaining bachelor’s buttons for me.
Envoi
Strange, was it not? But seeds planted in anger
Sour in the earth and, ere long, a decay
Withered the bleeding hearts, blighted the buttons,
And—we were wed—in the old-fashioned way.
poem by Ellis Parker Butler
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Almost Medieval
Theres something in your soul that makes me feel so old
In fact I think Ive died about six hundred times
Theres less of me now and more of me then
Im moving back to the age of men
Jump off the tarmac theres no stagecoach speed limit
Outside the office hangs the man on the gibbet
Soft lenses, grow to glasses
Small world, dimly seen through cataracts
Your program, newspaper
So they say
Rumour spread by word of mouth, jump onto the escalator
Press the button on the lift, raise the dust on old stair carpets
Endless treads like waves of regret
Now it seems Im going madder
Falling off this rotting ladder
Soft lenses, grow to glasses
Small world, dimly seen through cataracts
Jump onto the escalator
Press the button on the lift
Raise the dust on old stair carpets
Endless treads like waves of regret
Now it seems Im going madder
Falling off this rotting ladder
Your program, newspaper
So they say
Rumour spread by word of mouth
Jump onto the escalator
Press the button on the lift
Raise the dust on old stair carpets
Endless treads like waves of regret
Now it seems Im going madder
Falling through this rotting ladder
Theres something in your soul that makes me feel so old
In fact I think Ive died about six hundred times
Theres less of me now and more of me then
Im moving back to the age of men
Jump off the tarmac theres no stagecoach speed limit
Outside the office hangs the man on the gibbet
Jump off the tarmac theres no stagecoach speed limit
Outside the office swings the man on the gibbet
song performed by by Human League
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Manuscript
It's like a braille and I touched the buttons.
Then I saw the kind Gypsy Santa
He was combing his gray beard.
' It's very delicate like a woman and handle carefully son.
Each button gets currency notes in different countries
When you press gently.'
My beloved grumbles in the morning
When I said Merry Christmas to her.
'I couldn't sleep the whole night
Because you were typing a manuscript.'
poem by Nimal Dunuhinga
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Elevator
I can't change the past for no one has found the rewind button yet.
I can't take back my pain or catch myself from falling again.
For the net to catch myself before isn't there,
But I can change what I fall into and what button I press.
For the press of one button can change everything.
So lets see what the up button will do.
I may get stuck for a while or fall to the floor due to a sudden stop,
But this time the button is up and I will be falling into a net of hope.
poem by Christina J. Williams
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The Freeview User Manual
Blah, blah, blah, blah... Batteries in.
Switch on... Scan for Freeview channels...
No channels found. Plug in aerial.
Scan for Freeview channels again...
Found 3 channels. Are you kidding me?
Page 12. Try a signal booster...
Later that afternoon...
Another £20 that's cost me!
Plug in aerial. Find a spare cable.
Fit cable to Freeview box...
Scan again... Channels in the wrong order.
Page 13. Top of page: Delete channels.
Page 13. Try manual scan...
Finally...100 channels.
Later that evening...
30 channels disappeared. Flipping thing!
Remove aerial. Autoscan. No channels.
Reconnect aerial. Pause for some whiskey...
Rescan channels. Ah... Click Save channels!
Check EPG. What's the EPG?
Page 205. Technical Terms Explained.
Later the next morning...
Page 16. How to record a programme...
OK, why's the first 5 minutes not there?
Page 17. Missing segments in recordings?
Page 18. Using Timeshift rewind playback.
Press rewind button and again, again and again.
Pause at chosen start point for manual recording.
Press record then start button.
Fast forward to end of programme...
Rewind to end of programme...
Fast forward to end of programme...
Press record and stop button.
Where's the stop button?
Page 4. Remote control buttons guide.
Press the stop button...
Later that afternoon... in the shop...
Hi, I've brought this Freeview thing back.
What's wrong with it, mate?
It's flipping driving me m.m.mental!
Denis Martindale, copyright February 2011.
poem by Denis Martindale
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Fool Button
Fool button
By: jimmy buffett
1978
I woke up in a strange room
Id never seen before
Weird paintins on the walls
Mirrors on the ceiling
I bolted for the door
Lookin for my rentacar
Was the cordoba blue or red
Tryin to remember where I put the keys
Tryin to remember what I said
Chorus:
I pushed the fool button
My night went haywire
I pushed the fool button
Set my brain on fire
Now I was sittin in the corner of a very laid back bar
A little three piece band playin on the stand
Not knowin what lay in store
In a flash a man with a hat and a harmonica stormed the stage
The crowd went berserk, the band said what a jerk
As he went into a blues rampage
Chorus:
It was a fool palace
Double knit on parade
They pushed the fool button
As the skinny boy played and played
Push it, push it, push it
Try to make a point of protectin the innocent
But none of them can be found
It can happen anytime
Happen anyplace
It can happen in your own home town
If you dont believe my words
Or think my storys true
Get a bottle of rum and a eskatrol
And watch the same thing happen to you
Chorus:
Well push the fool button
Ill meet you in the bar
Well push the fool button
Where everyones a star
(jimmy pushed the fool button)
(he pushed it like a fool, bubba)
(pushin like a fool)
(pushed the button like a fool)
(pushed the fool button)
(pushed it like a fool)
(pushed the button like a fool)
song performed by by Jimmy Buffett
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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