Swallows Up The Night
the lying tongue
betrays the hunger,
and walks into darkness
as the fire grows dim.
the tree cut in its prime,
and left to rot through the seasons...
the small boat unmanned,
is lost on the seas.
the knife that cut granite
lies on the mantle in shadow,
the fingerprints on the handle
too long unnamed...
the door swung open,
but no one enters...
the sound of the gnawing
swallows up the night!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Fantasy...
A tree and its shadow
And a dreamy meadow
Waiting for someone....
The Shadow asks ' how is she doing? '
Tree whispers ' shhh! sleeping'
'oops! sorry' says shadow and waits
waiting...they are for the flower that sleeps
on a thin green brunch of the tree
The tree, now drowsy, as sun
Readies itself to set, for the night
and the little shadow? it grows unwatched
With the dimming light
The Tree sleeps,
The meadow sleeps
Huts sleep
and the man inside it
Is in slumber too
Tiny little shadow grows into night
Embraces life with darkness punctured with lights
Dawn Awakes
Sun rays come running back to the tree
Tree asks 'my shadow? where IS he? '
the Tallest palm tree, sky abreast
says 'i think I saw him running northwest! '
The Shadow creeps in and stands upon a pebble
Says ' i wana see...i wana see! ' with boyish charm
Then The flower finally falls
Into shadow's lap
'shh! she's still taking a nap! '
says tree to his friend
Wind blows, it wants to play with her
The sleeping beauty, The flower
'Look! Look! ...she's smiling!
She's happy! she must be dreaming! '
The shadow hushes, excited!
A girl comes out of the hut...
Takes the flower, the sweet, from Shadows lap
What will you do with her, little girl?
She's taking a nap! '
'I'll play with it', the little girl says
The Shadow starts crying
The tree wishpers...
' dont cry dear...let it be...
Tommorrow morning You'll see
Our flower is back with us
On your lap she's lying!
Night comes again
Tree and its shadow sleeps
with Dreamy smiles on their lips
Dawn brings light to the tree and shadow
They wake up and see
Adorned with Dew drops like some rare gems
Their Sweet little flower is back with them!
poem by Saurabh Som
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Dark Night
Night dark but your lies were darker
Night cruel but your love more crueler
Night all alone yet better than your absent minded with me
Night was the time i gave my whole to you
Night was the time you slapped my face
Night was the day you pushed me to the door.
Night was the time you abused me
Night was the time you slit my tongue
Night was the time the moon refuses to smile at us
Night was the time i lost you
Night was the time you left me all in the rain
Night was the time i cry you a river
Night under the tree you promise me your undying love
Night was the time you bid me goodbye
Night was the time you threw a stone into my glassy world.
poem by Blessing Ekpe
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Shadow and Light Source Both
How does a part of the world leave the world?
How does wetness leave water?
Dont' try to put out fire by throwing on
more fire! Don't wash a wound with blood.
No matter how fast you run, your shadow
keeps up. Sometimes it's in front!
Only full overhead sun diminishes your shadow.
But that shadow has been serving you.
What hurts you, blesses you. Darkness is
your candle. Your boundaries are your quest.
I could explain this, but it will break the
glass cover on your heart, and there's no
fixing that.
You must have shadow and light source both.
Listen, and lay your head under the tree of awe.
When from that tree feathers and wings sprout on you,
be quieter than a dove. Don't even open your mouth for
even a coo.
Self Portrait
The willow tree stands alone.
It grows alone, relying only on the Sun and the Rain.
This willow tree offers shade.
It only shades during the day, casting a monster
of a shadow in the mornings and evenings,
its size shrinking in between. Its shadow
is solid in some places, but has empty
places of sunlight dotting the ground beneath
it, allowing room for purity among the darkness.
This willow tree is immune to the Wind.
It bends whichever way it needs to survive,
sacrificing its tiny leaves to be carried away.
This willow tree is a home.
Small birds build nests on its branches,
laying eggs that will bring new Life to the World.
The nest is supported. Some things of little
weight can be supported, but anything that drags
the branches too close to the ground
will be dropped so the tree can be saved.
This willow tree is weak.
As it grows, its branches come closer and closer
to the ground, for it cannot support the weight
of itself anymore. It cannot help its own soul.
With one swing of an ax, the tree will be felled.
It will be finished, left there to be eaten
and burrowed in and rotted away by the Earth.
poem by Zoe Guillory
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Cannot Be Confined (for Romeo Della Valle)
the truth...
cannot be confined
to concepts,
or even words.
sometimes what is felt
is too deep to express.
or perhaps the spirit moans,
and only a few can hear...
usually the ones
who've been beaten the most.
that fire in the gut,
that burns the last thing
grasped for...
and leaves the heart as naked
as the whore on the corner.
but even she knows
more than priests or philosophers...
she lies sleepless in the dawn,
with the taste of blood in her mouth!
and the small boy cold
in the empty room...
praying for his mother,
hunger gnawing at his face.
the people who hide,
in huts and in caves...
from the sounds of the bombing,
from a war they dont understand.
and the old man hard,
who doesnt say much anymore.
who just stares out the window,
clenching and opening his hands.
the fire burns slowly,
and the night is long!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Of Course Im Lying
Her name was julie
When she took me on a ride in her old chevrolet
Straight into a dusty sundown
I knew she was gonna make up one of her stories
And then she couldnt believe that I told her
How much I love her lies and how much I love her games
Riding on the highway
Youre going much too far
Youre lying so much better
When you drive a car
Youre lying til the sundown
So look into my face
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying
I love your games
I love your lies
I love your games
Look in my eyes
Dont believe Im worried
When youre playing all these games
I love your lies just hold me tight
I got no one to blame
Youre lying, Im buying
Im buying every word
I love your lies
I love your games
Take me to the ballroom
Were dancing through the night
Im in your arms, I love your lies
They make me feel so light
Youre lying to your shadow
So look into my face
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying
Julie stopped her car
The sun had gone and left one of these dark red skies
She looked in my eyes and with a smile in her face she said
Of course Im lying.
But I think I love you.
Take me on the highway
Youre going much too far
Youre lying even better
When you drive a car
Youre lying til the sundown
So look into my face
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying
I love your games
I love your lies
I love your games
Look in my eyes
Take me in your arms and hold me tight just for tonight
I need no drugs I love your lies
You hide me from the night
Youre lying, Im buying
Im buying every word
I love your lies
I love your games
song performed by by Yello
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Of Course Im Lying
Her name was julie
When she took me on a ride in her old chevrolet
Straight into a dusty sundown
I knew she was gonna make up one of her stories
And then she couldnt believe that I told her
How much I love her lies and how much I love her games
Riding on the highway
Youre going much too far
Youre lying so much better
When you drive a car
Youre lying til the sundown
So look into my face
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying
I love your games
I love your lies
I love your games
Look in my eyes
Dont believe Im worried
When youre playing all these games
I love your lies just hold me tight
I got no one to blame
Youre lying, Im buying
Im buying every word
I love your lies
I love your games
Take me to the ballroom
Were dancing through the night
Im in your arms, I love your lies
They make me feel so light
Youre lying to your shadow
So look into my face
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying
Julie stopped her car
The sun had gone and left one of these dark red skies
She looked in my eyes and with a smile in her face she said
Of course Im lying.
But I think I love you.
Take me on the highway
Youre going much too far
Youre lying even better
When you drive a car
Youre lying til the sundown
So look into my face
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying (I love it)
Youre lying
I love your games
I love your lies
I love your games
Look in my eyes
Take me in your arms and hold me tight just for tonight
I need no drugs I love your lies
You hide me from the night
Youre lying, Im buying
Im buying every word
I love your lies
I love your games
song performed by by Yello
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Lying Naked
sunset to nightfall.
undressing slowly,
as years pass like shadows
that cant be grasped.
lying naked in the darkness.
the hypnotic hum of the fan,
the cool breeze lapping at my body.
listening for the sound
of footsteps from long ago.
but only the sound of a car passing,
and a neighbor's dog barking.
lying naked in the darkness
my spirit gets up and walks away,
my body calm as fallen leaves
nightfall to eternity.
a kiss, a dropp of blood.
you and i lived like thunder,
now it's time for the rain!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Daughter Of Darkness
here she rests all the day
in her room in the attic
tonight she walks
tonight they try
they try to save her mortal soul
she's to quick and dissapears
here lies the daughter of darkness
slipped and fell on the dirt path
here her soul shall rest
here lies the daughter of darkness
they tried to save her
they were to late
here shall her soul lie
daughter of darkness
now with the godess
my she be blessed
here she lies in peace
here lies the daughter of darkness
she begins a new day
she begins a new life
may she be blessed
here lies the daughter of darkness
here she lies all day
she walks at night
they tried to save her but were to late
here lies the daughter of darkness
poem by Alice Lion
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Lyin' To Yourself
You tell me lies that you believe
You say its the real thing
I can see how you've deceived
I know what's happening
And seeing is believing 'til you find out that you're blind
You're Lying To Yourself (Lying To Yourself)
You're Lying To Yourself (Lying To Yourself)
Wake up, shake up, turn around
I'll give it to you straight
It's been too long, it's past a joke
Something I can't take
The cost is due, now tell me money ain't the means [to me it sounds like
"meaning"]
You're Lying To Yourself
(Lying To Yourself)
You're Lying To Yourself
(Lying To Yourself)
Lying To Yourself again, you're Lying to Yourself again
Lying To Yourself again, you're Lying To Yourself again
Lying in the morning
I'll kiss you goodbye
You won't regret a part of this
And neither will I
Revealing hearts with a common need play their hands
You're Lying To Yourself
(Lying To Yourself)
You're Lying To Yourself
(Lying To Yourself)
NOTE: This song is a B-side to the Alpha album single "The Smile Has Left
Your Eyes
song performed by by Asia
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Gnawing (Freedom)
freedom
gnawing
at my
gut...
a rat
gnawing
on
the
ropes...
th at
my fears
use
to
bind
me...
freedo m, the oldest
primeval urge,
the grunting of
the darkness
as light opens
the door!
freedom...
the
raw
heart
beat ing...
in the
hands
of the
priest...
as the body
is flung from
the cliff...
the sound a rose
makes when it blooms!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Looking East
Standing in the ocean with the sun burning low in the west
Like a fire in the cavernous darkness at the heart of the beast
With my beliefs and possessions, stopped at the frontier in my chest
At the edge of my country, my back to the sea, looking east
Where the search for the truth is conducted with a wink and a nod
And where power and position are equated with the grace of god
These times are famine for the soul while for the senses its a feast
From the edge of my country, as far as you see, looking east
Hunger in the midnight, hunger at the stroke of noon
Hunger in the mansion, hunger in the rented room
Hunger on the tv, hunger on the printed page
And theres a god-sized hunger underneath the laughing and the rage
In the absence of light
And the deepening night
Where I wait for the sun
Looking east
How long have I left my mind to the powers that be?
How long will it take to find the higher power moving in me?
Power in the insect
Power in the sea
Power in the snow falling silently
Power in the blossom
Power in the stone
Power in the song being sung alone
Power in the wheatfield
Power in the rain
Power in the sunlight and the hurricane
Power in the silence
Power in the flame
Power in the sound of the lovers name
The power of the sunrise and the power of a prayer released
On the edge of my country, I pray for the ones with the least
Hunger in the midnight, hunger at the stroke of noon
Hunger in the banquet, hunger in the bride and groom
Hunger on the tv, hunger on the printed page
And theres a god-sized hunger underneath the questions of the age
And an absence of light
In the deepening night
Where I wait for the sun
Looking east
song performed by by Jackson Browne
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Cry Of The Lonely...
i have heard the cry of the lonely,
the tree bent with grief for the ocean.
the squirrel who dreams of wings,
the mountain melting with need to wander.
the child orphaned by war or poverty,
the monk on fire for a world that's blind...
the beaten body in the prison cell,
the door opened, no one there.
the naked body weeping on an empty bed,
the voice calling without echo.
the tongue that walks the rainy night...
the moon hidden by clouds cold and distant.
the lonesome sound of the faraway train,
the lover who walks the garden...
the empty streets, the hollowed houses,
where not even the scent of memory lingers.
the bruised hand stuck in the pocket,
the letter never addressed.
the flower that bloomed, and no one saw,
the bent nail on the back of the shed....
the candle snuffed.... the last words lost...
lips swollen, set, and driven...
am i the cry, or just the shell,
that brushes against your heart without name?
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Fire In The Hole
In a word to the wisdom tooth
To tell, or not the truth
So open up and say ahh-men
Rinse cup, then spit again
Forked tongue in double speak
Pretty soon you just might
Spring a leak
Inhale before you begin
Your iron lungs a bag of wind
Theres a fire in the hole
Fire in the hole
Theres a fire in the hole, fire
Sweet n sour, filiblister
Faucet pouring, fresh n bitter
Come on smile and say cheese
On a count of three
Got a mindful of decavities
Chew your words, lest you choke
You better watch your mouth
Wash it out with soap
Tongue tied in a tangled web
Your bile inside better left unsaid
Theres a fire in the hole
Fire in the hole
Theres a fire in the hole, fire
Rudder of ship, which sets the course
Does not the bit, bridle the horse
Great is the forest, set by a small flame
Like a tongue on fire, no one can tame
song performed by by Van Halen
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Codex
It was a late book given up for lost
again and again with its sentences
bare at last and phrases that seemed transparent
revealing what had been there the whole way
the poems of daylight after the day
lying open at last on the table
without explanation or emphasis
like sounds left when the syllables have gone
clarifying the whole grammar of waiting
not removing one question from the air
or closing the story although single lights
were beginning by then above and below
while the long twilight deepened its silence
from sapphire through opal to Athena’s iris
until shadow covered the gray pages
the comet words the book of presences
after which there was little left to say
but then it was night and everything was known
From 'The Shadow Of Sirius'
Publisher: Copper Canyon Press (September 1, 2008)
poem by William Stanley Merwin
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Jackie
Jackie lies trapped beneath a heavy man,
who didn’t care, or give a damn.
She’s waiting for the police to arrive
because this man’s no longer alive.
The night began with her friends in town
visiting the pubs and doing the rounds.
With endless laughs they were having a ball,
flirting with guys as last drinks were called.
The girls decided it was time for a meal
and an Indian curry was full of appeal.
Food was hot and they enjoyed what they had,
but Jackie ate too much, and she felt bad.
She went outside to get some air,
a car stopped and the driver spoke to her.
He pulled her in and then sped away
and came to a halt just off the highway.
He parked the car behind some trees
and tried to get her to open her knees.
Jackie screamed to leave her alone,
and begged him to take her home.
He pulled her towards the open door,
but she became stuck between seat and floor.
Dragging her clear he threw her to the sand,
threatening her, with knife in hand.
Fighting and struggling she told him he’d get life,
but as he was unzipping he dropped the knife.
Jackie grabbed the handle and he grabbed the blade.
As he fought for control, her decision was made.
She plunged the knife deep into his chest,
trapping the handle between him and breast.
Unable to push him off, she reaches his phone.
The police are coming, but she’s not alone.
poem by Orlando Belo
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Love and Fire
Fellini’s Rome joins my decadence
Earth chills my fallen bones
You are hot Venus in your radiance
We merge like two seas of fire
Religion restrains the open mind
Existential fire revels in desire
Can we find the narrow road?
Can we be this lustful and in love?
Stumbling toward our eternal home
Hunger like a lion lost in the city
Your silk dress shines like an eagle
Weak with orgasms you control me
Can I still balance this with my faith?
Your six-inch high heels like idols
Love is so powerful and strange
Your garter belts make me dream
Maybe love for a woman is fire
She walks into the church with me
poem by Joseph Narusiewicz
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Music Must Change
Deep in the back of my mind is an unrealized sound
Deep in the back of my mind is an unrealized sound
Every feeling I get from the street says it soon could be found
Every feeling I get from the street says it soon could be found
When I hear the cold lies of the pusher, I know it exists
When I hear the cold lies of the pusher, I know it exists
Its confirmed in the eyes of the kids, emphasized with their fists
Its confirmed in the eyes of the kids, emphasized with their fists
But the high has to rise from the low
But the high has to rise from the low
Like volcanoes explode through the snow
Like volcanoes explode through the snow
The mosquitos sting brings a dream
The mosquitos sting brings a dream
But the poisons derange
But the poisons derange
The music must change
The music must change
For were chewing a bone
For were chewing a bone
We soared like the sparrow hawk flied
We soared like the sparrow hawk flied
Then we dropped like a stone
Then we dropped like a stone
Like the tide and the waves
Like the tide and the waves
Growing slowly in range
Growing slowly in range
Crushing mountains as old as the earth
Crushing mountains as old as the earth
So the music must change
So the music must change
Sometimes at night, I wake up and my bodys like ice
Sometimes at night, I wake up and my bodys like ice
The sound of the running wild stallion, the noise of the mice
The sound of the running wild stallion, the noise of the mice
And I wondered if then I could hear into all of your dreams
And I wondered if then I could hear into all of your dreams
I realize now it was really the sound of your screams
I realize now it was really the sound of your screams
But death always leads into life
But death always leads into life
But the street fighter swallows the knife
But the street fighter swallows the knife
Am I so crazy to feel that its here prearranged?
Am I so crazy to feel that its here prearranged?
The music must change
The music must change
Its gets higher and higher
Its gets higher and higher
Smouldering like leaves in the 1
Smouldering like leaves in the 1
Then it bursts into fire
Then it bursts into fire
Its rhythm grows strong
Its rhythm grows strong
Its so new and so strange
Its so new and so strange
Like bells in the clouds, then again
Like bells in the clouds, then again
The music must change
The music must change
But is this song so different?
But is this song so different?
Am I doing it all again?
Am I doing it all again?
It may have been done before
It may have been done before
But then musics an open door
But then musics an open door
Deep in the back of my is an unrealized sound
Deep in the back of my is an unrealized sound
Every feeling I get from the street says it soon could be found
Every feeling I get from the street says it soon could be found
When I hear the cold lies of the pusher, I know it exists
When I hear the cold lies of the pusher, I know it exists
Its confirmed in the eyes of the kids, emphasized with their fists
Its confirmed in the eyes of the kids, emphasized with their fists
But the high has to rise from the low
But the high has to rise from the low
Like volcanoes explode through the snow
Like volcanoes explode through the snow
The mosquitos sting brings a dream
The mosquitos sting brings a dream
But the poisons derange
But the poisons derange
The music must change
The music must change
For were chewing a bone
For were chewing a bone
We soared like the sparrow hawk flied
We soared like the sparrow hawk flied
Then we dropped like a stone
Then we dropped like a stone
Like the tide and the waves
Like the tide and the waves
Growing slowly in range
Growing slowly in range
Crushing mountains as old as the earth
Crushing mountains as old as the earth
So the music must change
So the music must change
song performed by by Who
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Nowhere Lane
we are...
the ink barely dried
on the page,
the cup chipped
on the windowsill.
wood stacked against
the porch,
the shadows on the
empty swing.
the kiss lost,
and the ring.
red dirt dried
on the shovel,
the old boots left
by the door.
the creaking of the
screen door opening,
the box tied and
packed away.
hunger sap dried
on novel sheets,
the half smoked cigarette
lying in the ashtray.
the sound of the empty room,
in that old house on nowhere lane!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Night
He cried out through the night:
"Where is the light?
Shall nevermore
Open Heaven's door?
Oh, I am left
Lonely, bereft!"
He cried out through the night:
It spread vaguely white,
With its ghost of a moon
Above the dark swoon
Of the earth lying chill,
Breathless, grave still.
He cried out through the night:
His voice in its might
Rang forth far and far,
And then like a star
Dwindled from sense
In the Immense.
He cried out through the night:
No answering light,
No syllabled sound;
Beneath and around
A long shuddering thrill
Then all again still.
poem by James Thomson
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