Surge
At Granite Island’s seaward side
We sat, and watched the surging tide,
The rapid rip, the capping crest,
The stinging spray, the ragged nest;
The long slow wheel of the sea bird, moaning,
The deep-felt urge of the white sea, foaming.
You laid your head on me, and cried:
'How long, how long? ' And I replied:
'This day is ours, and for the rest….
Ah well, ' I sighed, and sought your breast;
You turned, long-lost at the deep shades forming
While I caught tears at the tip of day, dawning.
12 October 1980
poem by David Lewis Paget
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Little Island
LITTLE ISLAND
Randy Newman
In two long wars, my country bled
To save the world for everyone
As through the years, the fight we've led
Too long, we stood alone, too long alone
And when at last, the battle won
We asked for no reward
An empire gone
Two generations turned to blood and dust
Only the best were lost
Only the best
And now the years have passed
The times have changed
The foe is risen up
He stands astride the world
His dreams of conquest all fulfilled
Little island, little island
Glory lost in the mists of time
They will pay for what was done
To those of us who died so young
They will pay for what was done
Little island, little island
Little island
song performed by by Randy Newman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Dust
When I went to look at what had long been hidden,
A jewel laid long ago in a secret place,
I trembled, for I thought to see its dark deep fire --
But only a pinch of dust blew up in my face.
I almost gave my life long ago for a thing
That has gone to dust now, stinging my eyes --
It is strange how often a heart must be broken
Before the years can make it wise.
poem by Sara Teasdale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Lost My Faith
We both know
That the harder we try
Can't understand it
We're so caught up in the reasons why
Station to station
And we couldn't even say their names
I realized it
Was just a game
I had lost my faith
Long ago
I had lost my faith
Long ago
I can see
That if I stay close to your side
All of my pressures now
I know they will subside
If ever you need me
All you gotta do is fall
I hear you sayin'
That you got it all
I had lost my faith
Long ago
I had lost my faith
Long ago
A stranger so it seems
I lie here for you touch
But what I'd like to know
Is why do I want you so much
You say that's all the same
All through my life
I have
Waited for you
And
Have you waited too
are you feeling what I'm feeling
Ohhhh.... I
I had lost my faith
Long ago
I had lost my faith long ago
I had lost my faith
Long ago
I had lost my faith
Long ago
I lost my faith
I lost my faith
I lost my faith
Ohh love
song performed by by Seal from Human Beings
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Long Way Around
You say what you say
And you pray that one day
Youll be seen between the shadows
Now thats a waist of your pain
Living your life like a saint
When it dont...no
It dont even matter
Even saints make their mistakes
Letting their dreams fall and break
All it feels like
Living in sunshine with the shades pulled down
Now I want you to see
How good life can be
You can turn around
And better your life
With the good times found
People will always take the long way around
Before you know it youll be lost and found
Living in sunshine with the shades pulled down
People will always take the long way around
People will always take the long way around
Before you know it youll be lost and found
Living in sunshine with the shades pulled down
People will always take the long way around
Im not afraid of pride
When its for the right side
Dont betray what I believe in
Stand where you want to stand
And Ill believe when I can
cause Im telling you now
I been where youre living in
People will always take the long way around
Before you know it youll be lost and found
Living in sunshine with the shades pulled down
People will always take the long way around
People will always take the long way around
Before you know it youll be lost and found
Living in sunshine with the shades pulled down
People will always take the long way around
Will tomorrow keep its promise
No one here can say
The past is all behind us
And all we have is today
And all we have is today
People will always take the long way around
Before you know it youll be lost and found
Living in sunshine with the shades pulled down
People will always take the long way around
People will always take the long way around
Before you know it youll be lost and found
Living in sunshine with the shades pulled down
People will always take the long way around
song performed by by Eagle Eye Cherry
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Gethsemane's Wheel
too long in the garden,
too long behind the plow.
too long at the table,
too long tending the fire...
too long fighting wars,
too long in the cave.
too long, and too many nights,
burning the candle down.
too long behind the wheel,
too long on the cross...
it is finished, day is done...
roll back the stone!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I Am Like One That For Long Days Had Sate
I AM like one that for long days had sate,
With seaward eyes set keen against the gale,
On some lone foreland, watching sail by sail,
The portbound ships for one ship that was late;
And sail by sail, his heart burned up with joy,
And cruelly was quenched, until at last
One ship, the looked-for pennant at its mast,
Bore gaily, and dropt safely past the buoy;
And lo! the loved one was not there - was dead.
Then would he watch no more; no more the sea
With myriad vessels, sail by sail, perplex
His eyes and mock his longing. Weary head,
Take now thy rest; eyes, close; for no more me
Shall hopes untried elate, or ruined vex.
For thus on love I waited; thus for love
Strained all my senses eagerly and long;
Thus for her coming ever trimmed my song;
Till in the far skies coloured as a dove,
A bird gold-coloured flickered far and fled
Over the pathless waterwaste for me;
And with spread hands I watched the bright bird flee
And waited, till before me she dropped dead.
O golden bird in these dove-coloured skies
How long I sought, how long with wearied eyes
I sought, O bird, the promise of thy flight!
And now the morn has dawned, the morn has died,
The day has come and gone; and once more night
About my lone life settles, wild and wide.
poem by Robert Louis Stevenson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Show Tune II
That's the long and short of it
now you know
how I've been waiting all these years
where I'm coming from
that's the long and short of it.
That's the long and short of it
now you see
just how hot hot jazz was
how it turned about, my bookcase
that's the long and short of it.
That's the long and short of it
now you know
that my arrest record's
not my best record
that's the long and short of it.
That's the long and short of it
now you see
how the Past's like a love
you can neither leave nor live
that's the long and short of it
That's the long and short of it
now you know
it was no gun in my pocket
it was a rocket
that's the long and short of it.
That's the long and short of it
and you're wond'ring dear
how I kept so pure
hull, it was easy
that's the long and short of it.
That's the long and short of it
now you see
so bounce your head
into bed
that's the long and short of it.
That's the long and short of it
read the blues
in these tattoos
make a song of it
that's the short and long of it.
How I wish
there was a bridge-
then I could burn it;
or the train
of a refrain
then I could board it
but there isn't
no there isn't, so...
poem by Morgan Michaels
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Its Been A Long Long Time
Its been a long time...
Since I held you tight.
Its been a long time...
Everyday in this fight.
Its been a long...long...time.
Its been a long time...
Since I've had a kiss.
Its been a long time...
You're pretty blue eyes I miss.
Its been a long...long...time.
Its been a long time...
This Iraqi tour.
Its been a long time...
I miss you so and more.
Its been a long...long...time.
Its been a long time...
Hot days with freezing nights.
Its been a long time...
Sunburned face, mosquito bites.
Its been a long...long...time.
Its been a long time...
Had a real bad day.
Its been a long time...
Lost some soldiers today.
Its been a long...long...time.
Its been a long time...
I suffer everyday.
Its been a long time...
For me to be away.
Its been a long...long...time.
Its been a long time...
For me to be alone.
Its been a long time...
No talking on the telephone.
Its been a long...long...time.
Its been a long time...
Since you heard me say...
Baby, my sweet darling...
I'm leaving Iraq today!
poem by Philip Lore
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Workin’ It Out
Well I've been spendin' my life lookin' for a shoulder
To rest my head when the nights get colder
But the days are gettin' longer and I'm gettin' older
Been long time workin' it out
I been a long time workin' it out I been a long time workin' it out
I been a long time workin' it out I been a long time workin' it out
Now I got a little woman to scrub my floor
Right down the road I got me two or three more
And you know none of them knows about the one next door
I been a long time workin' it out
I been a long time workin' it out...
Well it was late one night when I stole a little money
I bought a couple of things and then gave them to my honey
And the judge said boy if you this that's funny
You got a long time workin' it out
I got a long time workin' it out...
[ guitar ]
Yeah well I look all around me and what do I see
The whole wide world got trouble like me
Between the taxes the missus and the deep blue sea
You'll be a long time workin' it out
We'll be a long time workin' it out...
poem by Sheldon Allan Silverstein
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Too Long
It’s been too long since I felt the soft touch of a woman’s hands rub my bald head.
It’s been too long since I felt the gentleness of a woman’s lips press against mind.
It’s been too long since I cuddled with a woman’s head up against my chest listening to my heart beat.
It’s been too long since my tongue has slipped between a woman’s thighs and her juices drip down my throat.
It has been too long since I have made love to a woman and felt her inner walls pulsate.
It has been too long since a woman made my leg shake as I climax.
It’s been at least nine months and that’s far too long.
Point Of Know Return
I heard the men saying something
The captains tell they pay you well
And they said they need sailing men to
Show the way and leave today
Was it you that said
How long
How long
How long
Was it you that said "How long"
They said the sea turned so dark
That you know it's time to see the sign
And they say the point
Demons guard is an ocean grave for all the brave
Was it you that said
How long
How long
How long
How long to the point of know return
Your father
He said he needs you
Your mother
She said she loves you
Your brothers
They echo the words
"How far to the point of know return"
"Well how long"
Today I found a message floating
In the sea from you to me
You wrote that when you could see it
You cried with fear the point was near
Was it you that said "How long
To the point of Know Return
song performed by by Kansas
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Once when I was in Hawaii, on the island of Kauai, I met a mysterious old stranger. He said he was about to die and wanted to tell someone about the treasure. I said, "Okay, as long as it's not a long story. Some of us have a plane to catch, you know." He stared telling his story, about the treasure and his life and all, and I thought "This story isn't too long." But then, he kept going, and I started thinking, "Uh-oh, this story is getting long." But then the story was over, and I said to myself "You know, that story wasn't too long after all." I forget what the story was about, but there was a good movie on the plane. It was a little long, though.
Jack Handey in Deep Thoughts
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
A Little Long Time
At breakfast tea & some toast are nice
the TV's on I'm lying in bed
My feed are cold and my cheeks are red
I pat my real fat cat
Nobody knows my secret dreams,
Nobody knows why I can't sleep
But if you ever felt before
like I feel now you know much more.
A little long time I watched TV
A little long time I drank my tea
A little long time I tapped my feet
But all the time I thought of you
The spinach tastes like raspberry jelly
The snow sounds like the buzzards bees
The rain is like the childrens laughter
And everything is like a dream.
A little long time I watched TV
A little long time I drank my tea
A little long time I tapped my feet
But all the time I thought of you
A little long time I watched TV
A little long time I drank my tea
A little long time I tapped my feet
But all the time I thought of you
song performed by by Wonderwall
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The Happy Bird’s Nest
When on my cottage falls the placid shower,
When ev'ning calls the labourer home to rest,
When glad the bee deserts the humid flower,
O then the bird assumes her peaceful nest.
When sable shadows grow unshapely tall,
And Sol's resplendent wheel descends the west,
The knell of respiration tolls for all,
And Hesper smiles upon the linnet's nest.
When o'er the mountain bounds the fair gazell,
The night bird tells her day-departing jest,
She gladly leaves her melancholy dell,
And spreads her pinions o'er the linnet's nest.
Then harmless Dian spreads her lucid sail,
And glides through ether with her silver crest,
Bidding the watchful bird still pour her tale,
And cheer the happy linnet on her nest.
Thus may some guardian angel bear her light,
And o'er thy tomb, departed genius, rest,
Whilst thou shalt take thy long eternal flight,
And leave some faithful bird to guard thy nest.
poem by George Moses Horton
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Meeting
The ox-team and the automobile
Stood face to face on the long red road,
The long red road was narrow
At the turn of the hill,
And below was the sun-dancing river
Afoam over the rocks.
The mild-mannered beasts stood par, chewing their cud.
The stubble-bearded man from the mountains,
Rustier than his wagon,
Unmoving eyed the proud chauffeur.
The little ragged girl,
With sun-bleached hair,
Sitting on a ahrd, yellow-powdrey bag,
Looked across at the smart motor hats of the ladies,
And their chiffon scarfs
That the light breeze fingered.
The proud chauffeur blew his horn,
But nothing moved-
Except the foaming, sun-dancing river down below.
Then he jerked his head,
And turned the wheel,
And slowly, carefully,
The automobile moved back over the long red road.
And the mild-mannered beasts lifted their feet,
And the stubble-bearded man flipped his rein,
Ad the ragged little girl looked ahead up the hill,
And the ox-team lumbered and limped over the long red road.
poem by Harriet Monroe
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Cat People
See these eyes so green
I can stare for a thousand years
Colder than the moon
Feel my blood enraged
It's just the fear of losing you
Don't you know my name
Well, you been so long
And i've been putting out fire
With gasoline
See these eyes so red
Red like jungle burning bright
Those who feel me near
Pull the blinds and change their minds
It's been so long
Still this pulsing night
A plague i call a heartbeat
Just be still with me
But it wouldn't believe what i've been thru
You've been so long
Well it's been so long
And i've been putting out the fire with gasoline
Putting out the fire
With gasoline
See these tears so blue
An ageless heart that can never mend
Tears can never dry
A judgement made can never bend
See these eyes so green
I can stare for a thousand years
Just be still with me
You wouldn't believe what i've been thru
Well you've been so long
It's been so long
And i've been putting out fire with gasoline
Putting out fire with gasoline
Putting out fire
We've been putting out fire
Well it's been so long so long so long
Yes it's been so long so long so long
I've been putting out fire
Been so long so long so long
And putting out fire
Been so long so long so long
Yeah yeah putting out fire
Been so long so long so long
Been putting out fire
Been so long so long so long
Yeah putting out fire
Been so long so long so long
Putting out fire
Been so long so long so long
It's been so long
Been so long so long so long
It's been so long
Been so long so long so long
It's been so long
Been so long so long so long
I've been putting out fire
Been so long so long so long
song performed by by David Bowie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
To Night
Swiftly walk o'er the western wave,
Spirit of Night!
Out of the misty eastern cave,
Where, all the long and lone daylight,
Thou wovest dreams of joy and fear,
Which make thee terrible and dear--
Swift be thy flight!
Wrap thy form in a mantle gray,
Star-inwrought!
Blind with thine hair the eyes of day;
Kiss her until she be wearied out,
Then wander o'er city, and sea, and land,
Touching all with thine opiate wand--
Come, long-sought!
When I arose and saw the dawn,
I sighed for thee;
When light rode high, and the dew was gone,
And noon lay heavy on flower and tree,
And the weary day turned to his rest,
Lingering like an unloved guest,
I sighed for thee.
Thy brother Death came, and cried,
Wouldst thou me?
Thy sweet child Sleep, the filmy-eyed,
Murmured like a noontide bee,
Shall I nestle near thy side?
Wouldst thou me?--And I replied,
No, not thee!
Death will come when thou art dead,
Soon, too soon--
Sleep will come when thou art fled;
Of neither would I ask the boon
I ask of thee, beloved Night--
Swift be thine approaching flight,
Come soon, soon!
poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Too Long Gone
Big guns shoot and limp off fields.
Mired deep...
In failed ancient philosophies.
Crippled mentalities,
Rush to heal from wounds quick.
With hopes to return to an existence,
Missed.
But too long gone.
Too long.
Too long.
Too long...
In the worship of the wrongs.
Out of minds weakened.
No longer found to be strong!
Too long.
Too long.
Too long...
Gone!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Long Breakdown
Everywhere . . . everywhere, there is something to believe in
Everyone, and his brother, has a massage for me somewhere
I believe . . . in the cry of little children
Theres a thorn in my side, that makes me want to free them
Theres a cry theres a cry . . . cry off in the distance
Of a long, long, long breakdown . . .
Theres a light in the tower, there to guide us through
The long night
Through the long night when were dreaming
Under blankets of deception
In the darkness, undercover we may bump into each other
In the darkness, undercover, looking for a new direction
We may wander, we may wander in geometric patterns
In a long, long, long, long, breakdown . . .
Underwater, underwater, I will meet you underwater
I will find you, I will find you, in the deep & quiet water
In the ocean, in the ocean, we will bask in all its glory
In the peaceful quiet water, I will tell you all a story
Of a long, long, long, long, breakdown
song performed by by Oingo Boingo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Walnut Tree
Once there was a great storm
Pushed my head beneath the waves, I was gone
Underneath the walnut tree
Where you said you'd wait for me
And I waited a long, long time
I waited a long, long time
I waited a long, long time
I waited a long, long time
I waited a long, long time
Why, why do I come here?
Seeking out the memories I handed
Cause you put your spell on me
Made me live a memory
And I'm frozen in just the wrong time
I waited a long, long time
I waited a long, long time
I waited a long, long time
I waited a long, long time
song performed by by Keane
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!