Afterthoughts
We parted where the old gas-lamp still burned
Under the wayside maple and walked on,
Into the dark, as we had always done;
And I, no doubt, if he had not returned,
Might yet be unaware that he had earned
More than earth gives to many who have won
More than it has to give when they are gone--
As duly and indelibly I learned.
The sum of all that he came back to say
Was little then, and would be less today:
With him there were no Delphic heights to climb,
Yet his were somehow nearer the sublime.
He spoke, and went again by the old way--
Not knowing it would be for the last time.
poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson
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Related quotes
Prospects
We have set out from here for the sublime
Pastures of summer shade and mountain stream;
I have no doubt we shall arrive on time.
Is all the green of that enameled prime
A snapshot recollection or a dream?
We have set out from here for the sublime
Without provisions, without one thin dime,
And yet, for all our clumsiness, I deem
It certain that we shall arrive on time.
No guidebook tells you if you'll have to climb
Or swim. However foolish we may seem,
We have set out from here for the sublime
And must get past the scene of an old crime
Before we falter and run out of steam,
Riddled by doubt that we'll arrive on time.
Yet even in winter a pale paradigm
Of birdsong utters its obsessive theme.
We have set out from here for the sublime;
I have no doubt we shall arrive on time.
poem by Anthony Evan Hecht
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Climb
maybe Im not as smart as I thought
as I come back down
entertain the sun
beg it to go on
dont leave me all alone down here
cause I dont have a doubt
that I am without
a way out of this
and I climb
this wasted time
I've been in
and I find
I change my mind
again you win
can you take the ashes that Ive burned
at your expense
cause I cant tell you why
all the things that I
havent thought to ask you for
I am at the end
I cannot pretend
that everythings ok this time
and I climb
this wasted time
I've been in
and I find
I change my mind
again you win
I cant walk away from you
I cant deny what you say is true
I cant understand everything you do
still I cant walk away
and I climb
this wasted time
I've been in
and I find
I change my mind
again you win
when I climb
when I climb
when I climb
song performed by by Lifehouse
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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But Mostly In The Wrong Direction
day 1
took 1,473 steps today(or rather night) under the dark, weighted
sky, nearly stumbled but the cracks in the sidewalk
can't bring me down
day 34
love left me today(or rather morning)
7,893 steps say run, run, get away
and never come back
day 127
hope returned today(or rather afternoon)
and so did i
with 7,894 steps just to make up for leaving
day 542
walked today (was it morning or afternoon?)
do you know how the cold makes the sunset freeze in gold?
didn't count steps today
much better things to do
poem by Alexzia Ferdinand
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You Just Havent Earned It Yet, Baby
If youre wondering why
All the love that you long for eludes you
And people are rude and cruel to you
Ill tell you why
Ill tell you why
Ill tell you why
Ill tell you why
You just havent earned it yet, baby
You just havent earned it, son
You just havent earned it yet, baby
You must suffer and cry for a longer time
You just havent earned it yet, baby
And Im telling you now ...
If youre wondering why
When all I wanted from life was to be famous
I have tried for so long, its all gone wrong
Ill tell you why
Ill tell you why
Ill tell you why
Ill tell you why
But you wouldnt believe me
You just havent earned it yet, baby
You just havent earned it, son
You just havent earned it yet, baby
You must suffer and cry for a longer time
You just havent earned it yet, baby
And Im telling you now ...
Ill tell you why
Ill tell you why
Today I am remembering the time
When they pulled me back
And held me down
And looked me in the eyes and said
You just havent earned it yet, baby
You just havent earned it, my son
You just havent earned it yet, baby
You must stay on your own for slightly longer
You just havent earned it yet baby
And Im telling you now ...
You just havent earned it yet, baby
Oh ...
You just havent earned it yet, baby
Oh ...
Oh
song performed by by Smiths
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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You Have Done It Before
You have done it before
So you have done it again
With your ways and your sin.
Too you this it is not new
So no-one really knew
Your back to where you did begin.
You are walking the same path
That you walked in your past
That we thought you walked no more.
But then you went down that road
Which is full of shame and woe
You have returned to where you were before.
Again you are lying and abusing
Cheating and accusing
And example for all to see.
You’re letting everyone know
That truly you have no soul
Or a conscience for you to heed.
You have done it before
So your doing it still
How weak is your pride and will.
You have surrender to your old way
What else could anyone say
As you run down a sadden hill.
As everyone does know
That when we all grow old
We will change with wisdom of age.
But you will not change at all
You couldn't stand that one fall
As you don't ever want to enter that stage.
I wonder is everyone ashamed
Like i am, when I hear your name
Knowing you had returned to your past life.
Where you don't care who you hurt
Especially your family which is your perk
As your bring sorrow and so much strife.
You have done it before
And you are doing it now
You are undisciplined like a child.
You must have your own way
And you don't care what anyone does say
As you scream “ am me”, out loud.
I wonder when you commit your sins
Once before and now again
Do you notice who is around or even near.
Do you care where you are
Knowing temptation from you is never far
And away from it, you never do steer.
Do you think of anyone but yourself
As pain and suffering is what you give as help
And the knocking you do at a sinners door.
Do you want your children to be like you
And when they are, it will only prove
That you have done all this, once before.
Randy L. McClave
poem by Randy McClave
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R.I.P. Dear Dad
It was this day, my father died,
A score and three years back;
One early morn, while he lay ill,
And children were around.
He had double pneumonia:
With diabetes too;
We could not do much about it,
With three children, doctors.
The sudden death anguished us all,
But he was pretty old;
The way he reared us still remains
A puzzle unraveled!
From humble beginnings, he rose
To be a learned man;
He taught and spoke in unmatched style
That put the world dumbfound!
A man of principles so good,
You hardly can find one;
God was his friend, despite all strife;
He kept his simple ways!
The love and care he showed were great;
He was so erudite;
His piety lit up his face
In everything he did!
Oh, what a father great, we lost -
A void that none could fill;
His life and work evergreen stays
In hearts of all children.
Our home is dark without this light,
Which is a star in sky;
He goads us all to follow him,
And reach celestial heights!
O God, we plead and cry and pray,
‘May his soul rest in peace';
He earned his heaven, while on earth,
A righteous soul did cease!
poem by John Celes
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Investment Fund – For Lucinda
Lost time by Time will never be returned,
Use every moment to the full, - you’ll see
Creation triumph over sloth and be
In years to come the fund from which is earned
New hope, new scope, in total liberty.
Do not delay, misplay, for bridges burned
Are not rebuilt without much grief as fee…
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Back up the Hill
As I walked down to the river today
I met a man with no legs in a chair
we spoke about life and he stood tall in a way
as I walked down to the river
As I walked on I met a blind girl
who gave me directions just over the hill
for someone like me who was lost she could see
as I walked on to the river
Down by the banks I met a small child
whose mother and father had recently died
and he splashed around with a heartful of life
down by the banks of the river
As I looked in the river I saw a young man
a reflection of me if you understand
who thought he would end it as he coudn't cope
as I looked into the river
Considering the people I met on the way
they didn't give up I heard myself say
and though I believed that I'd been through the mill
I laughed at the river, and walked back up the hill.
poem by Charles M. Moore
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Epiphany, Dead Man Walking
i learned to walk again,
the day you drove away
and left me standing in the drive...
i learned to see again,
staring at old photographs
in a book hid away.
i learned to think again,
thinking, and rethinking
every move and every action.
i learned to feel again,
struck dumb with waves of sorrow,
with blood on my lips.
i learned to cry again,
in the dark and sleepless night,
when no one else could see.
i learned to fight again,
pushed back against the wall
with nothing left to lose.
i learned to pray again,
to a God that doesnt answer,
from the gates of hell.
i learned to dream again,
violent shaking nightmares,
waking up to a cold sweat.
i learned to love again
to cherish every moment,
every touch forgotten.
i learned to walk again,
and walked off into the sunset
with our hearts in my hands.
poem by Eric Cockrell
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The Hard Way Every Time
The Hard Way Every Time
Written by - Jim Croce
Yeah, I've had my share of broken dreams
And more than a couple of falls
And in chasin' what I thought were moonbeams
I have run into a couple of walls
But in looking back at the places I've been
The changes that I've left behind
I just look at myself to find
I've learned the hard way every time
'Cause I've had my share of good intentions
And I've made my share of mistakes
And I've learned at times it's best to bend
'Cause if you don't well those are the breaks
Should have listened to all the things I was told
But I was young and too proud at the time
Now I look at myself to find
I learn the hard way ev'ry time
But in looking back at the lessons I've learned
And the mountains I wanted to climb
I just look at myself to find
I've learned the hard way ev'ry time
'Cause I've had my share of broken dreams
And more than a couple of falls
And in chasin' what I thought were moonbeams
I have run into a couple of walls
But in looking back at the faces I've been
I would sure be the first one to say
When I look at myself today
Wouldn'ta done it any other way
song performed by by Jim Croce
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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What I Learned Today
What I learned today is that there will be a tomorrow,
what I learned today is the truth is full of pain and sorrow.
What I learned yesterday is people make mistakes,
what I learned yesterday is I will do whatever it takes.
What I learned Saturday when i watched you leave I take back
what I said, what I learned Saturday is when we fought i dread.
What I learned now is that part of my heart is gone,
what I learned now is you will no longer wake me up at dawn.
It is quiet with out you,
I feel I have many things to do.
poem by Angelina Sabia
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The Spring
(After Rilke)
Spring has returned! Everything has returned!
The earth, just like a schoolgirl, memorizes
Poems, so many poems. ... Look, she has learned
So many famous poems, she has earned so many prizes!
Teacher was strict. We delighted in the white
Of the old man's beard, bright like the snow's:
Now we may ask which names are wrong, or right
For "blue," for "apple," for "ripe." She knows, she knows!
Lucky earth, let out of school, now you must play
Hide-and-seek with all the children every day:
You must hide that we may seek you: we will! We will!
The happiest child will hold you. She knows all the things
You taught her: the word for "hope," and for "believe,"
Are still upon her tongue. She sings and sings and sings.
poem by Delmore Schwartz
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Nobody Spoke (for Karen)
Nobody spoke to Lucy,
nobody spoke at all,
ain't no joke
nobody spoke.
nobody spoke
for five long years
ain't no joke
nobody spoke.
Lucy withdrew
without a clue
why nobody spoke,
nobody spoke
for five long years,
nobody spoke
Ain't no joke
nobody spoke!
Lucy went mad
she went crazy!
She screamed
she cried, she sobbed,
but nobody spoke,
for five long years
Ain't no joke
nobody spoke.
Many years later
she saw them,
those people she wanted
to be her friends.
but ain't no joke
nobody spoke,
nobody spoke
for five long years.
Ain't no joke
nobody spoke.
Lucy left a note
in daddy's drawer,
put on her very best dress.
Did her hair in a very fine way
and walked into the hall as a guest.
She walked up to the folk
that never spoke,
said hello in an ordinary way,
then she pulled out a gun
and opened fire.
Yes she shot all those folk
on that day.
Now they were silent
now they were still,
cos ain't no joke
that nobody spoke
and now
they never will.
poem by Ruth Walters
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Aurobindo 151 Savitri Book 10
An appreciation on Savitri-
Book Ten: The Book of the Double Twilight
Canto Three - The Debate of Love and Death
Words within inverted commas are Aurobindo's
'He said, 'Art thou indeed so strong, O heart,
O soul, so free? And canst thou gather then
Bright pleasure from my wayside flowering boughs,
Yet falter not from thy hard journey's goal,
Meet the world's dangerous touch and never fall?
Show me thy strength and freedom from my laws.'
Oh, a debate upping towards the abysmal steeple
Oh Death, Savitri but to surely prove and win
But Savitri answered, 'Surely I shall find
Among the green and whispering woods of Life
Close-bosomed pleasures, only mine since his,
Or mine for him, because our joys are one.
And if I linger, Time is ours and God's,
And if I fall, is not his hand near mine?
All is a single plan; each wayside act
Deepens the soul's response, brings nearer the goal.'
'Death the contemptuous Nihil answered her:
'So prove thy absolute force to the wise gods, '
'Then will I give thee all thy soul desires,
All the brief joys earth keeps for mortal hearts.
Only the one dearest wish that outweighs all,
Hard laws forbid and thy ironic fate.'
'My will once wrought remains unchanged through Time,
And Satyavan can never again be thine.'
'But Savitri replied to the vague Power:
'If the eyes of Darkness can look straight at Truth,
Look in my heart and, knowing what I am,
Give what thou wilt or what thou must, O Death.
Nothing I claim but Satyavan alone.'
Behold! how vehement her plea was..
My consciousness this moment,
O'Guru, I'm in awe....in invincible heights
Ineffable Thee embellishing poetic creation
My inquisitive apprehension, erring Thee may opine
May thereso, let Savitri in my self arise
Aroused thereso be knowledge and fortune
poem by Indira Renganathan
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Affirmation
I believe the sun should never set upon an argument
I believe we place our happiness in other people's hands
I believe that junk food tastes so good because it's bad for you
I believe your parents did the best job they knew how to do
I believe that beauty magazines promote low self-esteem
I believe I'm loved when I'm completely by myself alone
I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye
I believe you can't control or choose your sexuality
I believe that trust is more important than monogamy
I believe your most attractive features are your heart and soul
I believe that family is worth more than money or gold
I believe the struggle for financial freedom is unfair
I believe the only ones who disagree are millionaires
I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye
I believe forgiveness is the key to your unhappiness
I believe that wedded bliss negates the need to be undressed
I believe that God does not endorse TV evangelists
I believe in love surviving death into eternity
I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye
[repeat ]
song performed by by Savage Garden from Affirmation
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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History
If only the days where shorter when you wanted them to be,
And longer when you needed them to be,
But do you know what would be better?
Being able to control time,
Going back in history,
Seeing how our Earth was built to what it is today,
Going to the future,
Seeing how our decisions you make today effect towmorrow.
Having all of history in the palm of your hand at a point of a finger,
But even better then that,
Knowing when you should or shouldn't change it,
For the better or worse,
Knowing the differece between right and wrong.
poem by Katelyn Ross
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Don't Want to Give My Shade Away
Don't want to give my shade away.
Today it's too valuable
And it's not easy to just give it.
Like yesterday.
When some would deliver it,
WITH a nose lift!
I only hope they have some left refrigerated.
These are not those times anymore.
Pruddish snobs have pawned their offenses.
Many of them.
I remember when some gave me shade.
And now they don't have it to give away.
They once gave shade as if with them it would stay.
And only 'they' were able to give it.
But their philosophies and mine have changed.
Today I am more selective as to who gets my shade.
And if it has not been earned...
Who ever gets it has to pay!
I am not into that kind of charity.
I've been demoted by those motions.
And now I don't devote my time to those 'giveaways'.
Don't want to give my shade away.
Are you serious?
Some took away my dignity,
So I could afford this!
Today?
It is too valuable.
And it's not easy to just give it.
I've learned to be selfish.
I want to see some remorse.
At least some effect of my willingness,
To intimidate.
'My brother...
We must learn to turn the other cheek.'
I agree.
Close your eyes.
I have a surprise for you.
'Owww!
Why?
Why did you hit me? '
Excellent.
Maintain your training.
One day you will be skilled.
Wait until you graduate into the 'tongue in cheek' arena.
I bit many a tongue on that one!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Three Ha'Pence a Foot
I'll tell you an old-fashioned story
That Grandfather used to relate,
Of a joiner and building contractor;
'Is name, it were Sam Oglethwaite.
In a shop on the banks of the Irwell,
Old Sam used to follow 'is trade,
In a place you'll have 'eard of, called Bury;
You know, where black puddings is made.
One day, Sam were filling a knot 'ole
Wi' putty, when in thro' the door
Came an old feller fair wreathed wi' whiskers;
T'ould chap said 'Good morning, I'm Noah.'
Sam asked Noah what was 'is business,
And t'ould chap went on to remark,
That not liking the look of the weather,
'E were thinking of building an Ark.
'E'd gotten the wood for the bulwarks,
And all t'other shipbuilding junk,
And wanted some nice Bird's Eye Maple
To panel the side of 'is bunk.
Now Maple were Sam's Monopoly;
That means it were all 'is to cut,
And nobody else 'adn't got none;
So 'e asked Noah three ha'pence a foot.
'A ha'penny too much,' replied Noah
'A Penny a foot's more the mark;
A penny a foot, and when t'rain comes,
I'll give you a ride in me Ark.'
But neither would budge in the bargain;
The whole daft thing were kind of a jam,
So Sam put 'is tongue out at Noah,
And Noah made 'Long Bacon ' at Sam
In wrath and ill-feeling they parted,
Not knowing when they'd meet again,
And Sam had forgot all about it,
'Til one day it started to rain.
It rained and it rained for a fortni't,
And flooded the 'ole countryside.
It rained and it kept' on raining,
'Til the Irwell were fifty mile wide.
The 'ouses were soon under water,
And folks to the roof 'ad to climb.
They said 'twas the rottenest summer
That Bury 'ad 'ad for some time.
The rain showed no sign of abating,
And water rose hour by hour,
'Til the only dry land were at Blackpool,
And that were on top of the Tower.
So Sam started swimming to Blackpool;
It took 'im best part of a week.
'Is clothes were wet through when 'e got there,
And 'is boots were beginning to leak.
'E stood to 'is watch-chain in water,
On Tower top, just before dark,
When who should come sailing towards 'im
But old Noah, steering 'is Ark.
They stared at each other in silence,
'Til Ark were alongside, all but,
Then Noah said: 'What price yer Maple?'
Sam answered 'Three ha'pence a foot.'
Noah said 'Nay; I'll make thee an offer,
The same as I did t'other day.
A penny a foot and a free ride.
Now, come on, lad, what does tha say?'
'Three ha'pence a foot,' came the answer.
So Noah 'is sail 'ad to hoist,
And sailed off again in a dudgeon,
While Sam stood determined, but moist.
Noah cruised around, flying 'is pigeons,
'Til fortieth day of the wet,
And on 'is way back, passing Blackpool,
'E saw old Sam standing there yet.
'Is chin just stuck out of the water;
A comical figure 'e cut,
Noah said: 'Now what's the price of yer Maple?'
Sam answered: 'Three ha'pence a foot.'
Said Noah: 'Ye'd best take my offer;
It's last time I'll be hereabout;
And if water comes half an inch higher,
I'll happen get Maple for nowt.'
'Three ha'pence a foot it'll cost yer,
And as fer me,' Sam said, 'don't fret.
The sky's took a turn since this morning;
I think it'll brighten up yet.'
poem by Marriott Edgar
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Fate's Watershed Awaits Ahead 1722
I who was king, taught all to sing, when Greenland still was green,
scoff at the way most homage pay today to progress crowned.
Fat profit's ring, its scorpion sting shall strike, spike anguish keen,
oh lack a day! Man's lost his way, with motives so unsound.
I who foresaw from shore to shore how wonderlust would mean
no stone unturned, deserved, ill earned, in search of mirage dreams
when rotten core exploits the poor, when little in between
extremes is learned, with justice spurned and bridges burned it seems.
I who remain in etching plain, on bone forever set
call all to see that history for vengeance cries aloud.
Fate's watershed awaits ahead to help this world forget
that man once walked, at nothing balked, to stand out from the crowd,
exploiting earth throughout its girth, ambitions daily whet
by hubris swank and reasons rank, by ways in which rank proud
sought to oppress, yet nonetheless Time, grinning, will not let
poor jokes to last, and very fast shall flood man's pride low bowed.
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Fu Manchu
You heard about
A criminal man of virtue
Is there any doubt
His minimal strands would suit you?
Is a hard earned way
Is a hard earned way
Ill never lose
My fu manchu
My fu manchu
Let them grow out
In time youll feel so better
The vanishing pout
Now youre a real go-getter
Is a hard earned way
Is a hard earned way
Ill never lose
My fu manchu
My fu manchu
Is a hard earned way
Is a hard earned way
Occidentally tic-tac
Occidentally tic-tac
song performed by by Frank Black
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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