After the Carnival
AFTER THE CARNIVAL
The carnival of carefree play
too long has tripped its careless way,
clowned senseless as an ass’s bray
while flesh from flesh Time stripped away.
.
Once sun strong shone, when one made hay
cicada-like, would spend the day
in hasting-wasting, - led astray
by vain beliefs the day to pay
would never come. But hopes decay,
the ostrich-innings stumped. Today,
momentum lost, depressed dismay
notes there’s no energy to pray.
.
Illusions fade, blue skies turn grey,
what once seemed certain from life's fray
has dropped defeated, options fray.
Careless of creed, one must obey
dread summons which to night turns day.
.
That one’s posterity will stay
when life’s departed holds at bay
a sense of impotence and may
part justify the role to play.
The carnival is over, May
to Winter bows, Spring may not stay -
its darling buds in blossom, gay,
tomorrow must return to clay.
4 November 1992 revised 21 May 2005 and 29 December 2010
robi03_0638_robi03_0000 XXX_DZX
see Après la Fête robi03_0228_robi03_0000 XXX_DJZ
Après la Fête
Life's Carnival swift sinks soon drive,
ambitions fail. What sense to strive
when dregs alone remain to drain
before forgetfulness stakes claim.
.
Who have the strength to goals attain
with principles intact remain
exceptions to life's ground rules lain,
clowns stride stage, pine, pain, soon lie slain.
.
Though some may for a time contrive
to fool themselves, they steeper dive
when time in pawn takes pawn alive,
soon sacrificed to failures’ knives -
which often with ‘success’ connive.
.
Illusions lost, we find with pain,
are seldom truly gained again -
what once seemed certain’s then proved vain
when gain proves dross, and loss insane.
.
Dunce bee, once drawn to wicket flame,
no curtain call can still sustain, -
another worker t[r]icked from hive
which will remain no less alive…
13 October 1988 revised 29 April 2005 and 29 December 2010
robi03_0228_robi03_0000 XXX_DJZ
For previous version see below and After the Carnival robi03_0638_robi03_0000 XXX_DZX
llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
AFTER THE CARNIVAL
The carnival of carefree play
too long has tripped its careless way
as senseless as an ass’s bray
while flesh from flesh Time stripped away.
Once sun strong shone, when one made hay
cicada-like, would spend the day
in hasting-wasting, - led astray
by vain beliefs the day to pay
would never come. But hopes decay,
the ostrich-innings stumped. Today,
momentum lost, depressed dismay
notes there’s no energy to pray.
Illusions fade, blue skies turn grey,
what once seemed certain from life's fray
has dropped defeated, options fray.
Careless of creed, one must obey
dread summons which to night turns day.
That one’s posterity will stay
when life’s departed holds at bay
a sense of impotence and may
part justify the role to play.
The carnival is over. May
to Winter bows, Spring shall not stay, -
the darling buds in blossom, gay,
tomorrow must return to clay.
4 November 1992 revised 21 May 2005
robi03_0638_robi03_0000 XXX_DZX
see Après la Fête robi03_0228_robi03_0000 XXX_DJZ
Après la Fête
The Carnival is over. Drive,
ambitions fail. What sense to strive
when dregs alone remain to drain
before forgetfulness stakes claim.
Who have the strength to goals attain
with principles intact remain
exceptions to life's ground rules lain.
Though some may for a time contrive
to fool themselves, they steeper dive
when time in pawn takes pawn alive,
soon sacrificed to failures’ knives -
which often with ‘success’ connive.
Illusions lost, we find with pain,
are seldom truly gained again -
what once seemed certain’s then proved vain.
Dunce bee, once drawn to wicket flame,
no curtain call can long sustain, -
another worker t[r]icked from hive
which will remain no less alive…
13 October 1988 revised 29 April 2005
robi03_0228_robi03_0000 XXX_DJZ
For previous version see below and After the Carnival robi03_0638_robi03_0000 XXX_DZX
n.b. wicket, wicked wick et (and in French)
Après la Fête
The Carnival is over. Drive,
ambitions fail. What sense to strive
when dregs alone remain to drain
before forgetfulness stakes claim.
Illusions lost, we find with pain,
what once was certain now seems vain.
Another worker leaves the hive,
which is, itself, no less alive.
13 October 1988
poem by Jonathan Robin

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Après la Fête
Après la Fête
Life's Carnival swift sinks soon drive,
ambitions fail. What sense to strive
when dregs alone remain to drain
before forgetfulness stakes claim.
.
Who have the strength to goals attain
with principles intact remain
exceptions to life's ground rules lain,
clowns stride stage, pine, pain, soon lie slain.
.
Though some may for a time contrive
to fool themselves, they steeper dive
when time in pawn takes pawn alive,
soon sacrificed to failures’ knives -
which often with ‘success’ connive.
.
Illusions lost, we find with pain,
are seldom truly gained again -
what once seemed certain’s then proved vain
when gain proves dross, and loss insane.
.
Dunce bee, once drawn to wicket flame,
no curtain call can still sustain, -
another worker t[r]icked from hive
which will remain no less alive…
13 October 1988 revised 29 April 2005 and 29 December 2010
robi03_0228_robi03_0000 XXX_DJZ
For previous version see below and After the Carnival robi03_0638_robi03_0000 XXX_DZX
llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllll
AFTER THE CARNIVAL
The carnival of carefree play
too long has tripped its careless way,
clowned senseless as an ass’s bray
while flesh from flesh Time stripped away.
.
Once sun strong shone, when one made hay
cicada-like, would spend the day
in hasting-wasting, - led astray
by vain beliefs the day to pay
would never come. But hopes decay,
the ostrich-innings stumped. Today,
momentum lost, depressed dismay
notes there’s no energy to pray.
.
Illusions fade, blue skies turn grey,
what once seemed certain from life's fray
has dropped defeated, options fray.
Careless of creed, one must obey
dread summons which to night turns day.
.
That one’s posterity will stay
when life’s departed holds at bay
a sense of impotence and may
part justify the role to play.
The carnival is over, May
to Winter bows, Spring may not stay -
its darling buds in blossom, gay,
tomorrow must return to clay.
4 November 1992 revised 21 May 2005 and 29 December 2010
robi03_0638_robi03_0000 XXX_DZX
see Après la Fête robi03_0228_robi03_0000 XXX_DJZ
llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllll
APRES LA FETE
The Carnival is over. Drive,
ambitions fail. What sense to strive
when dregs alone remain to drain
before forgetfulness stakes claim.
Who have the strength to goals attain
with principles intact remain
exceptions to the ground rules lain.
Although some for a time contrive
to fool themselves, they steeper dive
when time in pawn takes pawn alive,
soon sacrificed to failures’ knives -
which often with ‘success’ connive.
Illusions lost, we find with pain,
are seldom truly gained again -
what once seemed certain’s then proved vain.
Bee, moth, attracted to wick’d flame,
no curtain call will long retain, -
another worker ticked from hive
which still remains no less alive...
13 October 1988 revised 29 April 2005
robi03_0228_robi03_0000 XXX_DJZ
poem by Jonathan Robin

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
After the Carnival - Apres la Fete
The carnival of carefree play
too long has tripped its careless way,
clowned senseless as an ass's bray
while flesh from flesh Time stripped away.
Once sun strong shone, when one made hay
cicada-like, would spend the day
in hasting-wasting, - led astray
by vain beliefs the day to pay
would never come. But hopes decay,
the ostrich-innings stumped. Today,
momentum lost, depressed dismay
notes there's no energy to pray.
Illusions fade, blue skies turn grey,
what once seemed certain from life's fray
has dropped defeated, options fray.
Careless of creed, one must obey
dread summons which to night turns day.
That one's posterity will stay
when life's departed holds at bay
a sense of impotence and may
part justify the role to play.
The carnival is over, May
to Winter bows, Spring may not stay -
its darling buds in blossom, gay,
tomorrow must return to clay.
For previous version revised 21 May 2005 see below
Life's Carnival swift sinks soon drive,
ambitions fail. What sense to strive
when dregs alone remain to drain
before forgetfulness stakes claim.
Who have the strength to goals attain
with principles intact remain
exceptions to life's ground rules lain,
clowns stride stage, pine, pain, soon lie slain.
Though some may for a time contrive
to fool themselves, they steeper dive
when time in pawn takes pawn alive,
soon sacrificed to failures' knives -
which often with ‘success' connive.
Illusions lost, we find with pain,
are seldom truly gained again -
what once seemed certain's then proved vain
when gain proves dross, and loss insane.
Dunce bee, once drawn to wicket flame,
no curtain call can still sustain, -
another worker t[r]icked from hive
which will remain no less alive.
For previous version revised 29 April 2005 see below
The Carnival is over. Drive,
ambitions fail. What sense to strive
when dregs alone remain to drain
before forgetfulness stakes claim.
Who have the strength to goals attain
with principles intact remain
exceptions to the ground rules lain.
Although some for a time contrive
to fool themselves, they steeper dive
when time in pawn takes pawn alive,
soon sacrificed to failures' knives -
which often with ‘success' connive.
Illusions lost, we find with pain,
are seldom truly gained again -
what once seemed certain's then proved vain.
Bee, moth, attracted to wick'd flame,
no curtain call will long retain,
another worker ticked from hive
which still remains no less alive.
(29 December 2010)
poem by Jonathan Robin

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Carnival
By eric clapton
Come with me, come with me,
To the carnival, to the carnival.
You will see, you will see,
What you want to see, exactly what you want to be,
At the carnival, at the carnival, at the carnival.
Come with me, come with me,
To the carnival, to the carnival,
To the carnival, to the carnival, to the carnival.
Come with me, come with me.
Come with me, come with me.
song performed by by Eric Clapton

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Clown
He's the clown at the carnival
he's always lively
he's always happy
and with his little magics
he brings joy
to every children's heart.
He's the clown at the carnival
he's always smiling
but utters no word
jumping
dancing
tumbling
jugglin g
he does nothing
but give joy.
He's the clown at the carnival
but when twilight comes
no one can say.
He's the clown at the carnival
beside the cold cemented bed
of his beloved
his tears endlessly falling
from his eyes
no longer painted with colors.
He's the clown at the carnival
have you already seen his tears?
poem by Marites C. Cayetano

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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When Salome Plays The Drum
When salome plays the drum
By: jimmy buffett
1981
For salome, freddo and clauvis
When salome plays the drum
Crowd goes deaf and dumb
Swept up by dark sensations
Partially the heat
More so its the beat
She moves in syncopation
Gazelle on the run
Skirts slit past her thigh
Boys let out a sigh
The beat begins to quicken
Crowd ascends the stairs
Climbin on the chairs
The plot begins to thicken
Phasers on stun
Chorus:
Take them to the carnival (take them to the carnival)
Let them hear the conga
Tonight the tempo feels so right
Tomorrow may be wrong-a
(instrumental)
Gendarme close her down
Make her leave the town
She caught the flight to rio
Nothin to say
Wavin from the plane
Pourin pink champagne
She toasts her loyal trio
It was a lucrative stay
Ooh take them to the carnival (take them to the carnival)
Let them hear the conga
Tonight the tempo feels so right
Tomorrow may be wrong-a
Oh wont you take them to the carnival (take them to the carnival)
Let them play for hours
Tonight the weather feels so right
Tomorrow (tomorrow) feels like showers
- notes:
Gut string guitar by barry chance
song performed by by Jimmy Buffett

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Carnival Time
Now is the season of Carnival.
Who's for the sunlit course?
Who's for the beat of galloping feet
And the day and the way of the horse?
Who joins the dance, tho' Lady Chance
Pleasure or pain may yield,
Who comes to the call of Carnival?
'Seven to four the field!'
This is the week of the Carnival
And the sign of a brighter dawn
In men's affairs. Who sheds old cares
Where gay frocks fleck the lawn?
Who would forget old days of fret?
Who comes to the call of mirth
And the conquering steeds? ... They're off! Who leads?
And the hoof beats spurn the earth.
Then, Hi! for the height of Carnival,
Gayer than all gone past:
And the nameless fears of the deadening years
Forsake men's minds at last.
Bright jackets flash beneath the sun
As the roar of the crowd begins,
And lifts and swells at a great home run:
'Who leads? Who lasts? Who wins?'
Ho! for the call of Carnival!
Way for the Sport of Kings!
And men, grown sane, turn once again
To all that high hope brings.
Who's for the Carnival? Who grows gay
Where galloping Fortune speeds
Around the turn to gallop our way
With the galloping, galloping steeds?
poem by Clarence Michael James Stanislaus Dennis

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Carnival World
Carnival world
By: jimmy buffett, roger guth, jay oliver
1989
My father always said that theres no free ride
Youve got to make a sacrifice
So many prophets on the lords side
Even your soul has got a price
But talk is cheap
It takes money to buy your freedom
And the tax mans knockin on your door
Chorus:
Spend it while you can
Moneys contraband
You cant take it with you when you go
Spend it while you can
Before its taken from your hand
Theres no free ride in this carnival world
Theres no free ride in this carnival world
Too many hawkers on this travelin show
Everybodys got somethin to sell
Bootleg swatches, cardboard gucci gear
Watch your step at the wishing well
But talk is cheap
It takes money to buy your freedom
And the tax mans knockin on your door
Chorus:
Spend it while you can
Moneys contraband
You cant take it with you when you go
Spend it while you can
fore its taken from your hand
Theres no free ride in this carnival world
Theres no free ride in this carnival world
Whats mine is mine
If its only one thin dime
My cash was always meant to flow
Chorus:
Spend it while you can
Moneys contraband
You cant take it with you when you go
Spend it while you can
Before its taken from your hand
Theres no free ride in this carnival world
Theres no free ride in this carnival world
Theres no free ride in this carnival world
Theres no free ride
Theres no free ride
Theres no free ride
song performed by by Jimmy Buffett

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Carnival Girl
See me in the morning light
A photograph of pure delight
Yeah but I left too soon
I don't see you girl
There were some good times we had
And there were some that werent so bad
Oh just feel it now lets feel it now
Yoh yo I remember what we used to do
Blink up and dream a living with the notion to
Ill give you the sun, the stars and the blue sky too
So come on a leasing wanna pleasing you
Remember when we used to link up with the crew
Suze and Suzette and Tanya too
Youre the one on me side, when me ask you to
its just a party now,
Yo, I believe in you, I ain't leaving you
CHORUS
Ooh come on let's get down tonight
Come on let's get down tonight
Join the carnival of love ooh
Well you sing it now, take it now
Join the carnival of love
Come on join in the carnival of love yeah
I watch the laughter in your eyes
I see the wrinkles change in size
Yeah, time has left you now
Lovers may have tried to be
everything thats strange in me
oh much deeper now, much deeper now
Much deeper,
Yo, I used to love it when we used to play
It used to be like a weekend everyday
Three times at night when I came everyway
Body to body make you scream and say
Physically dance
You're not easy, take it easy
For again we are love, at one with the pope
And you stay on my mind,
So lets go to the party girl
That we leave behind
CHORUS
Ooh come on let's get down tonight
Come on let's get down tonight
Join the carnival of love ooh
Well you sing now, take it now
Join the carnival of love
Come on join in the carnival of love, yeah
Ooh come on let's get down tonight
Come on let's get down tonight
Join the carnival of love ooh
Well you sing it now, take it now
Join the carnival of love
I believe in you, I ain't leaving you, yo yo
Push it now, push it now
I believe in you
Stop me now
Push it now, push it now
I believe in you
Stop me now
Push it now, push it now
I believe in you
Stop me now
Push it now, push it now
I believe in you, I aint leaving you
CHORUS:
Oh come on let's get down tonight
Come on let's get down tonight
Join the carnival of love ooh
Well you sing it now, take it now
Join the carnival of love
Oh come on let's get down tonight
Come on let's get down tonight
Join the carnival of love ooh
Well you sing it now, take it now
Join the carnival of love
I believe in you, I aint leaving you
Yoh I remember what we used to do
Blink up and dream a living, with the notion to
Ill give you the sun, the stars and the blue sky too
So come on a leasing wanna pleasing you
song performed by by Texas

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Carnival Girl
See me in the morning light
A photograph of pure delight
Yeah but I left too soon
I don't see you girl
There were some good times we had
And there were some that werent so bad
Oh just feel it now lets feel it now
Yoh yo I remember what we used to do
Blink up and dream a living with the notion to
Ill give you the sun, the stars and the blue sky too
So come on a leasing wanna pleasing you
Remember when we used to link up with the crew
Suze and Suzette and Tanya too
Youre the one on me side, when me ask you to
its just a party now,
Yo, I believe in you, I ain't leaving you
CHORUS
Ooh come on let's get down tonight
Come on let's get down tonight
Join the carnival of love ooh
Well you sing it now, take it now
Join the carnival of love
Come on join in the carnival of love yeah
I watch the laughter in your eyes
I see the wrinkles change in size
Yeah, time has left you now
Lovers may have tried to be
everything thats strange in me
oh much deeper now, much deeper now
Much deeper,
Yo, I used to love it when we used to play
It used to be like a weekend everyday
Three times at night when I came everyway
Body to body make you scream and say
Physically dance
You're not easy, take it easy
For again we are love, at one with the pope
And you stay on my mind,
So lets go to the party girl
That we leave behind
CHORUS
Ooh come on let's get down tonight
Come on let's get down tonight
Join the carnival of love ooh
Well you sing now, take it now
Join the carnival of love
Come on join in the carnival of love, yeah
Ooh come on let's get down tonight
Come on let's get down tonight
Join the carnival of love ooh
Well you sing it now, take it now
Join the carnival of love
I believe in you, I ain't leaving you, yo yo
Push it now, push it now
I believe in you
Stop me now
Push it now, push it now
I believe in you
Stop me now
Push it now, push it now
I believe in you
Stop me now
Push it now, push it now
I believe in you, I aint leaving you
CHORUS:
Oh come on let's get down tonight
Come on let's get down tonight
Join the carnival of love ooh
Well you sing it now, take it now
Join the carnival of love
Oh come on let's get down tonight
Come on let's get down tonight
Join the carnival of love ooh
Well you sing it now, take it now
Join the carnival of love
I believe in you, I aint leaving you
Yoh I remember what we used to do
Blink up and dream a living, with the notion to
Ill give you the sun, the stars and the blue sky too
So come on a leasing wanna pleasing you
song performed by by Texas

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Carnival Is Over
Say goodbye, my own true lover,
As we sing a lovers song.
How it breaks my heart to leave you,
Now the carnival is gone.
How it breaks my heart to leave you,
Now the carnival is gone.
Say goodbye, my own true lover,
As we sing a lovers song.
How it breaks my heart to leave you,
Now the carnival is gone.
High above, the dawn is waking,
And my tears are falling rain,
For the carnival is over;
We may never meet again.
For the carnival is over;
We may never meet again.
##
##
Like a drum my heart was beating,
And your kiss was sweet as wine.
But the joys of love are fleeting
For pierrot and columbine.
Now the harbour light is calling;
This will be our last goodbye.
Though the carnival is over,
I will love you till I die.
Say goodbye, my own true lover,
As we sing a lovers song.
How it breaks my heart to leave you,
Now the carnival is gone.
Say goodbye, my own true lover,
This will be our last goodbye.
Though the carnival is over,
I will love you till I die.
Though the carnival is over,
I will love you till I die.
Though the carnival is over,
I will love you till I die.
song performed by by Boney M.

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Keyless
High hopes are mocked by Time as, day by day,
efforts are hamstrung, - phantom puppet show
reflects our vain illusions’ ebb and flow.
Effects’ and causes’ ripple interplay
scoffs at control. Coincidence at play
enacts a dance whose patterns none may know.
Why seek for key? Self-righteous afterglow
can’t channel flow to stem the current grey?
Chance - Time’s harmony – Man won’t obey,
cares not a tinker’s curse for those who bow
would string, - self validating vertigo
soon bursts to leave brief, troubled, bubble bray
deflated, echo muted, song unheard.
Who’ll witness stand that strings were ever stirred?
19 September 2005 revised 30 October 2006
poem by Jonathan Robin

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Carnival.
Carnival.
Liquid colours
In the sun.
Music on the run.
With a smile.
The perfect day of fun.
Just our style.
Amid the beautiful noise
We kissed.
Resist,
If you can,
The beat.
Our bodies gyrate
In the heat.
To the rhythm of love
In the street.
We skip, like teenage lovers
Under the scented covers
Of exotic fare.
Wafting through the air.
Our carnival extraordinaire.
That afternoon
I would serenade you.
Across the esplanade we threw
Flowers in the air.
Such a happy pair
Of souls.
Strolls,
As music fades
With the sun.
Our moonlight
Has just begun.
We toasted
Our carnival of love
In street cafe.
I held your hand.
No words to say.
Just listen
To love's symphony play.
No small talk.
Contented lovers walk
Captured by starlight array.
On
Our carnival day.
poem by Kevin East

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Everything being a constant carnival, there is no carnival left.
quote by Victor Hugo

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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In Days to Come
IN DAYS TO COME
In days to come when, dumb, I’ll strum no more
rhymed witness to timed world where butterflies
still dance rare marbled patterns through fair skies -
when I’ll have sunk to rest unblessed before
enchantment fades – who’ll feel one penny poor?
Most, wor[l]dy-wise, ignore one poor demise,
for life continues as before - here lies
our irony, reflections poet pours
in [l]ink think themes on pixel pages’ scores
fade with ambitions one can’t realize,
when hopes unmet forget joy’s first surprise.
Self is both root and cause of fatal flaws.
My memory, wax candle w[e]aned from flame,
may shadow search vain answers to Life’s game.
20 May 2005 revised 16 November 2006 and 25 March 2009
robi03_1257_robi03_0000 SXX_DIZ
for previous versions see below variant of Unjaded Sparkle 6 July 1991
In Days to Come
In days to come when, dumb, I’ll bear no more
to Time rhymed witness, world where butterflies
still dance rare marbled patterns through fair skies -
when I’ll have sunk to rest twice blessed before
enchantment fades – who’ll feel one penny poor?
Most, wor[l]dy-wise, ignore one poor demise,
for life continues as before - here lies
our irony, reflections one would pour
in [l]ink think themes on pixel pages’ score
fade with ambitions one can’t realize,
when hopes unmet forget joy’s first surprise.
Within oneself is found the fatal flaw.
My memory - wax candle w[e]aned from flame,
while others, vain, search answers to Life’s game.
20 May 2005 and 16 November 2006 revised 23 November 2008
- for previous versions see below
In Days to Come
In days to come when I may bear no more
to Time rhymed witness, world where butterflies
still dance rare marbled patterns through fair skies -
when I’ll have sunk to rest twice blessed before
enchantment fades – who’ll feel a cent more poor?
For most wor[l]d-wise, ignoring one demise,
Life bright or boring as before, - here lies
our irony, reflections one would pour
in [l]ink think on the pixel pages’ score
fade with ambitions, one can’t realize,
when hopes unmet forget their first surprise.
Within oneself is found the fatal flaw.
My memory - wax candle w[e]aned from flame,
while others, vain, search answers to Life’s game.
20 May 2005 and 16 November 2006
for previous version see below
In Days to Come
In days to come when I may bear no more
to Time fair witness, world where butterflies
aloft dance marbled patterns in the skies -
next May, when I’ll have sunk to rest before
enchantment fades – who’ll feel a cent more poor?
Life will appear to who these verses buys
as bright or boring as before, - here lies
the irony, reflections one would pour
in ink upon the pixel pages’ score.
Ambitions fade, and libido, too, sighs
when hopes unmet one cannot realize, -
within oneself is found the fatal flaw.
Life will for me be candle lost to flame,
for others, search for answers to its game.
20 May 2005
© Jonathan Robin
poem by Jonathan Robin

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You are perhaps the most accomplished confidence man since Charles Ponzi. I'd say you were a carnival barker, but that wouldn't be fair to carnival barkers. to former Enron CEO Keny Lay
quote by Peter Fitzgerald

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Spirit Spits Pits
[S]tale smoke,
Pale bloke,
I‘m broke,
Rum coke
In poke
Time’s joke …
So Croak!
13 April 2005 revised 28 March 2009 robi3_1201_robi3_0000 XXX_DJZ
Previous title Cost of Dying – for previous version see below
Cost of Sin
Stale smoke,
I’m broke,
No joke.
13 April 2005 robi3_1201_robi3_0000 AWX_DJZ
poem by Jonathan Robin

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Homerun
HOMERUN
From dark to light – one cry.
cot, tot, fine whine, youth tries
to rise, outshine, – strength vies
to test itself far, nigh,
will ever improvise,
wings spread ahead would fly
beyond the common sty.
Ends, means, some justify
as tools to fool, win prize
refusing to downsize
goals which new goals supply,
to grow, while enterprise
won’t sit, knit idly by
would flow to know, apply.
See sun at zenith high
where fair sweep cloudless skies,
fragility belies.
Self on self will rely
And thus we compromise
ourselves – each hour thereby
prepares grief leaf’s demise.
Men, weak “how, what, when, why”
seek to deny, despise
as limits while each eyes
ambitions run awry.
Most fail to realize
fame’s flame soon sinks, falls shy
of promise time can’t buy.
Stagnation by and by
sets in, transforms to ties
what once soared free, - denies
rights others seek would lie,
Inventing alibis
inverting truth stain, dye,
strain, pain, until sparks die.
Still time will onward fly!
Few care to recognize
sunset whet hopes defies, -
dare not, with rules comply, -
scope set cut down to size.
With humour grim and wry
Fate on each whim may spy.
Life’s voyage does imply
page after page time tries
to crop or circumsize -
each stage a wager sly
as cause, effect, in guise
of free choice voice deny
to unborn options! ... Why?
Tide turns, Time’s spring runs dry.
The candle burns. The wise,
the fool, fourscore, fade, - rise
no more, till final cry
whose sense none can disguise.
No echo, no reply...
from light to dark, sole sigh.
9 February 2005
robi03_1060_robi03_0000 XXX_DJZ
Homerun Poem © Jonathan Robin
see also Homespun
robi03_1057_robi03_0000 SXX_DZX
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HOMESPUNBirth Mirth Worth Girth Dearth Earth Berth
From dark to light – one cry, homespun.
Cot, tot, fine whine, youth vies at last
to rise, to shine, – strength tries so fast
to test itself far, nigh, to run
above the common sty or scrum,
tries stratagems devised to cast,
with sun at zenith high, shade vast, ...
ignores Time fleeting by. The sum?
Who fools are, who are wise, succumb.
Who true, who in disguise, outlast
the dreaded drum’s surprise, stand fast
can further innings try? Soon dumb!
Come night, tomb stark, done, lie forgot, – time spun
From light doom dark one sigh, poor lot, – rhyme done!
20 January 2005
robi03_1057_robi03_0000 SXX_DZX
see also Homerun
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Homes pun Poem © Jonathan Robin
:)
poem by Jonathan Robin

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Its Carnival Time
(words & music by weisman - wayne)
Come on kids from eight to eighty
Hey there mister bring your lady
Theres a big show on the inside
Its carnival time
Popcorn, peanuts and cotton candy
Pink lemonade thats dan-dan-dandy
Be a big shot for a dollar
Its carnival time
Roustabouts are roustaboutn
And theres happy shouts, children shoutin
If youve got doubts quit your doubtin
Theres thrills, its spice
Its cheap at half the price
So dont be bashful, buy a ticket
Get the habit never kick it
Hit the band there, dont just stand there
Its carnival time
Roustabouts are roustaboutn
And theres happy shouts, children shoutin
If youve got doubts quit your doubtin
Theres thrills, its spice
Its cheap at half the price
So dont be bashful, buy a ticket
Get the habit never kick it
Hit the band there, dont just stand there
Its carnival time
Its carnival time
song performed by by Elvis Presley

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Ballade Of Truisms
Gold or silver, every day,
Dies to gray.
There are knots in every skein.
Hours of work and hours of play
Fade away
Into one immense Inane.
Shadow and substance, chaff and grain,
Are as vain
As the foam or as the spray.
Life goes crooning, faint and fain,
One refrain:
'If it could be always May!'
Though the earth be green and gay,
Though, they say,
Man the cup of heaven may drain;
Though, his little world to sway,
He display
Hoard on hoard of pith and brain:
Autumn brings a mist and rain
That constrain
Him and his to know decay,
Where undimmed the lights that wane
Would remain,
If it could be always May.
YEA, alas, must turn to NAY,
Flesh to clay.
Chance and Time are ever twain.
Men may scoff, and men may pray,
But they pay
Every pleasure with a pain.
Life may soar, and Fortune deign
To explain
Where her prizes hide and stay;
But we lack the lusty train
We should gain,
If it could be always May.
Envoy
Time, the pedagogue, his cane
Might retain,
But his charges all would stray
Truanting in every lane -
Jack with Jane -
If it could be always May.
poem by William Ernest Henley

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Calculations Fail
Can knowledge any sense in life retain?
All trace in space must some day disappear.
Life's calculations fail, ambitions vain.
Colours, now magic, soon no longer here
Unknown sounds, scents tomorrow shall remain.
Love's lightning, having struck, moves on, a mere
After-ripple on time's wave, cleansed clear.
The struggle ceases, Lethe, down the drain
Is every trace flushed before we can gain
One insight on Life's mysteries, or steer
New trips through dreams, few dreams themselves appear
Sense bearing whose waft, weft, need never wane.
FAll follows pride, soul weighed by feather light,
ILl starred our ride, bright spark mid endless night.
poem by Jonathan Robin

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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