Related quotes: In this red havoc of...

War's Cataract

In this red havoc of the patient earth,
Though higher yet the tide of battle rise,
Now has the hero cast away disguise,
And out of ruin splendour comes to birth.
This is the field where Death and Honour meet,
And all the lesser company are low:
Pale Loveliness has left her mirror now
And walks the Court of Pain with silent feet.

From cliff to cliff war's cataract goes down,
Hurling its booming waters to the shock;
And, tossing high their manes of gleaming spray,
The crested chargers leap from rock to rock,
While over all, dark though the thunder frown,
The rainbows climb above to meet the day.

poem by Herbert Asquith
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes

Niagara

I.

ROAR, raging torrent! and thou, mighty river,
Pour thy white foam on the valley below;
Frown, ye dark mountains! and shadow for ever
The deep rocky bed where the wild rapids flow.
The green sunny glade, and the smooth flowing fountain,
Brighten the home of the coward and slave;
The flood and the forest, the rock and the mountain,
Rear on their bosoms the free and the brave.

II.

Nurslings of nature, I mark your bold bearing,
Pride in each aspect and strength in each form,
Hearts of warm impulse, and souls of high daring,
Born in the battle and rear'd in the storm.
The red levin flash and the thunder's dread rattle,
The rock-riven wave and the war trumpet's breath,
The din of the tempest, the yell of the battle,
Nerve your steeled bosoms to danger and death.

III.

High on the brow of the Alps' snowy towers
The mountain Swiss measures his rock-breasted moors,
O'er his lone cottage the avalanche lowers,
Round its rude portal the spring-torrent pours.
Sweet is his sleep amid peril and danger,
Warm is his greeting to kindred and friends,
Open his hand to the poor and the stranger,
Stern on his foeman his sabre descends.

IV.

Lo! where the tempest the dark waters sunder
Slumbers the sailor boy, reckless and brave,
Warm'd by the lighting and lulled by the thunder,
Fann'd by the whirlwind and rock'd on the wave;
Wildly the winter wind howls round his pillow,
Cold on his bosom the spray showers fall;
Creaks the strained mast at the rush of the billow,
Peaceful he slumbers, regardless of all.

V.

Mark how the cheek of the warrior flushes,
As the battle drum beats and the war torches glare;
Like a blast of the north to the onset he rushes,
And his wide-waving falchion gleams brightly in air.
Around him the death-shot of foemen are flying,
At his feet friends and comrades are yielding their breath;
He strikes to the groans of the wounded and dying,
But the war cry he strikes with is, 'conquest or death!'

VI.

Then pour thy broad wave like a flood from the heavens,
Each son that thou rearest, in the battle's wild shock,
When the death-speaking note of the trumpet is given,
Will charge like thy torrent or stand like thy rock.
Let his roof be the cloud and the rock be his pillow,
Let him stride the rough mountain, or toss on the foam,
He will strike fast and well on the field or the billow,
In triumph and glory, for God and his home!

poem by Joseph Rodman Drake
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Poetry: Ode to Eagle

Ode to Eagle
By Laijon Liu 20091010

-O1-
Who are you, my love, soaring so high!
The god of all birds, a king of azure sky
On the precipitous cliff you make home
Off the lofty peak you leap a great dive
You call up the morning sun to ascend
And escort the moon where she roams
Earth revolves under your mighty talons
And heaven is for your wings to mete
-O2-
A pair firm claws, steel dagger sharp
Where your enemies find no escape
Above the vast land or the roaring sea
All livings are under your decree
Your eyes are made of pure gold
To see through the hour of dark night
Who dares to stare at the glorious sun?
And catch the true splendor of light!
-O3-
Upon the high rock you pick your nest
Above the deep sea you set window-view
And facing the cold winds you make love
There you raise young, hatch a brave heart
All worlds look up and envy your spot
But they never know how much you sacrifice
Your title and fame must cost so much
Upon that rocky cliff, in the gushing winds
-O4-
Lonesome and pride is the way of your life
It’s against your deity to group with a flock
No one dares to dictate your hour of flight
And no peak or valley is out of your reach
Toward the sun you stare and rise head on
And into the wintry wave you make a splash
White clouds are for your wings to smash
Rain and snow are your showers and bath
-O5-
Nature has preordained your tragic fate
Struggling since birth, fighting to become
Where your infant bed is a wrestling court
And then your test flight is a deadly dive
Yet you raise your hooked beak proudly
Stretch your broad wings measuring winds
Hop your muscular legs for a great leap
To aim the sun and answer the storm
-O6-
How calm you are, driving the winds above
Rise and fall freely, soar and turn with ease
Where in the sky you find dragon is a myth
And shadow of phoenix disappeared in sun
The idols on earth all become fairytale news
Only your wings and spirit are true examples
Death and fear can never conquer you in life
Dream and desires are all possible to reach
-O7-
Oh my great Bird, a miracle you pursue!
You’re hatched on cliff and born of storm
Sun above you and earth down below
Sky your lodge and death is like a home
In the gushing winds you howl battle cry
Into the cold waves you toy snowflake
Through the challenges you grow strong
And in turmoil and crisis you obtain peace
-O8-
Who is the maker of your striking shape?
Who gifted you a pair golden pupil
For the far vision and detail view?
Who gave you a pair brave wings
To set your faith fly and courage to dive?
Who made your nest on high cliff?
Who drove the winds and storms
And the red sun over the blue sea?
***Who made you, so great? ***

poem by Laijon Liu
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Masterpiece of Perfection

a glow of light hauls the rainbow of perfection
waiting the rays to hide the glory of success,
for nothing leaves without the sting of death.
the destiny of taste sweet embrace remorse

find the moist of the ocean wave, shout the
tremor of the thunder, cast the valiant of the
sea and hide the rock in the cliff, where a
caption of words powered every strength
to live

leave me the feet of the brave, the clouds
close the sky of wonder, save the best sword
for my hands for nothing left than an eyes to
bring, the wisdom of today

oh! my great youth, join my thirst to find
the end of what will be the future, I maybe...

poem by Antonio Liao
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Yes we Can

The people massed at Lincoln Park
upon election Eve.
It was a night not to forget
Dice cast with no reprieve.
Torches shed an eerie light
upon the platform there.
The People's hero climbed the steps
the answer to their prayer.
Like Reagan in a different age-
That dark horse of the Right-
The President-Elect spoke to his base-
He played Left field all night.
His campaign based on “Hope” and “Change”
Had left the Right confused
Armed with twin majorities,
It was bound to be bad news.
A high school Student council race
Could hinge on Hope and fears
Barrack’s had borrowed his campaign
From Cliff, the guy on “Cheers”
Somewhere above, George Soros sat,
Jove on Olympus High.
His money all had been well spent
And he controlled this guy.
Like something out of Nuremberg
That nighttime rally seemed-
And the Right, like German Jews,
sadly surveyed the scene.

Cliff, the drunken mailman on the Sit-Com “Cheers” ran a race for City Council in one episode on a meaningless Platform of “ Change” It worked better for Obama.

poem by John F. McCullagh
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Rock That Is Higher Than I

Even though a man may die
I will lead him to the Rock
That is higher than I

Men will say ' I will pray'
'I will take authority, I will bless'
Man thinks too much of himself
and his own holiness

Even though a man may die
I will lead him to the Rock
That is higher than I

Men will say ' you can depend upon me'
' I am a man of God, can't you see? '
'I am holy and wise, why I am a spiritual giant
to all the powers of hell, I'll be defiant'

Even though a man may die
I will lead him to the Rock
That is higher than I

And when you find that there's no way ahead
Turn away from men and turn to God instead
And you will find peace in the midst of your sorrows
Even if there shall be no tomorrow's

Even though a man may die
I will lead him to the Rock
That is higher than I

When my heart is overwhelmed
and darkness fills the sky
when I have reached the ends of the earth
I will run to the Rock that is higher than I

poem by Frank McEleny
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Never Know Why

If were offensive and pose a threat
You fear what we represent is a mess
Youve missed the message that says it all
And youll never know why
Oh no youll never know why
We rock
Its just a feeling how we excite
You cannot rule everybody in sight
But you condemn dont understand
And youll never know why
Oh no youll never know why
We rock rock rock
We rock rock rock
We rock rock rock
Youll never know why
We rock
I leave you cold and in disgust
Dont try to tame me youll eat my dust
I know that you know not what you do
Thats why youll never know why
Oh no youll never know why
We rock rock rock
We rock rock rock
We rock rock rock
Youll never know why
We rock rock rock
We rock rock rock
We rock rock rock
Youll never know why
We rock

song performed by by Ozzy Osbourne
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sea Holly

Begotten by the meeting of rock with rock,
The mating of rock and rock, rocks gnashing together;
Created so, and yet forgetful, walks
The seaward path, puts up her left hand, shades
Blue eyes, the eyes of rock, to see better
In slanting light the ancient sheep (which kneels
Biting the grass) the while her other hand,
Hooking the wicker handle, turns the basket
Of eggs. The sea is high to-day. The eggs
Are cheaper. The sea is blown from the southwest,
Confused, taking up sand and mud in waves,
The waves break, sluggish, in brown foam, the wind
Disperses (on the sheep and hawthorn) spray,—
And on her cheeks, the cheeks engendered of rock,
And eyes, the colour of rock. The left hand
Falls from the eyes, and undecided slides
Over the left breast on which muslin lightly
Rests, touching the nipple, and then down
The hollow side, virgin as rock, and bitterly
Caresses the blue hip.

It was for this,
This obtuse taking of the seaward path,
This stupid hearing of larks, this hooking
Of wicker, this absent observation of sheep
Kneeling in harsh sea-grass, the cool hand shading
The spray-stung eyes—it was for this the rock
Smote itself. The sea is higher to-day,
And eggs are cheaper. The eyes of rock take in
The seaward path that winds toward the sea,
The thistle-prodder, old woman under a bonnet,
Forking the thistles, her back against the sea,
Pausing, with hard hands on the handle, peering
With rock eyes from her bonnet.

It was for this,
This rock-lipped facing of brown waves, half sand
And half water, this tentative hand that slides
Over the breast of rock, and into the hollow
Soft side of muslin rock, and then fiercely
Almost as rock against the hip of rock—
It was for this in midnight the rocks met,
And dithered together, cracking and smoking.

It was for this
Barren beauty, barrenness of rock that aches
On the seaward path, seeing the fruitful sea,
Hearing the lark of rock that sings, smelling
The rock-flower of hawthorn, sweetness of rock—
It was for this, stone pain in the stony heart,
The rock loved and laboured; and all is lost.

poem by Conrad Potter Aiken
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By That Lake, Whose Gloomy Shore

By that Lake, whose gloomy shore
Sky-lark never warbles o'er,
Where the cliff hangs high and steep,
Young Saint Kevin stole to sleep.
"Here, at least," he calmly said,
"Woman ne'er shall find my bed."
Ah! the good Saint little knew
What that wily sex can do.

'Twas from Kathleen's eyes he flew --
Eyes of most unholy blue!
She had loved him well and long,
Wish'd him hers, nor thought it wrong.
Wheresoe'er the Saint would fly,
Still he heard her light foot nigh;
East or west, where'er he turn'd,
Still her eyes before him burn'd.

On the bold cliff's bosom cast,
Tranquil now he sleeps at last;
Dreams of heaven, nor thinks that e'er
Woman's smile can haunt him there.
But nor earth nor heaven is free
From her power, if fond she be:
Even now, while calm he sleeps,
Kathleen o'er him leans and weeps.

Fearless she had track'd his feet
To this rocky wild retreat;
And when morning met his view,
Her mild glances met it too.
Ah, your Saints have cruel hearts!
Sternly from his bed he starts,
And with rude repulsive shock
Hurls her from the beetling rock.

Glendalough, thy gloomy wave
Soon was gentle Kathleen's grave!
Soon the Saint (yet ah! too late,)
Felt her love, and mourn'd her fate.
When he said, "Heaven rest her soul!"
Round the Lake light music stole;
And her ghost was seen to glide,
Smiling, o'er the fatal tide.

poem by Thomas Moore
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Kleptomaniac

This kitsch
makes you hollow,
kleptomaniac.
You become blind in green
ready to make a dumb leap
from tall cliff.

Contempt for climactic throats.
The man walks on water
to meet death in icebox.

Pink torch like royal command signals,
black white moon enters a sober cloud
beyond the vibrations.

Now was the chance to kill
the light, fixing the graves.
One day the laughter was alive.

poem by Satish Verma
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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When Finally I Wanted To Rock

at 49
i surprise myself and the rest of those who are watching:

i want to rock
i want to seal my ears with bass and drum music.

i want to bind myself with the electronic guitar strings.
i want to jump and stamp my feet on the solid

rock, i wan to be deaf and be dumb,
and be the subject of their talks

in the market and in the church,
i want to be shamed, and be the object of their

ridicule. i want to laugh the hardest like a
big rock falling from a cliff

and crushing hard on the sea with
splashes like cyclones but then

at 49, it is too late,
it has gone beyond the page of the calendar

and it is too late.
Solitude found me. And there was only Mozart
with his soft piano
his violin on a wintry day.

i sit on a
rock and keep on waiting.

poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Rock Roll Doctor

A woman in georgia didnt feel just right
She had fever all day and chills at night
Now things got worse, yes a serious bind
At times like this it takes a man with such style
That you cannot often find
A doctor of the heart and a doctor of the mind
If you like country with a boogie beat
Hes the man to meet (hes the man to meet)
If you like the sound ofa shufflin feet
I said, he cant be beat (he cant be beat)
Oh, if you wanna feel real nice
Just ask the rock and roll doctors advice
Its just a country town but patients come
From mobile to moline from miles around
Nagodoches to new orleans
In beat-up old cars or in limousines
To meet the doctor of soul
Hes got his very own thing
Two degrees in be-bop, a ph.d. in swing
Hes the master of be hop
Hes the rock n roll king
If you like country with a boogie beat
Hes the man to meet (hes the man to meet)
If you like the sound ofa shufflin feet
I said, he cant be beat (he cant be beat)
If you... if you wanna
If you wanna feel real nice
Just ask the r and-r d-rs advice
(rock n roll doc can make you feel so fine)
So fine so so fine, so fine, he makes you feel so fine
(rock n roll doc can make you feel so fine)
Rock-n-roll rock-n-roll rock-n-roll doctor, feel fine
Well he makes you feel so fine

song performed by by Cher
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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High Voltage

(well) you ask me bout the clothes I wear
And you ask me why I grow my hair
And you ask me why Im in a band
I dig doin one night stands
And you wanna see me do my thing
All you gotta do is plug me into high
I said high
High voltage rock n roll
High voltage rock n roll
High voltage, high voltage
High voltage rock n roll
Rock n roll
You ask me why I like to dance
And you ask me why I like to sing
And you ask me why I like to play
I got to get my kicks some way
And you ask me what Im all about
Come and let me hear you shout high
I said high
High voltage rock n roll
High voltage rock n roll
High voltage, high voltage
High voltage rock n roll
Rock n roll
I said high, I said high
Waaaah!
High voltage rock n roll
High voltage rock n roll
High voltage, high voltage
High voltage rock n roll
(mumble, mumble...)
Spotlight, put the lights out, happy hour!
High voltage rock n roll
High voltage rock n roll
Wine, women and song
High voltage, high voltage
Wine women and song
High voltage rock n roll

song performed by by AC-DC
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Rock & Roll Doctor

a woman in georgia didn't feel just right
She had fever all day and chills at night
Now things got worse, yes a serious bind
At times like this it takes a man with such style
That you cannot often find
A doctor of the heart and a doctor of the mind
If you like country with a boogie beat
He's the man to meet (he's the man to meet)
If you like the sound of'a shufflin' feet
I said, he can't be beat (he can't be beat)
Oh, if you wanna feel real nice
Just ask the rock and roll doctor's advice
It's just a country town but patients come
From mobile to moline from miles around
Nagodoches to new orleans
In beat-up old cars or in limousines
To meet the doctor of soul
He's got his very own thing
Two degrees in be-bop, a ph.d. in swing
He's the master of be hop
He's the rock 'n roll king
If you like country with a boogie beat
He's the man to meet (he's the man to meet)
If you like the sound of'a shufflin' feet
I said, he can't be beat (he can't be beat)
If you... if you wanna
If you wanna feel real nice
Just ask the r and-r d-r's advice
(rock 'n roll doc can make you feel so fine)
So fine so so fine, so fine, he makes you feel so fine
(rock n roll doc can make you feel so fine)
Rock-n-roll rock-n-roll rock-n-roll doctor, feel fine
Well he makes you feel so fine

song performed by by Cher
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Rock n Roll Hero

I sold my soul to rock n roll, when it didnt cost a thing
Stacks of scratched up 45s and taught myself how to sing
What does it take to be a rock n roll hero, just like the king
Livin your life in a blaze of glory, burnin it up in a smoke filled club
Givin your soul to the world
Chorus:
Like a rock n roll hero, a soldier of fortune in the night
Like a rock n roll hero, when the white hot lights cut thru the night
And the sound of the thunder starts roaring
Thats when you know what youre savin it for
And youre feeling like a rock n roll hero
I owe it all to rock n roll, and I wouldnt want to change a thing
Got this old guitar strapped round my neck, and my baby waitin in the wings
What does it take to be a rock n roll hero, just like the king
Livin your life in a blaze of glory, a spark in your eyes
A flame in your soul, givin it all to the world
(chorus)
Yes youre feeling like, oh youre feeling like
(chorus)
(like a rock n roll hero, like a rock n roll hero)

song performed by by Meat Loaf
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Tearful Eyes

The mirror laughed; it gleaned my thoughts
And saw me cry my want:
Synthetic views - pathetic clues
To how I tick - and now you taunt,
You bleeding mirror, jibe another!
Just because I dream…

To be the mighty hero wise!
And perch atop the sodden hill
Of blood and pungent death,
To lead our race from sure demise.
Let's regain, collect, and rest
Before the battle slams
Our dauntless nerve. And now to rise!
Come follow me - we'll slay the foe!
See my cloak unfurl.
Through screams and wails, he fails and dies.
Look! he falls across his minions'
Path. I laugh aloud.
My warriors hold me to the skies.
Overhead the clouds recede,
Thinning out the black.

And then I fade in pallid lies.
Returning back to conscious state,
I let the mirror slate me:
Fathoming my remote disguise,
Reflecting back my hopeless lot.
Oh to smash the thing!
If I could see through tearful eyes.

mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror
mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror
mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror
mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror mirror

poem by Mark R Slaughter
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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As if anchored to my rock

On a rock next to the sea
I see the horizon
where ocean and sky
meets each other
with blue fading into blue.

The waves smash with thundering sound
time after time
and drops of seawater
splash over me
as if she is my mistress
and are stroking me with her long fingers.

It is as if the rock
moves under my feet
the ocean wants
to get me in her arms,
but I stand unmovable
as if anchored to my rock
and nothing can let me slip down from it.

I see the green blue of her water
that is rushing near
with white foam
just before braking
and further on the dark blue
lies like colours of a gleaming eye
and I think: sea into you
I will not climb down

and when a giant wave
brakes over me,
bending my body and sucking with force
I stand unmovable
as if anchored to my rock.

poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Rock Bottom

Rock bottom
Seventeen a natures queen, know what I mean
Twenty one, a long one,
And you can see the numbers run
Now you look so peaceful, lyin there asleep
With the wings of God above you
Before the spirits meet
--rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
* rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
Shadow work is closin in above the lamps in your street
Lucifer goes walkin down free to meet
Minutes pass so slowly by the, hands on your clock
Heaven dont open when you knock
* repeat
With all darkness closin in
Will the light reveal your soul
One sweet kiss on your clay cold lips
Ill know sleep youll never know
Where do we go, where do we go
Where do we go from here
* repeat
* repeat

song performed by by Ufo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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After Arguing Against The Contention That Art Must Come From Discontent

Whispering to each handhold, “I'll be back,”
I go up the cliff in the dark. One place
I loosen a rock and listen a long time
till it hits, faint in the gulf, but the rush
of the torrent almost drowns it out, and the wind—
I almost forgot the wind: it tears at your side
or it waits and then buffets; you sag outward. . . .

I remember they said it would be hard. I scramble
by luck into a little pocket out of
the wind and begin to beat on the stones
with my scratched numb hands, rocking back and forth
in silent laughter there in the dark—
“Made it again!” Oh how I love this climb!
—the whispering to stones, the drag, the weight
as your muscles crack and ease on, working
right. They are back there, discontent,
waiting to be driven forth. I pound
on the earth, riding the earth past the stars:
“Made it again! Made it again!”

poem by William Stafford
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Mama

Mama’s face
is smooth and pale as tea-rose leaves.
That ivory oval of aunt Gem
you sucked the miniature off
had black black hair like mama.

Pit-it-ty-pat,
Mama walks so fast,
street lamps jig
without bending a leg…
lights in the windows
play twinkling tunes
on crimson and blue
bottles like bubbles
big as balloons…
Faster and faster…
and pink light spurts
over cakes doing polkas
in little white shirts,
with cake-princesses
in flounced white skirts.

Pit-pat—
mama walks slower…
slower and… slower…
Eyes… lamps… stars…
acres and acres of stars…
bells… and sleepily
flapping feet….
You’re glad mama walks slow.
It’s nice to be carried along
up high near the stars
that look at you with a grave, great look.

Every night
mama sings you to sleep.
When she sings, O for the light of thine eyes Dolores,
there’s a castle on a cliff
and the sea roars like lions.
It leaps at the castle
and the cliff knocks it down
but always the sea
shakes its flattened head
and gets up again.
The castle has no roof
so the rain spins silvery webs in it,
and Dolores’ face
floats dim and beautiful
the way flowers do when they are drowned.
Step by white step
she goes up the castle stairs,
but the stair goes up into the sky
and the sky keeps going up too,
and none of them ever get there.

When mama sings Ba ba black sheep,
the stars seem to shine through her voice
so everything has to be still,
and when she has finished singing
her song goes up off the earth,
higher and higher…
till it is only as big as a tiny silver bird
with nothing but moonlight around it.

poem by Lola Ridge
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Can’t Jibe With All Of You

an oil dropping in
a basin of water
i cannot jibe as
another usual sound
in this noisy
chatter

i want to be
a silent stone by
the river
but i cannot be this
every moment
till my death

and so i fly away like
that black bird from
your mouth
i hover upon
a rock on the side
of the cliff
feeling the clouds
drifting away....