Aside
Mail-day, and over the world in a thousand drag-nets
The bundles of letters are dumped on the docks and beaches,
And all that is dear to the personal conscious reaches
Around us again like filings around iron magnets,
And war stands aside for an hour and looks at our faces
Of total absorption that seem to have lost their places.
O demobilized for a moment, a world is made human,
Returns to a time that is neither the present or then,
But a garland of clippings and wishes of who-knows-when,
A time of its own creation, a thing of acumen
That keeps us, like movies, alive with a purpose, aside
From the play-acting truth of the newsreel in which we have died.
And aside from the candy and pictures and books we receive,
As if we were patients whose speedy recovery were certain,
There is proof of the End and the lights and the bow at the curtain,
After which we shall smile at each other and get up to leave.
Aside from the play in the play there is all that is fact,
These letters, the battle in progress, the place of the act.
And the optimal joy of the conflict, the tears of the ads
May move us or not, and the movies at night in the palms
May recall us or not to the kiss, and on Sunday the psalms
May remind us of Sunday or not, but aside from the lads
Who arrive like our letters still fresh from the kiss and the tear,
There are mouths that are dusty and eyes that are wider than fear.
Say no more of the dead than a prayer, say no more of the land
Where the body is laid in the coral than that it is far;
Take your finger away from the map of wherever-we-are,
For we lie in the map of the chart of your elderly hand;
Do not hasten the future; in agony too there is time
For the growth of the rose of the spirit astir in the slime.
For aside from ourselves as we are there is nothing alive
Except as it keeps us alive, not tomorrow but now,
Our mail-day, today of the blood of the sweat of our brow,
The year of our war to the end. When and where we arrive
Is no matter, but how is the question we urgently need,
How to love and to hate, how to die, how to write and to read.
poem by Karl Shapiro
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Love Letters
She held a pack of love letters tied with ribbons and bows.
these were the love letters that she would never show.
Every one of them was dated first to last
These were the letters that held a life past.
Times may pass and things may change
But memories stay the same.
The writing of love letters had slowly disappeared
But she held on to them from year to year.
She sat with the letters in her lap.
As the tears rolled down her eyes
He had said he would be with her
Till the day he died
And fifty years later
He met his maker
And was carried to the cemetery
by the undertaker.
The letters had been written
with tenderness and love
Proclaiming every thing
Even the stars above.
He said life was meaningless if with her
His life he could not share.
And losing her was something
he could not bear.
Now that he was gone and she
Was left all alone.
The house didn’t seem
like much of a home.
She knew her children would not understand
Why she held the love letters in her hand.
These were the memories that kept her alive
And on that she couldn’t deny.
But her mind and body was fading fast
And she knew she could not last.
So to her children she bequeathed
The letters that she cherished all her life
For that was her husband, and she was his wife.
These are the love letters that your father
Wrote to me when we were young and carefree.
He told me of all that life had to offer.
And of all the love he had for me
And that he wanted to raise a family.
When you read his letters you will know
Why I loved this man so.
And now it’s time for me to go.
Because your father awaits me on the other side
And we’ll be together for all of time
poem by Louis Rams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Time
Who knows about the future? Who knows what we'll find?
What good and bad things are in store by chance or design?
What can be done today to alter the future's course?
If truth be known you alone rule effects of its force.
Today at work or play only the present exists.
A wise world has no room for a past-present-future tryst.
Each future hour, joyful or dour, will never arrive.
The future will be the future as long as you're alive
The past is gone forever never to steal today's times,
Unless could-have-been memories commit awful crimes.
So love and live each instant of each and every day.
You have so little time as each moment passes away.
poem by Gregory Huyette
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Only Now
Who knows about the future? What ever will we find?
What things are in store by chance or is it grand design?
What can be done today to alter the future course?
Live fully now and let these actions show their force.
Today at work or play know only present time exists.
Real world has little room for past-present-future trysts.
The future you require, joyful or dire, will never arrive.
Future will always be tomorrow as long as you are alive.
So love and live each instant of this and every day.
Be careful that you or the moment never waste away.
Do not condemn yourself to a life of sanguine sorrow
By treating today as if it were yesterday or tomorrow.
poem by Gregory Huyette
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Letter To Heather
I am writing you these letters
to let you know that I miss you
I think of you all of the time
And I wonder how you're doing
Have you been thinking about me
As much as I have been of you
Or have you found a lover
In the time I've been away
If so I can understand
Why you have forgotten me
I have not forgotten you
Nor do I think that I could
I've written you love letters
And one day I'll mail them too
I hope that day arrives soon
Because I really miss you
I'll try to write more later
But for now I have to go
Just remember I love you
As much today as ever
If not as much even more
Did you get the letters that I
sent to you my love
Love Always
Just Alpha
poem by Edwin Tanguma
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Pachyderm
O' my elderly world, am I getting too bold?
The ones who go first were the elderly ones
Leaving spawns of unfertile aftermaths
Leaving my elderly world high and dry
O' my elderly world, am I getting out of control?
Doing everything that crosses my mind
Like there is no tomorrow
Like there are no rules
O' my elderly world, am I worthy of being alive?
When all my tendency contributes are turmoils
When my currupted mind only grieves others'
Like I own this elderly world...
O' my elderly world, are the rulers doing well?
When all they can offer are blood, tears and lives taken
When the rich becomes richer
When the poor becomes poorer
Like they own this elderly world...
O' my elderly world, do I still have the time?
Am always envious of time
Am always running out of time
Hope I won't be here when your time runs out
O' my elderly world...
poem by Chosen Reject
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Keeping email alive in touch
Keeping email alive in touch
A day gone by without your mail
I seem to be a year for me
Today I read your mail
Is full with gladness and happiness
Family and friends
Getting in touch
From around the world
I dream of the day, when we meet
Or again
In real from around the world
I will tell you, how much I love you
My family and your Friendship
When we do we spend all day long
Talking of this
Miracle email alive
Only we can make this happen
Because we been waiting for this moment
For a long time
I been waiting to meet you all
Or again
I miss you all
And to be my true friends
That you donâ? ? t know yet
When we meet each other
You agree my family and friends
When I read your mail
From the most beautiful family and friends
I have with you all
It is so pleasant to understand
I want you to know
You are the most loving
Family and friends
I want to feel your peasant
Completely our friendship
I truly love to have family and friends
Like you all
To all my beloved family and friends
Are important to me
Life in touch will never stop
Whatever weather
Keeping email alive in touch
The more successful is filled with common sense
poem by See Fee Lee
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Wicked Postman
Why do you sit there on the floor so quiet and silent, tell me,
mother dear?
The rain is coming in through the open window, making you all
wet, and you don't mind it.
Do you hear the gong striking four? It is time for my brother
to come home from school.
What has happened to you that you look so strange?
Haven't you got a letter from father today?
I saw the postman bringing letters in his bag for almost
everybody in the town.
Only father's letters he keeps to read himself. I am sure the
postman is a wicked man.
But don't be unhappy about that, mother dear.
Tomorrow is market day in the next village. You ask your maid
to buy some pens and papers.
I myself will write all father's letters; you will not find
a single mistake.
I shall write from A right up to K.
But, mother, why do you smile?
You don't believe that I can write as nicely as father does!
But I shall rule my paper carefully, and write all the letters
beautifully big.
When I finish my writing do you think I shall be so foolish
as father and drop it into the horrid postman's bag?
I shall bring it to you myself without waiting, and letter by
letter help you to read my writing.
I know the postman does not like to give you the really nice
letters.
poem by Rabindranath Tagore
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In That Common Room Where You Are No Longer Alone
your eyes are open
as you are fully alive when you go
back to that old house
by the river
named after
sin,
you open the door
your hands are too willing
and you enter
a dusty room
where you shall be alone
for a while
you smell sin there
and you
get to know it better
beyond its name and
place of origin
you identify with it
and there is no fear now
you talk for a while
and then
it urges you to go naked
and close your eyes
to enter upon
a world where everyone is
welcome
you drink and dance and
become tipsy
lights begin to play
and shouts of joy are heard
in this totally
transformed world
you are not alone now
in this indulgence
you have become counted
without
any hesitation
your mind explodes into
four seasons
compressed in time
and the guarantee of
total satisfaction is handed to you
like a key to
your permanent room
since then
you are so alive
and death has become
too irrelevant
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Last Act
NEVER a ring or a lock of hair
Or a letter stained with tears,
No crown for the princely hour to wear,
To be mocked of the rebel years.
Not a spoken vow, not a written page
And never a rose or a rhyme
To tell to the wintry ear of age
The tale of the summer time.
Never a tear or a farewell kiss
When the time is come to part;
For the kiss would burn and the tear would hiss
On the smouldering fire in my heart.
But let me creep to the kindly clay,
And nothing be left to tell
How I played in your play a year and a day,
And died when the curtain fell!
poem by Edith Nesbit
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Ill Never Get Out Of This World Alive
Recorded by hank williams
Written by hank williams and fred rose
Capo: 1st fret key: f# play: f
Now youre [f] lookin at a man thats gettin kind-a mad
I had lots of luck but its all been bad
No [c7] matter how I struggle and strive
Ill never get out of this world a-[f] live.
My fishin poles broke the creek is full of sand
My woman run away with another man
No matter how I struggle and strive
Ill never get out of this world alive.
A [bb] distant uncle passed away [bb7] and [f] left me quite a batch [f7]
And [bb] I was living high until that fatal [bb7] day
A lawyer [c7] proved I wasnt born
I was only hatched.---[f]
Evrythings agin me and its got me down
If I jumped in the river I would probly drown
No matter how I struggle and strive
Ill never get out of this world alive.
These shabby shoes Im wearin all the time
Are full of holes and nails
And brother if I stepped on a worn out dime
I bet a nickel I could tell you if it was heads or tails.
Im not gonna worry wrinkles in my brow
cause nothins ever gonna be alright nohow
No matter how I struggle and strive
Ill never get out of this world alive.
(additional verses)
I could buy a sunday suit and it would leave me broke
If it had two pair of pants I would burn the coat
No matter how I struggle and strive
Ill never get out of this world alive.
If it was rainin gold I wouldnt stand a chance
I wouldnt have a pocket in my patched up pants
No matter how I struggle and strive
Ill never get out of this world alive.
song performed by by Hank Williams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Alive In The World
I want to live in the world, not inside my head
I want to live in the world, I want to stand and be counted
With the hopeful and the willing
With the open and the strong
With the voices in the darkness
Fashioning daylight out of song
And the millions of lovers
Alive in the world
I want to live in the world, not behind some wall
I want to live in the world, where I will hear if another voice should call
To the prisoner inside me
To the captive of my doubt
Who among his fantasies harbors the dream of breaking out
And taking his chances
Alive in the world
To open my eyes and wake up alive in the world
To open my eyes and fully arrive in the world
With its beauty and its cruelty
With its heartbreak and its joy
With it constantly giving birth to life and to forces that destroy
And the infinite power of change
Alive in the world
To open my eyes and wake up alive in the world
To open my eyes and fully arrive in the world
To open my eyes and wake up alive in the world
To open my eyes and fully arrive in the world
song performed by by Jackson Browne
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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If I Ever Leave This World Alive
If I ever leave this world alive
I'll thank for all the things you did in my life
If I ever leave this world alive
I'll come back down and sit beside your
feet tonight
Wherever I am you'll always be
More than just a memory
If I ever leave this world alive
If I ever leave this world alive
I'll take on all the sadness
That I left behind
If I ever leave this world alive
The madness that you feel will soon subside
So in a word don't shed a tear
I'll be here when it all gets weird
If I ever leave this world alive
So when in doubt just call my name
Just before you go insane
If I ever leave this world
Hey I may never leave this world
But if I ever leave this world alive
She says I'm okay; I'm alright
song performed by by Flogging Molly from Drunken Lullabies
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Watch For Me At Midnight
A long time ago, I kissed her
on the step of our front door
then marched away with other men
off to a foreign country
to fight in a distant war.
At first the letters came frequently
slowly diminishing to a few,
which got me thinking and worried
that in my long absence
I was slowly losing you.
Then I got a letter from your brother
that explained things to me
you were sick in hospital
and I should not worry
about our son and you.
The letters then stopped coming
each mail run I looked on in despair
that there were never any letters
from your brother or you
and my heart felt so heavy.
Then in the next summer
that dreaded letter came.
You had passed into God’s hands
in that early spring
leaving one last message for me.
When you come home my dear
I will not be here
I leave in your trust our son
may he grow up to be
a man just like you.
Fear not you will see me again
if you go down to the fairy wood
and find the circle where the fairies play
and watch for me at midnight
under the haze of the moon.
3 March 2011
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Alphabet Lost And Found
On this fateful day, in the history of whenever,
An epidemic of missing letters has swept the land.
Whatever the cause, for the sake of future generations,
In the limited time we have been permitted, these stories must be told.
There was an apple that lost his 'a'
There was a zebra that lost his 'z'
There was a chauffeur that left his 'auffer' on the dashboard
Of the car that lost its 'r'
Well, the car had lost its 'r' in a pothole
On a street that lost its 'e'
When the garbage collector with a missing 'ector' swept it up
With a broom that lost its 'oom'
Where they gonna go without their letters?
How could they survive without their letters?
Where they gonna go to find their letters?
They gonna have to get together-
At the alphabet lost and found (alphabet lost and found)
At the alphabet lost and found (alphabet lost and found)
There was a school that lost its 'cool'
when they tired to ring the bell that had no 'l'
With all the letters gone, the spelling bee was canceled
Science teachers had their hands full
English classes could not be complete
Where they gonna go without their letters?
How could they survive without their letters?
Where they gonna go to find their letters?
They gonna have to get together
Where they gonna go without their letters?
How could they survive without their letters?
Where they gonna go to find their letters?
They gonna have to get together
Crowds of people, animals, and incomplete words have been seen at a previously unknown place to be referred to as-
The alphabet lost and found (alphabet lost and found)
At the alphabet lost and found (alphabet lost and found)
At the alphabet lost and found (alphabet lost and found) (how could they survive without their letters)
At the alphabet lost and found (alphabet and lost found) (they gonna have to get together)
At the alphabet lost and found (alphabet and lost found) (they gonna have to get together)
At the alphabet lost and found (alphabet and lost found) (they gonna have to get together)
song performed by by They Might Be Giants
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I Can't Put My Finger On It
[chanting]
Is it alive, does it writhe
Can it survive under the sun?
I can't put my finger on it
Is it green, is it red
Is it alive or is it dead
I can't put my finger on it
Scathe with a lathe
All the days in the past
I can't put my finger on it
Is it brown, is it white
Is it really outta sight
I can't put my finger on it
Do you know what i'm saying?
Do you know what i'm saying, people?
Can it squeal, does it squirm
If it's fresh will it burn?
I can't put my finger on it
Can it fly, will it try
If the wings are still wet?
I can't put my finger on it
Can it heal, is it real
Can it feel the threads of time?
I can't put my finger on it
Does it glow, will it shine
Does it leave a trail of slime
I can't put my finger on it
I tell you one time...
Are you surprised when i touch the dwarf inside?
(repeat three times)
(repeat first verse)
Ha ha ha...oh yeah, oh yeah!
song performed by by Ween
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Somebody
Youve got to face the fact
That in the world today
They try and take away the blue skies
And all the children that play
But its a curious fact
In every hour in every place
That when the right time arrives
It feels so good to be alive
Somebody
Cant you see
Im a boy out of fashion
Somebody
Im not part of any nation
Now Im back in circulation
When the right time arrives will you be there
Tomorrow or a hundred years from now
Ive wasted years just keepin movin on
It never entered my head it was here all along
Dont ask me why just lead me on
Somebody
Talk to me
I can hear what youre saying
Somebody
Tired of the city air
If I gave you the future would you meet me there
I used to stumble and fall
Id run to everyone that called
Since you appeared its been a lot of fun
Between you and me, between the truth and a lie
You have a husband and I have a wife
And when you ask me why with your kissing eyes
How could we be so wrong, oh my oh my oh my
Youll always be there the same as any other
You like a sister and me like a brother
Like all the times I used to dream
Somebody
Smile at me
Let me know that youre near me
Somebody
I can see that youre near me
Its the only sound on the city street
If I sing you my song will you move your feet
Somebody
Every moment youre nearer
Im broken down and in a mess
Your love is all that I confess
Somebody
Now I know that youre near me
I dont mean to shock, I dont mean to scare
But the world wont change and I dont care
I used to dream
One day somebody near me
I cant believe youre making me
A rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief
Theres a strange new rhythm in my life
It burns like the sun and cuts like a knife
Everybody chic or shoddy
Turn it loose and use your body
song performed by by Heaven 17
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Can't Put My Finger On It
Is it alive, does it writhe
Can it survive under the sun?
I can't put my finger on it.
Is it green, is it red
Is it alive or is it dead
I can't put my finger on it
Scathe with a lathe
All the days in the past
I can't put my finger on it
Is it brown, is it white
Is it really outta sight
I can't put my finger on it
Can it squeal, does it squirm
If it's fresh will it burn?
I can't put my finger on it
Can it fly, will it try
If the wings are still wet?
I can't put my finger on it
Can it heal, is it real
Can it feel the threads of time?
I can't put my finger on it
Does it glow, will it shine
Does it leave a trail of slime
I can't put my finger on it
Are you surprised when I touch the dwarf inside?
(Repeat three times)
(Repeat first verse
song performed by by Ween
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Fanmail
Welcome
Weve dedicated our entire album cover
To any person who has ever sent us fan mail
This is a journey into life love
And the future of music fan mail
Tlc would like to thank you
For your support fan mail
And just like you
They get lonely too
Just like you
I get lonely too
Ahhhhhhhhh fan mail
Ahhhhhhhhh fan mail
Ahhhhhhhhh fan mail
Just like you
I get lonely too
Ahhhhhhhhh fan mail
Ahhhhhhhhh fan mail
Ahhhhhhhhh fan mail
Just like you
I get lonely waited for you for so long
Too many days since january
Im still sittin miss alone
We shoulda did this already
Said I got an e mail today
Kinda thought that youd forgot about me
So I wanna hit you back to say chorus
Just like you
I get lonely baby
I could really get to know you
Take my time to show you
Dont tell anybody what we do
When I get lonely take me
To another place where Ill be
Into space just you and me
With no rules
Just like you
I get lonely too
Just like you fan mail
Ahhhhhhhhh
Just like you fan mail
Ahhhhhhhhh
Just like you fan mail
Ahhhhhhhhh
Just like you
I get lonely too
Ahhhhhhhhh
Just like you fan mail
Ahhhhhhhhh
Just like you fan mail
Ahhhhhhhhh
Just like you fan mail
Ahhhhhhhhh
Just like you
I get lonely ready for us to get it on
Aint got a love to call steady
Hope it aint like that for long
Ill be your friend if you let me
Dont want to come on strong
Cuz too many people wanna get me
But a girl will do what I gotta do chorus just like you fan mail
Ahhhhhhhhh
Just like you fan mail
Ahhhhhhhhh
Just like you fan mail
Ahhhhhhhhh
Just like you
I get lonely too
Ahhhhhhhhh
Just like you fan mail
Ahhhhhhhhh
Just like you fan mail
Ahhhhhhhhh
Just like you fan mail
Ahhhhhhhhh
Just like you
I get lonely too man we had all kinda
Sorts of conflicting fan mail and letters
Some parents was like
Youre the thieves and the pimps and the thugs of stage
And you owe every mother in america
A public apology
Just like you
I get lonely too
One day I think Im gonna meet ya
Cant wait till the day I see ya
No doubt you just might be the one for me
I get lonely
Every day I think Im gonna meet ya
Cant wait till the day I see ya
No doubt you just might be the one I need
Just like you be me do what I believe in
And be myself
And I suggest everyone do the same thing
You do what makes you feel comfortable
Do what makes you feel happy
T l c
song performed by by TLC
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Here Today & Gone Tomorrow
Philip bailey, m. sharron & g. ballard
Wanting you, and watching every move
Turns me all over
Like a first time lovers woo
My hearts, your heart,
And every time you hit that door
Theres a chance in a million
I wont see you anymore
Though I never want to leave your side
But weve got to realize were
(chorus)
Here today and gone tomorrow
Nothing lasts forever and a day
(nothing ever lasts forever)
Here today, and gone tomorrow
This is too good to be real, and I never
Want to say good-bye
I reminisce and savor every kiss
Every moment
For in a moment we are gone
Cherish you, and when the night
Is through
Starting all over,
Spending it with you
Its so precious in the time we spend
cause when it all comes to an end were
(chorus)
Here today and gone tomorrow
Nothing lasts forever and a day
Here today, and gone tomorrow
Your love is too good to be true and i
Never want to say good-bye
And when I look into your eyes
I thank God that Im alive
I can never say Ive missed
All of the reasons were
Here today and gone tomorrow
(repeat chorus)
song performed by by Earth Wind And Fire
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Funny How Love Is
I'm going to places we used to go
I still see people we used to know
Friends they ask me where is she now
I have to tell them we're over now
When I question love I thought I'd surely die
I couldn't see a future without you by my side
We're not together but I'm still alive
I'd rather not see you for a really long time
Funny how love is
Funny how love is
Funny how love is
I don't want your magazines I don't want your cloths
Take them from my house let me be alone
If you'll ever tryin' to catch me again I'll go behind the wall
Don't send me letters I don't want to know
When I question love I thought I'd surely die
I couldn't see a future without you by my side
We're not together but I'm still alive
I'd rather not see you for a really long time
Funny how love is
Funny how love is
Funny how love is
Love is so funny, the joke is on me
Funny how love is...
song performed by by Fine Young Cannibals
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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