Notes For A Tomorrow
i feel very fortunate to be able
to write, and to share my thoughts
and feelings
i also feel a responsibility to write
the truth, not only my truth, but the
truth of all those around me
and so i paint these pictures of life,
some quite beautiful, some harsh and
distressing
we, as a people, and as individuals
are the human race. and what makes
it work is the word we
we are a part of each other, our happiness
and our hopes are dependent on each other
there is no i that is not a part of we!
we have reached a point in time when things
are extremely hard when it's almost impossible
to survive when it would be easy to lose hope
too many wars, too much poverty, too much disease,
too much homelessness, too much despair
if i'm not able to communicate anything else
let it be this each of you, each of us, and all
of life are precious it's time to join hands, and
work together for peace, and for a tomorrow
if we dont, there wont be a tomorrow
every moment we have is a gift a gift that
begs to be shared
in the wake of 9/11, and of the wars let's stand up
stand up and be counted as believers in life, and
in each other
i care about each of you and thank you for your time
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Trainwrecks
i think sometimes it takes trainwrecks,
before we'll sit down and look at, really look at,
who we are, what we are, and what we've become.
and i've had more than my share of trainwrecks....
often we bring them on ourselves, but sometimes
we have help...
it is the nature of life now that we get used, abused,
betrayed, and tormented....it makes one wonder how
much of that goes on inside us...
for the real battle is always within.
all the good and evil, all the hatreds, all the love,
all the wars, all injustices, human consciousness,
peace, and equality... all begin and end within us.
read a quote the other day... forgot who said it, that
went something like, '...there are people so good they
could never harm or kill anyone. i'm not one of them.
i wish i was... but i have to work at it.' and i understood!
i did a lot of things, especially when i was younger, that
i regret. and i paid the price.
i've made a lot of bad decisions, worked for a lot of
unscrupulous people, that used you for what they wanted,
and dumped you.
i've lost everything i had more than once, and stand to again.
when you think you dont have anything left to lose, life has
a way of showing you different.
we too often forget the value of the small things. we forget
what really matters.
and so you get pushed in a hard corner, and you stand up
angry, ready to fight. but what you're fighting is so big
you dont know where to start.... and you're fighting a
battle you cannot win!
and part of it is that the times are hard now. we've run
out of options, we have become expendable! the sad thing
is that we let this happen. we turned our heads, and walked
in indifference.
i am not a good man, nor a bad man. i am a man!
58 years old, with health issues, still wanting to work,
still fighting for what i believe is right. i have seen and
known a depth in life that i try to live, that i try to share,
with my actions, words, and intentions.
but i've reached the point where i'm not willing to
take any more shit! if i've done the wrong thing, then i
own my mistakes. but i wont apologize for what i think
is right!
running out of time, and having a hard time finding a
bridge. but that's my problem.
again and again telling my clenched fist to open.....
waiting for a break, some ray of sun....
human,100% human!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Notes From Freedom's Heart
i spend a lot of my time writing
about freedom, dignity, and equality....
using a lot of different forms, just
trying to be heard....
but i've come to the understanding
that whether i write it, sing i, play it
on guitar, paint it, dance it, or write
it on signs and march it.....
doesnt matter!
what matters is whether i live it!
when i can look into another human being's
eyes and not see color, gender, religious
or political idealogies, or sexual preference...
when i know that their mistakes and failures
are my own... that there is no difference
between us... that we have the same needs
and desires... and that we need each other.....
when i'm willing to listen, to offer a hand up, willing
to work and walk beside of (not in front of!) ....
when my thoughts, words, and actions reflect a deep
reverence and respect for all that lives....
when my choices validate humanity.....
when i can see without judging... when i'm
willing to speak the truth at all costs....
to give all that i have, and all that i am,
regardless of the risk....
when my own life matters less to me than
the lives of those i come in contact with....
when i'm willing to stand up for what's right,
for compassion, and for hope... even if it
costs me my own life....
then, and only then, i will have become
the poem i've tried all of my life to write...
then and only then, i will have become
fully human.... and will have answered the call
that we all have....
will i continue to write? yes!
but day by day, moment by moment....
i'll keep working!
will you join me?
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Work Of Art
Life is a ‘work of art”, and humanity is the biggest part.
We draw and paint masterpieces, and write the
Histories of each generation.
Just to show that we’ve been here
Because in our lives we live in fear.
Paintings, pictures, movies and words
With all this knowledge we still don’t learn.
For we create our heavens, and we create our hells
Look around you and you can tell.
Wars, hunger, poverty and hate
We better stop before it’s too late.
We’re already destroying all that nature is giving
“is this what we call living? ”
(if you want to see the “work of art” of humanity
Then take a white canvas and paint
“A large black dot”.
For that is humanity destroying the clean beauty
That the lord has given us.)
This canvas a work of art? Who is to say?
Can you express this life in a better way!
“Work of art” it is anything and everything that
Man puts in their minds, and it becomes
A part of the times.
For “perception becomes your reality”
And this is the work of art that I see.
poem by Louis Rams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Side Of Truth
i dont lie well,
never have...
and wont say things
you want to hear.
the truth is the truth,
i paint the picture naked.
but i do so with the knowledge
that we are all human,
very much so.
i dont judge other people.
i dont sell out.
i dont care about convenience.
and i wont blindly follow.
and at this age,
i wont shut up till i'm ready,
and i wont back down.
i'll admit to my own mistakes,
you deal with your own.
i try to always be compassionate,
and i fiercely demand freedom.
what i know i've learned the hard way,
and what i have i freely give.
i stand on the side of truth,
learning with every step!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Blame
who to blame?
we spend all of our time
pointing fingers, looking
for who to blame for
wars, poverty, injustices,
disease, overpopulation,
racism, enslavements,
hunger, homelessness.
who to blame?
men, women, white people,
Muslims, conservative Christians,
right-wingers, gay people, straight people,
the elite, illegal immigrants.
wake the hell up!
all of us bear equal
responsibility in this blame.
we are all a part of the cause.
we are all a part of the cure.
if we spent half as much time
working to fix our problems
as we do pointing fingers.
we'd fix them!
each of us has the right
to our own individuality
but each of us have the
responsibility of our collective
unity
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
0005 Letter to a Younger Poet
Thanks for your letter. Though
you’ve caught me at a rather awkward time –
I’m going into surgery tomorrow – a rather
risky op; so I’ll try to put all the answers that I’ve got
into this one letter;
I hope you'll understand...
and that helps me to make my first point to you:
write as if you, too, may not live
beyond tomorrow – write as if
it’s the last thing that you’ll ever write –
give it everything you’ve got,
hold nothing back;
or better still – write as if
the world will end for everyone tomorrow:
write so that in their last hours, too, this
will make them feel, will make them know
we’ve faced life fully, faced it so complete
that death is relatively unimportant now…
write as if it were only yesterday
that, in an air crash, all your family –
parents, wife or husband, partner, children, and best friend,
had lost their lives; write as if,
were you not to write,
your heart would break forever, or you would go mad...
write as if you’re writing somewhere
where there’s no such thing around, as ink;
you’ll have to use your own blood in the pen,
so use it carefully; so red, so living,
look at it… so beautiful, so precious,
and so solemn – use it carefully, don’t spill a drop…
write as if you’re borrowing every word
from the very centre of the universe, where suns and gods are made;
and need thus to account for every word
with your whole life, no less; know that every word
must be given back, cleaner, stronger, brighter
with your own power, than when you borrowed it;
write as if every poet that ever lived
is leaning over your shoulder, so that you
can feel their breath upon your neck as they say
‘Tell them all that we would tell,
but cannot now; tell them all of this’…
this, now, is how you must deeply be and speak;
write as if you are the only being on earth
who can tell them this; as if tomorrow, if tomorrow comes,
you shall visit them every one, at home,
and look them in the eye; write as if
you love them more than they will ever know;
write as if you were offering to live their lives with them;
write as if you were a force of nature in yourself:
as if whatever earthquake, hurricane or flood might do,
whatever law or love may greatly do,
whatever gods or men can speak, in fullest force,
this you may do, because the sound of poetry is such;
yes, write ‘as if’ – but know you really write ‘because’…
write as if – no, write because –
you know that only poetry can tell
all, that must be told, and must be known;
and as all hearts melt in the heat of your own love,
be in no doubt – and see that all are in no doubt too –
that life was never, never more serious,
never more glorious, than it is right now;
write all this.
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Future Land
Its a nightmare leading out of the dark
Tears running out of my eyes
Wake up and bring the truth into your life
I cant stand it anymore
All those nightmares - endless despair
Walk away from this dream
Show me the way out of the darkness
Into a land of light
See the world with different eyes
Theres something true in this life
And I start getting closer
Youd better not fall behind
Dont take me to tomorrow
Dont take me to the future land
Dont take me to tomorrow
Dont take me to the future land
And now Ive had enough of this ride
Just let me out of this game
So many reasons to step out and pay
Everyday its the same
No more hiding - deep inside me
The pictures start to be real
Youd better listen to your heartbeat again
I know I wanna be free
See the world with different eyes
Theres something true in this life
And I start getting closer
Youd better not fall behind
Dont take me to tomorrow (oh, no)
Dont take me to the future land (no lying - anymore)
Dont take me to tomorrow(mmmh, I)
Dont wanna see the future land
Dont take me to tomorrow (into the land of light)
Dont take me to the future land
Dont trade your life for sorrow (reach out for the paradise)
Stop longing for the future land
So many feelings deep in your heart
Dont you believe in this dream
So dont hide them deep inside you
Let them out this time, yeah
Dont take me to tomorrow (no lying anymore)
Dont take me to the future land (oh no)
Dont take me to tomorrow (dont take me away)
Dont take me to the future land (without day or night)
Dont trade your life for sorrow (oh no)
Stop longing for the future land (for the land of light)
Its a nightmare leading out of the dark
Tears running out of my eyes
Wake up and bring the truth into your life
I cant stand it anymore
All those nightmares - endless despair
Walk away from this dream
Show me the way out of the darkness
Into a land of light
Dont take me to tomorrow
Dont take me to the future land
Dont take me to tomorrow
Dont wanna see the future land
Dont trade your life for sorrow...
song performed by by U. D. O.
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Tomorrow I’ll Be Stronger
Today I stand and ideate
Of the tomorrow I intend to create
With hopes and dreams, a joyful state
Cos today, I have been asked to wait
Today I work toward a tomorrow
Devoid of sadness and sorrow
Where joy can be found flourishing
And life completely enriching
Today I fight my phobias
My sadness and despair
And look toward a bright future
That tomorrow’s going to share
Today I stand in guilt,
For the mistakes I have committed
But work with all my heart to fix
The priorities I just omitted
Today is still a reality,
That’s staring in my face
Telling me of all the things I miss
Of all the things I chase
Today works on my feelings
My weakest points, exposed
But they’ll still exist tomorrow
Just taken care of and closed
Today might get the better of me,
But that’s a small price pay
Cos tomorrow I’ll be stronger still
And make that better way, stay
So bear with me for today,
In case I stumble or fall
To seem me rise again much stronger,
Wait till tomorrow before you call.
poem by Vijay Jacob
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
It Was A Time Of Poetry
It was a time of poetry-
A time when Beauty came easy and laughing on the page-
A time when all those things that make life happy
Seemed to be here-
A joyous time
A time when I could write and feel free
A time for poetry
A gift for now
How I must write and write
So long as I have it in me.
poem by Shalom Freedman
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I Stand Up
Youll never lose me to temptation.
Fighting the devil and I beat the dragon too.
Im at your rescue; Im your faithful one,
If its the last thing that I ever mean to do.
Im in deeper than you could know.
The wise in me wont let it go.
You can count on me, guarantee.
I stand up, I stand up,
Believe in myself.
(if you love somebody, stand.)
I stand up, I stand up,
Give me a little respect.
(if you need somebody, stand.)
Out of the shadow, yet Im alright.
Its not as easy as I know it used to be.
I dont have time to look behind me.
I know the truth and its the truth that set me free.
One more heart to heart to live for;
One more time to stop the war,
Inside of me; in spite of me.
I stand up, I stand up,
Believe in myself
(if you love somebody, stand.)
I stand up, I stand up,
Give me a little respect.
(if you need somebody, stand.)
[chorus repeats.]
song performed by by Chicago
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
(V - 2009) The Truth of the Truth
The Sages and Seers
That be and have been
Cannot have seen
The truth of the Truth!
What they see as Truth
Is Truth merely
It’s not really
The truth of the Truth!
The Ultimate Truth
Cannot be known
We aren’t that grown –
The truth of the Truth!
We’re part of the Truth
We’re trying to see
We’re yet so tiny –
The truth of the Truth!
Though hard and great
The pains we give
We cannot outlive
The truth of the Truth!
What’s Truth to you once
Remains not the same
So changing the game –
The truth of the Truth!
What’s Truth to a man
Is not Truth to all
That’s what we call
The truth of the Truth!
These thoughts as I pen
It’s Truth to me
It’s to me only
The truth of the Truth!
Farewell Notes... (Part Two)
no more wars! we cannot allow poverty and hunger to continue!
we have to live in a way that celebrates our diversity. we have
to listen to each other. every word we speak or write, has a cost.
whatever we must sacrifice for the truth is well worth the cost.
question, seek, doubt, try all things for their validity in your lives.
respect each other's paths, but walk your own. keep your hands,
hearts, and minds open. take the time to care, get involved.
my heart and soul are with you all... be at peace, nay, be peace!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
So They Say
Time fixes everything,
Or so they say.
Die from a broken heart and it will mend,
Or so they say.
Watch your dreams fall apart and a new door will open,
Or so they say.
Live and love and you will be happy,
Or so they say.
Work hard and you will be recognized for your success,
Or so they say.
Forgive those who hurt you and you will feel better,
Or so they say.
Show your friends you love them and they will never hurt you,
Or so they say.
Be patient and in time you will get what you want,
Or so they say.
Sleep and you will feel rested,
Or so they say.
Let your tears fall; you'll grow stronger and not cry for the same thing twice,
Or so they say.
Write out your feelings and people will understand,
Or so they say.
Explain yourself and stand by your beliefs and you will not be judged,
Or so they say.
Keep your chin up and the sun will be back tomorrow,
Or so they say.
Be respectful and you will be respected,
Or so they say.
Follow our advice and you will go far,
Or so they say.
They say so much and expect it all to be true,
They watch us and judge our every move,
Yet still proceed to tell us how things will be okay.
They get our hopes up, they put a smile on our faces,
They act as if everything gets better.
With so many lies woven within the truths they speak how can we listen?
How do we know the truth from the deception;
The vision from the illusion
How do we trust that they will catch us as we fall,
Help us back on our feet,
How do we know when to listen and when to speak?
We'll know the answers to these questions when the time comes,
Or so they say.
poem by Bethany Maxwell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Fugitives Of Life
A great many people each year,
become fugitives of life.
It becomes too much for them,
and they run to death in despair.
They fail to recognise,
the precious fragile gift,
all of us have been given.
The gift of life.
They see no hope of a future,
just nothing there.
Instead of turning for help,
they resort to death as an answer.
Had they reached out,
someone would have been there,
to guide them to a new tomorrow somewhere.
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Tomorrow May Be Better
Tomorrow may be better you hear some people say
But tomorrow will come in it's own good time we must live for today
And tomorrow for some will not dawn that's life one must suppose
We are as fragile it would seem as the petals of the rose,
Tomorrow may be better for only some maybe
And you don't think of tomorrow if you live in poverty
If a better tomorrow you cannot seem to see
With your struggle for survival you struggle ceaselessly,
Tomorrow may be better for some but not for all
And from life we are always learning before we walked we did crawl
That money speaks every language so happens to be true
But many hope for the change of luck they feel that they are due
And many with their poverty are struggling for to cope
And that tomorrow will be better they can only live in hope.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Prayer for Forgiveness
i knelt down and prayed
this morning for forgiveness
for everything this country is doing
around the world...
for the oil wars,
for the partnerships
with countries that abuse
human rights...
for the dictators we
both prop up and remove...
for the gluttony and the greed
here at home.... for the apathy,
for the self centered path
of destruction we march on...
for those left hungry, homeless,
without medical care, without hope...
and i know i am a part of this...
i take responsibility for my actions,
my inaction, my complacency...
and vow to stand for truth,
and to walk in involved
human compassion!
join me!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Truth
They fall through time as a leaf from a tree
Trees so green
Green as life, green as death, as the souls
Souls that are lost, lost forever
Forever in time forever in truth
Truth that shall not be spoken
Spoken by only those who know the truth
Truth that only they know, only they see
See through their eyes, listen through their ears
Ears that have heard the truth, that hold it in their hands
Hands so cold, so hard from truth from hope
Hope that they have lost
Lost as a shell in the sea, the sea of truth
Truth that flows in all of us, everyone
everyone who stands in the shower of faith
Faith that some have lost, some gain
Gain all the truth, hope, faith, love
Love that haunts, love that stays
Stays with us all, stays in our souls
Souls we shall loose, in the battle of time
Time that haunts us all
All who feel
Feel the pain, all who know
Know the truth
(just fel tlike trying a format that my friend said I should try. It has what ever word that a line ends with the next line starts with the same word. EX. you sit in the fire
Fure of truth so I dicided I would try it. hope you like)
poem by Bethany Maxwell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Part Of My Life
Can you be a part of my life?
Can you be a part of my life?
Oh its easy to find some one to play with
And almost anyone will do to fill your idle time
But that very special someone,
You can share all your dreams with is so hard to find
And it use to be like me to settle for the physical
But these days it aint too easy to make up my mind
Cause apparently you body just to temporally to take up my precious time
See Ive got to know that
That I can be free with you and
Youve got to show that
That youre worthy of my time
Can you stimulate my mind?
And I know that it looks good,
But can you be a part of my life
And Im sure that it feels good
But can you be a part of my life
And it probably even taste good
But can you be a part of my life
Ive got to know
I still appreciate the beauty of a man
But theres more to what I need now than what meets the eye
And if beautys only skin deep,
Then your pretty skin wont send me to my highest high
Oh its been along time come for maturity
And I believe that its truly what it has to be
Cause as much as I admire you
My sexual desire, aint controlling me
See Ive got to know that
That I can be free with you and
Youve got to show that
That youre worthy of my time
Can you stimulate my mind?
And I know that it looks good,
But can you be a part of my life
And Im sure that it feels good
But can you be a part of my life
And it probably even taste good
But can you be a part of my life
Ive got to know
And I know that it looks good,
But can you be a part of my life
And Im sure that it feels good
But can you be a part of my life
And it probably even taste good
But can you be a part of my life
Ive got to know
Can you be a part of my life?
I got to know that
Can you be a part of my life?
I got to know that
Can you be a part of my life?
I got to know that
Can you be a part of my life?
I got to know that
Can you be a part of my life?
I got to know that
Can you be a part of my life?
I got to know that
song performed by by India Arie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Common Sense (Truth)
wars are started by men
with agendas... usually profit,
or religious reasons, or both.
the men that start these wars
seldom fight these wars...
they manipulate the masses to
do their dirty work...
these are the elite people that
control our world. their weapons
for control include:
1. poverty
2. ignorance
3. prejudice
4. religion.
if you keep the people struggling
for food and shelter, they wont have
time to stand against you.
if you keep the people ignorant, they
will blindly follow without questioning.
if you divide the people by prejudice,
they will not unite to overthrow.
if you convince them that theirs is
the only true religion, and that God
is on their side, they will commit
unspeakable acts.
the time of wars is over... there can be
no future if we continue.
we must quit chasing riches, and find a
more equitable way to share what we have.
we must be responsible for each other...
we must lay down religious pretensions,
fears, and pride, and become the spiritual
people we are called to be.
we must be human!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Growing Old
Im gonna tell you what you dont want to hear
Youre gonna hear the truth
Youre gonna find out how life can be so unfair
Dont let them try to take control of you
Stand tall and walk with pride
Believe in yourself and good things will come to you
Live your life how you feel is right
Weigh the consequences and think before you do
Before you know it your youth is gone
Responsibility has found its way to you
So while youre still young take full advantage
Pack your days with memories to bring along with you
I know that when I look back it will always bring a smile to my face
And as I look to the future I see so many more that I can hardly wait
Growing old doesnt mean that the fun has to end
We all grow old nows the time to let the good times begin
Dont let your life slip by
I know theres still a million things
I want to try before I die
The time has come to seize the day
Do what you want and do it now tomorrow may be too late
song performed by by 98 Mute
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!