Survivor's Glee
I strapped on an oxygen tank and dove
into the past, paddling back through the years,
emerging from a manhole on memory lane.
The boondocks were doing just fine without me.
The car dealerships. The trash heaps. The stream
of consciousness where I learned how to skinny-dip
had slowed down to a trickle of amnesia.
All the houses had been gutted, except mine,
where my family was still eating dinner. My parents
welcomed me with open elbows, my brother
looked up to me like a cave drawing on the ceiling.
The night hobbled by, rattling its beggar's cup.
A pipe burst behind my eyes, which brought out
the plumber in everyone. At a loss for words
I placed a seashell on my tongue, and my relatives
wore bathing suits when they spoke to me.
poem by Jeffrey McDaniel
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Down In The Boondocks
(joe south)
Down in the boondocks, down in the boondocks
People put me down cause thats the side of town I was born in
I love her and she loves me
But I dont fit in her society
Lord have mercy, Im a boy from down in the boondocks
Now, every night I watch the lights from the house upon the hill
Well, I love a little girl who lives up there and I guess I always will
But I dont dare knock on her door
cause her daddy is my boss man
So Ill just have to be content and see her whenever I can
Take a trip on down in the boondocks,
Take a ride on down in the boondocks
People put me down cause thats the side of town I was born in
See, I love her and she loves me
But I dont fit her society
Lord have mercy, Im a boy from down in the boondocks
One fine day Ill find a way and move from this old shack
Well, Ill hold my head up like a king and Ill never, never will look back
til that morning Ill work and slave
And Ill save every dime
But tonight shell have to steal away
To see me one more time
Get together, darling, down in the boondocks
Making love, darling, down in the boondocks
People put me down cause thats the side of town I was born in
I love her and she loves me
But I dont fit her society
Lord have mercy, Im a boy from down in the boondocks
Lord have mercy, Im a boy from down in the boondocks
song performed by by Ry Cooder
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Photograph
She sat on the platform bench
waiting for a train to arrive.
Waiting to see her brother
who left to start a new life
twenty-five years ago.
She brought a photograph of herself
for him to have when he went back home.
Stillness engulfed the station
as she waited alone there.
The hiss of an old steam train
filled the quiet air
as along the track it came
like a dinosaur from the past
and stopped at the station.
A group of young soldiers
disembarked to stretch their legs
and grab some fresh air.
One young soldier approached her.
He was sixteen if he was a day.
He smiled as he sat beside her.
“You’re a pretty lady.” He said.
“Thank you.” She replied. “Off to fight some battles? ”
“Yes, but I am not really sure where.
They say a lot of us might not be coming back”
“That is sad.” She replied.
“Especially when you have no one
to think of you.”
“You see I am an orphan
and have no family or a girlfriend come to that.
No one to think of me
when the great battles come.”
“Now that is sad, ” She said looking at him.
Then she realized the photograph
for her brother was in her handbag.
She reached in and removed it.
“Take this and think of me
when your great battles come.”
“I will keep it with me always.
Now I must get back on the train.”
As the train whistle blew.
He waved goodbye as the steam engulfed him.
Then the train was gone
as quickly as it had come.
The stillness that had engulfed the station
now dissipated to.
Suddenly there was noise everywhere.
She looked around
as if waking from a dream.
She looked back down the tracks.
The mournful hoot of the electric horn
herald the arriving electric train.
She watched it intensely
as it slowed to stop at the station.
Two passengers alighted,
a man and a woman.
Her brother and his wife.
She greeted them with a smile,
but her brother’s wife looked at her in shock
as if she had seen a ghost.
They hugged one another,
and then left the station
to go to her home.
Arriving at her home
her sister-in-law looked at her again.
“Sorry if I look mystified when I look at you.
I have something I must tell you.
My grandfather before he died
asked me to find any relatives
to a lady in a photograph.
It was given to him
when he was leaving to go to war
over seventy years ago.
He carried it with him everywhere he went.
He said the photograph protected him
like a good luck charm.
He swore one day to return it,
but events made that impossible.
He immigrated when the war was over
and never got the chance.
He wanted to let her family know
of the kind deed she did”
“But that does not explain
the way you looked at me.”
She removed the photograph
and handed it to her.
It was the photograph
she had given the young soldier
only hours before.
9 April 2009
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Your Cash Ain't Nothing But Trash
(c. calhoun)
Walking down the main drag one night
I met a fine chick that looked- just right
She stopped in and i flashed my roll
I told her she could have all of my dough
She turned around, and with a fround
She said this ain't no circus and i don't need a clown
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
So there ain't no need in your hangin' around
Just to make the hit with that chick
I tried to get a cadillac right quick
The man at the place looked so strange
I had nine hundred bucks and some change
We disagreed, i tried to pleed
He said i ain't no chicken and i don't need your feed
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Then brother you're crawling we passed your speed
I'm walking and countin my bucks
The man with the gun said hands up
I tried to get away but i was too slow
He caught me and took all of my dough
I heard him shout, as he cut out
"you really lost nothing what you're crying about?"
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
And he took my watch and i passed out
I woke in the arms of a big cop
Police station next stop
The judge swung his fist down plunk plunk
Twenty dollar fine 'cause you're drunk
Dig up the dough, and you can go
And all i had was a buffalo
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
But i sure better get me some more
song performed by by Huey Lewis And The News
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Down In The Boondocks
Evry night I watch the lights from the house upon the hill
I love a little girl who lives up there and I guess I always will
But I dont dare knock upon her door, cause her daddy is my boss man
So I got to try to be content, to see her whenever I can, goin
Chorus:
Down in the boondocks, down in the boondocks
People put me down, cause thats the side of town I was born in
I love her, she loves me, but I dont fit in her society
Lord have mercy on a boy from down in the boondocks
But I need money, honey, give me money, honey
Money, honey, (I need enough) money, honey
Ill take it to the bank, Ill take it all down, just say it to me, oh man
Chorus
One fine day Ill find a way to move from this old shack
Ill hold my head up like a king and I never will look back
Until that day Ill work and slave, and Ill save every dime
But tonight shell have to steal away to see me one more time, goin
Chorus repeats 2x
Lord have mercy on a boy from down in the boondocks
Mama have mercy on a boy from down in the - ooh
Have mercy baby, a little mercy, hang around all day, take me
Down in the boondocks, da-da-down in the boondocks (repeats out)
song performed by by Kenny Loggins
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Can't
Please forget the words that I just blurted out,
it wasn't me, it was my strange and creeping doubt,
it keeps rattling my cage.
And there's nothing in this world will keep it down,
and even though I might, even though I try, I can't.
Even though I might, even though I try, I can't.
Soon your things that keep, that keep me underground,
so many words that I, that I can never find.
If you give up on me now,
I'll be gutted like I've never been before.
And even though I might, even though I try, I can't
Even though I might, even though I try, I can't
If you give up on me now,
I'll be gutted like I've never been before.
And even though I might, even though I try, I can't
Even though I might, even though I try, I can't,
even though I might, even though I try, I can't.
Even though I might, even though I try, I can't
song performed by by Radiohead
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A strong Bear, a poor cave
A quarrel took place,
Between a tight, narrow cave,
and a huge, black, hairy bear.
the poor cave was afraid of,
her narrowness,
the bear had no fear.
Actually, the bear was
in search of a cave,
where he could spent
his night merrily,
his mission was to hide himself,
by all means, fair or unfair.
The bear begged the shelter,
from the cave to get entered,
but cave denied.
she said, ' I am not wide.
if I take you in,
you may get me in trouble,
every thing mine get in disorder.
how can you stay in me quite?
seek other place to-night.'
The bear snored a loud,
as if, thunders of big cloud.
huge bear tried getting forcibly in,
smiled and said, 'I have to win.
O' poor cave, see my strong body,
look at my height!
I am quite black,
while you are white.
you are unaware of facts,
you are mine, my cave,
you are made for me.
I know, you think yourself too small,
If I enter, you will be torn,
and might get burst,
but it is nothing like this,
surrender yourself
before me silently.
or I will react violently.
the little cave said nothing,
but tried to scape herself,
with all her might.
thrusting the bear out.
Bear so huge, no doubt.
He tried utmost entering forcibly,
getting success a little bit.
until the cave burst,
the bear continued to hit.
At last, a hot bloody stream,
blew out of the cave.
It couldn't itself save.
It was torn and oozing sweat.
the huge bear was running,
in and out very smoothly,
Poor cave, in this struggle,
has become out.
the bear has come first, no doubt.
....................................... ............
poem by Rani Madhubala
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Strolling down memory lane
Strolling down memory lane
Where the colors begin to fade.
Strolling down memory lane
Is where I want you to come along.
Strolling down memory lane
is a test of time and mind.
Strolling down memory lane
I won’t be afraid.
Strolling down memory lane
Is not lacking in color.
Strolling down memory lane
Is not a big bummer.
Strolling down memory lane
Not a storm in sight
Strolling down memory lane
is joy without bite.
A memory that I have created in my mind,
Stands the test of time.
Memories are like dream, a reflection of the past.
My memories can kiss my…
Ask me no questions I will tell you no lies.
poem by Taran Burke
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Memory Lane
This is the place
You end up when
You lose the chase
Where you're dragged against your will
From a basement on the hill
And all anybody knows is
You're not like them
They kick you in the head
And send you back to bed
Isolation pulled you past a tunnel to a
Bright world where you can make a place to stay
But everybody's scared of this place
They're staying away
Your little house on memory lane
The mayor's name is fear
His force patrols the pier
From a mountain of cliche
That advances everyday
The doctor spoke of cloud
He rained out loud
You'll keep the doors and windows shut
And swear
You'll never show a soul again
But isolation pushes you til every muscle aches
Down the only road it ever takes
But everybody's scared of this place
They're staying away
Your little house on memory lane
If it's your decision
To be open about yourself
Be careful or else
Be careful or else
I'm comfortable apart
It's all written on my chart
That I take what's given to me
Most cooperatively
I do what people say
And lie in bed all day
Absolutely horrified
I hope you're satisfied
Isolation pushes past self-hatred, guilt, and shame
To a place where sufferings just a game
But everybody's scared of this place
They're staying away
Your little house on memory lane
Your little house on memory lane
song performed by by Elliott Smith
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Fine Memory
Words and music by bob seger
Last night I saw you walking
Past my bed late at night,
And the moon shone
Through your gown.
Such a fine memory,
I think Im gonna take it with me.
And later as you were sleeping,
Sleeping next to me,
I felt your hair on my skin.
Such a fine memory,
I know Im gonna take it with me.
Im going to take it
Far as I go.
Im going to take it
Far as I go.
And later as I was driving,
And the sky was getting light,
And the sun came
Through the trees,
I had a fine memory,
Such a fine memory.
song performed by by Bob Seger
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Tortures Of Life
Late one night, almost twelve midnight
I sat alone on my bathroom floor.
The cool air brushed my skin.
Old habits coming back to haunt me.
Slowly I slipped into a fog, where I was not sure if I was awake, or asleep.
I awoke - at least I thought I did.
Strange noises came from my shoulders.
I looked up and on my shoulder
I saw a
Raven
and a
Dove
But something was strange about these birds.
They talked. They talked to me, with words.
The Raven told me to reach up and grab what it knew I wanted.
Whispering how my world was slowly falling apart, whispering words of evil.
The Dove talked in a peaceful voice, no evil detected.
The Dove whispered in my ear, all the good things I had to live for.
The Raven stepped off my shoulder and glared at the Dove.
It spoke, in a language I could not understand.
The Dove,
disappeared.
Now it was only I and the Raven
I kept quite quiet.
I needn't speak.
The Raven's eyes peered into my soul.
All the memories of my past I had tried to forget
Flooded back.
I thought to myself, still not saying anything
'Why? Why is this Raven using these memories to torture me to insanity? '
The Raven spoke, in a very hushed tone.'Never again.'
I pondered by what he meant.
Before I could speak, the Raven explained.
'Never. Again. Will you feel the joys of life for life is over. Never. Again.'
I kept quite quiet.
The Raven then left.
Leaving me with my scars on my wrist burning.
Never Again I whispered.
Never Again.
poem by Roxanne Grady
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Finally Free
Hypnotherapist:
"You are once again surrounded by a brilliant white light.
Allow the light to lead you away from your past and into this lifetime.
As the light dissipates you will slowly fade back into consciousness remembering all you have learned.
When I tell you to open your eyes you will return to the present
song performed by by Dream Theater from Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Ill Set You Free
(s. hoffs/e. lowen/d. navarro)
Susanna
I hear you through the wire
The words all sound like noise
What happened to the fire in your voice
Dont try to hide the distance
Its just too big to ignore
We work it out like business
It wont work anymore
I remember eyes that shine
As they looked so hard back into mine
Now its just a memory
So Ill set you free
Ill set you free
Still sometimes late at night
Moonlight comes into my window
I make believe its how it used to be
We made it look so easy
We never tried to resist
Somehow you stopped believing
Somehow weve come to this
I remember eyes that shined
As they looked so hard back into mine
Now its just a memory
So Ill set you free
I remember words that fell
Like coins into a wishing well
It was never meant to be
So Ill set you free
Ill set you free
So now that I must go on
What more can I do
What good is being strong
When all I ever really want is you
song performed by by Bangles
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Strolling On The Memory Lane
oh, i went to memory lane
too,
i've seen much already.
i come back to what i am
and what i have become,
i hold on to my vision,
my dreams
i write about hope, and
imagine
my future, another 20 years,
another 30 years more,
i pray,
the memory lane is black and white
and then
it faded like a denim
a murky river where i lift my feet
up above the water
and as i move towards the shore,
i decided, i thought,
the memory lane serves me
no more
it was short, and it will not be
repeated
i wake up, and then i forget.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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My brother
Nascent you were to this macrocosm,
Blessed you were to parents,
Dyspoeic, unsounded from mother's womb you emerged,
Many conceived you were with Jesus,
Afore brought forth into beingness.
Doctors resuscitate with oxygen mask,
Travail, thirty minutes passed brought you back.
Triumphant over death, won life for yourself.
Whence you cried, Father gloating in joy cried a river.
Thence avouch, sweven God's work as you grow a man.
engendered after, saw father's fond on you.
Through many years of togetherness;
Pettifogger we fought and punished.
Though non twins, grew more like identical.
when you cried a child, I cried and still does.
Such is the love of brother, my brother.
Thither you went away to boarding school.
Whereby learned ways, good and bad.
And drew more to wassailer, drunkenness.
dissever we became, perceived I abhorred my brother.
Fondly Imbibe in whisky, disremembering your sole purpose,
So fond nearly you died like once when born half dead.
And whence in hospital bed you battled for life,
I cried a river, my brother.
I do not hate as I hate cockatrice,
I care more than I care the girl of my life.
And whence you live wastefully rummy, I rue.
Come at able, find oneself and the purpose, my brother.
The life you once battled and won when first born,
Be not languish in vain.
Be cumbered and hugger-mugger no more.
Ere in final resting place you lay,
I invoke to envision you gratified after years.
Heedless of how you impeach, I despise;
I merely have one brother.
My brother! My brother.
poem by Sukkum Chang
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Memory Lane
People ask me What you doin' son
You're gonna drive yourself insane
You'll never find the sunshine
When you're followin' the rain
Seems like I'd take a new road
After all these years
But I wind up on the same old trail of tears
I'm still walkin' down Memory Lane
'Cuz I know I'll be runnin' into you
Reminiscin' through the pain
Recallin' things that we used to do
I'm lookin' up an old flame
Down on Heartbreak Avenue
I'm still walkin' down Memory Lane
'Cuz I know I'll be runnin'into you
I hate the way I loved you
But my mind keeps goin' back
My train of thought just won't get off
That same old worn out track
It's an every night occasion me and your memory meet
On that endless lonely street of broken dreams
I'm still walkin' down Memory Lane
'Cuz I know I'll be runnin' into you
Reminiscin' through the pain
Recallin' things that we used to do
I'm lookin' up an old flame
Down on Heartbreak Avenue
I'm still walkin' down Memory Lane
'Cuz I know I'll be runnin'/Into you
I'm still walkin' down Memory Lane
Cuz I know I'll be runnin' into you
Reminiscin' through the pain
Recallin' things that we used to do
I'm lookin' up an old flame
Down on Heartbreak Avenue
I'm still walkin' down Memory Lane
'Cuz I know I'll be runnin'/Into you
Here she comes now
I'm still walkin'
Down Memory Lane
I'm still walkin'
Down Memory Lane
I'm still walkin'
Down Memory Lane
Lord
song performed by by Tim McGraw from Tim McGraw
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Travelling down memory lane
Traveling down memory lane
is not all black 'n white.
Traveling down memory lane
is not all lacking light.
Traveling down memory lane
is not eye filled with tears.
Traveling down memory lane
brings fresh and soothing air.
Traveling down memory lane
is love & pain, fun with friends.
Traveling down memory lane
is full of curves and bends.
Traveling down memory lane
is a test of time and mind
Traveling down memory lane
is a joy of it's kind.
poem by Ralph Acosta
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sacred Flame (A tale of the Neanderthals) l
The newcomers killed my woman,
Ransacked my cave and killed my child.
My brother and I had been out hunting,
The only reason we’re still alive.
We noticed first as we drew closer
The sacred fire had gone out.
We dropped our catch and sniffed the air-
When I smelled blood I grabbed my axe.
My spirit dropped, my heart was saddened
My woman and my child lay dead
The newcomers had speared the baby
A club caved in my woman’s head.
My brother took the child to bury
I built a rock cairn for my mate
I stroked her matted hair in sadness
I stoked the fire of my hate.
From outside I heard my brother
Bellowing his battle cry
Four newcomers were attacking
I grabbed my spear and let it fly.
My aim was true, my man was gutted
My brother crushed another’s skull.
The other two ran short on courage
They fled as we stood side by side.
We too must flee, the caves’ unsafe-
And they’ll be back in force besides
We looked back at the cave in sadness
As we bid our home good bye
The ashes in our cave are cooling
Throughout Europa its’ the same
So many of my people dying
Who will tend the sacred flame?
poem by John F. McCullagh
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Lifelong Bonds...
More than the blood of my blood. He is my friend,
my rock...my brother.
Brother, in times of need, never judging, always there.
My Brother, could, would, always make things right.
Brother, never made much ado, about the task at
hand...he just did it.
Brother, who lifted me, when I was down.
Brother, who brought the laughter, amid the pain.
Brother, the word he never spoke...was 'no'.
Brother, who had the answers, to my questions.
Brother, who by example, did walk the path of right.
Brother, in all my years...in all my life, never have
I met another...like my loving brother.
To My Brother...
More than the blood of my blood. He is my friend,
my rock...my brother.
Brother, in times of need, never judging, always there.
My Brother, could, would, always make things right.
Brother, never made much ado, about the task at
hand...he just did it.
Brother, who lifted me, when I was down.
Brother, who brought the laughter, amid the pain.
Brother, the word he never spoke...was 'no'.
Brother, who had the answers, to my questions.
Brother, who by example, did walk the path of right.
Brother, in all my years...in all my life, never have
I met another...like my loving brother.
Brother...
More than the blood of my blood. He is my friend,
my rock...my brother.
Brother, in times of need, never judging, always there.
My Brother, could, would, always make things right.
Brother, never made much ado, about the task at
hand...he just did it.
Brother, who lifted me, when I was down.
Brother, who brought the laughter, amid the pain.
Brother, the word he never spoke...was 'no'.
Brother, who had the answers, to my questions.
Brother, who by example, did walk the path of right.
Brother, in all my years...in all my life, never have
I met another...like my loving brother.