As Sure As The Sun Rises To Set
Surviving natural disasters,
With the taking away of material things...
Treasured by those who turn up their noses,
On neighbors and others they 'had' believed,
Lived in standards below them...
To compare and tease some with what they've got.
Are overnight among the 'have nots'.
The only way to stop a wagging tongue...
Mother Nature seems to always have a remedy,
For those quick to pass their judgements.
To critically critique.
And for those snooping over fences,
To mind someone else's business...
No longer are they wondering why,
It's important to respect how others live!
Especially now that the business of theirs...
Hangs from barren trees and share as a part of debris,
Littering for as far as the eye can see.
As sure as the Sun rises to set...
Many folks are living through their experiences,
With much regret.
Especially if those defamed neighbors and lost friends...
Are gone from them forever.
As well as those fences they peeked over.
With those doors, windows, walls, roofs...
And other treasured things once glouted about,
As a peacocking through malls...
And other 'social' comparing stops to gossip.
From them instantly taken away.
No longer to exist.
No matter what it is they do,
To restore their lives...
As if they weren't caught by surprise.
With a keeping of a mouth shut.
And more empathy,
They wish they had given to others...
As a druther,
And not as a tedious charity hand out.
Since little of it seems to come their way.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Related quotes
My Best Neighbors
my best neighbors
are those that do not mind me
though
there are times when our paths
cross
and so we say hello
just that
and then we go back to our
own preoccupations
our poetry our short stories
our dogs
and chickens and our higher
fences this time
our roofs do not meet
our garage gates do not face each other
our plants are different
we never want to have the same lawns
our fruit trees do not bear fruits at the same
that would be an insult
(how crazy have we become?)
their cars do not make any honks
we keep this silent agreement
this noiseless world we live in
this mind your own business thing
when it rains so hard
we do not open our windows and look outside
(are we afraid to see our sad faces?)
we are what we are
we do not even know each others' names
how cruel
and yet how peaceful.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Monotony Of A Vicious Circle
when you run in a circle
you arrive at nowhere
you pass by the same
lane over and over again
so to kill this monotony
you build your own set of
fences and walls with the
end that even if you pass
on the same lane over and
over again somehow the
walls may create the
illusion of a border the fence
an illusion of height so
that you may then claim
that you have hurdled an
obstruction passed a
hard test survived a
certain difficult trial
which you have
freely created yourself
you think you can
deceive the circle?
sorry but
this circle will always
remain as a circle even
if the walls reach the heavens
even if the fences shut you
away from the neighbors
who live on the same
lane with you.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Cloaked As Someone's Philanthropist
'Where are your 'things'? '
My 'things'?
I didn't need them.
I gave them away!
'WHHHHAAAATTT! ?
Are you crazed?
What are my friends and neighbors going to say?
What lives are we going to live without those 'things'?
You've ruined my pretentions.
And succeeded in my defeat.
I can no longer flaunt my superficiality!
Why did you do this?
Aren't you feeling just a wee bit dazed? '
Not at all!
From now on I am going to be 'me'!
'AND...
Where will that leave me to be? '
Exposed as the leech you are.
Once cloaked as someone's 'philanthropist'.
To no benefit to the masquerading,
That now has to cease to exist!
'WHHHHAAAATTT! ?
Are you crazed?
What are my friends and neighbors going to say? '
I have no idea.
Why don't you ask?
Most of them I passed...
Standing in line at the soup kitchen!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Hopefully 'Something' Is Being Learned
A capitalistic way of life foreclosed,
Has put an end to values claimed.
That treasured piece of the pie grows mold.
And standards proclaimed can no longer be maintained.
Shocked into reality and stunned by defeat,
People who once gloated then...
Find themselves now knocked off their feet.
No longer now declining others,
To be neighbors on vacant streets.
Those who knew the quietness of suburbia,
Find a fresh kindred with those in shelters.
Those kept enclosed to live lives on urban streets.
Victims of the greedy...
Who never thought they'd see,
Themselves sharing a commonness...
With the people they described as lazy, shiftless and weak.
How bleak.
A capitalistic way of life foreclosed,
Has put an end to values claimed.
That treasured piece of the pie grows mold.
And standards proclaimed can no longer be maintained.
Who is to blame for their misfortunes?
A self righteousness flushed down the drain?
Who can they now point their fingers to as heathens?
Do they look at mirrors found,
Without lowering their heads in shame?
'That's doubtful.
Since they've been conditioned and trained,
To see themselves above all others.
With any changes made...
To return them back to times that were,
For them that remains the same.
Unchanged,
Lacking empathy.
And ungrateful.'
Well...
Hopefully 'something' is being learned.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sold And Caught Up In Ideals
Sold and caught up in ideals,
Can become quite traumatic...
For the ones who are still convinced,
Their lives lived are envied.
Since suddenly and overnight it seems,
There is a marketing of reality...
They had been told did not exist.
And unbelieving this...
Many camp out in tents,
With a protesting beyond their picket fences...
To have their standards valued and way of life,
Returned.
And even those they kept away from benefiting,
Look upon them with an amazement that humors.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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In one line of his poem he said good fences make good neighbors. I'd like to think that Alaska and British Columbia working together can prove that we can be pretty darned good neighbors without fences.
quote by Dan Miller
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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You cannot avoid making judgements but you can become more conscious of the way in which you make them. This is critically important because once we judge someone or something we tend to stop thinking about them or it. Which means, among other things, that we behave in response to our judgements rather than to that to which is being judged. People and things are processes. Judgements convert them into fixed states. This is one reason that judgements are often self-fulfilling.
quote by Neil Postman
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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It Ain't None of My Business?
It 'ain't' none of my business?
Wrong!
If I'm qualified for you to dump,
Issue upon issue on me.
Bring up what you call 'facts'...
That I am not there for you,
When you need me?
You say I am not sensitive enough,
To understand your 'pain'.
And I am not man enough...
Because I have one job and not two?
To take care of your wants and needs?
While you go behind my back,
And screw a dude or 'whatever' you do?
And I'm suppose to please you...
So your friends can understand,
How good of a man I am?
If I am good enough to tolerate your nonsense,
Day and night...
At times jeopardizing my peace?
Trying to do things right!
Guess what?
EVERYTHING you do 'is' my business!
And then you want to call the police on me...
Because YOU have driven me to the brink!
And your version of reality,
Is the only version they hear and choose to see?
Guess what?
EVERYTHING you do 'is' my business!
And as long as I feel it is?
It will be!
Now I want you to tell everybody I said that.
And when they begin to start paying a bill in this house...
Listening to you complain about this and that,
And witness me put up with your daily crap?
Trust me...
They will help me validate without hesitation,
You are not nearly half of the mate you should be!
Not for me!
EVERYTHING you do is my business.
If I say that it is!
Including who you sleep with...
In our bed that is neither hers or his.
Can you hear what I said?
EVERYTHING you do is my business!
Including who you sleep with...
In our bed!
It 'ain't' none of my business?
I can't believe that's what you said!
Wrong!
EVERYTHING you do is my business.
You certainly ought to be grateful...
One of us is not dead!
You have no idea how much of your business,
Is not even yours.
People know what is going on,
As if we live behind glass walls...
And have no curtains or doors!
The neighbors even believe...
I should leave you to feed my own needs.
That's the conversations they are having!
While you are here on your knees,
Pleasing 'whoever'...
When you should be praying,
That I haven't lost my sanity!
It 'ain't' none of my business?
You have proven yourself to be pointless,
Mindless 'and' common 'senseless'!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Days to Dazzle In Pretensions No Longer Exist
Whatever is given.
And however that is meant.
Why do many get upset,
When they receive exactly...
What to them has been sent!
Days to Dazzle In Pretensions No Longer Exist
Why is it believed,
By some.
What they do that has been done,
Is okay?
And an acceptance of it,
Should be kept that way.
Days to Dazzle In Pretensions No Longer Exist
Too many people are the 'cause'.
And not the solution to prevent.
Or a pause that should be long taken,
With no attention given spent.
Days to Dazzle In Pretensions No Longer Exist
Some have established themselves as 'saints'.
While others full of themselves,
Do not have to eliminate a single thing...
To emanate fumes from them that 'stink'.
And/or past tense from them that 'stank'!
Whatever is the preference.
Days to Dazzle In Pretensions No Longer Exist
With their quick judgements to pass.
Like fresh air blocking gas.
A picture alone,
Paints a thousand words.
Days to Dazzle In Pretensions No Longer Exist
Whatever is given.
And however that is meant.
Why do many get upset,
When they receive exactly...
What to them has been sent!
As intended upon the return ot it.
Days to Dazzle In Pretensions No Longer Exist
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Too Patient
When I began to weed through,
My priority list...
I saw some things on it,
That no longer exist.
I had placed people,
Who I considered friends on this list.
And for years they had been on it...
Doing and saying things to me as they wished.
Some don't speak to me.
But my name is on their lips.
When I began to weed through,
My priority list...
I saw some things on it,
That should not on my list exist!
Very few on my priority list,
Have me on their agenda.
And if they do,
I'm sure it's for fun, sport and gossip.
When I began to weed through,
My priority list...
I saw some things on it,
I couldn't not explain...
Why some names had hearts near them.
Did I do that?
Did I draw them in?
I use to dropp every and anything,
To be at someone's aide.
Some people I would call everyday...
Just to see if they were okay.
I've even allowed my own work to be submitted...
So folks could get their college degrees.
Joking about this,
I am not!
I have been the subject of innuendos and lies,
As if my life meant nothing at all.
To leave me to walk around with 'my' pain disguised.
Then I awakened and realized.
I am considered a fool!
Today...
When I began to weed through,
My priority list...
I saw some things on it,
That no longer exist.
And wondered to myself 'WHY'...
Is this stuff still 'there'.
Get rid of it!
This makes no sense.
Why do you have these people's lives,
Prioritized?
'That is being too patient!
Fix this and get this done quick! '
I have moments when I am completely rational.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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When My Love
When the sun is a burnt out star,
when the moon is no longer the moon,
when near is as near as afar
when snow flakes fail to flake
when rain no longer rains,
when bee’s no longer have wings,
when the Robin never sings,
when diamonds shatter like glass,
when fields have no green grass,
when Chopin’s etudes no longer sooth senses,
when all races live as one with no fences
when the eagle fails to soar high in the sky.
when a baby can no longer cry,
when a mother can turn a blind eye,
when magic turns black days to blue,
Then, and only then
will i stop loving you,
if i can.
poem by Ken e Hall
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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You Have Not Yet Learned to Survive
You have not yet learned to survive.
I've heard you make excuses for it.
As you sit in the comfort of your parents' home.
Who provide amenities,
You use and they condone.
You have not yet learned to survive.
I listen to you pass your judgements,
On my appearance and how I dress.
And how I live alone,
Without complaints of being stressed.
And every bill I pay...
I do that on my own.
And that stress factor?
I have no reason to make that known.
You have not yet learned to survive.
You say you raise children?
Who are more with your folks than they are with you.
I have yet to see you do that by yourself.
Without complaining you have no social life left.
And you say your folks are always in your business.
If you stayed away and took care of it,
No one but you would know what that business is.
But you like to announce you have no life and two kids!
And then you tell me,
I don't know what life is about?
I don't know what it is to sacrifice?
Since I have it made living alone,
With no creditors ringing my phone!
And I am always at home I never go out!
Where 'is' your mind?
At Six Flags?
Or DisneyWorld?
Which one is it?
You have not yet learned to survive.
Not if you are relying on others,
To keep your lifestyle alive!
And I know you want to keep your 'lifestyle' alive!
Along with your siblings!
Who bring 'their' children...
For stops at mom and pop's.
To leave and come back when they please!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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I'm sorry for the Dead—Today
529
I'm sorry for the Dead—Today—
It's such congenial times
Old Neighbors have at fences—
It's time o' year for Hay.
And Broad—Sunburned Acquaintance
Discourse between the Toil—
And laugh, a homely species
That makes the Fences smile—
It seems so straight to lie away
From all of the noise of Fields—
The Busy Carts—the fragrant Cocks—
The Mower's Metre—Steals—
A Trouble lest they're homesick—
Those Farmers—and their Wives—
Set separate from the Farming—
And all the Neighbors' lives—
A Wonder if the Sepulchre
Don't feel a lonesome way—
When Men—and Boys—and Carts—and June,
Go down the Fields to "Hay"—
poem by Emily Dickinson
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Without A Clue Or Hint
I love it when people make attempts,
To compare themselves...
With others living in totally different,
Environments.
I love it when it is believed,
An exchange of experiences can be done.
With an evaluation,
That validates...
An assumption from a mouth that comes.
I love it when people believe they can critique.
Based upon comfort zones,
Those of limited mindsets...
Rarely and infrequently leave.
I love it when those pass their judgements on others.
Without a clue or hint,
What others endure...
To face and remove those obstacles to them sent.
Or knows what one goes through,
To feed themselves, ...
Shelter, clothe or pay their 'own' bills AND the rent!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Staying Swift On My Feet Keeps Me Peaceful
You snooze you lose,
That's it.
I'm no longer in the business,
In keeping you updated...
As to what occurs,
In front of your doorstep.
I've had to break away from that habit,
That addicted you...
To select which objections,
You preferred to accept.
When you allowed them to happen.
And I annoyed you as you slept!
Oh no...
Some things in my life,
I just had to let go!
You snooze you lose,
That's it.
I'm no longer in the business,
In keeping you updated...
As to what occurs,
In front of your doorstep.
And too tired have I become,
From excusing myself through it...
When from you I would leave.
Only to return.
To find you still unaware and fast asleep.
And getting disrespect,
Coming at me from both ends...
I could no longer justify.
You can close your eyes and keep them closed,
For all I care.
Today I don't have those concerns.
You snooze you lose,
That's it.
I'm no longer in the business,
In keeping you updated...
As to what occurs,
In front of your doorstep.
I have learned,
Staying swift on my feet keeps me peaceful.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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If I Am Not Committed To Its Existence
My life!
And the total living,
Of the experience of it...
Has afforded me the many lessons,
Learned and given...
By being discipline, observant and listening.
Although I admit those teachings,
Did not sink in to begin...
Until my opinions,
Of how others lived their lives...
Beyond and outside of my vision,
Ceased to end my judgements passed.
And that is when my life,
Began a whole new adventure....
On a more personal path.
Without my nose being in someone else's business.
Or believed I had 'all' the answers,
When too many questions I had...
About my own existence that took top position.
And with God's assistance...
I learned how to shut my mouth.
And with my eyes and ears open,
I grew to know when and how to pay attention.
Allowing me to grow to know that which I am still learning.
To live and let live to leave alone if that is God's wish!
Especially if I am not committed to its existence.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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From Years of Growth That Is Done
Caught up in a poisoned mind,
Uptight.
Folks watching other folks watching folks' backs.
Conditioned and disciplined to have their noses,
In someone's business.
And entertained by it with illiterate wishes.
While observing life with an illegitimate social perspective,
And refined by an acceptance of mediocity.
Those with a more adventurous mindset...
Find a wealth of companionships
During nature visits.
And always is nature there patient,
In waiting!
'Not always!
And what you tryin' to say?
A tree got more sense than me? '
A tree wouldn't comprehend that,
From years of growth that is done!
'And what is that suppose to mean? '
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Self Defeating Foolishness
No interest they have in politics.
Believing that and religion do not mix.
No interest expressed in local business.
And yet they insist...
Changes must come to exist!
No interest do they have,
With the lack of discipline shown.
And the disrespect accepted and known.
No one wishes to participate,
In doing those things that are right.
But quick they are to pass judgements.
And witness those in conflict...
As they sit and gossip as if to benefit!
No interest in progress or moving ahead.
As those who do this among them...
They do their best to keep them down instead.
And when they notice they are all of the same mind...
Knitted together by the same common thread.
They want to come together and unify!
Crying they've been left behind...
To entertain themselves,
With more nonsense to spread!
And this is done not 'some'...
But all of the time!
And they come together,
To denounce others who express,
No interest in them...
Or their self defeating foolishness.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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It is the same reason
Why she sings, why she sings out loud at night
When all the neighbors need the peace and quiet
Why she keeps nagging me why she keeps going to
Church everyday why she keeps some dogs in the house
Why she keeps her garden why she keeps an updated menu
Why she sleeps late and wakes up early why she keeps away
From nosy neighbors now why she buys so many shoes
Why she keeps on buying more bags why she scolds the maids
Why she keeps all the things to herself why she experiences
Nightmares why she escapes to the malls and shops all day
Why she keeps asking me what time is it now?
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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When Things Go Wrong Babe
when things go wrong babe
keep the code of silence
do not trust the words
that want to get out from
the panic of your mouth
take the safest step
swallow your pride
keep the utmost vigilance
of the walls and fences
grip the rails and stay
within the limits of your boundaries
descend the stairs of vanity
and open the doors and windows
like the way you open your mind
when things go wrong babe
think of me, close your eyes
hold me and feel me
for in me arrogance is estranged
in my heart is love unchanged
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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