Table Bay (Cavatina Sequence)
(after Matthew Arnold)
The sea lies flat like a huge lake tonight
but for the spray
that is endlessly sweeping in and out
on the white bay,
some couples walk on the beach
on holiday;
holding their hands under a yellow moon,
some bright beacons and stars will be out soon.
In the distance Table Mountain rises
its huge old bulk,
is gigantic black and flat against the sky
like a ship's hulk
where it marks the African continent;
sails of yachts sulk
as they lie limp in the windless great harbour
while tranquil people are home from labour.
Lights gleam far away at sea, are passing,
with a long lost
feeling of the great endlessness; as waves
fling, churn and toss
the hopes, fears and happiness of nations;
the great-great cost
of ending impoverishment, the ills
of vast centuries as destiny wills.
At a time faith and the will to be great,
did flow to sea,
like rivers in torrents that did rush in;
people were free
from the wars on the great black continent,
no destiny
could harass the nations, the pyramids,
that any living it now does forbid.
Like waves endlessly crushing on the beach,
and never spent
drawing back again, rushing to and thro
the sheer moment
between us has something that is lasting;
evanescent,
with some joys in our mutual discourse
life also flows to its ultimate course.
[Reference: 'Dover Beach' by Matthew Arnold.]
poem by Gert Strydom
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False Bay (Collins sestet)
(after Matthew Arnold)
Tonight over the sea there are small lights,
Cape Town against Table Mountain lying bright
where it is flat against the evening sky
and in the distance a liner passes by
while the surging spray breaks over False Bay,
forevermore on Africa waves toss and play.
The stream of life did into the sea go
with joy, grace and hope in its ebb and flow
but debris, broken pieces are washed ashore
with pollution caught in the breaking roar
while the surging spray breaks over False Bay,
forevermore on Africa waves toss and play.
Stars sparkle and the light wind furls through your hair
while on the beach we are the only pair
and you swear to be true eternally,
a bright beacon in the darkness we see
while the surging spray breaks over False Bay,
forevermore on Africa waves toss and play.
[Reference: “Dover Beach” by Matthew Arnold.]
poem by Gert Strydom
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While You Are With Me
When Adam and Eve lived in Eden
the sea of faith stretched out into the blue
meeting the sky’s canopy
and its waves pulsed anciently
gathering water from the stream of life
and love, grace even the power of man
seemed at that time as to be unlimited
as if life could stretch on into eternity
Tonight the wind is blowing through the window
moving the curtains in a tender breeze
and in the distance I can hear the ebb and flow
in which the waves continually go
and the moon is casting light
that stretches out over the endless ocean
Your breath touches my breast and face softly
and I read true happiness in the smallest things
see your breasts rising and subsiding
while the sea is continually flinging
grains of sand crushing on the distant beach
and though sometimes it feels as if out of reach
happy moments are lingering
while you are with me
[Reference: “Dover beach” by Matthew Arnold.]
poem by Gert Strydom
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Table Bay [2]
I can hear the waves roar,
slamming shingle on the rocks, the beach
drawing in and out
on Bloubergstrand
and the cadence is a age old shuddering
of waves breaking, continuing like before
and in the distance Table Bay
lies stretched out specked with
hundreds of little lights
like a enormous crown
with the flat mountain top
on display, etched against the night sky
and its full tide, the moon is full
yellow and magnificent
and the place of good hope,
lies on the shore
with waves breaking forever more
and lonely the beach stretches out before me,
in a long white ribbon
and the dark water goes out to the horizon,
almost as far as I can see
and the sea wind is fresh and new
and there's no light in sight
on the wavering ocean
just a darkness that envelopes me
as the waves
are throwing pebbles out
and drawing them in
before breaking on the beach
and there's nobody to be true to,
nobody to trust, only the reality of the here and now
and all hope, all promises, all joy and pain
remains the same
swept in and out of a confused world
forever breaking, forever rushing in.
poem by Gert Strydom
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Don't Forget who is your Father
God is Great
He created you and me so ladies and gentleman
he is the only person to praise and pray
Cause some of us we pray Alan people you pray him
who is him God is the one who created us
so guys help me to Thank him every time i'm sick i call him cause
he is the hiller the killer of diseases in the world
Help me to sing.
How great is our God sing with me how great is our God
all we sing is how great is our God age to age praise his
Great great great great great
great great great great great great great
great great great great great great great
great great great great great great great great great great great
GOD GOD GOD GOD GOD GOD GOD GOD..
Thank you Help me pliz.
poem by Ruvimbo Daisy Matsika
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To have the sense of creative activity is the great happiness and the great proof of being alive.
quote by Matthew Arnold
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The deluge
The crust of the world breaks open
and water gushes up
from below,
while heavy continual rain
pours down from above.
Lightning bolts roar menacing
flashing white blue
against a clouded black sky
and the sun is blocked off
and it’s like night.
The ark rises on water
which floods universally
causing havoc and catastrophe
and in tremendous winds
Noah steers the ship
to ride gigantic waves.
His massive arms
is rock solid on the wheel
while huge waves break
splashing him soaking wet
and the chill creeps in
right through to his bones,
but the biggest chill
is in his heart of humanity,
while he watches the rest
birds and animals die
and dead bodies drift
as far as his eyes can see.
Solid rain pours down for forty days
without end, winds howl in great intensity
and waves break and rock the ship
uncaring for its destiny
and it’s as if every lightning bolt
finds the ship
as the only thing available to bash down on.
Days and nights he watches
dark green water rising,
rushing, crushing and coiling out
and in the dark the wake at the stern
gleams white.
[Reference: Genesis 6-8.
poem by Gert Strydom
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Rise Up, Nigeria
Nigeria,
Giant of the blackworld
Created as a trigger
For the development of Africa.
On your skies
Are the brightness of the sun
And the illumination of the moon.
Within your belly flows the Niger.
Inside your womb criss-crosses Benue
All meandering to form a confluence
And proceeds to the Niger creeks
Excreting great alluvia
That makes our land fertile.
Nigeria,
Beautiful land of the savannah
A land adorns with evergreen forests
An earth crust emiting ceaseless wealth
A land that vomits immeasurable blackgold
Making nations to flow to you daily
For their survival
Nigeria, great nation!
Nigeria, good people!
Other nations romances you
They wish they are like you
They dream to have half of your resources
Natios hope to to have your resources
Rise up, great nation!
Stand up, good people!
African nations look towards you.
Blackworld beacons that you take the lead.
Do not allow these talennts to waste
Stamp out corruption in your midst.
Rise against violence.
Let schism be foreign.
Let's join hands together,
Let's take our place, again
Arise, Nigeria,
Arise, great people.
poem by Babatunde Aremu
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Fishing For Snoek (Un-Wreath Sonnet)
Somewhat slightly the shore, the lights ebb away
waves toss and play while the moon shines brightly
in darkness nightly the stars glitter over Table Bay
and the wind is blown only somewhat lightly.
Without mistake the boat furrows, up and down
holding its own spreads some foam in its wake,
in I take the vastness of great Cape Town,
God we trust; the sea lies flat as a lake
and its night, the swells are easier on us
like some dust hangs the early grey twilight,
it’s a sight deck-boards filled like a bus
and thus lines sing into the last of night
the boat is bright green with apparatus
going into action up to daylight.
poem by Gert Strydom
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Somethings Coming
Could be!
Who knows?
Theres something due any day;
I will know right away
Soon as it shows.
It may come cannonballin down through the sky,
Gleam in its eye,
Bright as a rose!
Who knows?
Its only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Under a tree.
I got a feeling theres a miracle due,
Gonna come true,
Coming to me!
Could it be? yes it could.
Somethings coming, something good,
If I can wait!
Somethings coming, I dont know what it is
But it is
Gonna be great!
With a click, with a shock,
Phonell jingle, doorll knock,
Open the latch!
Somethings coming, dont know when, but its soon -
Catch the moon,
One-handed catch!
Around the corner,
Or whistling down the river,
Come on - deliver
To me!
Will it be? yes it will.
Maybe just by holding still
Itll be there!
Come on something, come on in, dont be shy,
Meet a guy,
Pull up a chair!
The air is humming,
And something great is coming!
Who knows?
Its only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Maybe tonight...
song performed by by Utopia
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Another Huge Earthquake
Another huge Earthquake in Java and thousands are missing and dead
Just one angry outburst of Nature leaving millions of people in dread
Of another mighty earth tremor the fear it is real and widespread
Of the destructive power of our Earth Mother so much has been written and said,
Another huge Earthquake to talk of the anger of Nature no human structure can hope to withstand
Once great buildings left in huge piles of rubble as if they were castles of sand
Built by children on the beach at low tide that at high tide were washed out to sea
So great is the power of our Earth Mother and not one as mighty as she,
All of life lives off of Mother Nature and of her power we are aware
And though Nature can kill thousands of people Mother Nature is never unfair
People come and go like the Seasons but Nature she lives on and on
And she will be around forever though all present life forms may be gone
But she will create new life forms and Nature is forever more
And the stream from the hill will flow down to the river that flows to the great ocean shore.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Somethings Coming
Could be
Who knows?
There something due any day
I will know right away
Soon as it shows
It may come cannon-ballin* down from the sky
Gleam in its eye
Bright as a rose
Who knows?
It*s only just out of reach
Down a block, on the beach
Under a tree
I got a feeling there*s a miracle due
Gotta come through
Coming to me
Could it be
Yes it could
Something*s coming
Something good
If I can wait
Something*s coming
I don*t know what it is
But it is
Going to be great
With a click
With a shock
Bell will jingle
Door will knock
Open the latch
Something*s coming
I don*t know what it is
But it is
Going to be great
Around the corner
A-whistlin* down the river
Come on deliver
To me
To me
Could be
Who knows?
There something due any day
I will know right away
Soon as it shows
It may come cannon-ballin* down from the sky
Gleam in its eye
Bright as a rose
Who knows?
It*s only just out of reach
Down a block, on the beach
Under a tree
I got a feeling there*s a miracle due
Gotta come through
Coming to me
To me
Tonight, tonight
Won*t be just any night
Tonight there will be no morning star.
Tonight.
song performed by by Yes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Somethings Coming
Could be
Who knows?
There something due any day
I will know right away
Soon as it shows
It may come cannon-ballin* down from the sky
Gleam in its eye
Bright as a rose
Who knows?
It*s only just out of reach
Down a block, on the beach
Under a tree
I got a feeling there*s a miracle due
Gotta come through
Coming to me
Could it be
Yes it could
Something*s coming
Something good
If I can wait
Something*s coming
I don*t know what it is
But it is
Going to be great
With a click
With a shock
Bell will jingle
Door will knock
Open the latch
Something*s coming
I don*t know what it is
But it is
Going to be great
Around the corner
A-whistlin* down the river
Come on deliver
To me
To me
Could be
Who knows?
There something due any day
I will know right away
Soon as it shows
It may come cannon-ballin* down from the sky
Gleam in its eye
Bright as a rose
Who knows?
It*s only just out of reach
Down a block, on the beach
Under a tree
I got a feeling there*s a miracle due
Gotta come through
Coming to me
To me
Tonight, tonight
Won*t be just any night
Tonight there will be no morning star.
Tonight.
song performed by by Yes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sandpiper (Cavatina)
(after Elizabeth Bishop)
The leaping spray that roar, the swishing fling
of surf and sand,
plays in and out as waves rush to and thro;
where it does stand
while searching for something on tiny legs;
it understands
the roaring toss, a world of surf and foam,
while rushing on the wet beach it does roam.
[Reference: 'Sandpiper' by Elizabeth Bishop.]
poem by Gert Strydom
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Let us be like rivers, Love
The Table shall never meet the Fuji again
Let us be like rivers, Love
Great rivers, not mountains!
On their epic journey to grace
The Land of the gods with much needed hope
Where an arid desert is the ‘mirror of heaven’
Great rivers run from a Great Lake
Ignorant of borders, boundaries or nationalities
They run
But no matter how long or how apart they grow
Great rivers are sure to become one sometime
At the edge of some distant sea
poem by LLM Mbatha
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I Would Love To Go To Africa
I would love to go to Africa to see the wildlife there
To bring away from there great memories that with others i could share
To see the Serengeti the World's greatest wildlife park
And hear the male lions roaring and hear the wild dogs bark.
I would love to go to Africa to the Countries of the Nile
The home of the World's largest reptile the African crocodile
To see the wildebeest and zebra in huge flocks congregate
Across the bare savanna in thousands they migrate.
I would love to go to Africa the cradle of humanity
As long as marvellous wildlife there's colorful people for to see
The indigenous people of a Continent that is as old as time
A Land sketched by great artists and that has inspired writers to story, song and rhyme.
I would love to visit Africa from here many a mile
To see the World's greatest Continent would be something well worthwhile
The cradle of humanity a Land beyond compare
Of there i would have such great memories with others for to share.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Last Swim With The Mermaids
Summer's just about over
So this very well could be our last time
on the beach
In fact, let's just call it and say that this
will be our last time here at the beach
And so
For one last time
Let's all go for one last swim
I know I don't have tails like you, my friends
But since this summer is almost at its end
I don't care
As I swim and get splashed by the waves
You all dive under the waves
And swim strongly and effortlessly
You all are extraordinary
My friends
Hours fly by
And the afternoon becomes the evening
And I see you all under a pier
Hiding away from being seen
I join you all for this time being
Getting out to dry
Your tails have disappeared
Only to be replaced by your legs
Walking along the beach
Namely the sand
I can tell you are all happy that you got
to go on one last swim
And you all are happy that I could join you
on this last swim
Well, so am I
The night will be here in a while
But summer's finally over, for us
Will next summer be as great as this summer?
That's a great question that we have no answer
to
No answer from all of you
No answer from me
Walking home
The sun sets behind us
poem by Justin Gildow
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The never-ending road
I saw the landscape passing by,
while the car swept
on with a never-ending road.
Buildings rose up into the air
and everywhere people were
packed square by square
in offices, flats and apartments.
White yellow mine dumps
and huge cranes glided by
and I felt small as a fly,
against the immensity of it all
Acres of corn surrounded me
and all the way to the horizon,
I saw no tree.
The green was all around me
and a mechanical spray point,
where showering water in an arc.
The land flattened
while I drove South
and grey thorn bushes flashed by.
Here and there
some rocky outcrops
stood red brown against the flat plain,
but everything begged for a dropp of rain.
In the far distance up in the sky
a lightning bolt twisted to the ground
and when the rain came gushing down,
life sprouted from the sand.
The road stretched on
and in the distance
the black of the tar
met with the sky
and except for the windmills I passed by,
that road could have been
anywhere on this good great earth.
poem by Gert Strydom
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Beach Chairs
Sitting on the beach chairs
watching the setting sun
holding hands and reminiscing
how it all begun
Sitting on the beach chairs
watching the ships out on the sea
holding hands and smiling
together we're meant to be
Sitting on the beach chairs
watching people walking past
holding hands and knowing
that our love will always last
Sitting on the beach chairs
watching the waves along the shore
holding hands we realize
our love is stronger than before
Sitting on the beach chairs
watching the changing tide
holding hands with happiness
to be by each others side
Sitting on the beach chairs
watching the sunrise
holding hands with tears of joy
there are no more good-byes
poem by Joyce Ebrecht
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Artist Herbert Hofer
Austrian actor comes to the U.S.,
who would of guessed,
he would be such a success.
Living in South Beach since 1988,
he has lots of stories to tell—
his life was great!
Now he's sixty five,
and still living in the sunshine,
sipping his beer or wine,
reminiscing while passing the time.
Reminiscing of his black cat,
his black cat was so divine.
Black cat in all his paintings
even on his ceiling of his condo,
cat brings his paintings humor
with a "special glow".
also sold painting to Arnold Schwarzenegger
another Austrian actor I thought you should know.
Written by Suzae Chevalier on April 25,2011
poem by Suzae Chevalier
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In My Old Age A Great Happiness
IN MY OLD AGE A GREAT HAPPINESS
In my Old Age
A great Happiness
Comes over me.
Why?
I cannot exactly say
I walk I sing
Music and Poetry in me.
The Spring
The Light the Flowers
Some Great Peace
Of all the years I have been
My children
My step-grandchildren
So much I love
Eretz Yisrael.
How happy the light
Of this green day
All the while
Forgetting
The fears of what might be
The uncertainy of what is
The pains of what will be-
A great Happiness
A great Happiness
Thank G-d I have here now still
Thank God for so much goodness in my life.
poem by Shalom Freedman
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