Decide Against Stereotypes - 1294 - Current Version
Decisions take, nor hesitate nor bide
Excessive time awaiting from outside
Comprehensive answers coveted.
Independant mind must coincide
Directly with the will to win, not hide.
Existence is too short - life soon is fled.
Decades dovetail to centuries beside
Entrapped spectators, waiting on the side,
Challenge refusing, witless walking dead
In fear of fear, refusing to decide.
Dare! Few remain who answers seek inside
Earth's soul? Most stillborn seem brief hour sped!
Distrust that moment Fortune's tide
Entwines ambitious greed, feeds fears inside,
Cause, Effect confuses, Fate's fickle thread
Identified as true cue. Conformist thread
Dark homage pays 'authority'. Most slide,
Endure life's strife stings, by siren songs misled.
Dissipation seldom may provide
Exit gratifying, - seems as suicide
Counter-intuitive conformity, instead
Is chosen to 'gain time'. Disqualified,
Double-bind conformist blind would wed
Empty acceptation's altar, all trust fled.
Desires down-graded, dreams by self denied,
Elicit slight pity, sagacity short-supplied.
Care take avoiding firewall State hosted,
Internet providers' censorship decried
Deals stereotype behaviour blow wicked,
Expel ranks serried, round-hole pegs deride.
Dissatisfaction offers gloomy glide,
Expectations suffer, priorities collide.
Comfort zone, lost, counts cost, bewails with dread
Intensive pressures as horizons wide
Disintegrate, bemoans bad luck denied
Expressions of free will, dice loaded lead.
Dreams frequently minority divide
Essentially from crowd whose hands are tied.
Conspicuously by inaction. Look ahead!
Inner clarity, options authentified,
Draws upon convictions tested, tried.
Equity sifts sure leader from lure led.
Dare, dare not, often men from men divide
Ever as the masses, mystified,
Criss-cross zigzag, numb, dumb, scope gainsaid,
Initiatives restrained, fence sitting, cut and dried
Decisions drained, unblessed by wisdom wide.
Efforts, unrewarded, rot instead.
Deny temptations of soft ride,
Ease superficial, risks unquantified,
Choosing 'safe way', straight road comfort fed,
Ideals mediocre prove poor guide,
Deride free choice, autonomy, self pride,
Embrace conformity, exchanged for bread.
Division equals crime unjustified.
Equation lose/lose, efforts time denied,
Creates conditions delicate, contested.
Input focussed fairly, fortified,
Defies both wishful-thinking, unjust pride,
Excessive pseudo strength, defeated, ousted
Disqualify dud deals unjustified,
Emotions sapped, surfing life's watershed
Cutting communication, compassion shed.
Isolate self-censorship, convinced truth lied,
Drops principles, truth, trust, strips bona fide
Emancipation, high ideals stops dead.
Dimmed vim, responsibilities most chide,
Endure more than participate, they dread
Conscious freedom's fountainhead,
Innate birthright inhibiting beside
Doubts self born, stay torn, dare not provide
Emotional integrity board, bed.
Despise stop-gap solutions qualified
Everywhere as failsafe when, allied,
Complacency and status found in bed,
Incestuous are chosen for free ride,
Denigrating independence wide,
Endure more than participate, choice dread.
Deft deeds one needs, advancing from inside,
Excluding bias, crimes unrectified,
Challenge compromise, leave naught unsaid.
Identify the many ways your stride
Distinguished is from superficial slide
Each day by those behind, through putting self ahead!
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Decide! - 1294 - Initial Version
Dreams often the minority divide
Essentially from masses mystified.
Champion truth not falsehood, for ahead
Is clarity, options authentified,
Draw down from experience allied
E'er with convictions leader sifts from led.
Dreams too too often man from man divide
Ever as the crowd, preoccupied,
Criss-cross zigzags, some dumb stay, hope fled,
Initiatives restrained, life bled, cut and dried,
Drained by false fears, unblessed by wisdom wide,
Expectations high deny instead.
Deny temptations of soft ride,
Ease superficial, risks unquantified,
Chooses 'safe way', straight road comfort fed,
Ideas second rate accepts as guide,
Derides free choice, autonomy, self pride,
Exchanging fad conformity for bread.
Distrust that moment Fortune's tide
Entwines ambitions in its fickle thread,
Cause, Effect confuses as Fate's tread
Is feared by those to blind convention wed,
Dark homage pay 'authority'' to glide
Empty through life, by siren songs misled.
Disqualified whose deeds unjustified
Emotions undermine, who have gainsaid
Communication, dialogue have shed
Isolated self from ethics, lied,
Dropped principles and trust, stripped bona fide
Emancipation, high ideals stopped dead.
Dim, most responsibility do, chide
Endure more than participate, and dread
Conscious freedom's fountainhead,
Inhibit their own birthright, squat beside
Doubts self born, stay torn, dare not provide
Emotions true to surf life's watershed.
Decades dovetail to centuries beside
Entrapped spectators, waiting on the side,
Challenge refusing, witless walking dead!
In fear of fear, refusing to decide.
Dare! Who is there their answers seek inside
Earth's soul? Most stillborn seem their hour sped!
Decisions take, don't hesitate or bide
Excessive time awaiting from outside
Comprehensive answers coveted.
Independant mind must coincide
Directly with the will to win, not hide.
Existence is too short - life soon is sped.
Deeds Mankind needs, advancing from inside,
Excluding bias, crimes unrectified,
Creating bridges, leaving naught unsaid.
Identify the different ways your stride
Divides from those who, superficial, slide
Each day, - those most behind putting self ahead!
(10 September 2005)
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Decide against Stereotypes - 1294 - 2007 Version
Dreams often the minority divide
E ssentially from masses mystified.
C hampion truth not falsehood, for ahead
I s clarity, options authentified,
D raw down from experience allied,
E ver convictions leader sifts from led.
Dread far too often men from men divide
E ver as the crowd, preoccupied,
C riss-cross zigzags, some dumb stay, hope fled,
I nitiatives restrained, life bled, cut and dried,
D rained by false fears, unblessed by wisdom wide,
E xpectations high deny instead.
Deny temptations of soft ride.
E ase superficial, risks unquantified,
C hooses 'safe way', straight road comfort fed,
I deas second rate accepts as guide,
D erides free choice, autonomy, self pride, -
E xchanging fad, conformity, for bread.
D istrust that moment Fortune's tide
E ntwines ambitions in its fickle thread,
C ause, Effect confuses as Fate's tread
I s feared by those to blind convention wed,
D ark homage pay ‘authority' to glide
E mpty through life, by siren songs misled.
Disqualified whose deeds, unjustified,
E motions undermine, who have gainsaid
C ommunication, dialogue have shed,
I solated self from ethics, lied,
D ropped principles and trust, stripped bona fide
E mancipation, high ideals stopped dead.
Dim, most, responsibility do chide,
E ndure more than participate, and dread
C onscious freedom's fountainhead,
I nhibit their own birthright, squat beside
D oubts self born, stay torn, dare not provide
E motions true to surf life's watershed.
Decades dovetail to centuries beside
E ntrapped spectators, waiting on the side,
C hallenge refusing, - witless walking dead! -
I n fear of fear, refusing to decide.
D are! Who is there their answers seek inside
E arth's soul? Most stillborn seem their hour sped!
Decisions take, don't hesitate or bide
E xcessive time awaiting from outside
C omprehensive answers coveted.
I ndependant mind must coincide
D irectly with the will to win, not hide.
E xistence is too short - life soon is sped.
Deeds Mankind needs, advancing from inside,
E xcluding bias, crimes unrectified,
C reating bridges, leaving naught unsaid.
I dentify the different ways your stride
D ivides from those who, superficial, slide
E ach day, those most behind through putting self ahead!
(1 July 2007)
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Failsafe is Self Delusion
Deny temptations of soft ride,
ease superficial, risks unquantified,
choosing “safe way”, straight road comfort fed,
idea[l]s mediocre are poor guide,
deride free choice, autonomy, self pride, -
exchanging fad, conformity, for bread.
Despise stop-gap solutions qualified
everywhere as failsafe when, allied,
complacency and status found in bed,
incestuous are chosen for free ride,
denigrating options for scope wide,
endure more than participate, choice dread.
Dreams sacrificed to mirage fears short-sighted
turn self-prophetic, lead to future blighted.
(c) Jonathan Robin
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Individual Insolence
Spendthrift, swift second thoughts so greedy glide,
dovetail decades to centuries for waiting dead,
so few of whom dare seek inside
true soul; seed weeded, cower stillborn once hour’s sped.
Who falter, hesitate, or hide,
issues undermine, gratuitously misread,
dodge deadlines, ostrich imitate, divide
themselves from future freedom: futile chicken-head.
Priorities with force collide
with weal’s wheels steel inlaid, braid geometric tread
when feelings, mind, can’t co-incide.
Run coach and horses through approach to safety wed.
Turn from temptations of soft ride
along straight road of safety, comfort, ease, well fed,
that shutters, clutter free, outside;
walls off, denies, discomfort, challenge, when all’s said.
When oligarchies petrified
pay off panhandling populace with circus bread,
repression’s often found allied
with intolerance, oversight unbiased shed.
Voice stifled, choice requalified
by hierarchies restrictive, equity ousted,
iconoclasts disqualified.
Monopolistic int’rests top/down hammerhead
humanity, termed thorn in side.
Justice is often misapplied by state control ghost hosted.
Distrust that moment when the tide
of Fortune, at the flood, entwines in fickle thread,
enticing - sickled Time at side -
man with her siren song: by lust, ambitions, led.
Beware all those who’d hitch their ride,
queue jump at the expense of others, snatch board, bed,
by selfishness unjustified
stirred, careless of accounts to render overhead.
Whate’er the reasons that decide
the insolence of the individual; - bled
by fears, or blessed by wisdom wide,
or, hope denied, twisting in heat fond heart or head,
his place is precious. Don’t deride
the diff’rences that oft divide his awkward tread
from those who, superficial, slide
through life, - those most behind who think themselves ahead!
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Individual Insolence - His P[l]ace is Precious - 0189 - Current Version
Spendthrift, swift second thoughts so greedy glide,
dovetail decades to centuries for waiting dead,
so few of whom dare seek inside
true soul; seed weeded, cower stillborn once hour's sped.
Who falter, hesitate, or hide,
issues undermine, gratuitously misread,
dodge deadlines, ostrich imitate, divide
themselves from future freedom: futile chicken-head.
Priorities with force collide
with weal's wheels steel inlaid, braid geometric tread
when feelings, mind, can't co-incide.
Run coach and horses through approach to safety wed.
Turn from temptations of soft ride
along straight road of safety, comfort, ease, well fed,
that shutters, clutter free, outside;
walls off, denies, discomfort, challenge, when all's said.
When oligarchies petrified
pay off panhandling populace with circus bread,
repression's often found allied
with intolerance, oversight unbiased shed.
Voice stifled, choice requalified
by hierarchies restrictive, equity ousted,
iconoclasts disqualified.
Monopolistic int'rests top/down hammerhead
humanity, termed thorn in side.
Justice is often misapplied by state control ghost hosted.
Distrust that moment when the tide
of Fortune, at the flood, entwines in fickle thread,
enticing, sickled Time at side,
man with her siren song: by lust, ambitions, led.
Beware all those who'd hitch their ride,
queue jump at the expense of others, snatch board, bed,
by selfishness unjustified
stirred, careless of accounts to render overhead.
Whate'er the reasons that decide
the insolence of the individual; bled
by fears, or blessed by wisdom wide,
or, hope denied, twisting in heat fond heart or head,
his place is precious. Don't deride
the diff'rences that oft divide his awkward tread
from those who, superficial, slide
through life, - those most behind who think themselves ahead!
(4 October 2009)
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
His Place is Precious - 0189 - Initial Version
Turn from temptations of soft ride
along straight road of safety, comfort, ease, well fed,
where peace eternal, free from pride,
appeals, - appears an easy answer when all's said!
Distrust that moment when the tide
of Fortune, at the flood, entwines in fickle thread,
enticing, sickled Time at side,
man with her siren song: by lust, ambitions, led.
The silent seconds greedy glide:
dovetail decades to centuries for waiting dead,
so few of whom dared seek inside
earth's secret soul. Seemed stillborn when their hour was sped.
Whate'er the reasons that decide
the insolence of the individual; bled
by fears, or blessed by wisdom wide,
or, hope denied, twisting in heat fond heart or head,
his place is precious. Don't deride
the diff'rences that oft divide his awkward tread
from those who, superficial, slide
through life, those most behind who think themselves ahead!
(10 October 1981)
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Stranger in Strange Crowd
STRANGER IN STRANGE CROWD
Dreams stranger’s path divide
from crowd’s uneven t[h]read
who's tissue, issues poorly understood, through dread
is left behind, swirls second rate as flotsam on life's tide,
noise windmills, senses silent, life-blood sped,
bled white, so often fearing fear, by wisdom wide,
unblessed, unsteady set sights low instead.
Despite stress, sentiments denied, imagination set aside,
stranger story stores till head heeds heart, until desires well led
fire understanding rich allied with empathy sustaining ride.
Swift Pegasus is supplied
with neither saddle, A to Zed accoutrements life tears to shreds
when vested interests, motives pure collide.
Defy temptations of soft ride
along straight road which, comfort fed,
selects ‘safe way’, too often dreads
free choice, autonomy. Self-pride
corresponds to quest for bread.
Distrust that moment Fortune’s tide
entwines in fickle thread
conformity, convention wed.
Scorn empty homage, those who glide
through vain p[l]ain life, misled.
Survival instinct, safe homestead, a ‘living wage’, priorities
appear, as opportunities to seize as each spins finite set
tripped, snipped, then ripped by Norms with ease.
Far from madding crowd who dares assign
himself true rôle in life, who thinks,
who sifts chaff, grain, drains lees from wine, palms pearls from swine?
Who, intact, acts and interacts, discerning fiction, facts,
opposes expedience, authority which hoodwinks
manipulated herd unheard, which lacks
true overview impartial, thus reacts
rather than responds, its armour: chinks.
On each new generation weigh rigid systems spawned by Fate unkind.
As pawns most men play puppet parts in Time’s relay game of tiddly-winks.
Is search for self through mirrored minds
just base reflection on sight lost?
Insisting on base ‘skills’ man finds
intuitions atrophy - cost
greater than he thinks.
We must rethink, must redefine
reference frames most use today,
foresee the patterns Change will sign
as chance advances sans delay,
prints the future’s inks.
Stranger in crowd learns to disguise
rainbow to grey coats' pinstripe ways of thought,
'won't look too good nor talk too wise',
yet still attracts attention, caught
by paradox or kinks.
Stranger in crowd in any guise
knows his goal’s not what others taught,
retains ability surprise - not what they thought
[s]he thought they thought they sought.
Reward: solitude's sinks.
Learning is a process which reminds
of staged cocoon to chrysalid
endlessly repeated until hope's blinds
are drawn, we're hid, nailed neath yoke coffin lid,
‘and Lethewards do sink.’
Restraints of social intercourse
pass through a metamorphosis
soon held acceptable divorce
none dare dismiss
between who sips, who drinks
Pierian spring whose sprays revitalize
the search for source.
New challenges set minds ablaze,
speed rate man needs to change his course,
as once wild world shrinks.
It is difficult to integrate
progress, change, to leave behind
tenets once held inviolate –
the stays and props once used to bind
Earth to its own s[t]inks.
When man from monkey split, force fields
lost ground to sleight of hand although
as last recourse they’re held to shield.
Yet Information Age remoulds
our clay as on the brink
of sensing other ways to play
life’s game exist outside strife the past
epitomized, seek interplay
between odd intuitions cast
off once as missing links.
Banished be those whose actions snide emotions undermine, gainsaid
have equity and ethics shed, dropped principles, stopped bona fide
voice for free choice ahead.
Responsibilities most dread, endure more than participate,
ignore past’s lessons future spread, surrender birthright, hopes berate,
fear future watershed.
Self-born doubt, consistent scorn, provide a fertile breeding ground for fear
of validation, absent guide. Most tremble, fearing onward ride unclear,
paralysis abed.
Decades dovetail as wa[l]king dead
observing others from the side,
halt, hesitate from birth to bed,
stagnate, refusing to decide,
seem stillborn their sands sped.
Man needs advancement from inside,
excluding bias, stranger's stride
divides from superficial slide,
a different tread would thread
through life, aims flame horizons wide.
Open mind must never be denied.
Shun those whose lower standards, led
through mirage mind-sets lined with lead,
to think themselves ahead!
P.S. Persto et Praesto...
Stranger in Strange Land must learn to grock
between appearances, nor spurn, nor lock,
but key into essentials, yet stay free
as world awakens to its Future Shock.
Here high I.Q. or gift of second sight
fail in the scales however smart or bright,
if peace of mind, serenity, few find
to burnish daily bind with inner light.
Yet inner light is what Life's all about.
Who cares a curse for economic clout
as purse may fail but heart which true to self
remains, for cash cares little, conquers doubt.
27 September 1996,19 March 2005,16 December 2006 12 September 2008
robi03_1089_robi03_0000 XXX_EJX
for previous version see below
Stranger in Strange Crowd
Dreams stranger’s path divide
from crowd’s uneven t[h]read.
Second rate, silent, life-blood bled,
most fear, unblessed by wisdom wide,
set sights low instead.
Despite stress, thoughts unreplied,
imagination set aside,
stranger story stores till head
heeds heart, until desires well lead,
fire empathy allied
with understanding rich to ride
upon swift Pegasus supplied
with neither saddle, A to Zed
accoutrements life tears to shreds
when motives collide.
Defy temptations of soft ride,
along straight road which, comfort fed,
selects ‘safe way’, too often dreads
free choice, autonomy, - self-pride
reflecting quest for bread.
Distrust that moment Fortune’s tide
entwines in fickle thread
conformity, convention wed,
pays empty homage just to glide
through vain p[l]ain life, misled.
Survival instinct, safe homestead,
a ‘living wage’ priorities
appear, as opportunities
to seize as each spins finite set
cut by the Norms with ease.
Far from madding crowd who dares assign
himself true rôle in life, who thinks,
who sifts chaff, grain, drains lees from wine,
palms pearls from swine, spurns authority
politic which hoodwinks
manipulated masses blind.
Upon each generation weigh,
rigid systems spawned by Fate unkind,
pawns play puppet parts in Time’s relay
game of tiddly-winks.
Is search for self through mirrored minds
only reflection on sight lost?
Insisting on base ‘skills’ man finds
intuitions atrophy - cost
greater than he thinks.
We must rethink, must redefine
reference frames most use today,
foresee the patterns Change will sign
as chance advances sans delay,
prints the future’s inks.
Stranger in crowd learns to disguise
rainbow to grey coats' pinstripe ways of thought,
'won't look too good nor talk too wise'
yet still attracts attention, caught
by paradox or kinks.
Stranger in crowd in any guise
knows his goal’s not what others taught,
retains ability surprise -
not what they thought [s]he thought they thought they sought, -
exits solitude's sinks.
Learning’s a process which reminds
of staged cocoon to chrysalid
endlessly repeated till blinds
drawn, we are hid ‘neath coffin lid,
‘and Lethewards do sink.’
Restraints of social intercourse
pass through a metamorphosis
soon held acceptable divorce
none dare dismiss
between who sips, who drinks
deep knowledge spring whose sprays
revitalize the search for source.
New challenges set minds ablaze,
speed rate man needs to change his course,
as once wild world shrinks.
Its difficult to integrate
evolutions which leave behind
tenets once held inviolate –
the stays and props once used to bind
Earth to its own s[t]inks.
When man from monkey split, force fields
lost ground to sleight of hand although
as last recourse they’re held to shield.
Yet Information Age remoulds
our clay as on the brink
of sensing other ways to play
life’s game exist outside strife the past
epitomized, seek interplay
between odd intuitions cast
off once as missing links.
Banished be those whose actions snide
emotions undermine, gainsaid
have equity and ethics shed,
dropped principles, stopped bona fide
voice for choice ahead.
Responsibilities most dread,
endure more than participate,
surrender birthright, hopes berate,
ignore past’s lessons future spread
as watershed.
Self-born doubt, consistent scorn, provide
a fertile breeding ground for fear,
men squat beside an onward ride unclear
of validation, which can’t guide,
Decades dovetail as wa[l]king dead -
observing others from the side,
stagnate, refusing to decide.
Most hesitate from birth to bed
seem stillborn their sands sped
Man needs advancement from inside,
excluding bias, - stranger's stride
divides from superficial slide
a different tread would thread
through life, horizons wide
aims at, will not be denied
like those whose lowered standards led,
through mirage mind-sets lined with lead,
to think themselves ahead!
P.S. Persto et Praesto...
Stranger in Strange Land must learn to grock
between appearances, nor spurn, nor lock,
but key into essentials, yet stay free
as world awakens to its Future Shock.
Here high I.Q. or gift of second sight
fail in the scales however smart or bright,
if peace of mind, serenity, none find
to burnish daily bind with inner light.
Yet inner light is what Life's all about.
Who cares a curse for economic clout
as purse may fail but heart which true to self
remains, for cash cares little, conquers doubt.
27 September 1996,19 March 2005,16 December 2006 see below ‘Search’ initial and alternate version of this poem and ‘His Place is Precious’
Search
Is the search for self through mirrored minds
only a reflection on sight lost?
Concentrating on base ‘skills’ man finds
intuitions atrophy - the cost
is greater than he thinks.
Man must think again, must redefine
the frames of reference most still use today,
anticipating patterns Change will sign
as chance advancements which won’t brook delay,
to print the future’s inks.
Far from the madding crowd who can assign
himself a goal in life, true rôle to play?
Who can sift chaff from grain, drain lees from wine,
palm pearls from swine, avoiding interplay
politic which hoodwinks
the masses whose manipulation blind
hard on each generation’s hopes does weigh,
as if all pawns were, spawned by Fate unkind
to play pale puppet parts in Time’s relay
game of tiddly-winks.
Learning is a process which reminds
one of stages - cocoon to chrysalid -
endlessly repeated till the blinds
are drawn, until we’re nailed beneath a lid,
‘and Lethewards do sink.’
Yet the restraints of social intercourse
are passing through a metamorphosis
which soon shall be accepted as divorce
that no-one will be able to dismiss
between who sips, who drinks
deep the spring of knowledge whose fair sprays
revitalize the system’s search for source.
Today new magic sets the mind ablaze!
The speed at which mankind is changing course,
as the once wild world shrinks,
is difficult to integrate, the ways
conceptions will evolve and leave behind
tenets once inviolate, the stays
and props the passing age employs to bind
itself to its own stinks.
When man and monkeys’ trees split, fields of force
lost ground to sleight of hand from day to day,
although the former shield stayed, last recourse.
Yet as the information age remoulds our clay
it seems we’re on the brink
Of consciousness of other ways to play
the game of life outside that strife the past
epitomized, exploring interplay
between internal motivations cast
off once as missing links!
27 September 1996
His Place is Precious
Turn from temptations of soft ride
along straight road of safety, comfort, ease, well fed,
where peace eternal, free from pride,
appeals, - appears an easy answer when all’s said.
Distrust that moment when the tide
of Fortune, at the flood, entwines in fickle thread,
enticing - sickled Time at side -
man with her siren song: by lust, ambitions, led.
The silent seconds, spendthrift, greedy glide: -
dovetail decades to centuries for waiting dead,
so few of whom dared seek inside
earth’s secret soul. Seemed stillborn when their hour was sped.
All those who strive to hitch a ride
at the expense of others, led
by selfishness unjustified
accounts must render overhead.
Whate’er the reasons that decide
the insolence of the individual; - bled
by fears, or blessed by wisdom wide,
or, hope denied, twisting in heat fond heart or head,
his place is precious. Don’t deride
the diff’rences that oft divide his awkward tread
from those who, superficial, slide
through life, - those most behind who think themselves ahead!
10 October 1981
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Love’S Tale Retailed
Stars which preside our fates decide events which coincide,
laws causal slide, pause, glide, collide Cause/Effect’s effects wide.
Some in their stride take hopes belied, some stay unsatisfied,
some nationwide, unpacified, seek more than weak words snide.
Once bona fide I fate defied - love, life intensified,
personified by bonny bride who ecstasy supplied.
Electrified and gratified by life lived as joyride,
exemplified days dignified ignoring all divide.
No doubts inside could override my sentimental side,
till trite aside was verrified by witnesses worldwide.
Dissatisfied, one who relied on love unqualified,
is certified as mummified, emotions petrified.
New senses tried, old misapplied, change what words signified
“us” evil “I’d” turns when replied is pique with speak denied.
Life which implied love deIFied if IF’s re-placed, reads died,
spell rectified dealt spell defied, well meaning modified.
Lie clarified, hurt’s amplified while pain, disdain, abide,
ache’s amplified by scorn allied with sting intensified.
‘From love that lied ah woe betide! defend us, Lord’, some cried
in heart’s divide with trust decried, may laughter still abide?
Down turned upside, hope horrified, turned down, sound scope shanghaied,
towards lakeside humidified I’d drown all unfound pride -
but suicide undignified was ending cast aside,
unratified, when voice defied, let second thoughts decide.
Ideas allied with sense applied brief interlude has tried
to craft inside lines side by side aligned shall e'er abide.
As stanzas slide, to please, not guide, concludes brood versified
with loose ends tied, and [t]ease supplied one hopes none dare deride...
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Through the Metidja to Abd-El-Kadr
I
As I ride, as I ride,
With a full heart for my guide,
So its tide rocks my side,
As I ride, as I ride,
That, as I were double-eyed,
He, in whom our Tribes confide,
Is descried, ways untried
As I ride, as I ride.
II.
As I ride, as I ride
To our Chief and his Allied,
Who dares chide my heart's pride
As I ride, as I ride?
Or are witnesses denied—
Through the desert waste and wide
Do I glide unespied
As I ride, as I ride?
III.
As I ride, as I ride,
When an inner voice has cried,
The sands slide, nor abide
(As I ride, as I ride)
O'er each visioned homicide
That came vaunting (has he lied?)
To reside—where he died,
As I ride, as I ride.
IV.
As I ride, as I ride,
Ne'er has spur my swift horse plied,
Yet his hide, streaked and pied,
As I ride, as I ride,
Shows where sweat has sprung and dried,
—Zebra-footed, ostrich-thighed—
How has vied stride with stride
As I ride, as I ride!
V.
As I ride, as I ride,
Could I loose what Fate has tied,
Ere I pried, she should hide
(As I ride, as I ride)
All that's meant me—satisfied
When the Prophet and the Bride
Stop veins I'd have subside
As I ride, as I ride!
poem by Robert Browning from Cavalier Tunes (1842)
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Dare She?
Some sentiments destabilize
when inner thoughts through other eyes
by magic pen may formalize.
Perhaps, despite protective sighs,
hope lies ahead, helps shed disguise?
Tight rope walk from walled citadel,
beset by fears Time can’t dispel,
sits one who may have loved too well, -
emotions dares nor share nor tell,
lest betrayal breach hope's shell.
Stands, reflects with much surprise,
upon commitment’s even ties, -
scarred by a past which “self” denies,
scared behind sweet sparkling eyes, -
lest she should lose herself, fair prize.
Is real from drawbridge cusp choice free
or reel rewound where wounds may be
reopened although memory
real_I_tease would hide, - stiff fee
to pay for ransomed soul at sea.
Reality may coincide
with dreams when two, as one allied,
advance together, prospects wide
embrace with motives bona fide
face future fearless, side by side,
all former errors rectified.
Fate scoops hope's bottle from life's sea -
half-full? half-empty? - destiny
plays games with will, reality.
Combine, merge, urge purge, splurge surge, key
into choice voice, rejoice, set free.
For 'what will be' can't stay inside
time genie's bottle, chance denied,
must scene tranlate to act, play ride
from start through end as plot supplied
threads to conclusion which may guide
fresh start for heart wait's weight defied.
Careful, fearful, fitful, she
herself seems her worst enemy,
seeks protection, amity.
What controls her destiny?
dare she let go, for once not flee?
Maybe its time to realize
that though fleet Time so swiftly flies
compromise can’t circumsize
future options that arise
to offer comforting replies.
She, where others buy and sell,
for silver pawn their souls to Hell,
sheltered beneath protective shell, -
more flirt on call than siren bell
though on hid softness fond thoughts dwell.
Who’d wish her heart he satisfies,
may seek HER truth where most, less wise,
confide blind trust to logic’s lies…
In harmony hope's answer lies,
shared peace, that love alone supplies.
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Providential Headstart - Home is where the heart...
Head flies outside through joy espied,
Offers new day begun,
May side by side fore’er abide
Eternally as one.
If care’s denied tears may be dried
Sun highlights scope and fun
While soul that cried’s now healed inside
Hearts’s karmic leap is won.
Each dawn beside shared orbit’s glide
Rhymes well, joy’s never done,
Each night is eyed as welcome ride
Hand, hand, tied, ne’er undone,
Entwined, allied, with time defied,
As limits overcome
Restore bridge wide which bona fide
Teams with sweet dreams none shun …
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Against Stale Current
Essential is it to unite
to pressing questions answers which
may open roads to knowledge, might
prepare fulfillment shared and rich.
Unused to being understood,
his insight into others bores,
the trees he sees, ignores not wood
nor would - for blinkers he abhors.
A sense of purpose has withstood
positions frozen, - chosen doors
open on mission, inner good
opposing pride and rotten cores.
Against stale 'current', with hale stream
of light and life he'd soar serene,
is it surprising that such gleam
untouched remains, unshared.
(25 December 1997 robi03_0859_robi03_0000 XXX_JXX)
Lonely One Wanders
Lonely, one wanders through cowed crowd,
awaiting some supportive rays,
with warmth, complicity endowed -
beamed circlet lighthouse dream replays.
Absent present, head in cloud,
through surface calm true strength displays
both strong emotions, soul unbowed,
balm soothing offers, hope relays.
One threads paths strange, by most unploughed,
transforming fallow fields in ways
astonishing to assets vowed
as fertile, fruitfulness which stays
abundant, want, waste disavowed.
Prosperity which rich repays
time, trouble, taken, cries aloud
for friendship solitude allays.
Perception, seldom understood,
with insight into others bores,
trees, wood unsawed seen, both bad, good,
subjective blinkers lack bed, board.
Enlightenment misdeeds withstood,
to ploughshare turns destructive sword,
should’s soon converted into would,
hermit crabbiness abhorred.
Empowerment, autonomy
seem second nature more than choice,
where waft and weft of destiny
are woven pattern for fair voice
whose song weighs conscienciously
opinions, never can rejoice
when others meet adversity
or by their own petard are hoist.
Beside too few abide, for team
teems more in fable, ghost minds blind,
prefer free-ride to truth most deem
outside their comfort zone assigned.
Holistic overview from dream
one draws, ignores or flouts doubts signed
by compromises that unwind
before ink dries on double-bind.
Too few acknowledge inner scream,
most stifle intuitions, grind
out differences which could cream
distill from hodgepodge unrefined.
If equity proves empty dream,
integrity is left behind,
returns to realm of abstract theme,
commitments frequently unwind.
Modestly both present, past,
reviewed may help anticipate
events and causes few forecast,
attempting to alleviate
life’s swings and roundabouts, voids vast.
Steadfast character berates
cant, crippling censorship, aghast
stands firm ‘gainst those who’d confiscate
first fruits, turn holiday to fast.
Deceptive calm. True tenets try
to comprehend and to translate,
communicate, so none fight shy
of fighting prejudice and hate -
though truth is twisted or denied
by those who would prevaricate
to profit take, rake on the side
unjustified tithe, title, bait.
Discriminating wrong from right
answers are sought to questions answers which
source open ways enlightened, might
seed needs’ fulfillment keyed to stitch
alternatives that help highlight
unfair advantages the rich
would fain retain though strain and blight
o’er homeless flimsy tents would pitch.
Intense ideals, although unbowed,
seem rarely shared so seldom aired,
are vital cornerstones - aloud
opinions harsh are seldom bared.
Ignorant idols unkowtowed,
one wanders on and wonders much
why most dream themes seem disallowed,
or come at cost too few dare touch.
Sure sense of purpose thus defends
rights compromised by bolted door,
positions frozen, falsehood’s friends,
by outlaw oligarchy’s war
on equity which now extends
to earthquake victims. To the poor
assistance actively one lends,
emancipation to restore
high principles, trust never bends
to pride ride bridle, rotten core,
Rejecting pinions, hot-air steam,
against life's gales hale see free stride
beyond cross-purposes, hope's stream
all bridges crossed. Too few abide
beside, prove worthy, play for team.
Collective mirage seems allied
to wishful thinking, phantom scheme
un-underwritten, misapplied.
Against trends 'current', spendthrift schemes,
where hamstrung choice finds voice tongue-tied,
one soars serene, scorns narrow themes
where, open options set aside,
hope’s scope’s imperilled – dark extremes
vie for empowerment beside
vested interests harsh regimes’
remorseless moral homicide.
Emancipation - theme supreme -
contests solutions cut and dried,
detests unprincipled blaspheme,
phantom philosopheme denied
awareness of all self-esteem,
castration covert, faith defied.
Is it surprising that one’s gleam
remains unshared...?
(25 December 1997 revised 1 July 2007,4 December 2008,21 October 2009 and 26 January 2010)
Lonely She Wanders
Against the wind, fads disavowed,
with insight deep, she weaves dream theme -
unbeaten paths by most unploughed -
refusing pinions, empty steam.
Unused to being understood,
her insight into others bores,
the trees she sees, ignores not wood
nor would - for blinkers she abhors.
Absent present, head in cloud
world windy winds while surface calm
veils strong emotions, soul uncowed,
yet ever seeking soothing balm.
Deceptive calm. Her tenets try
to understand and to translate,
so all unite, so none fight shy
of fighting prejudice and hate.
Lonely, she wanders through the crowd,
expecting understanding's rays,
with warmth, complicity endowed...
dream’s lighthouse beam forever plays.
Essential is it to unite
to pressing questions answers which
may open roads to knowledge, might
prepare fulfillment shared and rich.
If her ideals intense, unbowed,
notions deep, seem seldom shared,
each is important, though aloud
opinions harsh are rarely aired.
A sense of purpose has withstood
positions static, - chosen doors
open on mission, inner good
opposing pride and rotten cores.
Ignoring idols unkowtowed
she wanders on and wonders much
why most dream themes are disallowed,
come at a price too few dare touch.
(1 July 2007 version Lonely She Wanders and
25 December 1997 Lonely He Wanders)
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Lucinda Wrobel
L ight and laughter bona fide,
U nderstanding without pride,
C herish others, never hide
I n a rut, but help provide.
N ever fail, take all in stride,
D o not let impatience chide,
A nd life with joy will be supplied.
W ork that happiness abide,
R ighteousness on every side,
O ffer aid to those denied.
B eauty within with truth outside,
E vil everywhere defied,
L ife in triumph meets each tide.
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Dare To Dream
(paul begaud/vanessa corish/wayne tester)
I am my own believer
In my heart the reason
I will follow the light from within
Im not afraid of weakness
Im gonna taste the sweetness
Of the power not to give in
Oh I will see it through
I believe this is my moment of truth
Dare to dream
Dare to fly
Dare to be the ever chosen one to touch the sky
Dare to reach
Dare to rise
Find the strength to set my spirit free
Dare to dream
I will go the distance
Embrace resistance
I will lay my soul on the line
When the wait is over
And the hunger has spoken
If I give my all,i will shine
Oh I will see it through
I believe, this is my moment of truth
Dare to dream
Dare to fly
Dare to be the ever chosen one to touch the sky
Dare to reach
Dare to rise
Find the strength to set my spirit free
Dare to dream,oh
And the heart will shine like the sun
A million voices together as one
I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe
Dare to dream
Dare to fly
Dare to be the ever chosen one to touch the sky
Dare to reach
Dare to rise
Find the strength to set my spirit free
Dare to dream
Dare to fly
Dare to be the ever chosen one to touch the sky
Dare to reach
Dare to rise
Find the strength to set my spirit free
(find the strength to set my spirit free)
Find the strength to do what I believe
(I believe)
Dare to dream
Dare to dream
song performed by by Olivia Newton-John
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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On his Previous Blindness - Parody John MILTON - On His Blindness
When I consider how my life's been spent
these whirling years in this dark world and wide,
with that one talent which my wits supplied
held in abeyance waiting for love s[c]ent
to blossom to true beauty, to present
the world with tribute due and bona fide,
I thank my stars I have not been denied
your love which none and nothing can prevent,
your love, where that of others is descent,
your love which above all on Earth I pride.
I thank 'coincidence' which did provide
the opportunity to be content.
When I consider this I understand
how two t[hr]o[ugh] one may flow, grow hand in hand!
(10 December 2001 after Jphn Milton see below for alternate version)
Time Misspent
When I consider so much time misspent
these fifty years, I've little right to guide, -
such talent slight which tired wits supplied
suspended, in abeyance, impotent.
I tried to fight conformity, present
the world a contribution bona fide, -
I failed. The spirit is dissatisfied.
Some grief I wrought, feared fraudulent intent,
felt tenderness a threat - heart discontent.
Understanding free from bias, pride,
I'm thankful for, thank life which could provide
the opportunity to learn time lent
grants space to face oneself, to understand
how two should flow together, hand in hand..
(10 December 2001 after Jphn Milton see below for alternate version)
On Our Blindness
When we consider all our freedoms lost
with HA! BE U.S.! Corpus of bush law,
black death to hide the whitewash when p'lice score
'gainst innocence ‘wrong place, wrong time' star-crossed,
One wonders, when our children count the cost
and, chiding, true account present before
Executive Privilege bolted door,
will they, when light denied, in prison tossed,
murmur "God only needs assent Orwellian bossed! "?
Man, chip embeddèd, acts recorded, sore
bearing harsh yoke, must serve where none ignore
C.C.T.V. controls come shine or frost.
They swerve too late who brake fair freedom's flow,
stand, wait, burn at State stake, want not to know …
(15 May 2007 after John MILTON 1608_1674 On His Blindness)
On his Blindness
When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
'Doth God exact day-labour, light denied? '
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: 'God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait.'
John MILTON 1608_1674
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Beyond Straitjackets - 1567 - Current Version
Think! outside in is spelled E.M.I.T.
Inside out finds T.I.M.E. fit
Must to the day the evil thereof be ~
En_graved to T however played wan wit.
To Time what signifies inside or out?
If Time's dimension both can do without ~
Man's signpost vane spins vain, north, south, east west,
Express crow heeds nor stop sign, roundabout.
Thus pride precedes greed's fall, Fate far and wide
Indicts Man's might, plight sets gleams' dreams aside.
Most confidence masks weakness, sorry schemes
Ensue, Time tables turns, spurns deals inside.
Tempus fugit! breath, death share one rhyme,
Implying pure and dissolute in crime
Musty must mingle, moths consumed by fire,
Evicted from life's phantom pantomime.
Life's pattern shifts as time from time's thread stock
mutates or waits on catalyst to key
into, through, metamorphosis to free
free-will from status quo, historic lock,
beyond straitjackets which clear thinking block.
The answer may not individuality
be seen to be, but way we Destiny
engage in path unique as life's short clock
tic tocs from birth to berth, first shock, last dock.
Genes seldom hold choice voice or equity
in fee to Darwin contradictory
dreams, compromise, from each bloom, blow half-cock.
Through open options, opportunity,
Mankind may leapfrog evolution's tree.
Time's breakneck pace hangs helter-skelter. 'Rush!
I must survive! 'Â kills others in cussed crush,
Merge, surge then splurge, urge on, and then strike-out,
Ephemeral applause drowned. Deafening hush.
To omega from alpha Time's hymn hum
Incorporates strange range, rei[g]ns all that come,
Man's first, last cry, lie dumb, die, destiny recast,
Endlessly seeks equilibrium.
Tomorrow tells who'd dwell on past success
It in itself knells tocsin fell few bless,
Makes fun of humdrum and 'unique', Time's bill
Empties glass, aside casts second guess.
Trust Carpe Diem! rust soon supercedes
Iron bright, steel will soon tarnished, weeds
Muzzle dynastic seeds, reigns' skeins unwind,
Exit pursued by Lethe! game concedes.
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Homerun - 1060
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)
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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On Our Blindness - after John Milton - On His Blindness
On Our Blindness
When we consider all our freedoms lost
with HA! BE U.S.! Corpus of bush law,
black death to hide the whitewash when p’lice score
’gainst innocence ‘wrong place, wrong time’ star-crossed,
One wonders, when our children count the cost
and, chiding, true account present before
Executive Privilege bolted door,
will they, when light denied, in prison tossed,
murmur “God only needs assent Orwellian bossed! ”?
Man, chip embeddèd, acts recorded, sore
bearing harsh yoke, must serve where none ignore
C.C.T.V. controls come shine or frost.
They swerve too late who brake fair freedom’s flow,
stand, wait, burn at State stake, want not to know …
© Jonathan Robin Parody written 15 May 2007 after John MILTON 1608_1674 – On His Blindness. See below for alternative versions
On his Previous Blindness
When I consider how my life's been spent
these whirling years in this dark world and wide,
with that one talent which my wits supplied
held in abeyance waiting for love s[c]ent
to blossom to true beauty, to present
the world with tribute due and undenied,
I thank my stars I have not been denied
your love which none and nothing can prevent,
your love, where that of others is descent,
your love which above all on Earth I pride.
I thank 'coincidence' which could provide
the opportunity to be content.
When I consider this I understand
how two t[hr]o[ugh] one may flow, grow hand in hand
Parody John MILTON 1608_1674 – On His Blindness
Time Misspent
When he considers so much time misspent
these fifty years, he's little right to guide, –
such talent slight which tired wits supplied
suspended, in abeyance, impotent.
He tried to fight conformity, present
the world a contribution bona fide, –
He failed. The spirit is dissatisfied.
Some grief he wrought, feared fraudulent intent,
felt tenderness a threat – heart discontent.
Understanding free from bias, pride,
stays thankful for, thanks life which could provide
the opportunity to learn time lent
grants space to face oneself, to understand
how two should flow together, hand in hand...
Parody John MILTON 1608_1674 – On His Blindness
__________________
On his Blindness
When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
'Doth God exact day-labour, light denied? '
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: 'God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait.'
John MILTON 1608_1674
____________________
Reminiscent Reflections
When I consider how my life is spent,
I hardly ever repent.
Ogden NASH 1902_1971
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Truth or Dare
The truth is I loved you, I dare you to remember
The truth is you hurt me, I dare you to share my pain
The truth is I wanted you back, I dare you to say the same
The truth is you never said sorry, l dare you to try
The truth is I protected you, I dare you to not run away
The truth is you squandered trust cheaply, I dare you to lay the first new stone
The truth is I did insane things, I dare you to stop the insanity
The truth is you lied for nothing that was real, I dare you to face the truth
poem by Alexander Downie
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Truth or Dare
Let's play a little game of truth or dare
Tell me the truth do you love me
I dare you to lie and, if you do I dare you to tell me why
They say the truth shall set you free
So tell the truth and soar like an eagle over the deep blue sea
I dare myself to succeed and reach all of my expectations Truth be told if I shall fail its because I didn't live up to my expectations
I will not blame anyone for my failure and I dare you to do the same
Be honest with yourself, tell the truth when you make a mistake
We all mess up that is part of life but tell the truth when you do I dare you
poem by Craig Mize
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