Till the shooting ended
The fine press of binoculars against eye,
speech apparatus against mouth,
bodies camouflaged against the ground
made burning stars
fall from the sky.
Projectiles from G-5 howitzer canons
blasting from more that forty kilometres away
crossed the sky
in parabolas adjusted fine
and smashed enemy tank and armoured car
to pieces.
Flames throwing their tongues
orange-red to the sky,
enemy weapons pierced,
a commander with cigar in his hand bended,
enemy soldiers of whom
intestines rained down in pieces
in a moment where everybody
met the maker
and pools of red blood
and shot-out scrap
was all that marked the place of slaughtering.
l’Envoi
Till the shooting ended,
men stopped dying,
when too many were killed and pierced
and a war on the backside
of Africa was lost
and even the Russians knew
to forget about any victory
and the Cubans returned to Cuba
and never again Fidel Castro
could try and clench his fist round Africa.
[Reference: The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale were South African Reconnaissance Commandos (Recce’s) and artillery gun crews played a major role.]
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
At a enemy airfield
Camouflaged, hidden in some underbrush
we lay and watch with special binoculars,
scanning the enemy facilities
while the night is setting in
and twilight has magic pertaining to it
some bright lights are being switched on
and some oil or another mechanical liquid
gleams out on the tarmac
where we see some enemy Mig-23 fighter jets
being readied for war
and then some more taxiing out
standing ready for takeoff on the runway
waiting on the arrival of
a small private jet,
(maybe with military officers landing)
and with a small device
exact positions are obtained,
that we report
over a frequency hopping
two way radio system
Johnny the second in command
says that he will almost do anything
to be able to smoke a cigarette right now.
We are asked to confirm the target positions,
by another party
which is now connected to us
and we recheck and confirm
while the sound of the landing
private jet is almost deafening
and positions of other targets
and installations are asked for,
which we supply
including the control tower
and I see stars falling, falling at high speed
from the sky
making the night gleam
going off like lightning
in brilliant colors of flaming orange,
white and red
with ultra loud exploding sounds
and howitzer canon projectiles
from G5 and G6 guns are coming in,
destroying the Migs and a lucky shot
hits the commercial jet right on target
and craters are left
and the next volleys
set some of the buildings ablaze,
rips hangers open
and those deadly manmade stars keep falling,
while functioning like machines
we keep giving targeting directions.
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The night is full of brown Ratel armoured cars
The night is full of brown Ratel armoured cars
and Olifant tanks
that drives and rolls in on the ground
and salvos from rocket launching trucks
that draws arcs
and in the distance howitzer canon reports
in volleys
and when a light flare suddenly falls
it is as if the bushes are teeming
with enemy tanks and armoured cars
just where I look
and it looks
like the day of judgement.
Projectiles find their targets
and canister-shot comes down exploding thundering
and it’s an apocalyptic night
for some of the enemy
who are burning,
scorched and blown to smithereens in their armour
and when a tank
suddenly appears out of the bushes
there is a hell of a red thunderclap
as a shot from another Ratel hits it deadly
and I realize that even here
a person’s time is measured out
and around me there are fireworks
like stars falling from the sky
while we stop and aim
the following killing shot.
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Burning Ground
And I take you down to the burning ground
And you change me up and you turned it around
In the wind and rain Im gonna see you again
In the morning sun and when the day is done
And you take my hand and you walk with me
Sometimes it feels like eternity
And I turn the tide I get back my pride
And I make you proud wont you say it out loud
When I take you down to the burning ground
To the burning ground, to the burning ground
To the burning ground, to the burning ground
And I take you down by the factory
And I show you like it has to be
And you understand how the work is done
And I pick up the sack in the midday sun
And I pull you through by the skin of your teeth
And I lift the veil, I see whats underneath
And you return to me and you sit on your throne
And you make me feel that Im not alone
And I take you down to the burning ground
To the burning ground, to the burning ground
To the burning ground
Hey man, whats that youre carrying?
Feels like lead
It weighs a ton - lets see if we can dump it by the side of the hill
Hey wait up, why dont you dump it on the burning ground
Dump it down there
Yeh man, dump the jute
Hey man dump the jute on the burning ground
Dump the jute?
Yeh you know, dump the jute
Dump the jute!
On the burning ground
On the burning ground
And you make me think what its all about
Sometimes I know gonna work it out
And I watch you run in the crimson sun
Tear my shirt apart open up my heart
And I watch you run
Down on your bended knees
By the burnt out well
Can you tell me please
Between heaven and hell
Wont you take me down
To the burning ground, to the burning ground
To the burning ground, to the burning ground
And you fall and pray, when you hear that sound
As were walking back to the burial mound
And you shake your head and you turn it around
And you see the flames from the burning ground
And you get down on your knees and pray
And I catch my breath as were running away
And I take the jute and I throw him down
On the burning ground, on the burning ground
On the burning ground, its on the burning ground.....
song performed by by Van Morrison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
That Wasn't You
So you saw me expose myself publicly!
Was I rehearsing a speech?
Was I preparing it for a gift,
When you saw me take a leak?
You don't know do you?
And how public could I have been...
When I saw you with my binoculars,
Leaning from your bedroom window...
With your binoculars peeking at me last week?
'That wasn't you! '
I had stopped using viagra.
I didn't want you to kill yourself!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Pepper | Smart Mouth Poetry / lyrics
Sharp tongue, smart mouth
Fine line, know how
Stay calm, pull it together
Speaks soft, don’t sound like pepper
It hurts, tastes sharp
When you walk in, and start to talk
Cuts deep, feel it forever
My heart is burning, burning like pepper
Stop, sounding, like pepper
Scattering your pieces all over
You’re gonna, stay black forever
So I’ll ground you, the more the better
I’ll ground you like pepper
Ground you like pepper
Ground you forever
It would be better
If you stopped the pepper
Stop with the spice
Stop with the tone
Stop burning holes
Right threw my bones
I’ve got a heart
It’s soft and its tender
Try and be smart
Stop using pepper
poem by Life in a Poem
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Helen Thomas
In her time she's seen them all:
Johnson's anguish and Nixon's fall
From Camelot's dissolution
In a grieving nation's tears
Helen Thomas was a witness
to the history of my years.
She held a place of honor
Where all to her deferred:
Senior writer in the press corps
Well respected, sometimes feared.
Now she's fired and disgraced-
banned from her accustomed place.
The arbiters of elegance
took umbrage at her words
Her statement lacked “correctness”
As per the beltway herd
She's a racist and a bigot, An old and senile shrew-
They have no need of sticks and stones who know what words can do.
Once upon a better time
We had a Bill of Rights
The press was free and speech was free
We were vigilant of our rights.
But now it's just a paper
a tapir burning in the night..
These days the press conveys the lies
that government wants heard.
If any dare to disagree
They're soon kicked to the curb.
The rest will heel at master's voice
Like obedient whipped curs.
Her speech may have been hateful
Doubtless many will agree
But speech must be protected
Or else none of us is free.
Where's our Voltaire with courage rare
to defy rank tyranny?
poem by John F. McCullagh
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The most censored speech in America today is not flag-burning, pornography, or the press.
quote by Phyllis Schlafly
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Valentine
Written by dewey bunnell, 1980
Found on alibi.
Well, she said all along, Im her one
A little fingernail polish, chewin gum
Her round the world heart made of platinum, thats right
She looks like a china doll baby, especially in white
A tropicana flower in the candlelight
She turned into a pumpkin pie, sweet kiss at midnight
She moves, oh so fine
Shes like a perfect valentine
Shes not one to fall in love
Shes too high on the stars above at night
She wants to be your red-hot mama, all alone
She dances with the boys on the telephone
She makes a lotta noise in the quiet zone at night
Yeah, you talk about a party at the beach, aint that grand
She just took a raincheck with another man
Who lay on the deck of his catamaran some night
She moves, oh so fine
Shes like a perfect valentine
Shes not one to fall in love
Shes too high on the stars above at night
Well, I cant tell you much, but what I know (what I know)
You cant take her with you when its time to go
cause she knows where its at with a romeo, youll see
She moves, oh so fine
Shes like a perfect valentine
Shes not one to fall in love
Shes too high on the stars above at night
She moves
Just like a perfect valentine
Shes not one to fall in love
Shes too high on the stars above at night
song performed by by America
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Had found its mark
The night I saw you die
under a star struck cross
against the night sky
near the end of the age
your eyes were flaming with rage
as if that fire could leap
and set the night alight
and howitzer guns roared
sending their disciples
with thundering flame
across many miles
to convert with death and blood
and as fast as the enemy came
flooding the bush, the veldt
with armoured chariots
exploding shells, rocket bombs
and projectiles
decimated them
as if the inferno in your eyes
had found its mark
turning every enemy ablaze.
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
It should be clear by now that my focus here is not freedom of speech or the press. This freedom is all too often an exaggeration. At the very least, blind references to freedom of speech or the press serve as a distraction from the critical examination of other communications policies.
quote by Mark Lloyd
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
99 In The Shade
I feel Im burning up with fever
But the fires feeling really good tonight
And its alright
Im gonna see sahara jack and suntan sally
Somebody tells me even tommys coming down tonight
If gina says its alright
Im gonna see those senoritas
Lying under the sun
Theyre greasing it up
With know I want to be their blanket
Gonna tell every girl
Hey, baby... youre the one...
Oh tell the boys Im on my way
I got the radio blasting in my old mans chevrolet
I got a party in my pocket cause you know I just got paid
And Im feeling fine, its 99 in the shade
Im feeling fine, its 99 in the shade
When the sun goes down thats when the street heats up
Senorita margarita fills your empty cup tonight -
She make you feel alright
A good time here dont cost much money
Just a little sweet talking and a pretty native honey
And youre set for life
Or one hell of a nigth
Im gonna see those sons of beaches
Out there living it up the surf
And the sand,
Man that life aint so tough
So get me in the action so I can tell
Every girl shes the one
Oh tell the boys Im on my way
I got the radio blasting in my old mans chevrolet
I got a party in my pocket cause you know I just got paid
And Im feeling fine, its 99 in the shade
Im feeling fine, its 99 in the shade
song performed by by Bon Jovi
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Shaman Vision Quests
little light penetrated
past transfixed
tribal members
steady sharpening abilities
seeking spontaneous realities
natives wore bright pageant feathers
over black painted ceremonial bodies
paint of camouflaged condemned
burning borne feverous in ritual religious
aware intuitively of accelerating hushed
expectancy which full dawn precedes
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
My system uses no apparatus. The resistance of your own body is the best and safest apparatus.
quote by Charles Atlas
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Body Architects
i'm starting from scratch
i'm putting the pieces together
day by day.. one by one.. i'm the only one
my surroundings affect the structure.. of my state of mind
just when you think everything is fine
the foundation cracks... in a fraction of time
so look in the mirror.. it doesn't lie
we... we all forget
that we're the architects of the bodies we inhabit
we... we all forget
that we're the architects of the bodies we inhabit
i skipped the school of the learned for the... majority
but i figured it out the hard way.. my own way.. the only way
and it made me stronger... bigger than the rest
i'm the architect that knows my body best
we... we all forget
that we're the architects of the bodies we inhabit
we... we all forget
that we're the architects of the bodies we inhabit
we rock the party that rocks the body!!
we... we all forget
that we're the architects of the bodies we inhabit
we... we all forget
that we're the architects of the bodies we inhabit
song performed by by Tommy Lee from Never A Dull Moment
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
We Are All Made Of Stars (Downtempo)
growing numbers
growing in speed
can't fight the future
can't fight what i see
people they come together
people they fall apart
no one can stop us now
'cause we are all made of stars
slow slow slide come come
someone come come come
someone's gonna come
some of us come
even love is a goin' 'round
we can't ignore what is goin' 'round
we came when no one was goin' 'round
we can't ignore what is goin' 'round
efforts of lovers
left in my mind
i sing in the reaches
we'll see what we find
people they come together
people they fall apart
no one can stop us now
'cause we are all made of stars
people they come together
and people they fall apart
no one can stop us now
'cause we are all made of stars
slows us light come come
someone come come come
even love is a goin' 'round
you can't ignore what is goin' 'round
slowly rebuilding
i feel it in me
growing in numbers
and growing in peace
people they come together
people they fall apart
no one can stop us now
'cause we are all made of stars
people they come together
and people they fall apart
no one can stop us now
'cause we are all made of stars
song performed by by Moby
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
You Are Not Going to Play With Me Today
You are so far removed from my to do list.
So distant you are,
My binoculars can not locate you.
I never thought I would feel this way.
But I am looking for a mind easier to find.
And yours?
It is never where you claim it to be,
Even when you bring it.
Playing peek-a-boo and hide and seek...
Chase-me-until-you-find-me games,
Were fine when I was a 'kid' in my 40's!
But one of us has grayed and moved on...
To seek a more muture outlook that pleases.
Don't smile and grin.
You are not that far from the fringes of this explanation.
Well...
Maybe you are.
When some of us became adults...
You decided to take another destination.
And I'm not adding that to my frustrations.
Of which you have helped to manifest.
You are so far removed from my to do list.
So distant you are,
My binoculars can not locate you.
I never thought I would feel this way.
But I am looking for a mind easier to find.
And yours?
It is never where you claim it to be,
Even when you bring it.
You are 'not' going to play with me today.
I have run out of scotch.
And my neighbors are not yet quite convinced...
My standing on the ledge of the building,
Is to get away from your voice.
They believe I have other wishes.
Even though I tell them I am fine...
You tell them I am having problems.
But you never tell them you are the main one!
They think I am the one who is 'nuts'!
However...
Five minutes with you,
Should end any clues I might drop!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Variations on the Word Love
This is a word we use to plug
holes with. It's the right size for those warm
blanks in speech, for those red heart-
shaped vacancies on the page that look nothing
like real hearts. Add lace
and you can sell
it. We insert it also in the one empty
space on the printed form
that comes with no instructions. There are whole
magazines with not much in them
but the word love, you can
rub it all over your body and you
can cook with it too. How do we know
it isn't what goes on at the cool
debaucheries of slugs under damp
pieces of cardboard? As for the weed-
seedlings nosing their tough snouts up
among the lettuces, they shout it.
Love! Love! sing the soldiers, raising
their glittering knives in salute.
Then there's the two
of us. This word
is far too short for us, it has only
four letters, too sparse
to fill those deep bare
vacuums between the stars
that press on us with their deafness.
It's not love we don't wish
to fall into, but that fear.
this word is not enough but it will
have to do. It's a single
vowel in this metallic
silence, a mouth that says
O again and again in wonder
and pain, a breath, a finger
grip on a cliffside. You can
hold on or let go.
poem by Margaret Atwood
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Ok, Fine, Whatever
ok, you are fine,
and i am fine too,
ok you sit there
and look at me
i also sit here
i can also do
what you do,
ok, fine, you are fine
and i am fine too,
stare at me
and i stare at you
ok, fine,
i am tired,
ok, fine,
i am also one suffering soul,
ok fine,
i know, what to wait
ok fine,
i know what waiting time is
i dont like to wait
but i wait just the same
it has something to do
with what is due me
and when
it has something to do
with what is given
and what i must receive
and return
everything, not
a thing, i return everything
that is given,
ok, i am fine,
i wait, i think, i ponder, i reflect,
i have nothing
to say....my lips are sealed, i like
my mouth shut
i like my spirit silenced
i like it still here, i am not going anywhere.
regards to
God.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The real message of the Dance opens up the vistas of life to all who have the urge to express beauty with no other instrument than their own bodies, with no apparatus and no dependence on anything other than space.
quote by Ruth St. Denis
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Seeing Clearly
Daniel has a pair of toy binoculars
he carries them wherever he goes
no matter which end he looks through
they posses magic and tell him
whatever he needs to know.
At each few yards or junction of events
he scans 360 degrees and proclaims
with utmost certainty
'This way'.
I want his binoculars but he won't let them go
as if he knows they can only work their magic
with the purity of his two year old eyes.
poem by David Taylor
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!