Howard Nemerov

The War In The Air

For a saving grace, we didn't see our dead,
Who rarely bothered coming home to die
But simply stayed away out there
In the clean war, the war in the air.

Seldom the ghosts come back bearing their tales
Of hitting the earth, the incompressible sea,
But stayed up there in the relative wind,
Shades fading in the mind,

Who had no graves but only epitaphs
Where never so many spoke for never so few:
Per ardua, said the partisans of Mars,
Per aspera, to the stars.

That was the good war, the war we won
As if there was no death, for goodness's sake.
With the help of the losers we left out there
In the air, in the empty air.

poem by Howard NemerovReport problemRelated quotes
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Coming Home

It's a long and lonely highway.
When you're traveling all alone.
I was on my way to nowhere.
But now i'm coming home.
I'm coming home.
I've been running through the fire.
I've been running for so long.
If i took it any higher.
Baby i would be still be gone.
But now i'm coming home, coming home.i'm coming home.
Coming home, coming home, i'm coming home.
Well my home was really never.
On a far and distant shore.
If i stayed away forever.
I could never miss you more.
And so i'm coming home,coming home.i'm coming home.
Coming home,coming home,i'm coming home.
I think of all these years gone by.
Never even wondered why.
I never touched the ground.
All the time that's come and gone.
All the nights i've been alone.
And now i'm homeward bound.
I heard the thunder over canaan.
And i've heard the angels cry.
And their voices came revealing
"as you live,so will you die."
I'm coming home,coming home,i'm coming home.
I'm coming home,coming home,i'm coming home.
Coming home, coming home, i'm coming home
I'm coming home
I'm coming home, coming home, coming home...

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The Categorical Imperative

i could have stayed and
done what i really wanted,

but there is something that i must do
and i didn't like it,

something that we do not like
cannot just be left undone

it is bitter and not too rewarding
but it ought to be done just the same

it is not for me
it is for the rest of the world and the universe
and the galaxies

it does not end when it is finished by the shape of my hands
it leaves me empty

but i am relieved and now i am glad
& so let me begin again from the beginning

i could have stayed and
done what i really wanted,

but there is something that i must do
and now i am thinking that i must like it... it is

The imperative.

poem by Ric S. BastasaReport problemRelated quotes
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Can you leave me?

You have left with no address left;
Yet your smile has stayed with me.
You left with no one told;
Yet your gaze has stayed in me.
You have left with no clue about where;
Yet your words have stayed.
Can you leave me altogether?
24.07.2008

poem by Rm. Shanmugam ChettiarReport problemRelated quotes
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A letter to a Captain

Captain Owen
Did you find your glory?
The glory you left home for
You should have stayed
Stayed safe at home

Captain Owen
I have seen your photographs
The photographs of words
The photographs of death, of war
The same war you died in

You shouldn't have gone
You should have stayed
Stayed safe at home

Captain Owen
You deserved to live
You would've lived if you never went
And yet if you never went
We would have never known

Captain Owen
Did you get a medal?
I will give you a medal
A medal of humanity
A medal of capturing what no one saw

Deaths that everyone turned away from
But you ran to save

poem by Mariam de HaanReport problemRelated quotes
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Why I Stayed

The way you look, how you sound, the way you move your lips.
That's why I stayed
You try and try to work it out, 'He can change'
you tell your self.
The love, the passion, How he holds me in his arms.
That's why I stayed.
I stayed for our marriage,
I stayed for our Love,
I stayed; cause I wanted too.
Hard times came and go,
But what we have is eternal.
I stayed, I stayed, I stayed cause I wanted to.
It worked, you've changed, your happier.
I love you always.
For the love, for the passion, for our marriage.
I stayed cause i wanted to.

poem by Cecelia kayonnieReport problemRelated quotes
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Wake Up!

You put your cleanest dirty shirt on
Then you stagger down to meet the dawn
You take a ride upon a bus, its just a fuss
You know it keeps you born
You get to know a morning face
You get to join the human race
You get to know the world
Has passed you by
Who cares? you might be dead
Who cares? you stayed in bed
Who cares? you wrote the note
Who cares? you might have spoke
Wake up!
You take a snack to fill the gap
And then youre ready for another shift
Your attention was diverted
By the girl who smiled and made the lift
The radio is blaring out
Its in one ear and then its out
You didnt notice that the records over
Who cares? you might be dead
Who cares? you stayed in bed
Who cares? you wrote the note
Who cares? you might have spoke
Wake up!
In the road a crowd had gathered
And a man was close to dead
The blood is running down the gutter
While youre yawning, nothings said
His bodys wriggling like an eel
They got no sense, no touch, no feel
Somebody better go and get a blanket
Who cares? you might be dead
Who cares? you stayed in bed
Who cares? you wrote the note
Who cares? you might have spoke
Who cares?

song performed by by XtcReport problemRelated quotes
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The Lone Star

As the stars melt away into the darkness
Leaving behind their unearthly glow
The first signs of life on earth
With faint streaks of golden beams show

A journey begins, a new day comes
A kettle of tea, on the fire it warms
The stars, they left, for the heavenly abode,
Twinkling, bursting, on the galaxy road

A lone star trudges on
It has to make its journey alone
A relative motion, for the whole day ahead

And coming back, to where it stayed
It does not want to return to where
Is the dark sky, the place called Nowhere
Lose identity, amidst the constellation

Or hide behind the blinding intoxication
Suddenly, it beholds a star break free
Realisation dawns
Where its heart wants to be

poem by Shruti GoswamiReport problemRelated quotes
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It's Hard to Grow

Little do they know,
Each season has an ending.
With one clean sweep...
What was no longer is to be!

It's hard to grow,
And go through doors that have to close.
But for them...
They want these doors stayed open.

But they've been stopped...
Hitting bottom from the top.
Dropped and blocked.

Little do they know,
Each season has an ending...
Swoosh
With one clean sweep...
What was no longer is to be!
Oh Lawd it's hard to grow,
And go through doors that have to clossssuup.
But for them...
They want these doors stayed open.

Little do they know,
Each season has an ending.
With one clean sweep...
What was no longer is to be!

It's hard to grow,
And go through doors that have to close.
But for them...
They want these doors stayed open.
But for them...
They want these doors stayed open.
But for them...
These doors will not be opened again!

poem by Lawrence S. PertillarReport problemRelated quotes
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Colorful

Written by brian vander ark
The show is over close the story book
There will be no encore
And all the random hands that I have shook
Well theyre reaching for the door
I watch their backs as they leave single file
But you stood stubborn, cheering all the while
I know I can be colorful
I know I can be gray
But I know this losers living fortunate
Cause I know you will love me either way
Most were being good for goodness sake
But you wouldnt pantomime
You are more beautiful when you awake
Than most are in a lifetime
Through the haze that is my memory well
You stayed for drama though you paid for a comedy
I know I can be colorful
I know I can be gray
But I know this losers living fortunate
Cause I know you will love me either way
Look ahead as far as you can see
Well live in drama but well die in a comedy
I know I can be colorful...

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When the Kings Went to War

When the kings went to war
Went to war
Went to war
When the kings went to war
I stayed home.

Now the kings have returned
Some have died
Most alive
Now the kings have returned
And I'm alone.

Who to tell
How to say
All that happened in the days
When the kings went to war
While I stayed home.

Oh the battles
Oh the hell
Not of war but worse
The well-kept secrets crying
To be known.

Knocks the door
Comes before
Nathan knows and he will tell
How the king failed to war
When he stayed home.

When the kings went to war
Went to war
Went to war
When the kings went to war
I stayed home.

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You're Here To Stay

On my mind.
And in my memories,
When that day you left from me...
You really stayed.

On my mind.
And in my memories,
When you said that you were leaving...
You really stayed.

Your voice nonstop,
Really stayed.
Feelings I've got,
Really stayed.
I've even prayed,
You away.
But...
You're here to stay.

On my mind.
And in my memories,
When you said that you were leaving...
You really stayed.

I can not block,
You away.
I can't unlock,
Your invading...
Memory.

Your voice nonstop,
Really stayed.
Feelings I've got,
Really stayed.
I've even prayed,
You away.
But...
You're here to stay.

On my mind.
And in my memories,
When that day you left from me...
You really stayed.

On my mind...
I can not block,
You away.
I can't unlock,
Your invading...
Memory.
You're here to stay!

poem by Lawrence S. PertillarReport problemRelated quotes
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Come Clean

Lets go back
Back to the beginning
Back t when the earth, the sun, the stars all aligned
'Cause perfect didn't feel so perfect
Trying to fit a square into a circle
Was no life
I defy
Let the rain fall down
And wake my dreams
Let it wash away
My sanity
'Cause I wanna feel the thunder
I wanna scream
Let the rain fall down
I'm coming clean, I'm coming clean
I'm sheeding
Sheeding evry color
Trying to find a pigment of truth
Beneth my skin
'Cause different
Doesn't feel so different
And going out is better
Than always staying in
Feel the wind
Let the rain fall down
And wake my dreams
Let it wash away
My sanity
'Cause I wanna feel the thunder
I wanna scream
Let the rain fall down
I'm coming clean, I'm coming clean
(let the rain fall)x3
I'm coming clean
Let the rain fall
Let the rain fall
I'm coming clean
Let the rain fall down
And wake my dreams
Let it wash away
My sanity
'Cause I wanna feel the thunder
I wanna scream
Let the rain fall down
I'm coming clean, I'm coming clean
Let's go back
Back to the beginning

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California

Sitting in a park in Paris, France
Reading the news and it sure looks bad
They won't give peace a chance
That was just a dream some of us had
Still a lot are left to see
But I wouldn't want to stay here
It's too old and cold and settled in its ways here
Oh, but california
California I'm coming home
I'm going to see the folks I dig
I'll even kiss a sunset pig
California I'm coming home
I met a redneck on a Grecian isle
Who did the goat dance very well
He gave me back my smile
But he kept my camera to sell
Oh the rogue, the red red rogue
He cooked good omelettes and stews
And I might have stayed on with him there
But my heart cried out for you, California
California I'm coming home
Oh make me feel good rock'n roll band
I'm your biggest fan
California, I'm coming home
Chorus:
Oh it gets so lonely
When you're walking
And the streets are full of strangers
All the news of home you read
Just gives you the blues
Just gives you the blues
So I bought me a ticket
I caught a plane to Spain
Went to a party down a red dirt road
There were lots of pretty people there
Reading rolling stone, reading vogue
They said, how long can you hang around?
I said a week, maybe two,
Just until my skin turns brown
Then I'm going home to California
California I'm coming home
Will you take me as I am
Strung out on another man
California I'm coming home
I'm coming home
I'm coming home
I'm coming home
Yeah
Take me as I am
Will you
Will you

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I Wanna Be Where You Are

Can it be I stayed away too long
Did I leave your mind when I was gone
Its not my thing trying to get back
But this time let me tell you where Im at
You dont have to worry cause Im coming
Back to where I should have always stayed
And now Ive heard the maybe to your story
And its enough love for me to stay
Can it be I stayed away too long
Did I leave your mind when I was gone
Its not my thing trying to get back
But this time let me tell you where Im at
Chorus:
I wanna, wanna be where you are
Anywhere you are
I wanna, wanna be where you are
Everywhere you are
Bridge:
Please dont close the door to our future
Theres so many things we havent tried
I could love you better than I used to
And give you all the love I have inside
Chorus:
I wanna, wanna be where you are
Any, any, anywhere you are
I wanna, wanna be where you are
I gotta be where you are

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Santa Claus Is Comin To Town

(j. fred coots/haven gillespie)
You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
Im telling you why
Santa claus is coming to town
Santa claus is coming to town
Santa claus is coming to town
Hes making a list,
Checking it twice;
Gonna find out whos naughty or nice.
Santa claus is coming to town
Santa claus is coming to town
Santa claus is coming to town
He sees you when youre sleeping
He knows when youre awake
He knows if youve been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Santa claus is coming to town
Santa claus is coming to town
Santa claus is coming to town
He sees you when youre sleeping
He knows when youre awake
He knows if youve been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake
Goodness sake
You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
Im telling you why
Santa claus is coming to town
Santa claus is coming to town
Santa claus is coming
Santa claus is coming
Santa claus is coming to town
(coming to town)
Santas a busy man he has no time to play
Hes got millions of stockings to fill on christmas day
(santa claus is coming to town)
(coming to town)
(santa claus is coming to town)
(coming to town)

song performed by by LonestarReport problemRelated quotes
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Cathedral Close for Friend Ben Gieske

When night falls on Cathedral Close.
The square is thronged by quiet ghosts
Who line the square on every side
their graves left empty yawning wide.

What is it that they hope to find?
Some salve to give them peace of mind
Why do they stand in silent ranks?
and seek to clear their memory banks.

The sins which will not let them sleep
the guilty secrets which they keep,
weigh on the conscience heavily.
and won’t be rid of easily.

When twilight falls the dead arise.
Each from the grave he occupies
and gather in Cathedral Close.
They seek forgiveness I suppose.

When morning breaks they flee in fright
they fear the coming of the light.
Cathedral close lit by the sun
is quite empty the ghosts have gone.

Back to their graves where they must wait
and in the darkness meditate.
Upon the sins they won’t confess
In agonising sleeplessness.

If only they would realise
within themselves forgiveness lies.
They do not need to stand in rows
When night falls on Cathedral Close.

Triumphantly they could take flight
and wing their way towards the light.
They should have done so long ago
. But guilt refused to let them go.

Why do they stay when they are free
to me it is a mystery
Why do they haunt Cathedral close?
They know no better I suppose.

poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e HoggReport problemRelated quotes
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Dead End

Well easily with me I show affection,
But it's a creepin up, a creepin up on me in another direction
I love, I write, and I die
And I try to ask no questions,
But the weary one is still me,
Do you think its obsession?
The smoke will find you a choker that matches your coat, not fit to be tied
The mirror it makes it all clearer as you stand alone and cant see your behind
Yea
They tried to tell me I could say that nobody could believe this
Well they tried to tell me I could say nobody could achieve this
The way you stayed of, locked away of
Keeping the flame for yourself,
The way you stayed of, pushin the blame of, reaping the fame for yourself
Oh well, it's a, it's a, dead end
It's a dead end
Oh, it's a dead end lonely day,
Say it's a dead end
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a dead end day
It's a dead end oh day
And it's a long way, a long way down,
Hey well it's a long way, a long way down
Change is coming a baby,
Don't be startled lady
Every once in a while they do it again
You gonna shake it, shake it,
You know you wanna take it
Back to where you once belonged,
Back beneath the sheets and between the pillow cases
And the snake he races out and he, he tangles into your hair
Funny the fruits you choose
Oh the time you take, the words you loose
And it all goes back to rotation over the back of your hand
Oh the back of your hand, oh the back of your hand
Oh the map is your hand,
it's the back of your hand, the back of your hand
say the back of your hand, oh the map is your hand, it's the back of your hand
stop whining all the time,
don't you find a little secret to yourself always saved your life,
stop listening to the words that you've heard
no one else but yourself will agree with you more
that it's a long, long way
it's a long, long way
and it's a long, long way, a long way down
hey, and it's a long way down,
and it's a lo- oh- oh- ng way down
hey, hey, hey, and it's a long, long, long, long way down,
say say, SCATS
and it's a lo- oh- oh- ng way down, hey and it's a long way dooooown
it's a dead end
it's a dead end oh
it's a dead end lonely day
it's a, it's a dead end
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a dead end day
It's a dead end oh day

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Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

You'd better watch out, you'd better not cry
You'd better not pout, i'm telling you why
Santa claus is coming to town
Santa claus is coming to town
Santa claus is coming to town
He's making a list, he's checkin' it twice
He's gonna find out whose daughter you're nice
Santa claus is coming to town
Santa claus is coming to town
Santa claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows if you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
(so you'd) better be good for goodness sake
Better be good for goodness sake
You'd better watch out, you'd better not cry
You'd better not pout, i'm telling you why
Santa claus is coming to town
Santa claus is coming to town
Santa claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows if you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
(so you'd) better be good for goodness sake
Better be good for goodness sake
You'd better watch out, you'd better not cry
You'd better not pout, i'm telling you why
Santa claus is coming to town
Santa claus is coming to town
Santa claus is coming to town
(released on a 45rpm)

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All Things Are Simply Possible, Just By God's Saving Grace!

I aimed to accomplish one thing,
But turned to be yet another;
I thought I was unfit in life,
But God brought me out of all strife.
All things are simply possible,
Just by God's saving grace!

I travelled by a road I chose;
It led me to an alien place;
I thought I had a blunder done;
God gave me timely rain and sun!
All things are simply possible,
Just by God's saving grace!

I felt awful and depressed oft,
And life had turned quite meaningless;
To God, I cried in despair, ‘Lord! '
My strength returned reading His Word!
All things are simply possible,
Just by God's saving grace!

I saw the modern world of man,
Afilled by sin and wickedness;
I felt like asking God, ‘But why? '
Hope filled my heart anew from sky!
All things are simply possible,
Just by God's saving grace!

I found all earthly life futile,
And wished from heart to earlier die!
But God renewed my spirits high,
And made my earthly stay worthwhile!
All things are simply possible,
But by God's saving grace!

Copyright by Dr John Celes 17=11-2012

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Saving Grace

If you find it in your heart, can I be forgiven?
Guess I owe you some kind of apology.
Ive escaped death so many times, I know Im only living
By the saving grace thats over me.
By this time id-a thought I would be sleeping
In a pine box for all eternity.
My faith keeps me alive, but I still be weeping
For the saving grace thats over me.
Well, the death of life, then come the resurrection,
Wherever I am welcome is where Ill be.
I put all my confidence in him, my sole protection
Is the saving grace thats over me.
Well, the devils shining light, it can be most blinding,
But to search for love, that aint no more than vanity.
As I look around this world all that Im finding
Is the saving grace thats over me.
The wicked know no peace and you just cant fake it,
Theres only one road and it leads to calvary.
It gets discouraging at times, but I know Ill make it
By the saving grace thats over me.

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