Tomb or Treasure - Acrostic Sonnet
Il dépend de celui qui passe
que je sois tombe ou trésor,
que je parle ou me taise,
ceci ne tient qu’à toi –
Ami, n’entre pas sans désir... Paul Valéry
Tomb or treasure? Both hint musty hold
Of dust which when against a feather weighed
Must be found wanting - uprightness unpaid.
Beauty: barter bait, ghost lure lost gold.
Oh, no allure escapes Time’s stranglehold.
Regrets are rife. All qualities displayed
Time, heedless, turns to ashes which degrade
Reason as its season can’t enfold
Eternity, both sot and sage had sold
All precious for an extra life-line frayed,
Sold soul for sole extension core betrayed.
Unprincipled, most sleep through life's poor scold,
Regret chance dance, askance refuse, lose way -
Expect advancement, heedless, seedless st[r]ay...
17 December 1991 revised 15 October 2008
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Barter, Bait
BARTER, BAIT
Montezuma's tomb hides treasure hold,
or dust some Spanish pride parade would spade?
Beauty, barter bait, alluring gold,
justified atrocity crusade
conquistadors concocted. Soon, slave sold,
nation fell from grace, its customs fade.
Nothing can escape Time’s stranglehold
for what remains of Cortez' cavalcade,
white plumes, bright armour, in cold grave are laid.
8 August 2007 - last two lines added 27 May 2008
robi03_1666_robi03_0000 XXX_JZX
Barter, Bait poem (c) Jonathan Robin - written
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Sold Me Out
I always knew that theyd get me somehow sooner or later,
But with a bullet in the head, a knife in the back,
Not a pocket calculator.
Sorry mister, youre all wiped up,
Youre all washed up,
Sold you out.
Got no dreams, got no ambition,
Cant decide, cause theres no decision,
Got no claim to any position,
Cant compete with the competition.
Youre always complaining,
Its so depressing,
But if youre old enough,
Start to confess it.
You say, you sold me out,
To get a better deal for yourself,
You sold me out,
And now we want some of your precious wealth,
Because you sold me out.
Sold me out,
Sold me out,
Sold me out.
You sold me out,
To get a better deal for yourself.
You sold me out,
And now its every man for himself.
Work all your life, put the money in the bank,
Sign on the dotted line.
Try to draw it out, the jokes on you,
Put up the empty sign.
Sorry mister, were all sold out.
Sold me out,
Sold me out,
Sold me out,
Sold me out.
You, Im talkin to you.
You sold me out,
To get a better deal for yourself.
You sold me out,
And now we want some of your precious wealth.
And sell you out,
Like you sold me out.
Are you in so deep, that you cant get out?
Got no dreams, got no ambition,
Cant decide, cause theres no decision,
Got no claim to any position,
Cant compete with the competition.
Sold me out,
Sold me out,
Sold me out,
Sold me out.
(repeat)
song performed by by Kinks
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Cycles in Season
CYCLES IN SEASON
The grain, who'd reap life's golden grain
knows dust to dust's returned again,
though mortal flesh rots none impound
pure spirit risen, strength fresh found.
New found, to greet soul's season new,
scope springs again, hopes shall renew,
conceit that speeds humanity
grounds down needs through greed, vanity.
Profanity will seek full pound
of flesh before the clock’s unwound,
while wounded pride, vile greed for gain,
turns self-destructive 'gainst the grain.
Yet grain finds fertile soil. Long lain
awaiting stained-glass window pane
which cycle starts charts rich rebound
from dark profound to light recrowned.
18 June 1991 revised 14 December 2008
robi03_0390_robi03_0000 XXX_EJZ
previous title Circles in Season for previous version see below
Circles in Season
The grain, who reaps the golden grain
knows dust to dust’s returned again, -
though flesh may rot, one can’t impound
the spirit risen, strength new-found.
New found, to greet a season new,
strength springs again, hopes can renew,
but hopes that speed humanity
are ground down by its vanity.
Its vanity will seek full pound
of flesh before the clock’s unwound,
and wounded pride with greed for gain
agrees to go against the grain...
18 June 1991
© Jonathan Robin
poem by Jonathan Robin
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King Midas In Reverse
The Hollies
King Midas In Reverse
(Allan Clarke/Tony Hicks/but mainly Graham Nash)
Single release 1967
If you could only see me
I know exactly where I am
You wouldn't want to be me
Oh, I can assure you of that
I'm not the guy to run with
'Cos I'll throw you off the line
I'll break you and destroy you
Given time.
He's King Midas with a curse
He's King Midas in reverse
He's King Midas with a curse
He's King Midas in reverse
It's plain to see it's hopeless
Going on the way we are
So even though I'd lose you
You'd be better off by far
He's not the man to hold your trust
Everything he touches turns to dust
In his hands
Nothing he can do is right
He'd even like to sleep at night
But he can't.
{Interlude with 'all he touches turns to dust' 4x}
I wish someone would find me
And help me gain control
Before I lose my reason
And my soul
He's King Midas with a curse
He's King Midas in reverse
He's King Midas with a curse (all he touches turns to dust)
He's King Midas in reverse (all he touches turns to dust)
{fade out}
He's King Midas with a curse (all he touches turns to dust)
He's King Midas in reverse (all he touches turns to dust)
He's King Midas with a curse....
song performed by by Hollies
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sold My Soul
I prayed to God and jesus
But I guess they didnt hear
My sacrfice was useless
My pleas fell on deaf ears
So I cried in desperation
Bowed to evil sorcery
I looked to the lord in heaven
But he must have looked away
My crying eyes repentant
Please send her love to light my day
So I cried in desperation
Bowed to evil sorcery
I sold my soul
Sold my soul
I sold my soul to the devil
So I cried in desperation
Bowed to evil sorcery
I sold my soul
Sold my soul
I sold my soul to the devil
Sold my soul
Sold my soul
I sold my soul
Sold my soul
Sold my soul to the devil
To the devil
Sold my soul
Sold my soul
I sold my soul
I sold my soul
I sold my soul to the devil
song performed by by Nazareth
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Heart to Cherish
A heart to cherish and warm hand to hold
High raise all mortal clay from common mould,
Elevates base elements to gold
As magic fusion cuts confusion's hold.
Rest not on sidelines, ceremony trace,
Thrust through Fate’s weight, cue to true interface
That, ma chérie, may see heart heart enfold
On lease from life itself, which won’t grow old.
Could mirrors speak they’d blush, no silver scold
Harsh time reflect, so joyfully behold
Enchanting offspring duplicate glow's grace,
Resounding echo both of soul, surface.
Incarceration end, lets celebrate
SHared emotions' oceans liberate.
14 December 1995 revised as acrostic A HEART TO CHERISH 31 August 2007
robi03_0801_robi03_0000 ASX_LXX
see below for previous version
A Heart to Cherish
A heart to cherish and a hand to hold
lifts Man’s mortal clay from common mould,
transforms base elements to finest gold
through magic fusion, let the truth be told.
Stand not on sidelines, ceremony, trace
Fate’s lines through daring caring interface.
Charming features charmèd heart enfold,
on lease from life itself, which can’t grow old.
If mirrors spoke, they’d blush, could never scold,
prove mirage mirage, all else oversold.
Should children come they’d duplicate true grace -
enchanting echo both of soul, surface.
Transmit heart’s signals to communicate
emotion’s oceans, love anticipate.
14 December 1995
© Jonathan Robin
poem by Jonathan Robin
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As Time Slips By - Acrostic Sonnet
As time sleeps by love’s tide [s]weeps sluggard, cold,
Slow beats heart's flow, forgets dreams' heats once sought.
Then, fragile, faith wraith cobwebs spins, sins caught
In Time’s equation web. Where once soul bold
Made music wild, filed, passion dims, short-sold.
Existence pales, stales, fails, - loves tales abort -
Sheds goals, gaols aims at joys ‘chance’ might have brought -
Little cares how life’s tale may unfold.
Inspiration wanes, fears stranglehold,
Plaintive soul retreats to shell, distraught,
Second hand experiences, thought,
Buy time, dismiss love from life's centrefold.
Yawning the abyss which, biding time,
shall swallow every line and every rhyme.
© Jonathan Robin – Acrostic Sonnet written 16 September 2001 revised 7 August 2007
_______________
Passed By
As time drifts by Love’s tide flows coward, cold,
Slow beats sad heart, lost far from dreams once sought.
Too little lust, - blades rust, in cobwebs caught -
In time fires dim which once, in times of old,
Moved untamed ecstasy, flame bold.
Existence paled until encounter brought
Potency restored, fresh friendship taught
A focus fresh, let energies unfold.
Some dreams remain, most vain, in stranglehold
Spirit stifled, struggle not as thought
Experience leaves feelings dulled, distraught,
Dismisses soul from life's bright centrefold.
But chance encounter sets in timeless motion
Yen to advance, to share inspired emotion...
© Jonathan Robin – Acrostic Sonnet written 16 April 2005 as a variation of As Time Slips By – see above
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Atlas
You rip through the trees,
A black blur stronger then
Anything
The world's ever witnessed,
Thick paws heavy with dread
And with knowledge
And with things kept from
You.
You howl,
Again, the birch's
Nothing more then
A snow striped blurr,
Nothing more then
Eternity...
A pointless thing,
You howl with dread
Blankness. Death.
But you are stronger then
That.
You press on,
Heedless of the blood-stained
Cantelope sky,
Heedless of the ropy red clouds,
Heedless of the lake,
A reflective of sky.
You tramp in, your intentions clear,
The sky thrust on your paws
And the summer birch's spin
As do the clouds,
And the air
And shadows
Of the wind.
But you are heedless of
Eternity
poem by Alice Miller
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The Greatest Romance Ever Sold
The greatest romance thats ever been sold
So what do u know, u and me
Finally face 2 face
Checking each other up and down
In all of the obvious places
Was there ever a reason 4 us 2 be apart?
The air that fills up this room says, not hardly
So this is where u end, and u and I begin ...
(thats where u and i, u and I begin)
The greatest romance thats ever been sold
The greatest romance thats ever been sold
Baby, baby
Now your mind is open
2 poetry seldom heard
Ur heart has never been broken
Until uve heard these words:
Your body was designed 2 respond 2 mine
In spite of your desire 2 mold me
And in the middle of it all -
We kiss and like rain (like rain) we fall into ...
The greatest romance thats ever been sold
The greatest romance thats ever been sold
Oh, I know u can feel me,know that u can dance
But what do you know about the greatest romance?
Not what u think, but what u believe
What was the real reason that adam never left eve?
And if the truth sounds like a memory
Then u know it was meant to be (meant 2 be), meant 2 be
Leave your inhibitions behind come on, come on, and see
So this is where u end (this is where u end)
And u and I begin ... (u-hu)
The greatest romance thats ever been sold
The greatest romance thats ever been sold
I know u can feel, I know that u can dance
But what do you know about the greatest romance?
(the greatest romance ...)
Not what u think, but what u believe
Can u tell me the reason (reason) that adam never left eve?
(the greatest (greatest) romance (romance) ...)
Listen 2 me
(... thats ever been sold)
U brought me
The grapes from the vine, yes u did
(the greatest romance ...)
Can I talk 2 u
(... thats ever been sold)
Listen
U help me 2 remember the secrets of time
And u - u - u, u offer me your love, your love, your love
So divine
And in return, girl, in return I will surrender
Oh yeah, I will surrender, oh yes, I will
The greatest romance thats ever been sold
song performed by by Prince
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Dis Solution Dissipation
Weighted with darkness of impending doom
each waits alone, alike to friend and foe
as deaf as stone, as heedless of each blow.
Who cares what curtains drape eternal gloom?
No will, however strong, when death will loom,
pride vaunts oblivious to oblivion's slow
approaching icy grip from tip to toe -
as though dissolving essence could make room
for Hope at Act’s end. Wormcast catacomb,
Life’s dust dispersal tomb rehearsal show
is headlong blown along Time’s one way flow,
tomorrow naught can conjure from Past's womb.
From darkness stark may flesh fresh flake again,
unfettered spark, from wake wake, cry_oh_gain! ?
© Jonathan Robin – sonnet robi3_0612 written 17 January 2001 revised 11 April 2008
previous title - Into Dust Dissolve
cry_oh_gain... cryogen
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Success And Failure
Someone once called me a failure
for the publications that I lacked,
but I think they were wrong,
Success is not how much money
or gold that you earn.
Success is how many friends
in your life can hold,
for they are more precious
than money or gold.
Friendship has no price tag,
it cannot be bought or sold
and it comes from a heart of gold.
Therefore, in the future
any friends you may acquire
treat them with respect
unless you wish
their friendship to expire.
7 December 2007
poem by David Harris
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Faith More Precious Than Gold
Although now, for a while,
Sore distressed by grievous trial,
And your love for your Lord may grow cold,
You are shielded by Him,
To His hope you’re born again,
And your faith is more precious than gold.
How intense is the fire
Of your grief and deep desire
And the pain of the sob of your soul;
Of God’s plan you’re afraid,
And by Him you feel betrayed,
But your faith is more precious than gold.
Though He slay, you can trust
Him who made you out of dust;
He is still the same God as of old.
Though you can’t see Him now,
Still you love Him anyhow
With your faith that’s more precious than gold.
God is now glorified
When in Him you still abide
And His fruit of endurance show bold.
You’re the work of His hand,
And on Him you must depend,
So your faith is more precious than gold.
You can greatly rejoice
In His name and in His choice
More like Jesus your being to mold.
So then run to the Lord,
To His side and to His Word;
Put to practice this faith more than gold.
When you flee thus in prayer
And experience His care,
Then the proof of your faith will be told.
Though some pain might remain,
You’ll thank God for all the rain,
For you’ll know your faith’s worth more than gold.
And this faith has an end
That you’ll better comprehend:
The salvation and life of your soul,
An inheritance sweet,
Bowing at your Savior’s feet,
Praising Him for this gift more than gold.
(Based on 1 Peter 1: 3-9)
poem by Edward A. Morris
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Veils & Visions
I crash so hard
Fall so low
Just when things look right
That's when you know that I'm alone
I take the chance
To lose it all
Take a look around me
And you'll see where I have stalled
This is the last time that I'm sayin'
And here's the end
Of the night
Of the line
Won't somebody save me?
Here's the time
Time for more
Time for everything and anything
It's alright
It's alright
And we go on and on and on and on again
The rooms on fire
You lock the door
Your new way of thinking will not get
Me off the floor
Take this time
To take a fall
I've given you my best
And now you won't see that at all
This is the last time that I'm sayin'
And here's the end
Of the night
Of the line
Won't somebody save me?
Here's the time
Time for more
Time for everything and anything
It's alright
It's alright
And we go on and on and on and on again
Back beat
Everybody is changing
I'm so stuck and you are amazing
This is my low
You are the reason
Live to be numb
My fall is the season
Inhale the bullshit
Makes my skin itch but it gets me lit
Don't ya wish that the pieces fit
Like when we were kids
You can't bide lost time
Can't bide lost time
You can't bide lost time
Can't bide yours and mine
You can't bide lost time
Can't bide lost time
You can't bide lost time
Can't bide yours and mine
Mine
Here's the end
Of the night
Of the line
Won't somebody save me?
Here's the time
Time for more
Time for everything and anything
It's alright
It's alright
And we go on and on and on and on
On and on and on and on again
song performed by by Zebrahead
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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For The Price And The Cost Of One's Life
The fact that it's talked about,
To be discussed...
Has advanced from whispers,
To an accepting public not shocked.
Secrets and demons do not join hands,
When the tentacles of evil reaches.
And has come to squeeze the life,
From one who has sold...
An image made to appear as sweet,
But with a lost soul.
And in places where the doing of it,
Is expected...
Souls are sold to glimmer like gold,
For the price and the cost of one's life.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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When Dolphins Dance
When dolphins dance mid sea and air,
God smiles from Heaven's Throne!
They've found a life beyond compare,
With freedom all their own!
No wonder that the dolphins dance,
With smiles and twinkling eyes!
No wonder that such sights entrance
The hearts within the wise...
It's like there's magic sprinkled there,
As if some spell were cast...
Or like the answer to a prayer
That's somehow here at last...
For dolphins dive, then take a chance,
From dark depths fast to rise!
As if their deepest joys enhance
Each time they pierce the skies!
Behold the precious joys of life,
Each time we seize the day,
To meet each moment without strife,
Before it slips away!
Take heart, and think like dolphins do!
Keep young at heart, my friend!
That way, God's smiles will shine on you,
On that you can depend!
Denis Martindale, copyright, October 2011.
poem by Denis Martindale
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Age
Ive been up and down and around and round and back again
Ive been so many places I cant remember where or when
And my only boss was the clock on the wall and my only friend
Never really was a friend at all
Ive traded love for pennies, sold my soul for less
Lost my ideals in that long tunnel of time
Ive turned inside out and around about and back and then
Found myself right back where I started again
Once I had myself a million, now Ive only got a dime
The diffrence dont seem quite as bad today
With a nickel or a million, I was searching all the time
For something that I never lost or left behind
Ive traded love for pennies, sold my soul for less
Lost my ideals in that long tunnel of time
Ive turned inside out and around about and back and then
Found myself right back where I started again
And now Im in my second circle and Im headin for the top
Ive learned a lot of things along the way
Ill be careful while Im climbin cause it hurts a lot to drop
When your down nobody gives a damn anyway
Ive traded love for pennies, sold my soul for less
Lost my ideals in that long tunnel of time
Ive turned inside out and around about and back and then
Found myself right back where I started again
song performed by by Jim Croce
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Jesus Doesnt Want Me For A Sunbeam
(by the vaselines)
Jesus, dont want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are not made like me
Dont expect me to cry,
For wrong reasons, you have to die
Dont ever ask it out of me.
Dont expect me to lie
Dont expect me to lie
Dont expect me to die, for me.
--the man who sold the world
(by david bowie)
We passed upon the stair, we spoke of was and when
Although I wasnt there, he said I was his friend
Which came as some surprise I spoke into his eyes
I thought you died alone, a long long time ago
Oh no, not me
I never lost control
Youre face to face
With the man who sold the world
I laughed and shook hishand, and made my way back home
I searched for form and land, for years and years I roamed
I gazed a gazley stare at all the millions here
We must have died along, a long long time ago
Who knows? not me
We never lost control
Youre face to face
With the man who sold the world
song performed by by Nirvana
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Alone
A phone that seldom rings, or never,
Sounds like a life-line coiled, unused,
A link to light that stands accused,
Left hanging in the never-never.
Life is so short, so soon to sever,
A call can save, and one refused
Leaves empty heart, and mind bemused
Or all at sea. However clever
No diver plunges who would ever
Enthuse or feel the least amused
If, once he sank, trust was abused: -
Cut lines for reason whatsoever!
Remember then the friendly call
You make can take no time at all.
Acrostic sonnet and previous title As All Alone I Cry
robi03_0203_robi03_0000 ASX_JZX
(3 January 1991 revised 5 October 2006)
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Restless Heart
(coverdale/vandenberg)
Restless heart, restless mind,
Im tired of wasting,
My precious time.
There are times in my life,
I dont know witch way to turn,
When everything I touch
I get my fingers burned...
Dreams to ashes, ashes to dust,
When all that glitters
Is dull with rust...
Restless heart, restless mind,
Im tired of wasting,
My precious time...
Im torn and tattered,
Shattered and worn,
Ive had enough
Trying to live my life
In the eye of the storm...
Every heartache
Leaves a scar on my face,
Somebody reach out
Or throw me a line,
Get me out of this place...
Restless heart, restless mind,
Im tired of wasting, wasting,
My precious time...
Oh, so tired.
Restless heart, restless mind,
Im tired of wasting,
My precious time...
Restless heart, restless mind,
Im tired of wasting, wasting,
All of my precious time...
Restless heart, restless mind,
So Im tired of wasting, wasting,
All of my precious time, time, time
Restless heart...
song performed by by Whitesnake
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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For The Sake of Pretentious Prestige
There are those campaigning,
With a wish to take back America!
But from who? Or whom?
Those who bought it?
Or those who sold their souls,
To keep their turned up noses?
They came.
They settled.
They stole and sold.
And now they cry for a way of life,
They decided to bribe and barter away...
For the sake of pretentious prestige!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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