The shadow of Cain (a reply to Edith Sitwell)
Man did not heed the cloud,
the cloud looking like the hand of man
and I saw lightning falling from the sky
and it was manmade,
thunder that exploded in flame
came down and down again
and in the dark clouds of death
the sun was blotted out
the bright cobalt sky was torn away
and men died as if being dolls made of clay
but on the hands of the living
the marks, the shadow of Cain remained
as killers of fellow men, slaughters in war
of a enemy
decided by politicians
whose hands were covered in blood
and these soldiers were young once,
only boys just out of school,
whose manhood, humanity had been stolen
and now were bomb happy
half crazy soldiers
who wanted nothing more than peace,
who needed tranquillity
and on their knees knelt to the living God
and sought his presence
while coming back from the bush,
from war, the fires of hell
begging forgiveness for taking killing shots,
for launching rockets, mortars
and throwing grenades to remain living
and was now torn in body and soul
and never complacent
offering their lives to the Greatest of generals
not knowing how to dispel
their own suffering, memories
and overpowering guilt
that made some weep
and they trusted
that the gates of hell
and eternal damnation
would be smothered, quenched
by the blood of the One
who died for all
knowing that He did not die in vain
and offering Him the pain,
standing in His shadow
as mortal men
true to the living king
when the day of Judgement comes
as did the thief on the cross.
[Reference: The Shadow Of Cain by Edith Sitwell.]
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Before the storming of the Casinga trenches
The past was going in seconds
while I was being sheltered
behind a small wall, with bullets,
mortars and rockets
whining and exploding, dark was everything,
dark was all
with death spreading its tentacles,
gripping mostly the enemy
bringing them to a fall
but for those barely out of range,
covered by trenches
the change from living to dead
were only minutes away
but the present was catching up with them,
with sniper bullets, mortars homing in
and hand grenades arcing dead on target
and the enemy trench lying straight ahead
to win the battle, the only way to tread
and the future of living or dying
was drawing down on the intersection
of the order: to take the trench.
[Reference: Full Moon At Tierz: Before The Storming Of Huesca by John Cornford.]
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
On the day that they nailed Him to a cross
On the day that they nailed Him to a cross
the shepherds went to the fields as they usually did,
eating that afternoon under the shadow of a tree
but when the sun suddenly
at three o’clock was setting they were dumbstruck
looking astonished at the animals
that were going back to the corral
and darkness fell across the earth
and it looked as if it was night
while nature rebelled at the death of its creator
and quickly they went home.
Graves outside the city was torn open
while the curtain at the temple ripped right through,
while people at the crucifixion
in darkness crowded together
and frightened soldiers were wondering
what was happening
when people without fear said
let His blood be on our hands,
they cast darkness over their descendants
and the whole of humanity,
over each one in every nation
and over the whole of humanity
there hanged a shadow
while He gave the last convulsions,
about the death of God
in which everyone shared
from young to the old,
even them in the highest positions.
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Double E
Back in the country, living on the Double E
In the sunshine of her life
There's already a young fellow but Mom and Daddy won't let her leave
Mom and Poppa won't let her go
But when they go out dancin'
She breaks out on her own
She's hot enough to burn the house down
But Mom and Poppa don't know
When Edith and Earl renamed the Double E
They nearly made history
The locals rose up, some of them were mad as hell
Cause it used to be the Double L
Change comes slow in the country
When you're new there's a lot of distrust
Years fly by uneventful
Memories turn to dust
Meanwhile Granny has got her bright colors on
And the sun's shinin' in her eyes
Cruisin' by the bars and honky-tonks where she met Grandpa
And caught that young man's eye
Dusty white El Dorado
Cruisin' through the trees
Slippin' through the shadows
Of what used to be
Back in the days, living in the summer of love
Living in the summer of love
Grandma's okay, not the same since Grandpa's gone
She's living in the summer of love
Back in the days, living in the summer of love
Living in the summer of love
Living in the summer of love
Living in the summer of love
Back in the days, living in the summer of love
Living in the summer of love
song performed by by Neil Young
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Living With The Enemy
I gave you all that you wanted
and still you come back for more
You say that you're brokenhearted
but then you walk out the door
Maybe it is time for us to say goodbye
Where are the tears you never cried?
Hey baby what you got on your mind
are you looking for some sympathy?
I can tell you if it's a truth or a lie
'Cos it's just like living,
living with the enemy
You got me going in circles,
I'm slowly loosing my head
What did I do to deserve this,
you make me wish I was dead
Tell me I'm wrong and I'll be on my way
See you around another day
Hey baby what you doin' tonite?
Are you giving me the perfect dream
I'm so tired and I don't wanna fight
'Cos it's just like living,
living with the enemy, enemy
Living with the enemy, living with the enemy, enemy
Living with the enemy,enemy
Living with the enemy, living with the enemy, enemy
song performed by by Ozzy Osbourne
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Super Trouper
I was a young man when I died
I was a flash, I was full of pride
I gave it all, I gave my soul, I was so strong
I felt the truth, I felt the pain in every song
How well you know me
Youve seen me cry
Im just a shadow
In a rock and roll sky
I was living in a rock and roll sky
I was a king, heavy on the style
Super trouper, yes I know you well, making me shine
I couldnt see what you did to me. I was so blind
How well you know me
Youve seen me cry
Im just a shadow
In a rock and roll sky
I wanna be like I was before
But this time Im gonna know the score
I need a home I can leave behind knowing youre there
Super trouper, I can see you now, return your stare
How well you know me
Youve seen me cry
Im just a shadow
In a rock and roll sky
song performed by by Deep Purple
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Hell Is Living Without You
I can't find your face in a
thousand masquerades
You're hidden in the colors of a
million other lost charades
In life's big parade
I'm the lonliest spectator
Cuz you're gone without a trace in
a sea of faceless imitators
I can't take another night
Burning inside this
Hell is living without your love
Ain't nothin' without your
Touch me
Heaven would be like hell
Is living without you
Try to walk away
When I see the time I've wasted
Starving at a feast
And all this wine I've never tasted
On my lips your memory has been
stained
Is it all in vain
Tell me who's to blame
I can't take another night
Burning inside this
Hell is living without your love
Ain't nothin' without your
Touch me
Heaven would be like hell
Is living without you
Nights get longer and colder
I'm down and begging to hold ya
On my own and I feel like hell
Is living without you
Hell is living without your love
Ain't nothin' without your
Touch me
Heaven would be like hell
Is living without you
Nights get longer and colder
I'm down and begging to hold ya
On my own and I feel like hell
Is living without you
song performed by by Alice Cooper
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Living Bad Dreams
I'm hypnotised
and helpless
Beneath the pale
full moon
My body is your sacrifice
You spirit's coming soon
I stare up at a
squalid night
It's been so cold
and smooth
Turns tender kisses
into bites
As you begin to move
You look so weak
and fragile
You seem to drip
and sway
But you swept me up into
your arms
And carried me away
I'm living bad dreams
I can't run from you
I'm living bad dreams
This nightmare's
coming true
You led me to temptation
Delivered me to pain
I walked upon you
hallowed ground
My soul is yours to gain
Your passion drains
my energy
Fear starts running deep
I'm falling in
slow motion
Into eternal sleep
I'm living bad dreams
I can't run from you
I'm living bad dreams
This nightmare's
coming true
[Lead Break]
Your passion drains
my energy
Fear starts running deep
I'm falling in
slow motion
Into eternal sleep
I'm living bad dreams
I can't run from you
I'm living bad dreams
This nightmare's
coming true
I'm living bad dreams
I can't run from you
I'm living bad dreams
This nightmare's
coming true
I'm living bad dreams
ohh ohh
I don't want bad dreams
Living bad dreams
song performed by by Judas Priest
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Transperancy
I see your tears even when you don't cry infront of me
I hear your pain like tear drops falling inside of you
Let me in, so I can try to fix you
I'll bleed your pain and repair every damaged tissue
You say you fine, but your eyes tell me a different story
You living a disguise trapped in hell although you are holy
You are emotionally scard, pain tattoed within your heart
You no longer know what living is, because life and death for you don't seem far apart
You died the day you failed to live
Because you living a painful death (living a life that has no life)
You see yourself through a mirror
But the mirror sees your hurt at first
I know your sky will never be blue
Your brain forms those dark clouds, hence those rainy tears
You've lived with so much pain throughout all these years
Its now a part of your life hence your dreams are your fears
You need a friend, someone to comfort you, its just you don't see me
Or maybe its you in my mind and you IS me
No wonder why I can see you so clearly
I have my eyes shut and yet..Transperancy
poem by Kgagamatso Chimelwane
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Jesus Dedicated The Law Of Baptism
Jesus took bread blessed broke it
gave it to his disciples and said
'Take, eat; this is My body.'
Jesus took the cup gave thanks
gave it to his chosen disciples
saying 'Drink from it, all of you.
For this is My blood
of the new covenant,
which is shed for many
for the remission of sins. ' Matthew 26: 26-28.
Jesus becomes Christian Covenant
it was necessary
copies of utensils in heaven
should be purified
Christ entered not
into holy places
made with hands
dedicated true copies
Christ entered into heaven
to appear in the presence of God
not as the high priest enters
the most Holy of Holies
once every year with offering blood
animal blood for our sins
Christ freely made atonement
sacrifice his own suffering blood
for the atonement of our sins Hebrews 9: 23-26.
Christ entered not
by means of the blood
of goats and calves
Christ entered the Most
Holy Place once for all
by his own sacred blood
having obtained eternal redemption Hebrews 9: 12.
'How much more, then, will the blood
of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit
offered himself unblemished to God,
cleanse our consciences from acts
that lead to death, so that
we may serve the living God! ' Hebrews 9: 14.
a Christian Covenant blood dedicated
a Spiritual Israelite Law of Jesus Christ
a Spiritual Circumcision Baptism in Christ
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Bad Dream
Im living in a bad dream.
Theyre supposed to be here by now.
What the hell is taking them so long?
I parked the car just like they said.
Now, Im sitting, waiting for a bullet in my head.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream gone bad.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream
Im living in a bad dream thats sad.
Im supposed to be feeling better by now.
What the hell is taking me so long?
I hit the hay just like they said.
Now, Im sitting, waiting for a bell in my head.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream gone bad.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream
Im living in a bad dream thats sad.
On a curve, lost control.
On a cliff, lost control.
This is not happening to me.
I say so.
Im supposed to be a better person by now.
What the hell is taking me so long?
Dying saviors off sum cross.
Now, Im hoping and Im praying that theyll nullify my losses.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream gone bad.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream
Im living in a bad dream thats sad.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream gone bad.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream
Im living in a bad dream thats sad.
Im living in a bad dream.
Gordon gano: vocals, guitar
Brian ritchie: acoustic bass guitar, vocals, autoharp
Guy hoffman: drums, vocals
David vartanian: electric piano
Produced by brian ritchie and gordon gano
Recorded and mixed by david vartanian at dvs perversion room, milwaukee, wi
gorno music reprinted with permission
song performed by by Violent Femmes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Montsgur
I stand alone in this desolate space
In death they are truly alive
Massacred innocence, evil took place
The angels were burning inside
Centuries later I wonder why
What secret that they took to their grave
Still burning heretics under our skies
Religion's still burning inside
At the gates and the walls of Montsgur
Blood on the stones of the citadel
At the gates and the walls of Montsgur
Blood on the stones of the citadel
At the gates and the walls of Montsgur
Blood on the stones of the citadel
At the gates and the walls of Montsgur
Blood on the stones of the citadel
As we kill them all so god will know his own
The innocents died for the pope on his throne
Catholic greed and its paranoid zeal
Curse of the grail and the blood of the cross
Templar believers with blood on their hands
Joined in the choruse to kill on demand
Burned at the stake for their soul's liberty
To stand with the cathars to die and be free
The book of old testament crippled and black
Satan his weapon is lust
Living this evil damnation of flesh
Back to the torture of life
At the gates and the walls of Montsgur
Blood on the stones of the citadel
At the gates and the walls of Montsgur
Blood on the stones of the citadel
At the gates and the walls of Montsgur
Blood on the stones of the citadel
At the gates and the walls of Montsgur
Blood on the stones of the citadel
As we kill them all so god know his own
Laugh at the darkness and in god we trust
The eye of the triangle smiling with sin
No passover feast for the cursed within
Facing the sun as they went to their grave
Burn like a dog or you live like a slave
Death is the price for your soul's liberty
To stand with the cathars and to die and be free
At the gates and the walls of Montsgur
Blood on the stones of the citadel
At the gates and the walls of Montsgur
Blood on the stones of the citadel
song performed by by Iron Maiden
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
American Skin
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots, and we'll take that ride
Across this bloody river to the other side
41 shots, they cut through the night
You're kneeling over his body in the vestibule
Praying for his life
Is it a gun?
Is it a knife?
Is it a wallet?
This is your life
It ain't no secret (it ain't no secret)
It ain't no secret (it ain't no secret)
Ain't no secret my friend
You can get killed just for living in your american skin
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots, lena gets her son ready for school
She says now on these streets charles
You got to understand the rules
Promise me if an officer stops you'll always be polite
Never ever run away and promise mama you'll keep your hands in sight
Cause is it a gun?
Is it a knife?
Is it a wallet?
This is your life
It ain't no secret (it ain't no secret)
It ain't no secret (it ain't no secret)
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living in your american skin
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
Is it a gun?
Is it a knife?
Is it a wallet?
This is your life
It ain't no secret (it ain't no secret)
It ain't no secret (it ain't no secret)
It ain't no secret (it ain't no secret)
41 shots and we'll take that ride
Across this bloody river to the other side
41 shots my boots caked in mud
We're baptized in these waters and in each other's blood
Is it a gun?
Is it a knife?
Is it a wallet?
This is your life
It ain't no secret (it ain't no secret)
It ain't no secret (it ain't no secret)
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living in
You can get killed just for living in
You can get killed just for living in
Your american skin
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
song performed by by Bruce Springsteen
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Just let Go
I knew of torment once
so long ago, was that me back then
suffering in pain, I was forced to do things
I could never remember
I was forced to be someone
outside of my own
I don’t like to say
or remember back then
how it hurt me to even just breath
the agony you feel the pain unreal
how can a child bear witness
to this torment and pain
to be torn into two
like a rag doll of old
the memories are real
they made me a women of today
but to block out the terror
the screams and hands
that lay waste to my soul
its more than I can bare
its more than I can say
how to make you understand
the innocence of a child
taken from them without remorse
without regret and the child not knowing
she was too young to know
of the horrors drawn from her that day
not understanding she would live
she would breath only to live her life
like a zombie instead
but the torture of living
and breathing each day
was something she learned
alone in the dark never really knowing
all she had to do was reach out and touch
loved ones and friends
So where do you say
you know agony and pain
have you lived through a year
of torture and pain
Have you been held so tight
you can’t breathe you can’t move
you move to your left your crushed real tight
you move to your right your crushed tighter still
then a hand covers mouth
stopping you to scream or shout
then hear every day don’t tell or be dead
I’ve walked away from this memory of old
and I've learnt to be strong
and just let it go
poem by Kaila George
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
It is not that God has no pity (in answer to Yehuda Amichai)
It is not that God has no pity
on adult soldiers, who crawl
on all fours
and that He only cares
for small children and much less
for children at school,
any fool could believe this gibberish,
but when bullets whistle past your head,
you see comrades and the enemy dead,
how rockets penetrate through
the thick steel armour of tanks
and armoured cars
how grenades, landmines and bombs
explode shattering
you know that mere men
are doing and continue doing
these evil war things
and when you live through
this kind of hell
and come out unscathed,
still living
when your should have been dead,
you know that you are really worshipping
a loving and pitiful God instead
of the merciless one
that some are painting Him
as He has accompanied you
right through the dread.
[Reference: God Has Pity On Kindergarten Children by Yehuda Amichai.]
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Final solution
The countless dead unburied lay beneath a covering of clay.
The good earth turned to dark red mud mixed with the best of soldier’s blood.
It mattered not how many died for death could not be satisfied.
Brave men who fought for their country. Death chose amongst them randomly.
I lived although my comrades died. Death often took them from my side.
Why did I live? So I can tell the world about the living hell
wich we endured knee deep in mud. I think it fitting that I should.
So many died on either side. Involuntary suicide
To fight a war they could not win, to no more see their kith and kin
Like every war it proved to be a total waste, a mockery
The cream of Europe’s fighting mem would never see their homes again.
What did it prove the First World War? Nothing we had not known before!
Though we remember those who died. The lessons learned are not applied
for men still battle constantly to prove superiority.
It seems mankind can’t live in peace, that wanton killing will not cease
Until death has added to his score the last man and there are no more.
I think that then and only then the world will be at peace again.
16/04/2009
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
American Skin (41 Shots)
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots....
and we'll take that ride
'cross this bloody river
to the other side
41 shots... cut through the night
You're kneeling over his body in the vestibule
Praying for his life
Is it a gun, is it a knife
Is it a wallet, this is your life
It ain't no secret
It ain't no secret
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living
In your American skin
41 shots
Lena gets her son ready for school
She says "on these streets, Charles
You've got to understand the rules
If an officer stops you
Promise you'll always be polite,
that you'll never ever run away
Promise Mama you'll keep your hands in sight"
Is it a gun, is it a knife
Is it a wallet, this is your life
It ain't no secret
It ain't no secret
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living
In your American skin
Is it a gun, is it a knife
Is it in your heart, is it in your eyes
It ain't no secret
41 shots... and we'll take that ride
'Cross this bloody river
To the other side
41 shots... got my boots caked in this mud
We're baptized in these waters and in each other's blood
Is it a gun, is it a knife
Is it a wallet, this is your life
It ain't no secret
It ain't no secret
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living
In your American skin
song performed by by Bruce Springsteen
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
shadow Of My Soul
I've broken the threads of the crazy past
Running forward in my way never to look back
I wonder when will these days last
The shadow of my soul has turned dark and black
Darkness is all i have seen, all that i have felt
This pain is a subtle killer, into my soul has it crept
'save me, lord', in front of you, countless times i have knelt
This grief has made me numb, has stabbed my heart to its depth
I'm running from the shadow of my soul, in those days what I used to be
Another day, another life, still this shadow's watching over me.
poem by Pooja Ladyluck
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
War
It’s bad to experience war,
to see your fellow man die
and I heard even the blue sky
cry in anguish,
while the survivors
clench on to their meagre belongings.
It’s terrible to kill or be killed
and my heart knocked in pain
while blood fell like rain
and the wounded and dead,
were lying everywhere
and I saw children weep.
It’s horrible to see innocent civilians
shattered, broken, wounded
and living in the killing fields
and my soul was torn apart,
while the earth shook in sorrow
and for a eternity
words of peace wasn’t spoken
and the savage killing raged on.
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Shadow Man
Theres a man back a-ways
Who believes at where he is
And theres a girl
Up ahead who says she knows
And the street overflows
With the folk who understand
But for the guy who cant be seen
Hes the shadow man
And the shadow man is close at hand
Take a turn and see his smile
Made of nothing but loneliness
Just take a walk and be a friend
To the shadow man
You can call him joe, you can call him sam
You should call and see who answers
For he promises to come running, guided by the truth
But the shadow man is really you
Look in his eyes and see your reflection
Look to the stars and see his eyes
Hell show you tomorrow, hell show you the sorrows
Of what you did today
You can call him foe, you can call him friend
You should call and see who answers
For he knows your eyes are drawn to the road ahead
And the shadow man is waiting round the bend
Oh, the shadow man
Ohooooo oooo
Shadow man, shadow man
Its really you, its really you, its really you
Hes the shadow man
Oh yeah
Shadow man
song performed by by David Bowie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The Good Shepherd
The ninety and nine safely in the fold lay
But this one sheep had foolishly gone astray
And as he lay bleating all lost and afraid
The Good Shepherd heard his cry and came to his aid.
All through the wilderness the Good Shepherd went
To seek and save the lost sheep was His intent
Fierce ravening wolves pursued Him all the way
and the thorns tore His flesh throughout that day.
All through the night he toiled and did not sleep
For he was determined to rescue and save His lost sheep
Even though in Gethsemane drops of blood He sweat
He would not be dissuaded from the pathway set.
Then when He came to Golgotha's steep Hill
He did not hesitate but He carried on still
Onward and upward He went to be crucified
And there on the cross for His sheep He died.
Stricken and smitten of God was He
And by His stripes I have been set free
The price of my sins by His blood he paid
And all my iniquity upon Him was laid.
The Bulls of Bashan tore at His side
And the gates of Hell were opened wide
He entered Death and Hades to pay the price
Offering His body as the perfect sacrifice.
Deep wounds in His hands and feet he bore
Head torn by the crown of thorns He wore
Alone He suffered Thirsty and bleeding
As there for His sheep He was interceding.
Lesser shepherds and hireling would have fled
But He stood firm and for His sheep He bled
Enduring such suffering in order to save
This poor lost sheep from Hell and the grave.
He lifted me out of the miry clay
and upon His shoulders I gently lay
all through the vale of death to heaven
Bringing me into the security of the pen.
Written after reading John 10: 11-15—11