Our Town Ghost
Five of us were playing cards
while outside someone was banging
as if, they were constructing something.
I got up to see who it was,
but there was no one there.
I scratched my head and returned
to the hand I was playing.
About a half an hour later,
we heard someone walking about.
With torch in hand, I went again to investigate.
Again, there was no one there.
I shone the torch up and down the street.
The footsteps had stopped by now.
We could only guess it was the ghost,
which roams around our little town.
It hurts no one and no one is afraid of it.
Some say it our old friend Jock.
Other say it is someone else.
Unless one of us sees it, we will never be sure.
Whoever it is we wish
they would show themselves occasionally,
so we would then know whom to say goodnight to.
5 February 2009
Authors Note:
I belong to a small Western re-enactment town called Deadwood.
The town is haunted by an arrangement of ghosts, none of them harmful. A number us have witnessed several unusual things. The poem recounts an incident, which happened one night a few years ago when five of us were playing card in the back of one the building at gone midnight.
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Small Town
Well I was born in a small town
And I live in a small town
Probly die in a small town
Oh, those small communities
All my friends are so small town
My parents live in the same small town
My job is so small town
Provides little opportunity
Educated in a small town
Taught the fear of jesus in a small town
Used to daydream in that small town
Another boring romantic thats me
But Ive seen it all in a small town
Had myself a ball in a small town
Married an l.a. doll and brought her to this small town
Now shes small town just like me
No I cannot forget where it is that I come from
I cannot forget the people who love me
Yeah, I can be myself here in this small town
And people let me be just what I want to be
Got nothing against a big town
Still hayseed enough to say
Look whos in the big town
But my bed is in a small town
Oh, and thats good enough for me
Well I was born in a small town
And I can breathe in a small town
Gonna die in this small town
And thats probly where theyll bury me
song performed by by John Mellencamp
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Ghost Town
Well the streets are all crowded
Lots of people around
And theres music playing
But I cant hear a sound
Just the sound of the rain
Falling silently down
Livin aint been livin
Since you put down
Yeah, life goes on around me every day
But it might as well be half a million miles away
Its like a ghost town without your love
Like a ghost town without your love
Like a ghost town, baby, cant you see?
Its a ghost town until you come back to me
Oo, oo, till you come back to me
Well I wish I still had you
Had you here next to me
Baby, where did you go?
Baby, why did you leave?
Though the world, it keeps turnin
But it dont turn for me
Without you in my life
My life aint no place to be
Theres only lonely days and empty nights
Aint the same without you, baby, nothin feelin right
Darlin, I wanna leave this town
Dont wanna be around
Im gonna leave this town
song performed by by Cheap Trick
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Only Flame In Town
I know a girl got my mind in a mess
I never heard her say goodnight and God bless
Shes not the only flame in town
And when were alone we never quarrel
Im miles away now heres the moral
Shes not the only flame in town
Shes not the only flame in town
Shes got to stop thinking that im
Carrying this torch around
He struck a match and it lit up her face
We should have struck a match girl
To burn down the whole place
Now youre not the only flame in town
But you blew hot and cold
Turned my heart to a cinder
And with each passing day
Youd be less tender and more tinder
Now youre not the only flame in town
Shes not the only flame in town
Shes got to stop thinking that im
Carrying this torch around
Thought I saw your face in the fire
But its so hard to remember
Even an inferno can cool down to an ember
Now youre not the only flame
Youre not the only flame
Youre not the only flame in town
song performed by by Elvis Costello
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Her Town Too
Shes been afraid to go out
Shes afraid of the knock on her door
Theres always a shade of a doubt
She can never be sure
Who comes to call
Maybe the friend of a friend of a friend
Anyone at all
Anything but nothing again
It used to be her town
It used to be her town, too
It used to be her town
It used to be her town, too
Seems like even her old girlfriends
Might be talking her down
Shes got her name on the grapevine
Running up and down
The telephone line
Talking bout
Someone said, someone said
Something bout, something else
Someone might have said about her
She always figured that they were her friends
But maybe they can live without her
It used to be her town
It used to be her town, too
It used to be her town
It used to be her town, too
Well, people got used to seeing them both together
But now hes gone and life goes on
Nothing lasts forever, oh no
She gets the house and the garden
He gets the boys in the band
Some of them his friends
Some of them her friends
Some of them understand
Lord knows that this is just a small town city
Yes, and everyone can see you fall
Its got nothing to do with pity
I just wanted to give you a call
It used to be your town
It used to be my town, too
You never know till it all falls down
Somebody loves you
Somebody loves you
Darling, somebody still loves you
I can still remember
When it used to be her town, too
It used to be your town
It used to be my town, too
song performed by by James Taylor
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Behind The Door
Behind the door of every house,
In every street, in every town
A story is unfolding
A story is unfolding of love and hate
The most of us wait of hopes and fears
Of smiles and tears of dreams
That lies a moldering
Behind the door of every house,
In every street, in every town
The stage is set for playing
The stage is set for playing
And I call crime and punch your mime
Sweet romance, a rich will dance
Characters are playing
Behind the door of every house,
In every street, in every town
The people are a waiting
The people are a waiting
To bare and die, the years go by
The wedding spree the cruelty
And still they go on mating
And to the one the only one
Remember when the need of man
Is greater again
The prayers take off ascending
All filled of love to the one above
Asking for asking for asking for asking for
A happy ending a happy ending a happy ending
song performed by by Cher
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Boys Are Back In Town
Guess who just got back today
Them wildout boys, that'd been away
Haven't changed, had much to say
But man I still think them cats are great
They were asking if you were around
How you was, where you could be found
Told them you were living downtown
Driving all the old men crazy
The Boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
(I Said) The boys are back in town
The boys are back in town
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
You know that chic who used to dance a lot?
Every night she'd be on the floor, shaken what she got
Man when I tell you she was cool she was red hot
I mean she was steamin'
And that time over at Johnny's place
When this chic got up and slapped Johnny's face
Man we just fell about the place
What that chic don't wanna know forget 'er
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
(I said) The boys are back in town
The boys are back in town
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
Spread the word around
Guess who's back in town
You spread the word around
Friday night they'll be dressed to kill
Down at Dino's bar and grill
The drinks will flow and blood would spill
If the boys wanna fight you better let 'em
That kid rocks down at the corner blasting out my favourite song
The nights are getting warmer and won't be long
Wont be long till the summer comes
Now that the boys are here again
The boys are back in town (the boys are back in town)
The boys are back in town (the boys are back in town)
The boys are back in town (the boys are back in town)
(Spread the word around)
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
(The boys are back, the boys are back)
The boys are back in town again
They're hanging out at Dino's
The boys are back in town again
song performed by by Thin Lizzy
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Our Small Town
Love going for walks around town
A small town a holler from the big city
The many old building lining the main street
Which by the way isn't main street that's a block away
From the small library to the high school a jot to get to
The sidewalks resemble the old boardwalks from yesteryear
The shops vary as the street winds to the highway
The country air blows thru the street full of manure
Good ole air, they say around here
The small diner with the local farmers dwell at
Talking of this year's events from farming to politics
The ladies at the sew shop talking gossip
It's amazing how time don't change as years pass
Every year the town picnic to the 4th July jamboree
To the harvest dance and everything in between
Small town people living the old time ways
Wishing every town was as good as it
Walking thru saying hey to neighbors all around
Can make everyday a good day
Seeing people in the park enjoying the kids play
The banner welcoming you to our small town
Small town America, loving it, living it
poem by Michael Peterson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Her Town Too
Shes been afraid to go out
Shes afraid of a knock on her door
Theres always a shade of a doubt
She can never be sure
Who comes to call
Maybe the friend of a friend of a friend
Anyone at all
Anything but nothing again
It used to be her town
It used to be her town too
It used to be her town
It used to be her town too
Seems like even her old girlfriends
Might be talking her down
Shes got her name on the grapevine
Running up and down the telephone line
Talking bout someone said someone said
Something bout something else
Someone might have said about her
She always figured that they were her friends
Maybe they can live without her
It used to be her town
It used to be her town too
It used to be her town
It used to be her town too
Well peopled gotten used to seeing them both together
But now shes gone and life goes on
Nothing last forever
Oh no
She gets the house and the garden
He gets the boys in the band
Some of them his friends
Some of them her friends
Some of them understand
Lord knows that this is just a small town city
Yes and everyone can see you fall
Its got nothing to do with pity
I just wanted to give you a call
It used to be your town
It used to be my town too
But you never know til it all falls down
That somebody loves you
Somebody loves you
Darling somebody still loves you
I can still remember
When it used to be her town too
It used to be your town
It used to be my town too
Ah but you never know til it all falls down
That somebody loves you
Somebody loves you
song performed by by Indigo Girls
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Midnight Cowboy Song, The
I was in an all night movie
When i heard the usher say
Here comes the midnight cowboy
Got his gun hired out for pay;
You were walking kind of faded
From the netherlands hotel
With your hat tipped off to ladies
Really looking well.
Aw joe, why don't you go back home?
Really hate to see you falling down
Get out of town.
Well you came to new york city with a calendar full of gold
Now they locked it up in the bedroom
And they kicked you out in the cold;
Now you can't afford a little blanket
You can get one from a friend
You can trick one off the corner
You can even keep the change - to spend.
Hey joe, why don't you go back home?
Really hate to see you come falling down
Get out of town.
There's a soldier in the depot
He's a fighting nightingale
Wearing western boots and buckskin on
Reading fortunes from the penny scale;
Now today he's got a a quarter
For the photograph machine
But tomorrow he'll be lonely lonely
That's the way it's always been.
Poor joe, why don't you go back home?
Really hate to see you falling down
Get out of town.
I was in an all night movie
When i heard the usher say
Here comes the midnight cowboy again
Got his gun hired out for pay;
You were walking kind of faded
From the netherlands hotel
Hat tipped off to ladies
Tipped off to gentlemen as well.
Well joe, why don't you go back home?
Find yourself a girl and settle down
Get out of town
Get out of town
Find yourself a girl, go and settle down
Hey joe, looking more lost than found
Get out of town.
song performed by by Joni Mitchell
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Ghost Light
While walking through
our western town at dusk
I noticed a light on one of the buildings.
At first I thought it was a reflection,
but standing directly in front of it,
the light did not diminish,
instead it moved up and down
and then moved along the building
and onto another one.
Now I know the town is haunted,
for this is not the first time
I have experienced it,
but whatever the ghost light was
it only stayed for about ten minutes,
then it simply faded away.
19 July 2008
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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How I Became Known As Dodgy Dave
From time to time people ask me
how I got the name Dodgy Dave
and why I take no offence at it.
The story starts about six or seven years ago
when I joined a Western Re-Enactment Society.
I went to help build a western town
that eventually became know as Deadwood.
As the date for near completion came
the only building left to be finished was the Church.
The original builders had left it only half built.
The owner of the farm
on which the town is built
wanted it finished for our grand opening day.
Someone suggested that because of all the help,
I had given, why I don’t take it on
and they would help me finish it,
but I needed a town name
that would go along with the building,
I thought for a moment and then said
what about Reverend Mr Black
after the old Kingston Trio song.
So for a couple of years
I became known as Rev. Mr Black.
Two of my friends Buck and Caroline
(better know to one and all as Caz)
were planning their wedding.
They were going to have an official ceremony
on the Friday and on the Saturday;
they were to have another wedding in the town.
They asked if I would marry them in the town ceremony.
I told them I would be honoured.
Caz then went around telling everyone,
family and friends
that Dodgy Dave the vicar was going to marry them,
but he isn’t dodgy,
it’s just my pet name for him.
Soon everybody started calling me Dodgy Dave.
However, with every nice story
somehow sadness always intervenes.
Six weeks before their wedding,
this pretty woman who had renamed me Dodgy Dave
died at the tender age of thirty.
We held a wake for her in the town
on the day she and Buck were to marry.
It was a sad affair,
but her memory remains with me
every time someone calls me Dodgy Dave.
There are so many memories attached to that name.
It was never given out of malice,
but out of friendship sincere.
Now the name Dodgy Dave
has become very dear to me.
I use it all the time,
because when I do it reminds me
of the young woman with fair hair
whose friendship I treasured so
and I never want to let the memory of her go.
So there you have it
the story behind the christening
of me to Dodgy Dave
11 March 2008
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Alphabet Town
Alphabet city is haunted
Constantina feels right at home
She probably wont say youre wrong
But youre already wrong
Youre already wrong
And you threw up whatever she shot down
Said show me around this alphabet town
Said show me around
Theres a name you keep repeating
You got nothing better to do
And youre with someone wholl hear you say it and just nod
Her hand on your arm
Her hand on your arm
She put her hand on your arm
And told you her name you cant pronounce it
Ill show you around this alphabet town
Ill show you around this alphabet town
I know what you are
I just dont mind
I wont say youre wrong
I know what you want
And its what I want
So lets go out
Im ready to go out
Ill show you around this alphabet town
Ill show you around this alphabet town
song performed by by Elliott Smith
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Midnight Cowboy Song
I was in an all night movie
When I heard the usher say
Here comes the midnight cowboy
Got his gun hired out for pay;
You were walking kind of faded
From the netherlands hotel
With your hat tipped off to ladies
Really looking well.
Aw joe, why dont you go back home?
Really hate to see you falling down
Get out of town.
Well you came to new york city with a calendar full of gold
Now they locked it up in the bedroom
And they kicked you out in the cold;
Now you cant afford a little blanket
You can get one from a friend
You can trick one off the corner
You can even keep the change - to spend.
Hey joe, why dont you go back home?
Really hate to see you come falling down
Get out of town.
Theres a soldier in the depot
Hes a fighting nightingale
Wearing western boots and buckskin on
Reading fortunes from the penny scale;
Now today hes got a a quarter
For the photograph machine
But tomorrow hell be lonely lonely
Thats the way its always been.
Poor joe, why dont you go back home?
Really hate to see you falling down
Get out of town.
I was in an all night movie
When I heard the usher say
Here comes the midnight cowboy again
Got his gun hired out for pay;
You were walking kind of faded
From the netherlands hotel
Hat tipped off to ladies
Tipped off to gentlemen as well.
Well joe, why dont you go back home?
Find yourself a girl and settle down
Get out of town
Get out of town
Find yourself a girl, go and settle down
Hey joe, looking more lost than found
Get out of town.
song performed by by Joni Mitchell
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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White Town
Its midnight down in sector two
Little girl walkin dressed in innocence and cool
Only fourteen and dressed up for the score
Hold that breath now boy, he(? )
She dances, baby, to the beat
Of breaking glass and running feet
Down in white town
Down in white town
Down in white town
Oh, she comes home from work and grabs something to eat
Turn the corner and walks down her street
In a row of houses, chic, shiny and dirty and grey
Disappears like the scenery in another mans play
And as she dances, oh, to the beat
Oh the trooper stickin dresses for the number on the sheet
Down in white town
Down in white town
Down in white town
Down in white town
Yeah, mr. outside, youre walkin so free
If you turn your eyes so you dont see
You act like youre the hand turns the key
And you become the hand that turns the key
And no matter how I try I cannot understand
The way that they will turn a man
Into a stranger in his own land
Down in white town
(repeat to fade)
song performed by by Bruce Springsteen
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Solitaire
There was a man,
A lonely man
Who lost his love
Through his indifference
A heart that cared
That went unshared
Until it died
Within his silence
And solitaires the only game in town
And every road that takes him takes him down
While life goes on around him everywhere
Hes playing solitaire
A little hope
Goes up in smoke
Just how it goes,
Goes without saying
There was a man,
A lonely man
Who would command
The hand hes playing
And solitaires the only game in town
And every road that takes him takes him down
And by himself its easy to pretend
Hell never love again
And keeping to himself he plays the game
Without her love, it always ends the same
While life goes on around him everywhere
Hes playing solitiare
song performed by by Sheryl Crow
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Real Good For Free
I slept last night in a good hotel
I went shopping today for jewels
The wind rushed around in the dirty town
And the children let out from the schools
I was standing on a noisy corner
Waiting for the walking green
Across the street he stood
And he played real good
On his clarinet, for free.
Now me I play for fortune
And those velvet curtain calls
Ive got a black limousine
And two gentlemen
Escorting me to the halls
And I play if you have the money
Or if youre a friend to me
But the one man band
By the quick lunch stand
He was playing real good, for free.
Nobody stopped to hear him
Though he played so sweet and high
They knew he had never
Been on their t.v.
So they passed his music by
I meant to go over and ask for a song
Maybe put on a harmony...
I heard his refrain
As the signal changed
He was playing real good, for free.
song performed by by Joni Mitchell
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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For Free
I slept last night in a good hotel
I went shopping today for jewels
The wind rushed around in the dirty town
And the children let out from the schools
I was standing on a noisy corner
Waiting for the walking green
Across the street he stood
And he played real good
On his clarinet, for free
Now me I play for fortunes
And those velvet curtain calls
Ive got a black limousine
And two gentlemen
Escorting me to the halls
And I play if you have the money
Or if youre a friend to me
But the one man band
By the quick lunch stand
He was playing real good, for free
Nobody stopped to hear him
Though he played so sweet and high
They knew he had never
Been on their t.v.
So they passed his music by
I meant to go over and ask for a song
Maybe put on a harmony...
I heard his refrain
As the signal changed
He was playing real good, for free
song performed by by Joni Mitchell
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Solitair, a teacher
Solitaire is a card game
Developed for playing
By self with no opponent
The fact is you are
Playing your own self
This is what
Solitaire teaches you
You shuffle cards
You distribute them
Upside down
Over eight or ten rows
Not knowing which card
Lays where and in what order
Keeping only the top layer open
You start arranging
Cards in descending order
As you move an open card
The card immediately under
Opens up
The card opening up may or may ot be
Matching your requirements
While opening up card
Depends on your luck
Card moving is totally
Left to you and
A lot depends on your skill
But you keep playing
Till the time either you win
By accumulating suits in order
Or when you get stuck
With no more moving of cards possible
And you lose the game
Life is like that only
And as in solitaire you play it alone
Though you seemingly have partners
And you must know that
You are all alone playing your game
You act on visible opportunities
And as you act upon this
New venues opening up
One by one
Either to your surprise or shock
Still you keep playing the game of life
Expecting each time when you act
There will be favourable changes
And with further scopes for gaining
The only difference is that
You quit the game in solitaire
But in life the game leaves you
At its discretion
Leaving you to wonder
Whether you are a winner or loser
poem by Bashyam Narayanan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Stranger In My Own Town
J. spinks, t. lewis
I still remember what I saw last night
Three small kids stealing money from a poor man
Now that aint right - no that aint right
Im still thinking bout the things I heard
Poor old man - he was frightened and afraid of every word
- and its all so absurd
But times are changing now an d I still care
There must be something we can do out there
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
I keep on walkin through these run down streets
Graffiti walls - this aint nothing like it used to be
Not for you or for me
This towns never been so down before
Looks like a photograph - someone mighta taken in
The second world war
Oh but what was that for
So many people gave their lives for this
Theres nothing left for us to reminisce
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
When those sad days were over
Im sure they all thought that weld won
But now as I look around
Were still invaded by everyone
Things wont ever be the same again
Ive not lost a town - Ive lost my only friend
Oh but where does it end
Well never change these times with good intent
But right now I know I dont feel content
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
song performed by by Outfield
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Burning Question
We have a Vicar from the south
Who preaches with his mouth
His sermon for the Day
Was to make the people stay
The darkness was too much
But being a Vicar that was silly
He burnt his hand on the tilly
By Derek Lewry aka Papa Bear
25 May 2008
Note: This poem was written about an incident that happened to me on Sunday by the Mayor of the Western Town I belong to, Papa Bear (Derek Lewery) .
I was lighting a Tilly lamp to lighten up my church as we have no electricity. The lamp went out and when I tried to relight it, the lamp looked like it was going to topple over so I reached to steady it and burnt the palm of my left hand. Instead of seeing the light I felt the pain. I did the service with my hand wrapped in a cold wet towel.
Please leave a comment on passing as all your comments will be passed on to Papa Bear.
David
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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