The White Man Blues
An AK-47 submachine gun shoots stammering,
a rocket propelled grenade whooshes past
and I am in the middle
of another country’s civil war
shooting off short bursts, trying to stay alive
while forced into military service
by the government
and this day could be my last,
but it’s ok as I am still alive
and praying to an almighty God.
Having lost two cars, in less than a week
from theft by some black hooligans
who thinks that what you own
belongs to them
from which the insurance absolved themselves,
having lost my job by affirmative action
and only receiving a few months salary as pay
with all the fringe benefits being cut away
with the wife and her kids walking out
into the arms and the charms
of her new boyfriend
and in Soweto and wherever
the gangsters and politicians live, they know,
they wait and try to relieve me
from my humanity
and to turn me into a ravenous hating thing
and it isn’t news to them
they see my plight
as they are causing it
and even the government holds out its hand
for taxes when and where I have a contract work
but it’s ok as I am still alive
and praying to an almighty God.
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
One evening I see a thing
One evening
I see a thing
that let’s my blood boil,
while I watch the news
on the television set.
I know a bold man
without hair
that stands before a big crowd,
his country, the world
and the God of gods
and lays his hand
on the holy black book
and lies a promise down and gives a solemn oath
to be true to his country and fellow man.
His government drove me to Angola
and back again
and all of the oppressed
really did have to get freedom,
but where did he stay
his brother’s keeper?
Now it seems
that he really doesn’t have a clue
about how a white man
with a degree and lots of experience
has difficulty
to find a permanent job at forty five
and to put food on the table
and all of government
falls apart
through people that have no clue
how to do their work.
Thousands of rands of tax
are subtracted from my contract work
and tax pays
his fat pension.
I want to blister
like a hot potato,
because he has the impudence
to say something about affirmative action
and I pray for him
and ask God to change him
and for him to be blessed,
as it is the way
that my mother taught me
to do to my enemies.
My contract is finished
and I have to find another job
and from that,
he stands totally free.
poem by Gert Strydom
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So Alive
Today I watched the boats
Moving through the harbor
Walking on water
In your arms I'd stay
Forever if I could
Fireer if I may
Keeps me in your thoughts, don't disappear
I am on your side
And so alive
So alive it isn't real
If this is how I feel
Then nothing now is true
And nothing now can ever be taken away from you
Sinking in the past
The things that shouldn't last
Just put to bed and stand beside me
Stand beside me
Always on your side
I'm on your side
And so alive it isn't real
I am on your side
And so alive
And so alive
And so alive
I am on your side
I am on your side
I am on your side
And so alive
So alive
song performed by by Ryan Adams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Memory to Eugène Terreblancé at Rooigrond prison
This government slammed a jail door behind you,
caged you in like a animal, locked you behind bars
in the prison at Rooigrond;
when this government took your freedom
a potted plant was your biggest treasure
and the grace that you found on your knees
from the almighty Lord God
and between the prisoners with tin plates,
who were continuously making a ruckus,
they tried to devour your humanity.
In the mornings they gave you porridge,
before prison doors slammed behind you,
in the afternoons again porridge and for dinner pale soup;
but still you are walking through my thoughts,
your splendid poems turn and whirl in my mind
as if they are still keeping you alive
and this government
does not hear the cock crowing three times,
the Son of God was also betrayed and sold.
The barbarians that slaughtered you with pangas
already got bail,
(the one as a child is free from prosecution)
and in a few days your killers
(from Mozambique who brought disorder here)
will probably walk free as heroes into the streets.
By some of your own people despised
you were actually right, your own blood that flowed;
on the hands of black people,
stays proof of it eternally
l’Envoi
and somehow the blacks in our country
has totally lost their senses,
where they rob and decimate
the Afrikaner people and Afrikaner farmers.
[Reference: Rooigrondtronk (Rooigrond prison) by Eugène Terreblancé.]
poem by Gert Strydom
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Misfortune Of A Aurora East Rand Mineworker
A 36 year old man works months without payment
at the Aurora East Rand gold mine
under the illusion from the black owners, promising
that salaries are following, but without receiving money.
In January he only receives ten percent of his salary
(which is just eighteen hundred rand)
while the company owns him for eighteen months
and the government does nothing against the black owners
he looks for other employment everywhere
but is not able to find anything else,
he is put out of his house and has to leave it
finding nowhere to go to
things get too much for the poor man,
he looses his cars, his furniture
and almost every thing that he possess,
in his thoughts he is at the edge of the abyss,
he does not know how to put food on the table,
tries to hang himself three times on one night
where his wife stops him just in time
and now she is really scared
that he will try to suicide again.
poem by Gert Strydom
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There Is Far Too Much Disintegration (In Answer To T.T. Cloete)
There is far too much disintegration,
ruination
that now occurs in our country
and much too scared
for the killing, raping and crime
we search for accessibility
to a place to also make a own life
while our humanity is being lost somewhere.
Far too many people being begrudged
the right of making a life while other stream in,
as foreigners who get citizenship,
while they are able to begin their lives,
while criminals reign supreme,
own gain
eats like a cancer on the government,
while we have to forget the better times.
Still we do believe in an almighty God
that holds His hand
over the destiny of nations, leaders;
in pain and mourning,
in suppression that circles out wider,
we still stay trusting
that a much better day still has got to come
and lie all of our cares only on Him.
poem by Gert Strydom
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I'm Alive (That Was The Day My Dead Pet Returned To Save My Life)
I was just kicking down the street
And the sun was in my eyes
So I couldn't see the truck
That was sixty times my size
And just seconds off from splattering me
Let me tell you
I was so scared I couldn't move
Like my boots were full of glue
Then I felt a little tug
And I thought of good Old Blue
And he pulled me from that catastrophe
That was the day
My dead pet returned to save my life
I'm alive
He's alive
I'm alive
I was spitting in the canyon
Near the cliff up on the mountain
When an unexpected sneeze
Hung me in the breeze
At forty five degrees in the sky
Suddenly I felt something
Had me by the belt
And in between my praying
Swore I heard a stallion neighing
Was the ghost of my horse
And I cried, yes I cried
That was the day
My dead pet returned to save my life
That was the day
My dead pet returned to save my life
I'm alive
He's alive
Hey, I'm alive
Things were getting gory
Got caught on territory
Belonging to the Crutches
In an alley in their clutches
Looking kind of dismal that night
Well the leader's name was Fats
Swinging broken baseball bats
Things got really frantic
Starting jumping in their panic
That was the day
My dead pet returned to save my life
That was the day
My dead pet returned to save my life
I'm alive, I'm alive, real alive
That was the day my dead pet returned
That was the day my dead pet returned
That was the day my dead pet returned
That was the day my dead pet returned
To save my life
Hallucinating billions of rats
Lots of rats
I'm alive, I'm alive
He's alive, he's alive, he's alive
I'm alive, yeah
He's alive, he's alive
I'm alive, real alive
Alive, alive, alive
Alive, alive, alive, alive
Alive, alive, alive, alive
I'm alive
song performed by by Alice Cooper
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Im Alive
(myles goodwyn)
Published by goody two tunes, inc. - bmi
I like to rock and I like to roll
I like the blues if its got some soul
I take my lovin any way you can
So if you got the time, honey Im your man
Cause Im alive, Im alive, Im alive
Ive learned to coped with the crap and jive
Remember boy, just to stay alive
Only the strong survive
Only the strong survive, and Im alive, yeah
I got no reasons for slowin down
I like to move, and Im glory bound
The silent runner in the edge of night
So dont you stand in my way, unless you wanna fight
Cause Im alive, Im alive, Im alive
I left my family in 65
And they said boy, just to stay alive, yeah
Remember only the strong survive
Only the strong survive, keep your head up boy, ooh
Im alive (Im alive), Im alive (Im alive)
And I really feel like gettin it on
Im alive (Im alive), Im alive (Im alive)
I said Im ready and Im feelin alright, ooh
And Im gonna find some lovin tonight, some good good love
And Im lookin at you, I know what I wanna do, yeah
Something I can get into
Im alive, Im alive, Im alive
I left my family in 65
And they said boy, just to stay alive, yeah
Remember only the strong survive, they said
Im alive, Im alive, Im alive (Im alive)
I can cope with all that crap and all that jive, baby (Im alive)
Im alive, Im alive, Im alive (Im alive)
And it feels good, yeah
song performed by by April Wine
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Even though
Even though a new government
is in place,
in Soweto, Alexandra and Mamelodi
there are still hungry children
playing in the streets.
Even though BEE and opportunity
knocks on every black mans door,
hungered out dogs
still prowl the streets
and gangs of criminals
do not have respect
for any law at all
and steal and kill
and society in a way
is much worst than it was before.
Even though black politicians rule
the Filemons, the Thabo’s and most
other black men
still do the jobs
that they did before
and most of those
that now work for the government
do not know
how to work at all.
Even though mister Nelson Mandela is free
and in Dar es-Salaam
a statue of a black man
breaks its chains
and freedom is proclaimed
to be everywhere in this country,
freedom does not really matter
when a nation still lives in poverty
and corruption makes some people
more free than others
know how to be.
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Politicians Vavroovahana Patra
Politicians exploit the people of the country;
Hoarding money, remain in palatial building with delight.
Poor people die with plight;
Politicians say India is a country of prosperity.
Without providing food to the poor entertain day and night;
Do not feel all are sons and daughters of Almighty.
Widow laments for food day and night;
The family remain in hunger with plight.
Politicians forget their ideology of sacrifice;
Remain away Divine Bliss.
Entangle in bribe and corruption;
Enhance society’s tension.
A good politician thinks upliftment of society;
Derives peace observing poorman’s smile and delight.
A good politician derives peace serving the patient;
Lives in peace with merriment.
Good politician is blessed with Divine power;
God blesses him with peace, pleasure.
Service to human beings is service to Divinity;
All are sons and daughters of the same Almighty.
poem by Vavroovahana Patra
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When times are bad
When times are bad
and I am with my hands in my hair
and black foreigners from all over Africa
overnight becomes citizens
and have more rights as a citizen than me
and affirmative action
puts her claws into my life
then I wonder about justice
and when merit and experience
will ever again apply
where my ancestors Joost Strydom
from Liefenshoek in the Netherlands
as a merchant seaman of the VOC
in 1678 came to Cape Town,
married his pretty well know wife
Maryna Ras who with a horse
could alone ride days long to Cape Town
with whom noblemen tried to have relationships,
where the indigenous zulu-xhosa-pondo-swazi people
are originating from a group
that during the same time
immigrated far away out of the north
from eMbo at the big lakes in central Africa
under the leadership of Nguni and later Dlamini
and then I wonder how
this country rather belongs to them
and they have to have work opportunities before me
and if you now say anything
about the new migration out of the whole of Africa
for which the country’s borders are now wide open
(in such a way that South Africans
must now get visas for Great Britain)
you are seen as xenophobic
and then there are citizens from right over Africa
who become South Africans overnight
attaining more rights than you
who forced by law
get secure job opportunities
and do people from Mozambique murder
Eugene Terreblance,
drug dealers from Nigeria
are caught by the local police
while against your will
you were forced into an army, into a war
still faithfully pay your taxes
when and where you have a job
and the current government
tries to stay in power
while Aids devours its voter numbers
and you as a white man
are despised by the current regime,
are treaded into the ground
while the country are falling to pieces
and then you pray
to Him (the God of the universe) who controls everything
to drastically intervene
rather than rousing people
for a civil war.
[Reference: VOC Verenigde Oost Indiëse companje.]
poem by Gert Strydom
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The Eve of My Death
The eve of my death, a baby was born, and this kept me alive.
The eve of my death, a baby took her first stumbling steps, and this kept me
alive.
The eve of my death, a school bus filled with laughing children drove away,
and this kept me alive.
The eve of my death, I looked out my window to see my child be swept
away to prom, and this kept me alive.
The eve of my death, my baby, my child reached out her hand to accept her
diploma, she is not a baby or a child any more, and this kept me alive.
The eve of my death, I walked with my daughter down the isle, and this kept
me alive.
The eve of my death, I held my new born grandson in my arms, and this kept
me alive.
The day of my death, I feel my grandson's tears hit me like a cool spring rain,
I see his father behind a podium an inch away from tears, I feel the
flowers on the casket that holds the only thing that keeps me alive.
poem by Stephen Howard
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Ratfinks, Suicide Tanks And Cannibal Girls
I black the temper, yeah
Never seen the face of truth
Sweet Mr. Jesus, yeah
Infected on my skin
Deep mist around you, yeah
I'm crawling on the side
Sheep for another, yeah
Another taste of life
It's alive, yeah everybody
It's alive, who will stop me?
It's alive, yeah everybody
It's alive, who will stop me?
Dead barks around you, yeah
Crawl in a river black
I creep and crawl here, yeah
He's falling on the floor
Out with another, yeah
A killing wall of sound
Say that you love it, yeah
Don't make me turn it down
It's alive, yeah everybody
It's alive, who will stop me?
It's alive, yeah everybody
It's alive, who will stop me?
Born to kill, yeah
Black, blue and bloody fingers
Hong Kong head, yeah
Who's gonna face this wheel
Now tell me smooth, yeah
I'll tell the pussycats
An ultra-pain, yeah
I'll blow it all away
It's alive, yeah everybody
It's alive, who will stop me?
It's alive, yeah everybody
It's alive, who will stop me?
song performed by by White Zombie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Im Alive
Im alive - and the world shines for me today
Im alive - suddenly I am here today
Seems like forever (and a day), thought I could never (feel this way)
Is this really me? Im alive, Im alive
Im alive - and the dawn breaks across the sky
Im alive - and the sun rises up so high
Lost in another world (far away), never another word (till today)
But what can I say? Im alive, Im alive, Im alive
(instrumental break)
Suddenly came the dawn (from the night), suddenly I was born (into light)
How can it be real? Im alive, Im alive, Im alive
Im alive - and the world shines for me today
Im alive - suddenly I am here today
Seems like forever (and a day), thought I could never (feel this way)
Is this really me? Im alive, Im alive, Im alive
(instrumental break)
Im alive, Im alive, Im alive, Im alive
song performed by by Electric Light Orchestra
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Praying For Rain
the farmer poet
walking barefoot
in the dust,
looking upwards
towards heaven,
praying for rain.
the blue collar poet
walks between the rows
of machines gone silent
in the deserted building,
looking upwards,
praying for work.
the nurse poet
stares at the line
of people wanting help,
no insurance, no money
looking upwards,
praying for hope.
the politician poet
surrounded by the din
of deals being made
without conscience
or integrity,
looking upwards,
praying for dignity.
the mother poet,
pushed into a corner,
no food, no money,
cant pay the rent or
buy clothes.
looking down
into her children's eyes,
praying for God!
the human poet,
looking inwards,
praying for all
that lives
praying for rain!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Asleep
Wait a minute.
Can't you see what this pain has done to me
I'm alive but I'm slippin'.
What you see I cannot see and maybe you'll think before you speak
I'm alive for you.
I'm awake because of you
I'm alive told you.
I'm awake swallowing you
Take a second.
Turn your back on me and make believe
It's safe to say you're never alive.
A big part of you has died and by the way, I hope you're satisfied
I'm alive for you.
I'm awake because of you
I'm alive told you.
I'm awake swallowing you
I'm alive for you.
I'm awake because of you
I'm alive told you.
I'm awake swallowing you
song performed by by Godsmack
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Another Election Rolls Around In the Good Old U.S.A.
Another election year coming around, politicians again are
Practicing their smile
They want our vote they’ll promise us the world will be at our
Command
Yes, they’ll shake our hands, pat our backs, and truly walk the Additional mile
Their opponent they say is no damn good, only they can truly Understand
Speeches delivered with so much commitment, they really have
Us all under their spell
They have us believing they are the one; they certainly wouldn’t
Kiss my baby and lie with those, same tender lips.
Cheering them on waving frantically they bring back the sound
Of the old liberty bell
O.K. they’ve won me over, calm down now relax - I’ve got to come
To grips
Election Day has arrived I’m the first one at the poles, this one I
Trust and without hesitation I cast my vote
Driving to work, I sing a tune and offer a prayer my man will come through as the winner
After my day’s work is through at home, the local news declares
Him the victor - time to relax and unwind - yes this victory is worth Another tote.
Before I retire to my bed - I’ll celebrate - and my wife and I will go
Out to dinner
Four years later
The man I cast my vote for on that November day four years ago.
The man I had no doubt would come through
All those promises of a brighter future, health care, lower taxes,
And a Social security plan
Were carried out indeed - he lives in a mansion, pays no taxes,
And has a million dollar retirement plan, all his dreams have
Come true
All he accomplished legally, was stop my weed, for no taxes were Collected, so the pot he did ban
But wait this is another election year, he has made his fortune of
The backs of us fools
Now he can travel at government expense live the rest of his life
On the taxpayer’s tab
They’ll be another one to take his place, with fresh ideas, offering
Us all new hope, he learned In all those elite and formal schools
They say it’s the American way, but this time I’ll grab my bedroll
And hang on to my bankroll, I won’t listen again to all that political
Gab
I’ll live on the streets with all of the honest bums, and thieves that tell You were their comin from
I won’t be fooled again by some sleazy smooth talking politician who Truly belongs in cage
I’ll take my chances with those who only steal to stay alive, on the
Outskirts of the jungle where to live by rules to the politicians you
Must succumb
Today’s society is free for all, you have it all until you reach what
They call - the voting age
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And the Lord said 'Let there be voters, and all the fish arose from the sea'
8/29/07
poem by Dave Tanguay
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Alive
I'm wandering the town all light off
I don't know where I'm leaving for
The muddy rain start to fall on me
And I'm walking down to subway
I can't see all around me
Get me out of here
Talk to me if someone is in this darkness
I'm out of my head
Out of my mind
Tell me where I'm what's going on , oh please
Something is hiding me off
Is this the wall of my heart
I have been lost so many things I've got
For long time I've been searching for my way
I carry on, carry on ...
I'm so spiting to their ugly heart
to this so stood world
Everyday I forbear to fall the tears
don't wanna be down
Everynight hurt is so deep in my heart
Is this my life
Oh ! Show me please
The wall close to me
It's so painful. Stop it !
Is there someone to help me
Please get me out of here
Oh ! get me out !
Dead or alive, no place to run
Get it settled once and for all
Dead or alive, can't live in the past
only one way to live.
* Give me heart finishing blow
If I could only turn my back
Let me do screaming high
Squeeze the throes of death for me
It comes here the blame I'd done before
Fall on me as if it grow in my brain
The ugly side of myself tears me up
At this time I can't go back
Give my heart finishing blow
If I couldn't run from the past
Let me do screaming high
Disclose the feeling inside of me
Dead or alive, Can't live in the past
only one way to live
* repeat
The fight is over
the mad rain had gone past over me
blood is flowing down
tear is flowing down
Now I'm alive and I'm walking to town again
song performed by by X JAPAN
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Alive
I'm wandering the town all light off
I don't know where I'm leaving for
The muddy rain start to fall on me
And I'm walking down to subway
I can't see all around me
Get me out of here
Talk to me if someone is in this darkness
I'm out of my head
Out of my mind
Tell me where I'm what's going on , oh please
Something is hiding me off
Is this the wall of my heart
I have been lost so many things I've got
For long time I've been searching for my way
I carry on, carry on ...
I'm so spiting to their ugly heart
to this so stood world
Everyday I forbear to fall the tears
don't wanna be down
Everynight hurt is so deep in my heart
Is this my life
Oh ! Show me please
The wall close to me
It's so painful. Stop it !
Is there someone to help me
Please get me out of here
Oh ! get me out !
Dead or alive, no place to run
Get it settled once and for all
Dead or alive, can't live in the past
only one way to live.
* Give me heart finishing blow
If I could only turn my back
Let me do screaming high
Squeeze the throes of death for me
It comes here the blame I'd done before
Fall on me as if it grow in my brain
The ugly side of myself tears me up
At this time I can't go back
Give my heart finishing blow
If I couldn't run from the past
Let me do screaming high
Disclose the feeling inside of me
Dead or alive, Can't live in the past
only one way to live
* repeat
The fight is over
the mad rain had gone past over me
blood is flowing down
tear is flowing down
Now I'm alive and I'm walking to town again
song performed by by X JAPAN
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Burning Alive
[oooh yeah]
Burnin alive, set my soul on fire
Runnin with a gun, this place is gonna burn
No firewater, or novacaine
No thunderstorm, no john wayne
No kids to rock, nowhere to run
So watch out cause this place is gonna burn
Burnin alive, burnin alive
Burnin alive, burnin alive
[burnin alive, burnin alive]
They be smokin your hide, come runnin wild
Tell you nothin to fear, cause the buck stops here!
He came from a little town called hope
And someday, maybe, itll go up in smoke
[i say]
No firewater, or novacaine,
No thunderstorm, and no john wayne
No kids to rock, nowhere to run
So watch out, cause this place is gonna burn
Burnin alive, burnin alive
Burnin alive, burnin alive
Its an all out war, an all out war
Burnin alive, burnin alive
Somewhere, theres a little town called hope
And someday, maybe baby, hell inhale that smoke!
[yeah, were] burnin alive, burnin alive
[burnin alive, burnin alive
Burnin alive, burnin alive
Burnin alive, burnin alive]
Its an all out war, an all out war
Hear the battle roar, its an all out war
[yeah were] burnin alive, burnin alive
[burnin alive, burnin alive]
[yeah] watch the place burn down
song performed by by AC-DC
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Pretoria (in answer to Mongale Serote)
You are like a father to me,
and probably I will not find
a more honourable father
than that which I have in you
where you stand strong, with well-planned streets,
great learning at your schools and universities
filled with churches, with God loving people
with a holy place
on the hill, commemorating the struggle
of a nation, against nature,
against savage human beings
and even the British Empire
and the salvation by the hand
of the almighty God
and with the statue
of fearless uncle Paul Kruger
still facing north.
My military service and my second job
and most of my employment
was knotted to you
and you determined my destiny
in the halls of government
and now father, you frighten me
with syndicates of foreign criminals,
making you their domain,
with drugs and prostitution
offered on your streets
and you wear expressions that brings fear
and threat to me,
being driven from my job
by new laws,
where through affirmative action
you see other people as your own,
even black foreigners from other lands
and now to you I am nonexistent
and now I have left you, have gone from you
to try and make a living
and yet like all father’s
I cannot replace you
and long to be at your side.
[Reference: Alexandra by Mongale Serote.]
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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