To James Norton Esq.
Think you I have not skill to gather gold,
If I could love it as some others do?
Or that I lack the spirit of a bold
And resolute man in any cause that’s true,
Because I scorn to juggle with yon crew
Of politics schemers? Let the truth be told:
Whatever I can value, I can mould
Right deftly to my ends, and boldly too.
“But fame he sought not through a gainful hand”
(This of my being let future tell),
“Nor through the arts of popular command;
But in retirement, where the muses dwell,
That his life’s legacy might be—a well
Pierian, in a wide and thirsty land. ”
poem by Charles Harpur
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Vanitas! Vanitatum Vanitas!
MY trust in nothing now is placed,
Hurrah!
So in the world true joy I taste,
Hurrah!
Then he who would be a comrade of mine
Must rattle his glass, and in chorus combine,
Over these dregs of wine.
I placed my trust in gold and wealth,
Hurrah!
But then I lost all joy and health,
Lack-a-day!
Both here and there the money roll'd,
And when I had it here, behold,
From there had fled the gold!
I placed my trust in women next,
Hurrah!
But there in truth was sorely vex'd,
Lack-a-day!
The False another portion sought,
The True with tediousness were fraught,
The Best could not be bought.
My trust in travels then I placed,
Hurrah!
And left my native land in haste.
Lack-a-day!
But not a single thing seem'd good,
The beds were bad, and strange the food,
And I not understood.
I placed my trust in rank and fame,
Hurrah!
Another put me straight to shame,
Lack-a-day!
And as I had been prominent,
All scowl'd upon me as I went,
I found not one content.
I placed my trust in war and fight,
Hurrah!
We gain'd full many a triumph bright,
Hurrah!
Into the foeman's land we cross'd,
We put our friends to equal cost,
And there a leg I lost.
My trust is placed in nothing now,
Hurrah!
At my command the world must bow,
Hurrah!
And as we've ended feast and strain,
The cup we'll to the bottom drain;
No dregs must there remain!
poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Blue, Brown and Gold
Blue, brown and gold, bold, I'll unfold
a portrait drawn upon a train
one summer morn which shall remain
for heart to hold if truth be told.
Brown, gold and blue she sat, smiled too,
to me it seemed true beauty gleamed, -
my spirit teemed with hopes that, teamed,
we'd share love through fair seasons new.
Blue, gold and brown without a frown
she journeyed on, too soon was gone, -
yet still upon my soul she shone.
Brown bag, blue gown, - Life's golden crown!
Blue, brown and gold, cannot grow [c]old
Year in year out their tale is told...
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Retirement Rendezvous
Retirement rendezvous
There is a member who is new
Who requires some type of rescue!
Looking back at life’s preview
He has had his kids
Been wise and stupid
Smoked enough weed
Aging exhibits on both eyelids
Retirement rendezvous
No more young dreams to pursue
A time he was young with hope
Goals matured and developed
But time took away that potential scope
Retirement rendezvous
Old age has at last struck for true
Retirement rendezvous
Today he joins the old pensioners’ crew
Stuck in his fresh basement
He scorns retirement at its commencement
With continuous utter resentment
Thinking it is a washed up experiment
Retirement rendezvous
Today, old age seems to be of no value
Retirement rendezvous
A new life and a new official venue
Retirement rendezvous
Some meet at the post office queue
Others meet at the bookies avenue
Leaving only when the night is due
The alarm clock has ceased ringing
The ladies have stopped singing
The bread winner is no longer bringing
To him nothing anymore is inspiring!
Retirement rendezvous
Why is life such a screw?
Retirement rendezvous
Is this a new life for true?
Retirement rendezvous
His thoughts he has to subdue
For him life still continues
Forthwith he looks at life with a new view!
(2007)
poem by Sylvia Chidi
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Day of The Lord
The Day of the Lord is at hand, at hand:
Its storms roll up the sky:
The nations sleep starving on heaps of gold;
All dreamers toss and sigh;
The night is darkest before the morn;
When the pain is sorest the child is born,
And the Day of the Lord at hand.
Gather you, gather you, angels of God-
Freedom, and Mercy, and Truth;
Come! for the Earth is grown coward and old,
Come down, and renew us her youth.
Wisdom, Self-Sacrifice, Daring, and Love,
Haste to the battle-field, stoop from above,
To the Day of the Lord at hand.
Gather you, gather you, hounds of hell-
Famine, and Plague, and War;
Idleness, Bigotry, Cant, and Misrule,
Gather, and fall in the snare!
Hireling and Mammonite, Bigot and Knave,
Crawl to the battle-field, sneak to your grave,
In the Day of the Lord at hand.
Who would sit down and sigh for a lost age of gold,
While the Lord of all ages is here?
True hearts will leap up at the trumpet of God,
And those who can suffer, can dare.
Each old age of gold was an iron age too,
And the meekest of saints may find stern work to do,
In the Day of the Lord at hand.
On the Torridge, Devonshire,
September 10, 1849.
poem by Charles Kingsley
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Thirsty Souls
Everyone has a thirsty soul, a driving force to make man whole,
To fill that spiritual side of man, being part of the Creator’s plan.
Everyone who truly does thirst, truly must seek the Creator first,
He’s the only one able to fill, souls according to His eternal will.
Filling us with the Spirit of God, sent down upon all earthly sod,
To dwell in the soul of all of us, who in the Lord place their trust.
God brings us first to His Son, the Lord and Savior of everyone,
Then God fills you day by day, as you walk in life’s Narrow Way.
Out from a dry and barren land, He guides us with a loving hand,
To God’s Eternal River of Life, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
God takes a soul, once aloof, into the Word, God’s Eternal Truth,
And He fills the soul as they read, making changes as they heed.
Christ fills us beyond our need, as God’s Spirit, we allow to lead,
Upon The Rock we take a stand, as we go to the Promised Land,
The Rock, from where water flows, to the souls the Father knows,
The Living Water from above, provided through the Savior’s love.
God shall fill the souls of men, who in Christ become Born Again,
Come to Him and thirst no more, by Jesus Christ the Living Door,
Who fills thirsty souls of men, in ways which only the Creator can,
As He fills their souls spiritually, preparing them for Life Eternally.
(Copyright ©06/2008)
A New Pilgrimage: Sonnet XXVIII
Yet it is pitiful how friendships die,
Spite of our oaths eternal and high vows.
Some fall through blight of tongues wagged secretly,
Some through strifes loud in empty honour's house.
Some vanish with fame got too glorious,
And rapt to heaven in fiery chariots fly;
And some are drowned in sloth and the carouse
Of wedded joys and long love's tyranny.
O ye, who with high--hearted valliance
Deem truth eternal and youth's dreams divine,
Keep ye from love and fame and the mischance
Of other worship than the Muses nine.
So haply shall you tread life's latest strand
With a true brother still, and hand in hand.
poem by Wilfrid Scawen Blunt
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
As far as your Rifles Cover
Do you think, you slaves of a thousand years to poverty, wealth and pride,
You can crush the spirit that has been free in a land that's new and wide?
When you've scattered the last of the farmer bands, and the war for a while is over,
You will hold the land – ay, you'll hold the land – the land that your rifles cover.
Till your gold has levelled each mountain range where a wounded man can hide,
Till your gold has lighted the moonless night on the plains where the rebels ride;
Till the future is proved, and the past is bribed from the son of the land's dead lover –
You may hold the land – you may hold the land just as far as your rifles cover.
poem by Henry Lawson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Dream's Houri Land Seems Hour Island
Goals, when perspective's sought by souls, then scanned,
drum rolls show dumb roles, no red carpet rolled.
Story - youth to hoary - soon is told,
breath bold, brash, old, rash, Death strikes out of hand,
just blows away. Just blow falls none withstand.
Some seek redemption, reasons why warm cold
returns as candle burns to t[r]ick wick'd fold.
Dream's houri land seems [h]our island, time's sand
tips scales no wails redeem nor understand.
Alike for sage, saint, sot, faint-hearted, scold,
for true want, truant wanting more than mould,
life's cycle turns, returning not, hope banned.
Speed shadow shapes we hither, thither, cast
reflections that, scarce heeded, never last.
Author notes
Words in brackets convey two or more meanings
Hour island: [h]our our or hour or our hour is eye I land
t[r]ick wick'd: tick or trick wick, tricky wicket, wicked etc.
for previous version entitled In Hour I land see written 4 December 2007 see below
In Hour I land
Ambitions, true perspective found, are canned.
Drum rol, role dumb, with no red carpet rolled.
Story - youth to hoary - soon is told,
bold, brash, old, rash, breath Death can't out of hand,
just blow away. Just blow falls none withstand.
Some seek redemption, reasons why warm cold
returns as candle burns to t[r]ick wick fold.
in houri land, in hour I land, drip sand
tips scales no wails redeem nor understand.
Alike for sage, and saint, faint-hearted, scold,
for true want, truant wanting more than mould,
the cycle turns, returning not, hope fanned.
As shadow shapes we hither, thither, cast
reflections that, unheeded, never last.
written 4 December 2007 see below
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
They who have reasoned ignorantly, or who have aimed at effecting their personal ends by flattering the popular feeling, have boldly affirmed that 'one man is as good as another;' a maxim that is true in neither nature, revealed morals, nor political theory.
quote by James F. Cooper
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
God Has Such Amazing Faith
We talk about believing in God
Believing in lies believing in truth,
Being a living sacrifice, putting our full trust in something that we
Cannot even see
But man, God is the one who really has strong faith
How does such a being, full of power, trust us?
He had a legacy, He sent His only son to the world
That Son was His hope, His pride, His joy, the world's very Savior
And yet that same Son was crucified
And then He died
But through power He rose again
And gave that power, that exceeding gain
To us.
We have that Spirit
But God entrusted his legacy to mortal man
There is no evidence of the resurrection
That evidence is Jesus Himself who is seated on the throne
The Only evidence we have is the Holy Spirit
God's faith in us amazes me
That He'd trust a fallen people, not only with such power
But the legacy of His Son, His legacy.
That He'd entrust us to spread His gospel.
I can scarce believe that God had such faith
To leave the only evidence of Jesus and His resurrection
In the hearts of men
Thank you God for your faith and trust
It's hard for us to put our faith in You, You who is powerful
You who is merciful, You who is loving.
But in all your great mercy and love
You put your faith in us
To spread that gospel
To use that power
To continue the legacy
To listen to the Spirit
To make disciples
To live
Because before You
Before Your sacrifice
Before the new heart
Before the redemption
Before the forgiveness
Before the healing
We were all dead
So thank You God
Thank You for having faith in me, even when I doubt you
Thank You for having faith in us, when we're a skeptical people
So thank You for the cross
I'll
We'll continue that legacy
Your Spirit, God, You, will be the living and strong evidence
That you are powerful, that Jesus rose from the dead
Lord God
I'll
We'll carry this Spirit to the ends of the earth
Because YOUR love, YOUR grace, and God YOUR FAITH
They give us strength
poem by David Knox
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Projections
We don’t have to try to be eternal
We already are
Our legacy is today
She tries to write poetry for legacy
She is sick and afraid
She wants a legacy
He tries to be profound
He tries to show off
Being ourselves is profound
Being in the moment is love
When we impress we are fake
Emily Dickinson had no fame
She had no audience
She was real and true to herself
Real art needs no mirrors
When we project we are lost
poem by Joseph Narusiewicz
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Pool Of Poetry
From the Pool of Poetry let the thirsty spirit sup -
From truth and fantasy... Come, drink, and drain the cup!
According to your taste, from folly to sublime,
Each verse can be embraced or spurned twixt prose and rhyme!
Just bring your present views and all that you hold dear -
It’s up to you to choose from what you see and hear...
Perhaps you'll find a friend! A phrase you'd like to quote,
A tale you'd hate to end... Or some short anecdote!
Whatever you may find, twixt ecstasy and strife,
It could help change your mind and even change your life!
Each generation shares Man’s greatest legacy -
Wise children learn their prayers from the Pool of Poetry!
Discerning souls confess the debt they'll always owe
To bards that chose to bless each one that strives to grow!
From the Pool of Poetry comes wisdom that refines!
Yet insight is the key! Read thoughts between the lines!
For doctrines come and go and ‘facts’ of science, too...
Love’s Truth resists the flow and this God shares with you!
From the Pool of Poetry let the thirsty spirit sup!
From truth and fantasy... Drink up! Drink up! Drink up!
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Written For My Son
When Athens was for Arts and Arms renown'd,
Olympic Wreaths uncommon Merit crown'd.
These slight Distinctions from the Learn'd and Wise,
Convey'd eternal Honour with the Prize:
'Twas this, the gen'rous Love of Fame inspir'd,
And Grecian Breasts with noblest Ardor fir'd.
For like Rewards like Judges we implore:
Immortal Fame, with Grecian Arts, restore:
Our growing Merit with Indulgence view;
And sure you'll favour what distinguish'd you.
Leave Ignorance and Sloth to Scorn and Shame;
But crown the Worthy with immortal Fame;
And Fame, conferr'd by you, can never fail:
What Men have purchas'd, they of Right entail.
poem by Mary Barber
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
My fatherland
I will fight for my land,
I will work for my land,
Will it foster with love, in my faith, in my child.
I will eke every gain,
I will seek boot for bane,
From its easternmost bound to the western sea wild.
Here is sunshine enough,
Here is seed-earth enough,
If by us, if by us all love's duty were done.
Here is will to create;
Though our burdens be great,
We can lift up our land, if we all lift as one.
In the past we went wide
O'er the sea's surging tide,
And the Norman's high walls stand on many a shore.
But our flag flies its way
Ever farther to-day
And is red with life's vigor as never before.
Great our future shall be;
For the Northern lands three
Shall unite once again and their true selves shall know.
Give your strength and your deed,
Where you nearest see need,
As a brook to the river that forward shall flow.
Yes, this land where we dwell,
Oh, we love it so well,
All was, all it is, all it can be again.
As our love had its birth
In this homeland's dear earth,
Shall the seed of our love bring it increase again.
poem by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Age Of Chivalry
Back in the days of old
when knights were bold
who with a sword or lance
in armour sought romance.
It was the age of chivalry
long ago in man’s history
when to fight for a righteous cause
one did gain considerable applause.
It was mainly for show, love and glory
they deemed themselves being worthy
to capture the heart of some fair maiden
which was the most desired prize laden.
Oh, they would strike heavy blows
on all of their opponents and foes
in a one to one combat defying death
as crowds watched with abated breath.
Yes, it was far back in those days of yore
that courage and strength came to the fore
where there was this life and death struggle;
such issues at hand the knights would juggle.
And in fighting for their country, faith and king
noble impressions on people’s minds would ring
that even through the ages are held in high esteem
those knights in shinning armour do now all seem.
There are many legends based on their heroic exploits
a legacy of tales which have been told with much adroit
highlighting aspects of human wisdom related to virtue and vice
and the lessons to be learnt are those of goodness and sacrifice.
History usually repeats itself time and again
as it often happens a situation comes when
we’re asked to do something for a just cause
and acting with chivalry we shouldn’t pause.
poem by George Krokos
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
What We Want
We have scores of temperance men,
Bold and earnest, brave and true,
Fighting with the tongue and pen,
And we value what they do.
But, my friends,
To gain our ends,
You must use the ballot, too.
When we tell about our cause,
Politicians only smile;
While they mould and make our laws,
What care they for rank or file?
"Preach and pray,"
They sneer and say;
"We'll make liquor laws the while."
We want men who dare to fling
Party ties and bonds away;
Who will cast them off, and cling
To the RIGHT, and boldly say,
"No beer bloats
Shall get our votes."
Then shall our cause gain the day.
poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Before A Court Of Justice
THE father's name ye ne'er shall be told
Of my darling unborn life;
"Shame, shame," ye cry, "on the strumpet bold!"
Yet I'm an honest wife.
To whom I'm wedded, ye ne'er shall be told,
Yet he's both loving and fair;
He wears on his neck a chain of gold,
And a hat of straw doth he wear.
If scorn 'tis vain to seek to repel,
On me let the scorn be thrown.
I know him well, and he knows me well,
And to God, too, all is known.
Sir Parson and Sir Bailiff, again,
I pray you, leave me in peace!
My child it is, my child 'twill remain,
So let your questionings cease!
poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A Passion For Money!
Dollar, Euro, Pound, Yen, Dinar or Rupee currencies,
Money passion drives one deep even into the abyss!
Money passion never stops even the sea shrinks to nil
And ends not even camel goes through the eye of needle!
No one can fight in the court to win justice without money;
No one can run politics and win in election without money;
No one can get educated to live quality life without money;
No one can live life as wished in the world without money!
What is God – love or truth or justice or power or money?
Many opt for money as with money only everything is done!
Without money there is nothing in this material world;
Without spiritual grace there is no place in the other world!
As in God everything is contained in money in this world
Why there is so much passion for money let the futures tell!
But just way is first one should earn name by one’s work skill
And by perfection achieve position, power, fame and money!
poem by Ramesh T A
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Truth, The Life, The Way
Since Adam first was given birth
We’ve been at constant war
Disgraced and cursed to work the earth
When God closed tight His door
Perchance, we’ve sought the way to go
Yet few would seek to pray
Though God alone can really show
The Truth, The Life, The Way
The Truth, to know we cheat and lie
The Truth, to know we kill
The Truth, to know until we die
We seek our selfish will
The Will, that leads from Jesus’ Light
The Will, that’s Satan’s knife
The Will, that robs of perfect sight
We need to find true Life
The Life, we need when dead in sin
The Life, when led astray
The Life, we seek to dwell within
To guide us all The Way
The Way that leads to Truth again
The Way, to Life once more
The Way, that cleanses every stain
To find Salvation’s Door
The Door, in Truth is God’s own Seed
That grows through faith, in Light
Whose fruit we bear, others to feed
Who’ll need to win the fight
The fight for Life, in Truth is won
Who’ll fight where death, is gain!
For they who die for God’s True Son
Will live, with Him to reign…
poem by Michael P. Johnson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
O' Ye Captain of Mine
O' Ye Captain of Mine
By: Adam M. Snow
O' ye captain of mine,
In my quarters we dine,
Tell tales of a journey once spent.
Life on sea across more than me,
To the ends of the Earth we sail.
The stars guide us without a fuss,
Through the uncharted sea.
To a land of youth of many uncouth,
To a battle of bloodshed wage.
O' ye captain of mine,
Of the ship 'Vast Divine'
Rotted many years to now.
The wars once fought and gold once sought,
Laughter of the forgotten crew.
The songs we sang with our devilish slang,
Bottles of rum in hand.
The joys of blasphemy as we sailed the sea,
Into the sun cast reflection.
Mysteries untold of a journey behold,
The stories of forever youth.
A fountain of gold where mermaids lay cold,
A journey of death it was.
The blood rage, the inferno blaze engage,
Corpses taint the sea.
Sounds of cannons blasting, soon everlasting,
Fills the salty air with greed.
The treasure once sought claims lives of all who fought,
And yours as well, O' captain of mine.
Tonight I dine in my quarters alone,
To forever cherish your stories our own.
poem by Adam M. Snow
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!