Initiative - Paradox
Though siren songs of progress spur Man higher,
like Icarus, beware ambitions' fire!
Conservatives of every hue
advance that common caveat -
whenever faced with something new
they seldom fail to smell a rat.
They therefore counsel caution due
before attempting this or that,
implying that inventions new, -
to wit: all that is not old-hat, -
are heresy, could threaten too.
You want a turn? Go out and bat!
Youth to youth true, what you must... do!
Don't wait too late, when old and fat, -
their attitude appears askew,
could be ignored, accepting that...
Sure, though to safety's shore returned his sire,
Daedalus' fate, forgot by most, was dire.
(9 September 1981)
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Related quotes
Relative to Causal Initiative Paradox - After Auden - Breughel
Was Auden right to write Art was not wrong -
on canvas or through written word, to state
all little matters outside isolate
fate which squeezes, seizes in its tong
souls who - as Gray said - from madding throng
scarce ventured out, immune to stale debate
on cause, effect, affecting their estate.
The Old Masters, however, understood
human fragility, how we replace
extraordinary events, prefer the commonplace where we feel strong within our element. As then, all mark life-cycles but our waiting
is not breath 'taking' bait abating. Miracles few see
as part and parcel of modernity,
while often sibling rivalry's thin ice-skating
along the dotted line society
dictates for thinking as they 'ought to should.'
We should 'bear' in mind that life expectancy
was nearer forty (women thirty - childbirth took its toll) -
than three score years and ten, today's retirement age
when we have filled our work résumés page
as martyrs to global capitalistic cause.
Everywhere in some corner, or untidy spot,
dogs go on with their doggy life and transvestite coarse
scratches sin_nocent up a gum tree.
Although in Breughel's Icarus, everything turns away
quite leisurely from the disaster, though plowman may
have heard brash splash, observed, forsaken cry,
for him it was unknown as failure. Sun shone,
as always, on white legs disappearing into green
water; while some asea might see
something amazing, a boy falling out of the sky,
importance seemed some port of call. All sailed calmly on.
Though siren songs of progress spur Man higher,
like Icarus, beware ambitions' fire!
Conservatives of every hue
advance that common caveat -
whenever faced with something new
they seldom fail to smell a rat.
They therefore counsel caution due
before attempting this or that,
implying that inventions new, -
to wit: all that is not old-hat, -
both heresy and threat seems too.
You want a turn? Go out and bat!
Youth to youth true, what you must... do!
Don't wait too late. When old, cold, fat,
bold attitudes off cue, askew,
too often are ignored. Observe that
what unimportant seemed to minds foreclosed,
too soon proves more essential than supposed
when to time's acid test exposed.
Paradox: coincidence or causal link, tranposed
to life's known range exchanges juxtaposed.
Change prone population's predisposed
to self-seclusion, strange pose opposed,
scar[c]e leap from sheep-like shelf life sleep self-imposed,
discover overnight time-worn customs deposed.
Sure, though to safety's shore returned his sire,
Daedalus' fate, forgot by most, was dire.
Musee des Beaux Arts Auden
About suffering they were never wrong,
The Old Masters: how well they understood
Its human position; how it takes place
While someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully
along;
How, when the aged are reverently, passionately waiting
For the miraculous birth, there always must be
Children who did not specially want it to happen, skating
On a pond at the edge of the wood:
They never forgot
That even the dreadful martyrdom must run its course
Anyhow in a corner, some untidy spot
Where the dogs go on with their doggy life and the torturer's horse
Scratches its innocent behind on a tree.
In Breughel's Icarus, for instance: how everything turns away
Quite leisurely from the disaster; the plowman may
Have heard the splash, the forsaken cry,
But for him it was not an important failure; the sun shone
As it had to on the white legs disappearing into the green
Water; and the expensive delicate ship that must have seen
Something amazing, a boy falling out of the sky,
Had somewhere to get to and sailed calmly on.
(7 March 2012)
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Flaming Youth
Whoo yeah
My parents think Im crazy and they hate the things I do
Im stupid and Im lazy, man, if they only knew
How flaming youth will set the world on fire
Flaming youth, our flag is flying higher and higher and higher
My uniform is leather, and my power is my age
Im gettin it together to break out of my cage
cause flaming youth will set the world on fire
Flaming youth will set the world on fire
Flaming youth, our flag is flying higher and higher and higher
Flaming youth will set the world on fire
Flaming youth will set the world on fire
Flaming youth will set the world on fire
Flaming youth will set the world on fire
Flaming youth will set the world on fire
Flaming youth, our flag is flying higher and higher
And higher and higher and higher and higher and higher
song performed by by Kiss
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Ides of March
Fear grandeurs, O soul.
And if you cannot overcome
your ambitions, pursue them with hesitation
and caution. And the more you advance,
the more inquisitive, careful you must be.
And when you reach your peak, Caesar at last;
when you assume the form of a famous man,
then above all beware when you go out in the street,
a conspicuous ruler with followers,
if by chance from the mob approaches
some Artemidorus, bringing a letter
and says hastily 'Read this immediately,
these are grave matters that concern you,'
do not fail to stop; do not fail to push aside
all those who salute and kneel
(you can see them later); let even the Senate
itself wait, and immediately recognise
the grave writings of Artemidorus.
Greek Original:
Μάρτι&# 945;ι Ειδοί
Τα μεγαλεία να φοβάσαι, ω ψυχή.
Και τες φιλοδοξί& #949;ς σου να υπερνική& #963;εις
αν δεν μπορείς, με δισταγμό και προφυλάξ& #949;ις
να τες ακολουθε& #943;ς. Κι όσο εμπροστά προβαίνε& #953;ς,
τόσο εξεταστι& #954;ή, προσεκτι& #954;ή να είσαι.
Κ_ 3; όταν θα φθάσεις στην ακμή σου, Καίσαρ πια·
έτσι περιωνύμ& #959;υ ανθρώπου σχήμα όταν λάβεις,
τ&# 972;τε κυρίως πρόσεξε σαν βγεις στον δρόμον έξω,
εξου&# 963;ιαστής περίβλεπ& #964;ος με συνοδεία,
αν τύχει και πλησιάσε& #953; από τον όχλο
καν 41;νας Αρτεμίδω& #961;ος, που φέρνει γράμμα,
κ&# 945;ι λέγει βιαστικά «Διάβασε αμέσως τούτα,
εί&# 957;αι μεγάλα πράγματα που σ' ενδιαφέρ& #959;υν»,
μη λείψεις να σταθείς· μη λείψεις τους διαφόρου& #962;
που χαιρετού& #957; και προσκυνο& #973;ν να τους παραμερί& #963;εις
(του 62; βλέπεις πιο αργά· ας περιμένε& #953; ακόμη
κ' η Σύγκλητο& #962; αυτή, κ' ευθύς να τα γνωρίσει& #962;
τα σοβαρά γραφόμεν& #945; του Αρτεμιδώ& #961;ου.
poem by Constantine P. Cavafy
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A Poem to Honor St. Valentine
If youth could age's wisdom ken,
& age could know youth's fire again
or age could Old Time's hands turn back
T'would then be youth with time to spend
& wisdom's strengths on which to depend.
This said, t'is never just white or black
For youth doth all discretion lack
& age tho' willing & desirous to play
To youth's vitality must passion give way
& such a conflict therein lies
for age is by youth most oft despised
& youth by age oft seen to whine,
“please, won't you be my valentine?”
poem by Hugh Cobb (12 February 2006)
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Rubicon
In this promised land
Fire burnin in our hands
The choice is ours to make
Realize your fantasy
You live the dream
With every step you take
Stand tall stand on the edge
Use the thin end of the wedge
The will to cast your fate
Dont turn around too late
Lose ground if we hesitate
Burning youth wont wait
Make a move across the rubicon
Futures knockin at your door
Take your time
And choose the road you want
Opportunity is yours
See it all so clear
Time is right time is near
We know now what to do
All gods children learn
Which way to turn
Turning back were through
We all refuse to lose
Live life and light the fuse
Burning youth wont wait
song performed by by Journey
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Allow Caveat
Allow caveat
Research progress
New species
Come to the picture
Find your own.
Threats common
Research to action
Welcome to you all
For art gallery
Where troubles persist.
Space yours
Make sky inclusive
No caveat
You may take help
In aboard.
poem by Gajanan Mishra
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Youth is blind
Youth is power; youth is vigour;
Youth is initiative; youth is revolutionary;
Youth is dedication; youth is freedom;
Youth is love; youth is passion.
Yes, because youth is blind
Out of them elders make winds
01.01.2003
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
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Youth Youth Youth
Youth youth youth
Youth youth youth
Never wanna be an adult
Always wanna be in revolt
Youth youth youth
Youth youth youth
Don't wanna spend my life saving up for things
Don't wanna have what a steady job brings
I don't want security
Don't want responsibility
Don't wanna stay at home not making any noise
I've always got to be out
I've always got to have a choice
I don't want security
Don't want responsibility
Youth youth youth
Youth youth youth
I don't want no uniform
I don't want no book of rules
Youth youth youth
Youth youth youth
Never wanna be an adult
Always wanna be in revolt
Youth youth youth
Youth youth youth
I don't want no uniform
I don't want no book of rules
song performed by by Billy Idol
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Lover's Gifts XL: A Message Came
A message came from my youth of vanished days, saying, " I wait for
you among the quivering of unborn May, where smiles ripen for tears
and hours ache with songs unsung."
It says, "Come to me across the worn-out track of age, through
the gates of death. For dreams fade, hopes fail, the fathered
fruits of the year decay, but I am the eternal truth, and you shall
meet me again and again in your voyage of life from shore to
shore."
poem by Rabindranath Tagore
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Age considers, youth ventures
Age considers, youth ventures
Age visualizes, youth dreams
Age makes theories, youth experiments
Age loves, youth longs
Age sees people, youth sees places
Age knows belongings, youth discovers them
Age pains to gain, youth gains to others' pain
Age has heart, youth has mind
Age is thoughtful, youth is tactful
Age ponders, youth wonders
Age recounts, youth counts
Age is experienced, youth is in experience
Age is cautious, youth dashes
Age floats, youth swims
Age lives, youth still making a living
Age is in touch with termination, youth with determination
Age is confident, youth is competent
Age adds years to living, youth adds life to living
Age is lost in past, youth is drowned in future
Age is grown, youth is crown
Ageless is youth, youthless is age
poem by Bashyam Narayanan
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Youth
Mood of youth,
Mood of youth,
Eagle-like must seek the blue,
Dauntlessly its course pursue,
All the mountain-heights must view.
Blood of youth,
Blood of youth,
Steam-like puts full-speed to sea,
E'en though storm and ice there be,
Makes its way and romps in glee.
Dream of youth,
Dream of youth,
Rogue-like stealing sets its snare
In the maiden's morning-prayer;
All the springtime, fragrant, glowing,
In its airy waves is flowing.
Joy of youth,
Joy of youth,
Waterfall-like foams in truth,
Laughing, rainbow-gifts forth flashing,
Even while to death 't is dashing.
Joy of youth,
Dream of youth,
Blood of youth,
Mood of youth,
Clothe the world with colors golden,
Singing songs that never olden.
poem by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
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He and She
[HE.] I know a youth who loves a little maid -
(Hey, but his face is a sight for to see!)
Silent is he, for he's modest and afraid -
(Hey, but he's timid as a youth can be!)
[SHE.] I know a maid who loves a gallant youth -
(Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!)
SHE cannot tell him all the sad, sad truth -
(Hey, but I think that little maid will die!)
[BOTH.] Now tell me pray, and tell me true,
What in the world should the poor soul do?
[HE.] He cannot eat and he cannot sleep -
(Hey, but his face is a sight for to see!)
Daily he goes for to wail - for to weep -
(Hey, but he's wretched as a youth can be!)
[SHE.] She's very thin and she's very pale -
(Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!)
Daily she goes for to weep - for to wail -
(Hey, but I think that little maid will die!)
[BOTH.] Now tell me pray, and tell me true,
What in the world should the poor soul do?
[SHE.] If I were the youth I should offer her my name -
(Hey, but her face is a sight for to see!)
[HE.] If I were the maid I should fan his honest flame -
(Hey, but he's bashful as a youth can be!)
[SHE.] If I were the youth I should speak to her to-day -
(Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!)
[HE.] If I were the maid I should meet the lad half way -
(For I really do believe that timid youth will die!)
[BOTH.] I thank you much for your counsel true;
I've learnt what that poor soul ought to do!
poem by William Schwenck Gilbert
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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
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Blame It On My Youth
If I expected love when first we kissed
Blame it on my youth
If only just for you I did exist
Blame it on my youth
I believed in everything
Like a child at three
You meant more than everything
All the world to me
If you were on my mind all night and day
Blame it on my youth
If I forgot to eat and sleep and pray
Blame it on my youth
If I cried a little bit
When first I learned the truth
Don't blame it on my heart
Blame it on my-y youth
If you were on my mind all night and day-ay
Blame it on my youth
If I forgot to eat and sleep and pray
Blame it on my youth
If I cried a little bit
When first I learned the truth
Don't blame it on my heart
Blame it on my youth
song performed by by Nat King Cole
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Late September.
When spinney wears a misty shawl.
Where colours blaze before they fall.
The sun performs just one last dance
Amid the trees for lovers' glance.
Sweet scented refuge from Eden born
As memory thumbs through pages torn,
Where Autumn hue and poetry rhymed.
Grandmother made jam,
Grandfather clock chimed.
We ploughed the fields and scattered
Help to the needy hand
On Sunday sang songs out of tune
Thanked God for the fertile land.
Late September I stand under harvest moon.
The equinox has come too soon.
The fire of youth, age quenched with tears
Now candlelight of halcyon years
Once seeds of summer, we are Autumn's ember
Just hold my hand this late September.
poem by Kevin East
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Embers
I said, "My youth is gone
Like a fire beaten out by the rain,
That will never sway and sing
Or play with the wind again."
I said, "It is no great sorrow
That quenched my youth in me,
But only little sorrows
Beating ceaselessly."
I thought my youth was gone,
But you returned --
Like a flame at the call of the wind
It leaped and burned;
Threw off its ashen cloak,
And gowned anew
Gave itself like a bride
Once more to you.
poem by Sara Teasdale
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Always Beware
Whenever someone says caution,
we should always beware,
unless they tell us of the danger
we must always take care.
Sometimes it is used for people
whom someone think are a bad lot.
There we must make our own judgement,
and in doing so,
we might leave caution behind.
Therefore, whenever we hear caution,
we should always beware
and take care
until we know
the path we take is clear.
19 May 2008
poem by David Harris
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Youth Culture Killed My Dog
Youth culture (youth culture)
Youth culture (youth culture)
Youth culture (youth culture)
Youth culture (youth culture)
Youth culture killed my dog
And i don't think it's fair (i don't think it's fair)
And his suicide can be justified
By the tastemakers, how they cried and cried and so
Bacharach and david used to write his favorite songs
Never, never, never would he worry, he'd just run and fetch the ball
But the night lights and my dog's life aren't exactly one and the same
Youth culture killed my dog
And i don't think it's fair (i don't think it's fair)
And the judgement made in the city of hate
Just broke his spirit so
Bacharach and david used to write his favorite songs
Never, never, never would he worry, he'd just run and fetch the ball
But the hiphop and the white funk just blew away my puppy's mind
I don't understand what you did to my dog
And i don't understand what you did to my dog
I don't understand what you did to my dog
I don't understand what you did to my dog
Youth culture killed my dog (youth culture killed my dog)
And i don't think it's fair (i don't think it's fair)
And his suicide can be justified
By the tastemakers, how they cried and cried and so
Youth culture (youth culture)
Youth culture (youth culture)
Broke his spirit so (broke his spirit so)
Broke his spirit so
Youth culture (youth culture)
(youth culture)
Youth culture (youth culture)
(youth culture)
Broke his spirit so (broke his spirit so)
Broke his spirit so
song performed by by They Might Be Giants
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Drifting Too Far
Out on the perilous deep,
Where danger silently creeps,
And storm's so violently sweeping,
You're drifting too far from shore.
Chorus:
Drifting too far from shore,
You're drifting too far from shore,
Come to Jesus today,
Let Him show you the way
You're drifting too far from shore.
Today, the Tempest rose high,
And clouds o'er shadow the sky.
Sure death is hovering neigh,
You're drifting too far from shore.
Drifting too far from shore,
You're drifting too far from shore,
Come to Jesus today,
Let Him show you the way
You're drifting too far from shore.
Why meet a terrible fate?
Mercies abundantly wait.
Turn back before it's too late
You're drifting too far from shore.
Drifting too far from shore
You're drifting too far from shore (peaceful shore)
Come to Jesus today. Let him show you the way
You're drifting too far from shore...
song performed by by Emmylou Harris
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Seer
'BELOW there are white-faced throngs,
Their march is a tide coming Higher;
Below there are white-faced throngs,
Their faith is a banner flung higher;
Below there are white-faced throngs,
White swords they have yet, but red songs;
Place and lot they have lost hear you not?
For a dream you once dreamed and forgot!'
'But a dream has a life of its own
The wizard seas it can cross
A dream has a life of its own
It comes like the albatross.
A dream has a life of its own,
From my feet to your feet it has flown
And you, you victorious
That wild, white thing will lose!'
poem by Padraic Colum
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