Uncle Jim
“White folks is white,” says uncle Jim;
“A platitude,” I sneer;
And then I tell him so is milk,
And the froth upon his beer.
His heart walled up with bitterness,
He smokes his pungent pipe,
And nods at me as if to say,
“Young fool, you’ll soon be ripe!”
I have a friend who eats his heart
Always with grief of mine,
Who drinks my joy as tipplers drain
Deep goblets filled with wine.
I wonder why here at his side,
Face-in-the-grass with him,
My mind should stray the Grecian urn
To muse on uncle Jim.
poem by Countee Cullen
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Related quotes
Uncle's Shave.
Uncle’s Shave.
You used to watch Uncle
shave in front of the small mirror
propped on the edge
of the kitchen sink,
his face lathered
in white soap,
his cutthroat razor
held just a short distance
from his skin
by his right hand,
as the other hand
held the skin taut
in preparation
of the razor’s slide.
You stood behind
fascinated,
your young eyes
searching the mirror’s world
of Uncle’s face
and the performers start.
Uncle watched you
in the mirror,
his lips breaking
into a small smile,
the razor held
just above his ear,
his eyes staring above
the shaving foam,
taking in
your fascinated gaze,
the open mouth,
your hands copying
Uncle’s motion
in pretend shave.
Uncle drew the razor down
his cheek in slow motion,
the face becoming visible
as the soap gave way,
the hand dipping
the razor in water
to rid of foam,
to begin again,
more soap removed,
more skin revealed.
You copied Uncle,
but not so skilled.
poem by Terry Collett
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As My Uncle Used To Say
I've thought a power on men and things,
As my uncle ust to say,--
And ef folks don't work as they pray, i jings!
W'y, they ain't no use to pray!
Ef you want somepin', and jes dead-set
A-pleadin' fer it with both eyes wet,
And _tears_ won't bring it, w'y, you try _sweat_,
As my uncle ust to say.
They's some don't know their A, B, Cs,
As my uncle ust to say,
And yit don't waste no candle-grease,
Ner whistle their lives away!
But ef they can't write no book, ner rhyme
No ringin' song fer to last all time,
They can blaze the way fer the march sublime,
As my uncle ust to say.
Whoever's Foreman of all things here,
As my uncle ust to say,
He knows each job 'at we 're best fit fer,
And our round-up, night and day:
And a-sizin' _His_ work, east and west,
And north and south, and worst and best
I ain't got nothin' to suggest,
As my uncle ust to say.
poem by James Whitcomb Riley
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Pipe Smoker
Because I love the soothing weed
And am of sober type,
I'd choose me for a friend in need
A man who smokes a pipe.
A cove who hasn't much to say,
And spits into the fire,
Puffing like me a pipe of clay,
Corn-cob or briar.
A chap original of thought,
With cheery point of view,
Who has of gumption quite a lot,
And streaks of humour too.
He need not be a whiskered sage,
With wisdom over-ripe:
Just give me in the old of age
A pal who smokes a pipe.
A cigarette may make for wit,
Although I like it not;
A good cigar, I must admit,
Gives dignity to thought.
But as my glass of grog I sip
I never, never gripe
If I have for companionship
A guy who smokes a pipe.
poem by Robert William Service
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My White Uncle
Thanks to my white uncle in the U.S.A,
For today i am now living together with him.
After the hard journey of my life in Africa,
Today i am enjoying my days with my uncle.
My white uncle did his best to get me into the U.S.A.,
And out of Africa with love we do share our ideas together;
All the same, it is very nice to have a great person like him.
I am dark in comlexion and he is fair in complexion,
But the ture love of life is about colours;
And together we are very glad today.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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My Uncle Gay
I can not say in a way,
That would for anyone be understood.
But I have an uncle named Gayhall,
Who stands for me very tall.
A minister he is,
With a wife Pamela and two adorable kids.
Well...
They are no longer 'kids'.
Two beautiful women I 'should' say.
Nicole and Tiffany...
Each with a uniqueness,
Anyone can see.
Although my Uncle Gay,
Has been sick of late.
I hate the fact that he's like that.
But what can I do,
Besides pray from my Uncle Gay?
I 'see' him getting better,
Each day as I 'visualize'.
I want his health to return to him.
Because he is very special,
In my eyes.
I love my aunts and uncles...
As 'if' they were mine!
And...
Hey,
They are 'mine'!
Well...
Let me define what it is I want God to do!
'God,
I know for a fact...
You are with me all the time!
But...
Will You heal my Uncle Gay?
Right 'now'!
And...
Today! '
Dedicated to:
My Uncle Reverand Gayhall Pertillar.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
'Love you, Uncle Gay...
Pam and 'kids'.'
Nephew Larry
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Man Called Uncle
now those newsprints all over your face
well maybe that's why I can read you like a book
just when I thought I was getting my taste a bite
I go and lose my appetite
look at the man that you'd call uncle
they'd like to sink their teeth in to you
for the pride and the pleasure
and the privilege of having you
if I say you're the one do you think that I'm serious
you get that kind of talk from older men
if I say I love you then I must be delirious
so why are you trying to put my temperature up again
look at the man that you'd call uncle
having a heart-attack 'round your ankles
when you wake up with x-rated eyes
when you wake up still shaking
how could I apologize as your check you affects
and you check your reflection
I'm so affected in the face of your affection
look at the man that you'd call uncle
having a heart-attack 'round your ankles
I could swear I could promise
that I'll always be true to you
but we may not live to be so old
I could even say I'm going to do something new to you
now the girls I see just leave me cold
look at the man that you'd call uncle
song performed by by Elvis Costello
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Uncle Fred and The Sand Dance
Your Uncle Fred
on Christmas Eve
at Gran's house
when you were a kid
did the sand dance
wearing an old fashion
man's striped nightgown
and a red fez
(he got that in Egypt
during WW2
Gran said)
and brown
open toed sandals
and Uncle Ed
turned the handle
of the windup gramophone
where an old
78rpm record
was playing
and there were
glasses of sherry
being consumed
and cigarettes being smoked
and you sat watching
clapping your hands
and Gran would get up
afterwards
and do her Can-Can
like she used to
as she young woman
on the stage
and Granddad sat there
quiet saying nothing
looking at
the people gathered
sipping his sherry
watching his wife
lifting her legs
her white fuzzy hair
going to and fro
as she moved
and you wanted
to have some sherry
but your mother said
no you have lemonade
little boys
don't have sherry
so you sat
with your lemonade
watching Uncle Fred
and his dance
and the music coming
from the old gramophone
and the smell of sherry
and beer and cigarette smoke
and Uncle telling the adults
one of his old army jokes.
poem by Terry Collett
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A Bond Made In Heaven
we have a unique bond,
strengthened over a period of time,
over four years to be exact.
a gentleman,
an uncle in a million.
a great poet,
a friend,
and an advisor,
I am truly blessed
with the best uncle anyone could wish for
a man of compassion
for whom I have great respect
my uncle dearest
and I his niece
never a word out of place
thank you Uncle dearest
for keeping me in prayers
and always wishing for me the best
poem by Persian Khushi
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Men Called Uncle
Now theres newsprint all over your face
Well maybe thats why I can read you like a book
Just when I thought I was getting my taste to bite
I go and lose my appetite
Look at the men that youd call uncle
Theyd like to sink their teeth into you
For the pride and the pleasure
And the privilege of having you
If I say youre the one do you think that Im serious
You get that kind of talk from older men
If I say I love you then I must be delirious
So why are you trying to put my temperature up again
Look at the men that youd call uncle
Having a heart attack round your ankles
When you wake up with x-rated eyes
When you wake up still shaking
How can I apologize
As you check your effects and check your reflection
Im so affected in the face of your affection
Look at the men that youd call uncle
Having a heart attack round your ankles
I could swear, I could promise that Ill always be true to you
But we may not live to be so old
I could even say Im going to do something new to you
Now the girls I see just leave me cold
Look at the men that you call uncle...
song performed by by Elvis Costello
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Uncle’s Hat
Uncle’s hat
A black little hat
Thrown by a cat
And left out to be wet
Uncle trembled
And shouted aloud
“Who left my hat
To wet out side
The cat mewed
Uncle fumed
“What a naughty cat”.
poem by Dilipbhasker Mathra
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The Story of Joe
Humvee, Humvee far away
Keep my uncle safe I pray
In the desert worlds apart
He is driving with his heart
my uncle in a humvee far away
Towards the city is were they drove
God's plan will yet unfold
Danger lurking everywhere
But Uncle Joe did not care,
Savig lives protecting in a humvee far away
Explosions, screams, blood
the thought of not knowing still stood
when along the road
this tradgey did occur,
a roadside bomb lay on the curb
waiting for its turn
Along the road far away
Crash, smash, bash
the humvee exploded
my whole world soon imploded
Uncle Joe the hero not a zero
in the desert far away
He took the impact on his own
saved the lives of those along
in the humvee far away
Saving their lives,
they took his own
ungrateful servants
misunderstood
in the desert far away
He is gone, my loss is great
I will never forget this tradgey faced
my uncle is dead and gone
the silent hero
saving their lives, they took his own
terrorists are ungrateful
they took a hero from our mist
and from my life
in the dersert far away
Where he was grief now stands
his blood ran cold in the streets
as my heart starts to weep
like a child cold and alone
in my heart
In the desert far away
is now where his soul is to stay?
My Uncle Joe, the silent hero
somewhere far away
poem by Christin Williams
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Uncle’s Car Key
A single key in a little bunch
The key to life it is not
So little a key but have this punch
When uncle’s blood is hot.
Some men I know can lend this key
But some are worse to stand
A friend it is that lets me be
But uncle’s spite must land
This key to Golf I turned upwards
And got rains of hot words
My uncle raved and ranted as hell
In words thoughtful as they tell
This his point was stressed again
As the old year passed with glee
My resolution strong and comes like train
To avoid uncle’s car key
poem by Tonimario Onyedika Oboshi
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Awesome!
IT is your word, but could be mine, when you
saw the pictures,
of little boys and girls posing
for the centerfold of
mama's love, where papa is nowhere to be found,
or uncle's attention,
because mama has not been good enough to
call them
pretty,
awesome!
it is your word for the ricefields
green, filled with the light of the sun,
where the white herons
are friends with the black carabaos
pasture
graze, graze, till the afternoon ends,
the day
when the sea is calm and the sand
so white
unblemished by any man's sadness
or any woman's grief,
awesome!
you saw the old man and the old woman
hugging
missing the moments of their youth
now in each other's arms again
despite
names forgotten and places gone away
awesome!
it is always your word against mine
as i take the pictures
rehearsing them again in my mind
now
with captions and human conversations
in low key
where shall we go next and gather
and then again remember?
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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Hes Your Uncle, Not Your Dad
(features ray walker)
(words & music by wayne - weisman)
Hes your uncle not your dad, hes the best friend you ever had
So come on dig, dig, dig in until it hurts
Just remember pearl harbor
(the alamos and nothing could be worse)
Hes your favorite relative and he needs a lot to live
So just bring, bring, bring everything until you bleed
(and hell send back what he dont need)
If your not in form ten-fortys your salvation
By deprivation of temptation
(dark and blondes I hear are not deductible)
Oh say can you see if theres anything left for me
When he calls you as he may do
Dont be frightened red white and blue
Just be thankful you dont live in leningrad
Hes your uncle, not your dad
If your honest you dont have to shake and shiver
The food is lousy up the river
(its give and take and he does all the taking)
Oh say can you see if theres anything left for me
Life has two things you cant subtract
(death and taxes to be exact)
So just pa-pa-patriotically declare
Hes your uncle, hes your uncle, not your dad
song performed by by Elvis Presley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Uncle Toad Said
Uncle toad sittin by the old south gate
Waitin them boys they bin stayin out late
Uncle toad thinks theyre way out of line
Maybe they think he is past his prime
Uncle toad said better straighten up right
When uncle toad spoke it was not a pretty sight
Uncle toad lived in the wood out back
Lived in the shade of a utility shack
He looked in at the big brick housr
At the girls as quiet as a mouse
Uncle toad said you had best get it right
When uncle toad spoke it was not a pretty sight
Uncle toad tucked in the compost pile
Out by the back door look at him smile
He said kid stop drinkin that brew
Plan while ya can or the jokes on you
Uncle toad said better straighten up right
When uncle toad spoke it was not a pretty sight
Uncle toad sittin by the swimmin pool
Sits in the sun when the weather turns cool
Sits in the sun when the girls walk by
Maybe they think hes a little bit sly
Uncle toad said you had best get it right
When uncle toad spoke it was not a pretty sight
Uncle toad sittin by the cool mill race
All day long with a grin on his face
He said boys you had better not try
Kissin em girls cause I wont stand by
Uncle toad sittin by the wrought iron fence
Lookin at the moon like it dont make sense
We say toad heres lookin at you
Hopin you get your wish too
Sway to the left, sway to the right
When uncle toad spoke it was not a pretty sight
song performed by by Gordon Lightfoot
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Wile Watching the Black and White TV
Your old man
came into the lounge
where you were watching
black and white TV
and your mother was standing
talking to an uncle
it's the baker
your old man said
he wants his £50
what £50?
your mother asked
the £50 I owe him
well pay him
your mother said
I can't
I don't have it
you watched
the cowboy film
with half interest
you took a glance
at the debtor
well tell him
you'll pay him
next week
your mother said
I told him that
last week
your old man said
what did you want
to borrow £50
from the baker for?
your mother asked
her cheeks getting flushed
to buy my new suit
what new suit?
the one I'm having made
you noticed
your old man's
moustache flicker
and he stroked it
as he did
when cornered
your mother
breathed heavy
and you looked
at the uncle
ok
the uncle said
here's the £50
go pay him
what you owe
to get him off your back
but you better pay me back
or I'll bust your head
sure I will
your old man said
going out of the room
clutching the money
in his palm
your mother sighed
and the uncle
put away his wallet
into an inside pocket
and you saw that one
of the cowboys
on the black and white
TV screen
had been shot
and died
the other looked angry
and ugly
and mean.
poem by Terry Collett
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The Ballad of Uncle Mukungu
He's my uncle and to my father a brother,
To many a darling or to all and sundry rather;
A pot of knowledge unique, and of humor and quit,
And queer a sight, a wonder as right.
This mine uncle as much do I love,
For he be within and near must cause me to laugh;
And you, liking or not whether,
Never can stand my uncle's weather.
I won't tell all- my uncle's long,
A story you would love as of humor strong;
I will do you a bit, and perhaps a bit more,
Of Mukungu's sweet and sometimes some sore.
At class three a dropout my uncle became,
And thus many had it- uncle has lost his aim;
But no! Who harbored thoughts so was but mistaken,
Listen to Mukungu and your ribs will be shaken.
His talk will behind leave no bit of sagacity,
That bit by bit and all kills ambiance of solemnity;
To imbue the air and emotion with humor high and enough,
To bury hate option and hatch of uncle to love.
Uncle is a guru of eating great,
And many a cuisine none he does hate;
And thus he's indefatigable bull of village,
Cuts through others like a sharpest edge.
Perfect artist he is and scientist as well,
He'll sing a song and tell the stars fell;
He has his language and in he's a virtuoso,
Moreover he acts and he's a star so.
poem by Willy Munyoki
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Sorrow clouded in happiness
Sorrow Clouded in Happiness
The little sweet girl of eight,
With her pony tail straight;
And a face luminously bright,
Was such a lovely sight!
With sparkling eyes full of glee,
She smugly sat on my knee,
'Uncle', 'Uncle', queried she,
'What do you think of me? '
My thoughts ran wild-and wild,
O'er the leaves that were filed
In the archives of the mind, now mild
With the years that have piled.
How can I tell my mind to her,
That I thought better of her,
As my own dear, beloved child,
Who parted me, with grief ever tied!
poem by Chandra Thiagarajan
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Me & My Uncle
me and my uncle went a'riden down
From colorado west texas bound
We stopped over in santa fe
The part of being about half way.
Besides it was the hottest part of the day.
We led our ponies into a stall.
Went to a bar, boys.
Bought drinks for all.
Two days in the saddle, my body hurt,
And being summer, took off my shirt,
And tried to wash off some of that dusty dirt.
West texas cowboys, all over town,
With gold and silver, their loaded down.
Just in for round up
You know it seemed a shame
And so my uncle starts a friendly game
Hollow jack, the winner takes the game.
But from the beginning my uncle started to win.
Them texas cowboys they was mad as sin.
Some said he's cheatin'
Ah, but that can't be, because my uncle, well, he's as honest as me.
I'm about as honest as a denver man can be.
One of them cowboys, you know he started to draw.
I grabbed a bottle, slapped him on the jaw.
I had to shoot another now he won't grow old
In the confusion my uncle grabbed the gold.
We hightailed it down to mexico,
Mexico, went down to mexico.
God bless cowboys
God bless gold
God bless my uncle, god rest his soul
He taught me well, boys
He taught me all i know
Taught me so that i grabbed the gold
Left him lying there by the side of the road.
song performed by by John Denver
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Me My Uncle
Me and my uncle went ariden down
From colorado west texas bound
We stopped over in santa fe
The part of being about half way.
Besides it was the hottest part of the day.
We led our ponies into a stall.
Went to a bar, boys.
Bought drinks for all.
Two days in the saddle, my body hurt,
And being summer, took off my shirt,
And tried to wash off some of that dusty dirt.
West texas cowboys, all over town,
With gold and silver, their loaded down.
Just in for round up
You know it seemed a shame
And so my uncle starts a friendly game
Hollow jack, the winner takes the game.
But from the beginning my uncle started to win.
Them texas cowboys they was mad as sin.
Some said hes cheatin
Ah, but that cant be, because my uncle, well, hes as honest as me.
Im about as honest as a denver man can be.
One of them cowboys, you know he started to draw.
I grabbed a bottle, slapped him on the jaw.
I had to shoot another now he wont grow old
In the confusion my uncle grabbed the gold.
We hightailed it down to mexico,
Mexico, went down to mexico.
God bless cowboys
God bless gold
God bless my uncle, God rest his soul
He taught me well, boys
He taught me all I know
Taught me so that I grabbed the gold
Left him lying there by the side of the road.
song performed by by John Denver
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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