Church going
I hear voices singing inside
and notice big signs asking for silence
in the foyer
for when respect is lacking,
but groups of people, mainly women
stand in the entrance whispering loudly
and when I walk in
people are in their suits, best dresses
with hair done to the newest style
and almost every eye follows me
with my leather jacket, motorcycle helmet
in my hand
and formal pants as if trying to see
why I am different.
I take a backbench, just in front of the one
marked for mothers with babies
and the wood is hard and uncomfortable
probably to keep churchgoers awake
right through a monotonous sermon.
With the congregation I kneel down to pray
and the elder makes a long drawn out preach
of it and I feel
some kids still staring at me
and through slightly opened eyes see them looking,
whispering and indicating to each other.
At the front, at the holy end a woman plays the piano
and another plays along with the organ
while the congregation stand in song
and I listen intently to the minister
preaching about the love of God,
see an old man with a bold head
falling asleep in front of me,
his wife hitting him with the elbow
in the ribs every now and then,
a small girl colouring pictures
with different crayons
and just after the last song walk out
before the people gather in cliques
and are the first to take to the road
with my motorbike.
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Rain drive
I see a big storm
hanging dark against the sky
and lightning bolts,
that hit smashing to the ground.
There are big drops
that hit whipping down
and the black road
wet and somewhat slippery.
There’s no way
to ride away from the storm
and the traffic
stand still in front of me,
but with a motorbike
you can cut past cars.
It’s as if clouds of steam
rise out of the hot tar road,
but the screen
of the helmet
is covered by the rain
that I have difficulty seeing
to were to go
and which cars are moving or standing.
With Soutpansberg avenue that lies open before me
I open the throttle
and there’s wind, rain
and thunders that fall flashing blue
around me
and resound somewhere behind the motorbike
and the rain on my hands
hits like hail.
.
The leather jacket keeps the top of my body dry and warm,
but the bottom
is soaked and wet
and I feel the coldness
rising from below.
There’s busses coming from the front
that throws water whipping
as far as they go
and somewhere in the left lane,
there’s cars stopping for a pothole
and my motorbike catches speed
past in the right lane.
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Untraveled
As my world had slowly unraveled,
From taking a road that was untraveled,
Narrow up ahead was the way
I had only my belief and I did pray,
Forward in front of me was the only gate
I took nothing to chance, or even to fate.
I now know not to walk with sin,
Never will I walk with it ever again,
So all alone on the road I did walk
Without sinning or immorality so to myself I did talk,
No other person was in my thoughts or my sight
As no one was at my left, or on my right.
Another road I noticed not very far away,
I saw liars and sinners and those ready to betray,
Their road was long and it was very wide
People walked it with a happiness and also with pride,
Their upcoming gate was crooked, rusted and bent
Sadly not one soul was sorry, or wanted to repent.
As I walk the road that is seldom traveled,
My life in front of me then became unraveled,
It shows the life that I have lived and also led
Now my life and my redemption is on my head,
As I headed for the final entrance gate
To find my hereafter, as heaven will await.
Randy L. McClave
poem by Randy McClave
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Everywhere I Go
I hear your heart beating everywhere
When were apart I can hear you there
I hear your heart beating everywhere
Everywhere I go
People say that I must be in love
The way I forget what were speaking of
The way I stand there smiling straight ahead
And walk away without hearing a word they said
I hear your heart beating everywhere
When were apart I can close my eyes and hear you there
I hear your heart beating everywhere
Everywhere I go
In the middle of the football game
At the beach in the pouring rain
Standing on a hillside staring at the sun
People hurry by the unfortunate one
With the faraway eyes and the mystery smile
Moving my body in a ragamuffin style
I cant sit down when I hear it start
I hear you heart everywhere I go
People say that I must be a fool
Cause when Im near you I cannot be cool
I dont quite make sense when I talk to you
And when you smile I forget everything I knew
I hear your heart beating everywhere
When were apart I can close my eyes and hear you there
I hear your heart beating everywhere
Everywhere I go
Standing in the market where I buy my bread
With a hunger in my belly and a rhythm in my head
Looking all around for something good to eat
Between the butter and the beans and the mops and the meat
Coffee from the mountain, honey from the bee
Nothing tastes as good as you taste to me
Rocking in the aisle to my inside song
People staring at me think I got a walkman on
I hear your heart beating everywhere
I hear your heart
I hear your heart beating everywhere
I hear you heart
Beating everywhere I go
song performed by by Jackson Browne
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Out Of Style
Well, I wear this leather jacket just to try and beat the cold
Well, I know its not the thing but then its all of two years old
Though I never was a punk - Im sure youll understand
But a sixty-five pound leather, you just cannot throw away
So Ill wear it just from a to b but not on saturdays
At the meeting of the cult - Ill be a different man
Out of style
Thats what I hear them saying - inside my head
Oh yes, it looks real cool but is it out of style this week?
All the worlds so full of problems I just dont know what to do
Should my jacket have three buttons? - am I out of style with two?
Is my hair too long? - cause I think I feel a change
I guess I should be ready for it, I look younger than my age
And I think theres something stirring in the corner of the page
Of the nme - and I let them lead the way
Out of style
Thats what I hear them saying - inside my head
Oh yes, it looks real cool but is it out of style this week?
Out of style
Thats what I hear them saying - inside my head
Oh yes, it looks real cool but is it out of style this week?
song performed by by Joe Jackson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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They' Will Always Be In Demand
As long as those actions taken,
Are cheap, sleazy and free...
And easy to get,
'They' will always be in demand.
By those feeding their kept beliefs.
'I would have waited until I got home,
To make such comments.
But to say them right there...
In front of the minister's face?
I thought was highly disrespectful.'
~And the demanding that I take,
Everything out of my wallet.
In front of the entire congregation...
Was what?
A calling he had from God? ~
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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A Song For You
(leon russell)
Ive been so many places
In my life and time
Ive sung a lot of songs
I made some bad rhymes
Ive acted out my life in stages
Ten thousand people watching
But were alone now
Im singing this song for you
I know your image of me
Is what I hope to be
I treated you unkindly
But darling cant you see?
Theres no-one more important to me
Oh, baby, cant you please see through me?
cause were alone now and
Im singing this song for you
You taught me precious secrets
Of the truth withholding nothing
You came out in front
I was hiding
Oh, but now Im so much better
If the words dont come together
Just listen to the melody
cause my love in there hiding
Ooh, ooh
Oh, I love you in a place
Where theres no space or time
Love you for my life
You are a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone and
I was singing this song for you
We were alone
I was singing this song for you, oh
Singing
I was singing, singing, singing, singing, singing this song for you
Oh, yes
Singing this song for you
song performed by by Dusty Springfield
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Asome Poem About PEOPLE
Some people
Care about you, some people
Don’t care,
Make fun of you and walk away,
Some people,
Run past, some people
Hand you presents,
Give you a pat on the back,
Some people
You love, some people
You don’t know
Some people, some people,
You do,
Some people
You notice, some people
Eat cauliflower, some people
Are teenagers,
Some people walk to restaurants,
Sit down at the counter,
Eat there food, through it at
People,
Some people never notice you,
Some people always look, some people
Want to take you away, some people
Will never exist
Some people are other people; some people are you, some people
Die ever second,
Some people are you
poem by Annie Nosich
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Black Man
Ive seen so many thing about racism on the T.V and in the newspaper, I thought I would write about it. This is the poem that flowed so freely from my hands
I walk down the street
There is no one I can meet
For I am not wanted
Like a cat in your flowers
A mosquito on you
People wish I wasn’t here
And yet I will never leave
I am, the black man.
I respect all
Even those who hate me
I wouldn’t hurt a person
And yet they want to hurt me
I stand out in a crowd
No one wants to walk beside me
I am, the black man
I can’t sit at the front of the bus
I must walk by
But every time I do
I get kicked by many shoes
So I decided to stop
Stand up for me
Live for my people.
For I am, the black man.
I refuse to listen to them
I get attack relentlessly
I still don’t listen
I shall never give up
Never fall in
For I am, the black man
I get taken away
But my spirit and soul stay
They will continue to fight
Continue to disobey
I won’t stop until we are free
To live life fully
For I am, the black man
poem by Dillon Crawford
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Lonely Road
i was walking a black, dark, lonely road
and the fear inside of me, i'm sure had shown.
then i reached to my neck, and took my cross in my hand
and prayed to the LORD above
for his guidance and his love, and that i may see some light.
when in front of me a figure stood
with a bright light radiating from him.
and the road turned from night to day
and i was able to walk my merry way.
they said that there was a total blackout that night.
and how did i get back, without a flashlight?
when i told them, what i had seen
they all began to ridicule me.
all the elders from the town
looked at me with a frown.
how can that possibly be
when it never happened to me?
i am the pastor of this congregation
and we have searched for our salvation.
then here you come and claim you saw a light
radiating from a figure in front of you
and you expect us to believe you too.
are you saying that you're better than us
for in GOD we also put our trust.
why would he choose you and not me?
this is something i can not see.
MAYBE! it's because i was on the road to destruction
and this sign was my obstruction.
and if that is not enough for you:
look at my hand which i held the cross
just so that you could see
that the sign is embedded in me. ++
++++++++++
poem by Louis Rams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Japan
Today I pass the time reading
a favorite haiku,
saying the few words over and over.
It feels like eating
the same small, perfect grape
again and again.
I walk through the house reciting it
and leave its letters falling
through the air of every room.
I stand by the big silence of the piano and say it.
I say it in front of a painting of the sea.
I tap out its rhythm on an empty shelf.
I listen to myself saying it,
then I say it without listening,
then I hear it without saying it.
And when the dog looks up at me,
I kneel down on the floor
and whisper it into each of his long white ears.
It's the one about the one-ton temple bell
with the moth sleeping on its surface,
and every time I say it, I feel the excruciating
pressure of the moth
on the surface of the iron bell.
When I say it at the window,
the bell is the world
and I am the moth resting there.
When I say it at the mirror,
I am the heavy bell
and the moth is life with its papery wings.
And later, when I say it to you in the dark,
you are the bell,
and I am the tongue of the bell, ringing you,
and the moth has flown
from its line
and moves like a hinge in the air above our bed.
poem by Billy Collins
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Song For You
Ive been so many places in my life and time
Sung a lot of songs Ive made some bad rhyme
I got out my life in stages
With ten thousand people watching
But were alone now Im singing this song
Singing this song for you
I know your image of me is what I hope to be
Ive treated you unkindly but darling cant you see
Theres no one more important to me
Darling can you please see through me
Cause were alone now
And Im singing this song for you
You taught me precious secrets of the truth
Were only nothing
You came out in front when I was hiding
But now Im so much better
And if my words can come together
Listen to the melody
Cause my love is in there hiding
I love you in a place where theres no space or time
I love you for my life you are a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone and I was singing this song for you
Singing this song, singing this song for you
song performed by by Cher
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Bells Are Ringing
The bells are ringing
The song theyre singing
The sound is bringing the people round
They hear the instructions
They follow directions
They travel great distances to the sound
The bells are ringing
The song theyre singing
The sound is bringing the people round (the bells are ringing the song theyre singing the sound is)
They hear the instructions (bringing the people round)
They follow directions
They travel great distances to the sound (they travel great distances to the sound)
They are persuaded by the music of the bells
Theyre not responsible for anything they do
(no) the people know
(no) the way to go
The bells are ringing, they hear the sound
They hear the sound (they hear the sound)
They hear the sound (they hear the sound)
They hear the sound (they hear the sound)
They hear the sound
The bells are ringing
And everyones walking
With arms extended in a trance
Forgetting their washing
Neglecting the children
Theyre dropping all businesses at hand
A voice is telling them to act a different way
They tilt their heads so they wont miss what it will say
(no) and when its so
(no) theres this to know
The bells are ringing, they hear the sound
The bells are ringing
The song theyre singing
The sound is bringing the people round
They hear the instructions
They follow directions
They travel great distances to the sound
They are persuaded by the music of the bells
Theyre not responsible for anything they do
(no) the people know
(no) the way to go
The bells are ringing, they hear the sound
A girl with cotton in her ears
Is shielded from the bells effect
As if by hidden signal
The people turn to face her
One thousand eyes are staring
They pull away her earplugs
The bells are pealing
And theyre revealing
The simple key to happiness
It isnt evil
It isnt good
Its only what the people miss
The bells explain what theyve been lacking all along
They were disorganized and that was what was wrong
(no) and now they know
(no) the way to go
The bells are ringing, they hear the sound
The bells are ringing
The song theyre singing
The sound is bringing the people round (the bells are ringing the song theyre singing the sound is)
They hear the instructions (bringing the people round)
They follow directions
They travel great distances to the sound (the bells are ringing the song theyre singing the sound is)
The bells are ringing (bringing the people round)
The song theyre singing
The sound is bringing the people round (the bells are ringing the song theyre singing the sound is)
They hear the instructions (bringing the people round)
They follow directions
They travel great distances to the sound (the bells are ringing the song theyre singing the sound is)
The bells are ringing (bringing the people round)
The song theyre singing
The sound is bringing the people round (the bells are ringing the song theyre singing the sound is)
They hear the instructions (bringing the people round)
They follow directions
They travel great distances to the sound (they travel great distances to the sound)
song performed by by They Might Be Giants
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Protection
Tracy thorn
This girl I know needs some shelter
She dont believe anyone can help her
Shes doing so much harm, doing so much damage
But you dont want to get involved
You tell her she can manage
And you cant change the way she feels
But you could put your arms around her
I know you want to live yourself
But could you forgive yourself
If you left her just the way
You found her
I stand in front of you
Ill take the force of the blow
Protection
Youre a boy and Im a girl
But you know you can lean on me
And I dont have no fear
Ill take on any man here
Who says thats not the way it should be
I stand in front of you
Take the force of the blow
Protection
Shes a girl and youre a boy
Sometimes you look so small, you look so small
You got a baby of your own
When your babys grown, shell be the one
To catch you when you fall
Stand in front of you
Take the force of the blow
Protection
Youre a girl and Im a boy (x4)
Sometimes you look so small, need some shelter
Just runnin round and round, helter skelter
And Ive leaned on you for years
Now you can lean on me
An thats more than love, thats the way
It should be
Now I cant change the way you think
But I can put my arms around you
Thats just part of the deal
Thats the way I feel
I put my arms around you
I stand in front of you
Take the force of the blow
Protection
Youre a boy and Im a girl (x4)
song performed by by Massive Attack
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Whispering Wind
like the whispering wind you sent to me
like the hopeless time you gave to me
i watched your dreams all slip away
i watched your dreams all slip away
there's a hopeless place inside my heart
when i look inside i see where we are
like the whispering wind in the top of the trees
i will watch the sky come following me
like the rain on my windows late every night
like the hope i have for us every time
it's like the whispering wind in the top of the trees
i see it sway as you come for me
there's a whispering wind i feel it inside
like a place i can feel but never will see
let a whisper come touch you come touch every thing
i stand in the way of the things i can be
let the whispering wind come lift us away
let it push us apart if we wish to stay
you're my sweetness my baby my love for all time
like the whispering wind it makes you all mine
like the whispering wind you stand here with me
like the whispering wind you stand here with me
i see your dreams all slip away
slip away
slip away
slip away
song performed by by Moby
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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That Awkward Moment
Together we walk,
hand in hand,
together we smile,
ain't love grand,
I give him a kiss,
he is my man,
this is fluid,
together hand in hand
Together we go,
down town to a fair,
other boys walk past,
the sun in their hair,
My baby plays on machines,
and wins me a toy,
together we stand,
me and my boy
down at the beach,
we watch people catch waves,
he's not into me i know,
by the way he behaves,
a boy takes off his shirt,
i grip my toy,
the awkward moment when,
we both check out the same boy...
poem by Jess Terry
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The singer
She stands on the stage
and her eyes catch mine
in front of giant speakers
that is in a row
with a cordless microphone
in her hand
and the power in her blue eyes
is magical
and I see endless energy in them.
There is something intimate in her voice
and the foreign girl bedazzles me
while she pulls a electronic piano
nearer with a white cord
and the guy next to me
says something crude
and I hit him
with my elbow
is making him windless
and his voice gets a hoarse sound
and pain
written all over his face
and she bends in front of me
and look deep into my eyes
and throw a nonchalant kiss
and the crowd cheers
and I wonder
for whom she is intending it
and a guitar hits a high note
that cuts right through everyone,
the drums boom thundering
and for moments she is only singing for me
and the audience pull out cigarette lighters
and everywhere there are bright flames
burning romantically
and a blonde girl takes my hand
and I barely notice her
and then the crowd asks loudly for an encore
where she again sings beautiful
and when I leave the super dome
there’s a bodyguard
placing a hand on my arm
and the man with the aching stomach says:
“your ticket is punched, friend”
and the bodyguard looks strictly at me
and says that I have a appointment with her.
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Front Line
I am a veteran of the war
I up and joined the army back in 1964
At sixteen I just had to be a man at any cost
I volunteered for Vietnam where I got my leg shot off
I recall a quote from a movie that said "who's more a man
Than a man with a reason that's worth dyin' for"
They had me standing on the front line
They had me standing on the front line
They had me standing on the front line
But now I stand at the back of the line when it comes to gettin' ahead
They gave me a uniform and a tiny salty pill
To stop the big urge I might have for the wrong kind of thrill
They put a gun in my hand and said, "shoot until he's dead"
But it's hard to kill when 'please your friend' echoes through your head
Brought up in church taught no man should take another's life
But then put in a jungle where life has no price
They had me standing on the front line
They had me standing on the front line
They had me standing on the front line
But now I stand at the back of the line when it comes to gettin' ahead
Back in the world the paper reads today
Another war is in the brewing
But what about the lives of yesterday
And the many happy families that have been ruined
My niece is a hooker and my nephew's a junkie too
But they say I have no right to tell them how they should do
They laugh and say "quit bragging" 'bout the war you should never have been in
But my mind is so brain-washed I'd prob'bly go back and do it again
I walk the neighborhood parading my purple heart
With a fear of agent orange that no one will stop
They had me standing on the front line
They had me standing on the front line
They had me standing on the front line
But now I stand at the back of the line when it comes to gettin' ahead
[Repeat 2 times...fade out]
song performed by by Stevie Wonder
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I See Monsters
Baby, I know you cannot hear me now
'Cause you're fast asleep
But I love you now
Colors inside your head go spinning around
Like a ferris wheel
Exploding and falling to the ground
Oh, people are screaming, people are screaming
My baby, she's dreaming
Oh, people are shouting, people are freaking
I'm just staring at the ceiling
Waiting for the feeling
Oh, oh but when she calls,
I know she's the one
Makes me want her harder
Makes me want to be a little stronger
Still I see monsters
Still I see monsters
Baby, I know you cannot hear me now
'Cause you're flying around
At the speed of sound
Colors inside your head go spinning around
Like a ferris wheel
Exploding and falling to the ground
Oh, people are screaming, people are screaming
My babies, she's dreaming
Oh, people are shouting, people are freaking
I'm just staring at the ceiling
Waiting for the feeling
Oh, oh when she calls
I know that she's the one
Makes me want it harder
Makes me want to be a little stronger
Still I see the monsters
Still I see the monsters
song performed by by Ryan Adams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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King Solomon And The Queen Of Sheba
(A Poem Game.)
“And when the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, . . .
she came to prove him with hard questions.”
[The men’s leader rises as he sees the Queen unveiling
and approaching a position that gives her half of the stage.]
Men’s Leader: The Queen of Sheba came to see King Solomon.
[He bows three times.]
I was King Solomon,
I was King Solomon,
I was King Solomon.
[She bows three times.]
Women’s Leader: I was the Queen,
I was the Queen,
I was the Queen.
Both Leaders: We will be king and queen,
[They stand together stretching their hands over the land.]
Reigning on mountains green,
Happy and free
For ten thousand years.
[They stagger forward as though carrying a yoke together.]
Both Leaders: King Solomon he had four hundred oxen.
Congregation: We were the oxen.
[Here King and Queen pause at the footlights.]
Both Leaders: You shall feel goads no more.
[They walk backward, throwing off the yoke and rejoicing.]
Walk dreadful roads no more,
Free from your loads
For ten thousand years.
[The men’s leader goes forward, the women’s leader dances round him.]
Both Leaders: King Solomon he had four hundred sweethearts.
[Here he pauses at the footlights.]
Congregation: We were the sweethearts.
[He walks backward. Both clap their hands to the measure.]
Both Leaders: You shall dance round again,
You shall dance round again,
Cymbals shall sound again,
Cymbals shall sound again,
[The Queen appears to gather wildflowers.]
Wildflowers be found
For ten thousand years,
Wildflowers be found
For ten thousand years.
[He continues to command the congregation, the woman to dance.
He goes forward to the footlights.]
Both Leaders: And every sweetheart had four hundred swans.
Congregation: We were the swans.
[The King walks backward.]
Both Leaders: You shall spread wings again,
You shall spread wings again,
[Here a special dance, by the Queen: swans flying in circles.]
Fly in soft rings again,
Fly in soft rings again,
Swim by cool springs
For ten thousand years,
Swim by cool springs,
For ten thousand years.
[The refrain “King Solomon” may be intoned by the men’s leader
whenever it is needed to enable the women’s leader to get to
her starting point. All the refrains may be likewise used.]
Men’s Leader: King Solomon,
King Solomon.
Women’s Leader: The Queen of Sheba asked him like a lady,
[They bow to each other—then give a pantomime
indicating a great rose garden.]
Bowing most politely:
“What makes the roses bloom
Over the mossy tomb,
Driving away the gloom
Ten thousand years?”
Men’s Leader: King Solomon made answer to the lady,
[They bow and confer. The Queen reserved, but taking cognizance.
The King wooing with ornate gestures of respect, and courtly animation.]
Bowing most politely:
“They bloom forever thinking of your beauty,
Your step so queenly and your eyes so lovely.
These keep the roses fair,
Young and without a care,
Making so sweet the air,
Ten thousand years.”
[The two, with a manner almost a cake walk, go forward.]
Both Leaders: King Solomon he had four hundred sons.
[On this line, King and Queen pause before the footlights.]
Congregation: We were the sons.
[Pantomime of crowning the audience.]
Both Leaders: Crowned by the throngs again,
[On this line they walk backward, playing great imaginary harps.]
You shall make songs again,
Singing along
For ten thousand years.
[They go forward in a pony gallop, then stand pawing.]
Both Leaders: He gave each son four hundred prancing ponies.
Congregation: We were the ponies.
[They nod their heads, starting to walk backward.]
Both Leaders: You shall eat hay again,
[A pony dance by both, in circles.]
In forests play again,
Rampage and neigh
For ten thousand years.
Men’s Leader: King Solomon he asked the Queen of Sheba,
[They bow to each other, standing so that
each one commands half of the stage.]
Bowing most politely:
“What makes the oak-tree grow
Hardy in sun and snow,
Never by wind brought low
Ten thousand years?”
Women’s Leader: The Queen of Sheba answered like a lady,
[They bow to each other, again, with pantomime indicating a forest.]
Bowing most politely:
“It blooms forever thinking of your wisdom,
Your brave heart and the way you rule your kingdom.
These keep the oak secure,
Weaving its leafy lure,
Dreaming by fountains pure
Ten thousand years.”
[They go to the footlights with a sailor’s lurch and hitch.]
Both Leaders: The Queen of Sheba had four hundred sailors.
[The King and Queen pause.]
Congregation: We were the sailors.
Both Leaders: You shall bring spice and ore
[They walk backward with slow long-armed gestures
indicating the entire horizon line.]
Over the ocean’s floor,
Shipmates once more,
For ten thousand years.
Women’s Leader: The Queen of Sheba asked him like a lady,
[They bow to each other, the Queen indicating the depths of the sea.]
Bowing most politely:
“Why is the sea so deep,
What secret does it keep
While tides a-roaring leap
Ten thousand years?”
Men’s Leader: King Solomon made answer to the lady,
[They bow to each other, then confer; the Queen reserved,
but taking cognizance, the King wooing with ornate gestures
of respect and courtly admiration.]
Bowing most politely:
“My love for you is like the stormy ocean—
Too deep to understand,
Bending to your command,
Bringing your ships to land
Ten thousand years.”
King Solomon,
King Solomon.
[They go to the footlights with the greatest possible strut.]
Both Leaders: King Solomon he had four hundred chieftains.
Congregation: We were the chieftains.
[The leaders stand with arms proudly folded.]
Both Leaders: You shall be proud again,
[They walk backward haughtily, laughing on the last lines.]
Dazzle the crowd again,
Laughing aloud
For ten thousand years.
[From here on the whole production to be
much more solemn, elevated, religious.]
[The leaders go forward to the footlights carrying imaginary torches.]
Both Leaders: King Solomon he had four hundred shepherds.
[The man and woman pause at the footlights.]
Congregation: We were the shepherds.
[They wander over the stage as though looking for lost lambs,
with torches held high.]
Both Leaders: You shall have torches bright,
Watching the folds by night,
Guarding the lambs aright,
Ten thousand years.
Men’s Leader: King Solomon he asked the Queen of Sheba,
[The King kneels, and indicates the entire sky with one long slow gesture.]
Bowing most politely:
“Why are the stars so high,
There in the velvet sky,
Rolling in rivers by,
Ten thousand years?”
Women’s Leader: The Queen of Sheba answered like a lady,
[The Queen kneels opposite the King,
and gives the same gesture as she answers.]
Bowing most politely:
“They’re singing of your kingdom to the angels,
They guide your chariot with their lamps and candles,
Therefore they burn so far—
So you can drive your car
Up where the prophets are,
Ten thousand years.”
Men’s Leader: King Solomon,
King Solomon.
Both Leaders: King Solomon he kept the Sabbath holy.
[The two stand, commanding the audience.]
And spoke with tongues in prophet words so mighty
[The man and woman stamp and whirl with great noise and solemnity.]
We stamped and whirled and wept and shouted:—
Congregation Rises and Joins the Song:
. . . . “Glory.”
We were his people.
[On these two lines, man and woman stamp and whirl again,
gravely, magnificently.]
Both Leaders: You shall be wild and gay,
Green trees shall deck your way,
[On these two lines they kneel, commanding the audience.]
Sunday be every day,
Ten thousand years.
[Now they rise and bow to each other and the audience,
maintaining a certain intention of benediction.]
King Solomon,
King Solomon.
poem by Vachel Lindsay
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Song For You
Ive been so many places in my life and time
Ive sung a lot of songs and Ive made some bad climbs
Ive acted out my life in stages with ten thousand people watching
Oh, but were alone now and Im singing this song for you
I know your image of me is what I hope to be, Ive treated you unkindly
Oh, but darling cant you see that, theres no one more important to me
Baby, baby, cant you see through me, cause were alone now
And Im singing this song to you, you taught me precious secrets
Of a true love withholding nothing, you came out in front
When I was hiding, yeah, yeah, but now its so much better
If my words dont quite come together, please listen to the melody
cause my love is in there somewhere hiding
I love you in a place where there is no space or time, I love you for my life
You are a friend of mine, and when my life is over
Remember, remember, remember when we were together
And we are alone now, and I was singing this song to you
We were alone, and I was singing, yeah singing
We were alone, and I was singing this song for you
Singing my song, Im singing my song for you
Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
song performed by by Natalie Cole
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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