Dare you come with me?
Do you dare go one step beyond?
the limits of your comfort zone?
Rely upon yourself alone
and take the road to Trebizond.
A city where the minarets
are peopled by resentful ghosts
Who vainly shout their empty boasts
And voice aloud their dire threats.
Brag of past depravity.
For which the suffer punishment.
They weep and wail their discontent.
Condemned for all eternity.
Are you brave enough to face
All of the dangers you might find
enough to break the strongest mind.
In that long lost and fearsome place.
A city which was once designed
to be a place a place of peace and rest.
Hypotheses could be refined,
and theories put to the test.
Fate was to prove the wise men fools.
As she has often done before
Fomented into civil war.
The views of the opposing schools
The learned men were powerless
they could not stem the violence
Though they foresaw the consequence
As followers sought to impress.
The views which they held to be true.
On other men who disagreed
Defending their own narrow creed.
As bigots always tend to do.
The learned men were first to die
They weren’t as wise as they had thought
they had no time to wonder why.
They perished in the first onslaught.
Their wailing ghosts will argue still
that they were right the others wrong.
I have no doubt they always will
that’s why they stay where they belong.
Confined to haunted minarets
in a city men have forgot.
They still owe payments on their debts.
You may be fearful I am not.
I dare to take that step beyond
the confines of my comfort zone
and travel on to Trebizond
Though usually I go alone.
06/05/2009
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
There can only be one absolute truth.
I thought I wrote but only dreamt a poem showing my contempt
For those who claim to know the truth. I realised when but a youth.
They claim divine authority but had no proof to offer me
I can’t believe that any creed can provide the proof I need.
Amongst themselves they can’t agree so they argue perpetually
Nor do they practice what they preach I think the truth’s beyond their reach
I can accept the faith you hold. I would not dare to be so bold
To think I dare to criticise what you believe. I’ve found it wise.
To tolerate whatever creed which seems to satisfy a need?
That can bring great comfort to those followers to whom it’s true
I seek for truth I cannot find; but would it bring me peace of mind
Or would I feel compelled to share the truth with all men every where
I do not think I could achieve a change in what folks now believe.
I will continue with my quest, I am convinced it’s for the best.
The knowledge gained from all I’ve read is safely stored inside my head
For me to ponder quietly. Beliefs peculiar to me
Although I know they may not be true. I think for now they’ll have to do
Until I find fresh evidence which seems to me make good sense
I believe only bodies die. The soul goes on triumphantly
Transmuted to a higher plane before being reborn again
What I believe may not be true what you believe is up to you
We will find out eventually that is a solid certainty.
24/10/2009
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Minarets of Trebizond
I can still see though distantly
the soaring spires of Trebizond
I take my leave reluctantly
upon a quest which goes beyond.
The confines of my city state
where every street’s familiar
I am condemned by cruel fate
who chose me in particular
To cement alliances made
so long ago they need renewed
and so I lead a cavalcade
of fighting men. My attitude
at once humble and dignified.
Befitting an ambassador
who has the power to decide
Shall we make peace, prepare for war..
Why was I chosen for this task?
A question which I do not voice
I do not know who I should ask.
I only know I have no choice.
The powers that be selected me
for reasons I don’t understand
To be their sole emissary.
I am their servant to command.
If I succeed I will return
to adulation from the crowds
An honour I will have to earn
If fate decrees I am allowed.
But if I fail I shall not see
the spires of Trebizond again
I’ll be exiled permanently
such is the fate of broken men.
I’ll do my best I can but try.
Conduct my quest with courtesy
Renegotiate each treaty
in friendship not hostility.
My journey took me several years
Forgotten by the powers that be.
But I return to hearty cheers.
The people still had faith in me.
Oppressed by the dishonest men
who had seized power in my absence.
They looked to me to take again
the reins of power and commence.
the cleansing of our city state
So I took power reluctantly.
It seemed to be the will of fate
That I should rule with honesty.
And who am I to disagree.
What fate decides that she will do.
I will submit to her decree
I will the rule of law renew.
In my beloved Trebizond.
So that her fame will spread afar
beyond her borders far beyond.
She will become the guiding star.
For city states both far and near
They can observe and emulate
the simple laws are few and clear
in this successful city state.
Which fate has called on me to rule
against my wishes I confess.
I am aware I’m just a tool
a simple tool no more no less.
That fate can use for her purpose.
She knows I hate dishonesty,
that’s why she chose me I suppose.
To take responsibility
for Trebizond this fair city.
Which had been subject to misrule.
by men who lacked all honesty.
She chose a fool to be her tool
I am content it should be so
For Trebizond I gladly serve
until it is my time to go.
Then I will reap what I deserve.
But Trebizond continues on
if only in men’s memories.
A dream to pin your hopes upon
and visit in your fantasies.
7-Jun-07
poetic piers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Golden age which never was.
Trebizond the fabled city.
Where everything was fair and just.
Lost to mankind, more’s the pity
Torn apart by greed and lust.
It seems that Mankind’s doomed to be
discontented for evermore.
Because he is too proud to see
he has enough and needs no more.
He has sufficient for his needs
but he is never satisfied.
His discontentment sows the seeds
for lasting peace to be denied.
What you have got he wants to take
by any means he can employ.
His lust and greed he cannot slake
and what he has he can’t enjoy.
He has to guard it constantly.
He is afraid the he might lose
his treasure to some enemy.
Although it is of little use.
For wealth cannot buy happiness.
Dissatisfied he pursues more.
He cannot understand that less
His peace of mind might well restore.
He is condemned by his own greed
to amass more than he can use.
Acquisition is his creed
He does not see that he could choose.
To be content with what he has
and does not need to strive for more
But sadly he will not: Alas
the systems rotten to the core.
Mammon rules the world today.
The cult of the celebrity
to ostentatiously display.
What you have gained dishonestly.
I would we could regain again
The values which our forebears knew.
An honest man was valued then
and what he promised he would do.
Today this rule does not apply
It is acceptable to lie
deny responsibility
and not incur a penalty
.08/05/2009
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Que Sera, Sera
Que Sera, Sera
A New Year lies ahead of us. I must admit I’m curious.
to see if experts prophecies will turn out to be theories.
Which passing time will not sustain and leave the experts to explain.
Just how and why they got it wrong I’m sure they’ll sing the same old song.
We’re only men what we express is just an educated guess.
You have to place it in context. They do not know what will come next.
No more than any other man.Although they all profess they can
interpret the faint signs they see and can predict with accuracy.
What events will come to be but get it wrong consistently
That’s why I listen cynically and mostly unbelievingly.
When experts choose to air their views, I find their words of little use.
I much prefer to wait and see: What fate decrees will come to be..
1-Jan-09
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
I wish you all a happy and peaceful 2009
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Comfort Zone
Where do we go
When theres a need to be loved
Like you need to be loved
Oh, Ill let you know
Just what to do and where to go
Hey welcome to the comfort zone
When you need to be loved like you need to be loved
Welcome to the comfort zone
Do whatever feels right and turns you on
After a hard days work
Theres one thing to be certain of
This ol familiar love
Its not unusual to find that its sensual
Its all you need to let go
Theres no need to try
Or compromise
Or settle for another outside of my love
The thing to do
When you get through
Heed the message seek the comfort of my zone
Hey welcome to the comfort zone
When you need to be loved like you need to be loved
Welcome to the comfort zone
Do whatever feels right and turns you on
Hey let me make you comfortable
Let me take control
And give your mind a break from the day you made
Lets turn the lights down low
And oh the rest you know
Ill be here for you
cause you just stepped into the comfort zone
Written by kipper jones & reggie stewart
song performed by by Vanessa Williams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Tale of Three Cities
New York blasted London blasted
Singapore -
Ripped off each other's metaphoric balls,
Crumbling walls.
Priapic city monoliths -
Blue-sky scraping bastards -
Shout about their height (but really length) .
V8 arseholes didn't care -
Pumping shit into the air,
So long as they were always there to
Fart aloud a smoggy cloud,
Laughing at the weak asthmatic,
Humoured that it seems traumatic.
Watch the greedy cities oozing
Chair-bound fat committees, though they
Look a bunch of titties as they
Waffle on about the pound.
Ever thought to look around and see
That they were dead?
Copyright © Mark R Slaughter 2010
city city city city city city
city city city city city city
city city city city city city
city city city city city city
city city city city city city
city city city city city city
poem by Mark R Slaughter
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Autocrat for J.T.Ellison
History tells us Henry Tudor
was a kind man but much cruder.
Than any head of state to day.
He was the king and had his way.
He frequented the public stews
though people then held different views
Though Henry Tudor didn’t care
Nobody was brave enough to dare
to tell the king what he should do.
Athough there must have been a few
Who thought it inappropriate
behaviour for a head of state.
So what they thought was left unsaid
for critics often wound up dead.
03/11/2009
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I know what is best for me!
.
I did not think I’d live to see.
Three quarters of a century.
But I’m still here hale and hearty.
I shouldn’t be statistically.
The doctors make me furious
and not a little curious.
They say they what’s best for us.
To me it’s very obvious
They have convenient memories.
As they promote their theories
of things they say will damage us.
I find it frankly ludicrous
I started smoking when I was ten.
Doctors advising way back then
to anyone who would listen.
Smoking did no harm to men.
But this is now and that was then.
The modern breed of medicine men
Have changed what they believe again
Admitting they were mistaken.
If they were wrong back in the past
And those beliefs are over cast.
They may have got it wrong again
I wonder why they can’t explain.
Why I should believe their views.
I find they are of little use.
They change their minds too frequently
I am entitled to refuse.
I disregard their theories.
I choose to live the way I please.
I smoke and drink because I choose.
A gamble I can win or lose.
When I reach my centenerary
I will review most probably.
The latest views of medicine men
I have no doubt they’ll change again.
Thursday,26 August 2010
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Once You've Learned To Be Lonely
You're askin' me to open up
I'm tryin' my best to give enough
To keep this love alive
It wouldn't be so hard for me to do
If it hadn't have been
For all my heart's been through
But once you've learned to be lonely
And lonely is the only thing you've known
It begins to feel like home
It becomes your comfort zone
Once you've learned to be without someone
And settle for the silence of an empty room
Oh, it changes you
There's a lot you have to undo
Once you've learned to be lonely
It becomes a habit of the heart
To be afraid to even start
To try and love again
I want to give myself to you
But I've been alone so long
That I'm scared, scared to move
But once you've learned to be lonely
And lonely is the only thing you've known
It begins to feel like home
It becomes your comfort zone
Once you've learned to be without someone
And settle for the silence of an empty room
Oh, it changes you
There's a lot you have to undo
Once you've learned to be lonely
I've built these walls but I feel them fallin' down
Touch by touch your love is my way out
But once you've learned to be lonely
And lonely is the only thing you've known
It begins to feel like home
It becomes your comfort zone
Once you've learned to be without someone
And settle for the silence of an empty room
Oh, it changes you
There's a lot you have to undo
Once you've learned to be lonely
There's a lot you have to undo
Once you've learned to be lonely
song performed by by Reba Mcentire
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Promises Unkept for friend Chad
The back streets of the city hide
a multitude of untold tales
The mean streets where the stench abides
of rancid dreams left to decay.
Far different from the countryside
the green hills and the pleasant vales.
Where simple country folk reside.
Fresh dreams emerging every day.
The city street may well decide
which man succeeds and which man fails.
The ebbing flowing surging tides
of little men who have no say.
The city fathers try to hide
(but their efforts are bound to fail.)
the city’s seamy underside.
Where petty criminals hold sway.
Some folks escape by suicide
and others fill the city’s jail.
There’s poverty on every side.
It seems the problems here to stay.
Here ideologies collide
But more is said than’s ever done.
The city has no cause for pride.
We’ve little choice but wait and pray.
The city fathers say they’ve tried
but I beg leave to doubt their word.
I’m totally unsatisfied
There’s jam tomorrow none today.
17/08/2009
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Karma
To sleep, perchance to dream and wake no more
I know I have to stay but long to go
and leave behind me all my cares and woe
Back to where I have often been before.
A place of rest in which I can restore
my weary spirit easily I know.
In soft green meadows where the waters flow
and work out what the future holds in store.
I must return I’ve lesson yet to learn
I am sure that death is not the end
but just another step along the way
Towards perfection for which I yearn.
Each wrongful action which I can’t defend
I know that I must suffer in my turn.
31-May-08
http: // blog.myspace.co, /poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Top Of The City
One more step to the top of the city
Where just a couple of pigeons are living
Up on the angels shoulders
I dont know if Im closer to heaven but
It looks like hell down there
These streets have never been paved with gold
Welcome to the loneliest city in the world
Its no good for you baby
Its no good for you now
Keep looking up for the ladder
I dont know if youll love me for it
But I dont think we should suffer this
Theres just one thing we can do about it
Take me up to the top of the city
Take me up to the top of the city
Take me up to the top of the city
And put me up on the angels shoulders
See how that building there is nearly built
Theres a big fire over on the north of the city
I see you walking down the street with her
I see your lights going on and off
Shes no good for you baby
Shes no good for you now
Look Im here with the ladder
I dont know if you love me or not
But I dont think we should ever suffer
Theres just one thing we can do about this
Take me up to the top of the city
Take me up to the top of the city
Up to the highest point of the city
One more step to the top of the city
Put me up on the angels shoulders
And I dont mind if its dangerous
I dont mind if its raining
Take me up to the top of the city
And put me up on the angels shoulders
Take me up to the top of the city
Mmm yes, one more step to the top of the city
And put me up on the angels shoulders
song performed by by Kate Bush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Home R Not Home
Home a place of comfort
Home a place you love
Home a place you make a living
Not home you fell alone
Not home you fell like you don’t belong
Not home you’re out of your comfort zone
Always lost
Always confused
Hating it
Wishing you were back home
No fun
Hopping you didn’t waste your time
Lost
Lonely
Always lost
Always confused
Home R Not Home
poem by Keith Young
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Back to my roots for friend Bob
The sun is setting on the sea.
It paints the restless waters red.
I sit alone solitary
and from my vantage point I see
The sky darken to indigo
I sit alone and watch night fall.
I choose to stay although I know
that duty calls and I should go.
Back to the harsh reality
I have to cope with every day.
The endless noise of the city.
With which I feel no empathy.
I must suppose I’ll always be
the country boy that I once was
But driven by necessity
I left my home reluctantly.
There was no future there for me
No way to earn my daily bread
Just endless grinding poverty.
A prospect which I chose to flee.
I was naïve and hopeful then.
I thought the city offered me
A better chance to start again
But sadly I was mistaken.
The hungry city swallowed me.
I found a job which paid my way.
A porter in a mortuary
The ultimate in irony.
I served the dead to stay alive.
But every hour that I was free.
I needed fresh air to survive.
I took my car and I would drive.
Out to the hill above the sea
to fill my lungs with fresh clean air.
And for a little while be free
from scents and sounds of the city.
I will retire very soon.
I think that I have earned the right.
To sit outside my door at noon
or if I choose to watch the moon.
I shall go back where I belong
Back to the open countryside.
Although I’m old I am still strong
I have no doubt I’ll get along.
Quite happily where I should be
I was not meant for city life.
I‘ll leave the city thankfully.
Retirement will set me free.
26/07/2009
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Antidote for J.T.Ellison
Before me lies a narrow road
with hedges, high on either side.
With only sunlight for my load
I am content to boldly stride
I care not where the road may lead
but I am sure it leads somewhere.
That’s knowledge that I do not need
I am not burdened down by care.
For two whole weeks I am quite free.
I chose a walking holiday.
There is so much I wish to see.
How could there be a better way
The sun is warming on my back.
My shadow always runs ahead
on metalled roads or dusty track
and I must follow where I’m led.
Once noon is passed I start to look
I am not fussy not at all
A wayside on or sheltered nook
protected by a dry stone wall.
My sleeping bag is very light
but waterproof and warm withal.
I do not fear the fall of night.
I’ll sleep lulled by the night birds call.
The first rays of the rising sun
will serve in place of my alarm.
Then I will rise and carry one
and breakfast at some friendly farm.
I have sufficient cash to pay
for what I need as I pass through
small villages along the way.
Where I may spend an hour or two.
Or stay the night If I so choose.
I have no deadline I must keep.
My ready cash they won’t refuse
I’m sure to find a place to sleep.
But holidays like all good things
come to an end eventually.
But until them my heart still sing
as I store up new memories.
I must return and be confined
in narrow grimy city streets.
Which seem to me to be designed
for those weighed down by life’s defeats.
I am refreshed and ready to
endure the drabness of each day
with brick walls limiting my view.
Remembering my holiday.
15-Oct-08
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Inhuman
i already learned from everybody,
i belong now to the majority
exited myself from the narrow alleys of the minority
where i can be myself
at home
with the loneliness of the crowd
nameless and yet
one for all safe and sound in this
comfort zone,
i move around in new places never lost
i always find a way to be back from where i begin
taking note of the landmarks that grief made
the signs that sorrow plant
in every nook of this road
that has no end
look at that distance
it is very far away and i am not scared
the only thing to do is keep walking
walking and walking
no rush
and it is here in this comfort of slowing down
where the mind
cannot ask
what is happening
it is convinced that there is nothing to worry
because
everyone is doing it
done,
in fact, like the majority
has turned
into one vacuum of silence
that when you try to ask
all their faces turn to you
as though
you are a mutant
a jinx
inhuman.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
City Boy Blues
Fireflies in dogfights
Runnin hot in the heat
Street noise, another bribe
Things too hard to believe--so head out
My hearts in the country
My feets in the city with you
All my friends are eatin sushi
Talkin bad about you know who-who-who
My tongues talkin riddles
But I just cant seem to find a clue
So I take a swig of whiskey
And jump into the saddle with you-you-you
And I just cant seem to break the shackles of the city boy blues
I got the city boy blues
I got the city boy blues
I got the city boy blues
I got the city boy blues
And I just cant seem to break the shackles of the city boy blues
Cats in the alley
Rats in my snakeskin boots
All my neighbors think Im crazy
And my girl thinks Im losin my cool-cool-cool
And I just cant seem to break the shackles of the city boy blues
I got the city boy blues
I got the city boy blues
I got the city boy blues
I got the city boy blues
And I just cant seem to break the shackles of the city boy blues
Dont look to jesus to change your seasons
Its the american dream
Souls of gypsies, road of stone
Cant seem to find no peace--so head out
And I just cant seem to break the shackles of the city boy blues
And I just cant seem to break the shackles of the city boy blues
I got the blues, I got the blues, got the city boy blues
And I just cant seem to break the shackles of the city boy blues
And I just cant seem to break the shackles of the city boy blues
And I just cant seem to break the shackles of the city boy blues
I got the blues, I got the blues,
I got the blues, I got the blues
I got the blues, I got the blues,
I got the blues, I got the blues
song performed by by Motley Crue
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
When the time is right for M'lady Ernestine
Broad sonnet
We search for love to no avail. We try too hard and so we fail.
Although it may seem curious, fate knows much better than us.
When we are ready for a mate and then she does not hesitate.
She sets the time she sets the place, when she will bring us face to face.
With the partner of our dreams although to us it always seems.
That we have met by accident, but we did not it was by intent.
Fate knows exactly what we need and with her help we will succeed.
In finding what we have searched for. We don’t need to search anymore
We have been chosen carefully and who are we to disagree
We are quite sure our dreams come true, precisely as fate means us to.
It might be just co incidence, what matters is the consequence.
The end result is we got wed. I think that fate accomplished.
The task that she set out to do, for you love me and I love you.
You don’t find love, love will find you but not until it’s ready to..
Monday,22 March 2010
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Ascension Of Thoughts
That quiet air of solitude that seeks a willing mate,
That loneliness so harsh so rude can seal a persons fate,
Belief that life has better days has yet to show it's face,
So lost inside that sullen haze that brought you to this place.
Of things that people care about and harbor to their breast
A fool would dare to scream and shout then judge you with the rest
Alas the heart has limitations weakened by a troubled mind
Making more of situations than the facts would ever find
Strength has many different guises, all that glitters isn't gold
Staying put leaves no surprises living life as if on hold
Raise the bar and make a break from ghosts you've been forever haunted
Life will give if you can live those dreams that you have always wanted.
poem by Dave James
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Tolerance.
If you ask me politely
Invariably I will comply
But if you try to compel me
then your demand I will deny.
As I have every right to do
You have your views and I have mine
and they are most unlikely to be
close enough so they combine.
Into a view we both agree
I’m tolerant and you are not
You see my views as heresy.
Which does nor really help a lot.
Some see your views as bigotry
and who am I to disagree.
Wednesday,13 January 2010
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!