Back In The Days Of My Youthful Glow
Both sympathy and empathy I understand,
With clarity.
There has been no part of my life...
Was there an option that I live,
If...
For just a few days or week.
Nor did I get the opportunity...
Just to live for the weekends to party.
Or...
Never did I run away,
From a task or deed to leave.
And I do understand,
There are millions living today...
In a sorrow that may seem to them,
Carried on backs weighted down by grief.
However...
Being a product of an environment,
I knew few that were pampered...
It becomes difficult for me,
To echange my experiences...
To walk in someone else's shoes.
Most of the time,
I had holes in the soles of mine.
And I was taught at an early age,
To keep my shoes shine...
Bathe.
Wear clean underwear.
And be thankful for what I had.
Even if that meant...
To be glad if I had nothing!
And...
Back in the days of my youthful glow,
Anyone would think I was ordained...
The 'king' of Bellevue Square.
A tenement project where poor Black folks lived,
To later become great people!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Related quotes
Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes
(a-wa) o kodwa u zo-nge li-sa namhlange
(a-wa a-wa) si-bona kwenze ka kanjani
(a-wa a-wa) amanto mbazane ayeza
Shes a rich girl
She dont try to hide it
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Hes a poor boy
Empty as a pocket
Empty as a pocket with nothing to lose
Sing ta na na
Ta na na na
She got diamonds on the soles of her shoes
She got diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes
People say shes crazy
She got diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Well thats one way to lose these
Walking blues
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes
She was physically forgotten
Then she slipped into my pocket
With my car keys
She said youve taken me for granted
Because I please you
Wearing these diamonds
And I could say oo oo oo
As if everybody knows
What Im talking about
As if everybody would know
Exactly what I was talking about
Talking about diamonds on the soles of her shoes
She makes the sign of a teaspoon
He makes the sign of a wave
The poor boy changes clothes
And puts on after-shave
To compensate for his ordinary shoes
And she said honey take me dancing
But they ended up by sleeping
In a doorway
By the bodegas and the lights on
Upper broadway
Wearing diamonds on the soles of their shoes
And I could say oo oo oo
As if everybody here would know
What I was talking about
I mean everybody here would know exactly
What I was talking about
Talking about diamonds
People say Im crazy
I got diamonds on the soles of my shoes
Well thats one way to lose
These walking blues
Diamonds on the soles of your shoes
song performed by by Paul Simon
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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These' Are The Times That Bring Holes to Soles
'These' are the times that bring holes to soles!
'No.
You've quoted Thomas Paine's depiction
Of the beginnings of the American Revolution,
Incorrectly.
That quote 'should' be...
'These are the times that try men's souls.'
Taken from his, The Crisis.'
Are we or are we 'not'
Experiencing a 'crisis' today?
'Yeah,
But we are not going through an American Revolution! '
Oh really?
Is that 'your' interpretation?
Or is that the feelings of those millions of people today,
Losing everything they have?
Including their minds?
In 'these' times.
Like I said...
'These' are the times that bring holes to soles.
And holes brought to those soles,
Are indeed of a revoluntionary nature.
To many suffering and living in 'pain'.
You may not 'see' it that way.
You still have a job.
A place to live.
Food to eat.
Shoes.
Socks.
Suits and ties.
With laundered shirts to wear.
And an expense account,
You, your wife and entire family uses.
And...
All of you,
Are able to maintain your delusions.
So far!
Count your blessings.
And pray they sustain you with substenance.
And I do not refer to visions,
Of biting into a big juicy hamburger either.
Dedicated:
To the memory of Thomas Paine.
Born January 29th 1737 in Thetford, England.
And one of the first to advocate a world peace
organization. And social security for the poor and elderly.
Mister Paine was staunchly anti-slavery.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Put Yourself In My Shoes
Your mind is made up you wont even try
You didnt even cry this time
You say that we could never see eye to eye
And one of us just must be blind
We have our differences
Were still the same
See what we want to see
But you take a second look
And maybe things wouldnt seem the same
If you could see what you mean to me
Put yourself in my shoes
Walk a mile for me
Ill put myself in your shoes
Maybe then wed see
That if you put yourself in my shoes
Youd have some sympathy
And if I could only put myself in your shoes
Id walk right back to me
Youre gonna keep walkin and youre gonna pass me by
You say you dont even care
But I could always recognize a real good-bye
And I know your hearts not there
Weve had our differences
Were still the same
Hear what we want to hear
Now Im head over heels in the lost and found
Its a cryin shame
I thought we made the perfect pair
Put yourself in my shoes
Walk a while walk that mile for me
Ill put myself in your shoes
Maybe then wed see
That if you put yourself in my shoes
Youd have some sympathy
And if I could only put myself in your shoes
Id walk right back to me
Id walk right back to me
Id walk right back to me
song performed by by Clint Black
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I too, have got shoes
Have you seen shoes on children here
No shoes for other children
No shoes for your children
My uncle said to my dad
I lost my shoes—small shoes
from then on
My feet crushed the thorns
from then on
The city was taken from me
But not me from the city
from then on
Many years later my shoe remover died
And I got back my shoes
Bigger shoes—for crushing thorns
from then on
I cat walked in them
And went to bed in them
from then on
I got the city back
Even when I stayed there
from then on
Believe me I too have got shoes
And I slip my feet in them
But not for sleep anymore
Yes I too have got shoes
Other children wear shoes
My children wear shoes
Wear shoes why not
Why not why not why not why not
Shoes in the cot
Shoes to school
Shoes to the market
Shoes to the office
Why not wear shoes
poem by Moses Kainwo
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I Detest Those Kinds Of People
Please,
Do not interpret my giving...
Of an unsolicited opinion,
To be biased in any way.
Or as a passing of judgement.
I detest those kinds of people.
However...
Why were those folks invited,
To this exclusive party?
They look as if,
They have an absence of social skills.
I hope I am not approached.
What on Earth would 'we' have in common?
And I know for a fact,
People who live where they live at...
Are not what you might say,
Mentally equipped to comprehend...
Any of the subjects we will be discussing.
And...
Take a look at his shoes!
The last time they had a shine on them,
Was when he took them out of the box.
And that 'had' to have been many years ago.
I'll be right back.
I need a double scotch and ginger.
'I hear you.
I'm glad those people who pass judgement aren't here.
They would have a field day picking people like that apart.'
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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I've Heard Those Old Stories Told
'Everything' about me you see...
My Father God,
Has taught to me.
I've heard those old stories told,
About what folks have done...
To make my life easy and comfortable.
Especially told to others who did not know.
And who did what...
When I got myself into ruts.
'God...
I am so glad You know the real deal! '
And I wonder 'who' that might have been?
That came to my aid when I needed them.
Hmmm...
It's true,
I have had folks give me 'things'.
And money loaned I paid back.
I've had people to me make promises.
And I remember every one of them broken...
From the time I was a kid!
Hmmm...
I can't remember anyone,
Motivating my moves!
Only You,
My Father.
I could say my entire life has been spent...
With me doing the giving.
And to a degree that would be true.
Since several people I have known...
Have told lies.
That's all they did and still do.
And I use to listen to a whole lot of BS.
With attempts I made to correct some mess.
Do I now?
No!
'Everything' about me you see...
My Father God,
Has taught to me.
And the biggest lesson I have learned to date?
Do not hesitate in the waiting of others to approve!
You'd be a dried up old prune in the doing.
If you've been blessed with a gift,
You better give it and be done with it!
And let whoever say whatever!
Give folks who gossip some fuel,
To keep their lips moving.
And doing something bizarre...
While you're at it!
Learn to live without restrictions and limitations.
You and your time are not defined by those mindless.
Unless you let it!
Then whose truth do you ultimately live?
It wont be mine because I have my own to live!
Although I do give folks credit where it is due.
Like being witnesses...
To the gifts God has given to me.
That's it!
Anything else folks would like to claim...
Did not occur on my watch.
But I do understand,
Why some folks like to associate themselves...
With those who struggle through and win,
Their battles and conquer over grief!
Thank You God, Almighty!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Come On Everybody
Oh come on
Come on
Everybody
Everybody
Sing it
Sing it
Come on
Come on
Everybody, everybody, sing it
Sing it
Though my shoes are thin
Lord lord
And my coat isnt hangin down
Lord lord
But this song is mine
Sos this old guitar
If youve been down the end of time
Youll have seen my face before
Ha!
Though I aint had a meal in days
Cuz as soon as I start to play
You know its just for you
Cause I love it here
In this square waiting
Waiting for the people to come
Oh come on
Come on
Everybody
Everybody
Sing it
Sing it
Come on
Come on
Everybody, everybody, sing it
Sing it
Though my shoes are thin
Lord lord
And my coat isnt hangin down
Lord lord
But this song is mine
Sos this old guitar
Oooh I spend my life by the river side
Unless somebody takes me in
If they do or they dont
Its all the same
I live the life I do
Living and singing for free
Cause I love it here
In this square
Waiting for the people to come
Come on
Come on
Oh come on
Come on
Everybody
Everybody
Sing it
Sing it
Come on
Come on
Everybody, everybody, sing it
(sing it)
Though my shoes are thin
(lord lord)
And my coat isnt hangin down
(lord lord)
But this song is mine
Sos this old guitar
All right I said come on!
song performed by by Rick Springfield
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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You Might Find Me a Disappointment
You might find me a disappointment.
I'm one who could care less,
About gossip and that mess.
And people with titles...
I don't put on pedestals.
Being 'real' is difficult enough.
Without having to be burdened.
I got 'me' back!
Off track and spinning wheels'
Once done.
Runninf in fear of reality.
And feeling pressure to be measured...
Against a society bleeding,
Common sense.
You might find me a disappointment.
I question what I don't understand.
And on my own two feet I stand.
I remember my Uncle Julius,
Holding my arms up as I ran down a hill.
He was teaching me how to walk.
It was behind where my grandparents,
And my other aunts and uncles lived.
That was in Bellevue Square.
Nine months old I was.
It's like this...
You might find me a disappointment.
And I live a life already having experienced them.
I'm sure there will be some regrets made,
As I lay more footsteps down.
So don't be disappointed if I accept it.
And keep steppin'.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Each Other
I look at you from every practical angle
and the more I look at you the more I know.
We speak to each other, share each other's feelings,
live each other's fear; hate from another.
We seek out each other's love;
I love you more than words can say, you know that well.
Some others cannot understand the way we feel,
cannot think the way we do.
They fail to understand their one another
as others cannot understand each other.
They are not us, for we have each other.
We were a part of them for oh, so long!
before we found each other.
You remember the way we were
without love and understanding.
The way we are now sharing and caring for each other.
Days gone by were, here no more,
full of sorrow without each other.
Optimistic in our lives of each other's existence,
days of future passed now are passing.
Love is endlessly searching our lives thoroughly,
every moment is an excellent opportunity.
There is no ending loving each other.
poem by George Krokos
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Who Knew? Did You? Oh...Of Course Not!
I can understand you wish not to see,
My efforts gleam and shine.
I can understand that,
Yes I do!
Because those efforts,
Getting attention I did not pursue...
Are not those of yours,
But mine.
I did not know that would become fact.
I've been too busy toiling with sweat,
To remove obstacles carried...
Too long weighted on my back.
No...
I didn't realize my conscious efforts,
Would one day get attention.
Or attract like that!
Who knew?
Did you?
Oh...
Of course not!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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These Are The Days
Ah ah
Heres a song
About living in the past
If it was so good then
How come it didnt last?
If it helps you
Ill put it in a phrase
Those were the times
But these are the days
These are the days
These are the days
These are the days
These are the days
These are the days
The times youre smiling back on
Had that great sitcom
It hardly compensated
For the terror of the bomb
Let me help
cause youre looking through a haze
Those were the times
These are the days
These are the days
Hey hey hey
These are the days
Can you hear me now?
These are the days
Look around look around look around
These are the days
These are the days
Hey hey live today
These are the days
Its time to put the past away
These are the days
The more you do the more you say
These are the days
The more I need to get away
Youre longing for a time
There never was
Now tell me the truth
Youre looking for the reason
Its because
Youre fighting for youth
But if I have to listen any more
To fantasy talk
Or any other bug you have
Im leaving
Now Im not saying
Everything is really great
Hey hey hey
After sixteen years
Of legalised class hate
Why waste time
Looking back for things to praise?
Those were the times huh
But these are the days
These are the days
Looking back in history
These are the days
Time to get contempory
These are the days
The past is not the place to be
song performed by by Human League
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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That's Been Done
This time my time is mine.
It has been a long time since...
These days have commenced,
To be as I choose to live them.
And not emotionally committed...
To be where my devotion is misunderstood!
I had been conditioned to believe,
I had a life to live unselfishly.
And I did at the benefit...
Of my parents.
To find my mother totally giving.
And my dad a humorous wit.
They taught me early in life...
That a black man walking around,
With intelligence is not rare.
What is done with the gift is the challenge.
And I should live to dare the unknown.
Unafraid.
Although scared to death!
Some have chosen to poison themselves.
And have become very successful at it!
While others have selected to be between existences.
You know the type?
Unsatisfied with everything.
Participating in little...
But delivers demands with lofty expectations!
This time my time is mine.
It has been a long time since...
These days have commenced,
To be as I choose to live them.
And not emotionally committed...
To be where my devotion is misunderstood!
Not today!
That's been done.
Today...
Lawrence S. Pertillar can say,
'God?
However 'we' did it,
It has been done.
And I am grateful to know I'm blessed!
Caring less who thinks I am selfish.
Only You, My Father...
Only You,
Know what the real deal has been.
And I feel free not to stop and give explanations,
About the kind of life You have awarded me to live.
Not today!
That's been done.
And to Your satisfaction that leaves me happy! '
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Do Or Die
Today I saw my hero fall apart,
the one who taught me to be strong,
on the outside I look fine,
but on the inside I am dying
my strength has overcome my pain
my love for you remains the same
the loneliness is setting in
I have no one to free my sins
It's never too late to live your life,
the time is now, it's do or die
it's never too late to live your life,
the time is now, it's your to mine
Now it's my time to help you out,
coz you were there when I was down,
it's hard for me to seal this way
losing all your sanity
you helped me, keep my dreams alive ,
without you how would I survive
it's time for me to be a man
now I finally understand
It's never too late to live your life,
the time is now, it's do or die
it's never too late to live your life,
the time is now, it's your to mine
It's never too late to live your life,
the time is now, it's do or die
it's never too late to live your life,
the time is now, it's your to mine
I cant run anymore
I cant hide anymore
I cant run anymore
I cant hide anymore
Today I saw my hero fall apart,
the one who taught me to be strong,
on the outside I look fine,
but on the inside I am dying
It's never too late to live your life,
the time is now, it's do or die
it's never too late to live your life,
the time is now, it's your to mine
It's never too late to live your life,
the time is now, it's do or die
it's never too late to live your life,
the time is now, it's your to mine
It's never too late to live your life,
the time is now, it's do or die
it's never too late to live your life,
the time is now, it's your to mine
I cant run anymore
I cant hide anymore
I cant run anymore
I cant hide anymore
Yeaaaahh
song performed by by Papa Roach
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sugar Plummed By Fairyisms
Hmmm...
Do I care that my comments may be offensive,
To those who may be of slow apprehension?
I've been called crude and rude and heartless,
By some.
Brilliant by others.
And stupid and dumb...
By those who qualify themselves,
As loved ones.
But...
Do I 'care' that my comments may be offensive?
That depends if I am in a forgiving mood to forget.
Since the recalling of my 'anguish' goes totally misunderstood,
By those whose lives have been fantasized...
And 'sugar plummed' by fairyisms.
I grew up in a tenement project.
A place we called the 'brickyard'.
But officially named Bellevue Square.
An experiment of sorts,
For those poor and Black!
Living in Hartford, Connecticut.
But I do the best I can,
To provide an accurate assessment of my outlook.
From my experiences and point of view.
Even though it is difficult to sweeten,
Those lingering memories.
Hmmm...
Do I care that my comments may be offensive?
Oh yes.
Especially when I become victimized,
Listening to them repeated...
And,
Coming from the mouths of those who believe I stay angry.
And I'm only angry on Tuesdays between 2: 30pm and five.
And on most Thursdays anytime before noon.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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That Millions Do Live In Poverty
That millions do live in poverty should never be seen as okay
The gap between the haves and the have nots keeps getting bigger by the day
Everyone should have the chance to live happy a home to live in and enough for to eat
There never should be slums and ghettos and never a poverty street,
That millions are born to live in poverty and to end their hard lives in despair
Only tells us if there's a god that god favours the wealthy and that god is not very fair
To leave millions homeless and dying of malnutrition the people condemned to die poor and young
In the refugee camps of the World live the displaced, the poor and unsung,
In the age of celebrity worship the poor in millions multiply
Why millions are destined to be poor don't ask me I wouldn't know why
Even in the World's wealthiest Countries poor people are no longer rare
And millions and millions of have nots in the bigger World out there
And millions are dying of hunger and millions are doing it tough
And millions are displaced and homeless and as refugees living it rough.
poem by Francis Duggan
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He Is Not Stressed
Whatever was done,
Had been demeaned and declared as easy.
Back 'then'...
In 'those days' folks can not leave!
Simple were his deeds considered.
Back 'then'...
In 'those days' folks can not leave!
And criticized for his desires,
To obtained success.
Back 'then'...
In 'those days' folks can not leave!
But that was yesterday!
Today...
He is not stressed at all!
Nor overly protective,
Of an investment,
Others made at a loss in pretentiousness.
And again he finds himself,
Blessed to be ahead of the rest!
And sharing a happiness...
For him that has been cost effective!
And those folks back 'then'...
In 'those days' they could not leave,
Are still there!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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The Shoes Youre Wearing
Weve all seen enough wrong and right
To know everythings not black and white
Theres always something in between
No matter how long or well you live
You dont get anything you dont give
Still no slate is clean
For better or worse, anybody can
Take a look around and find a better man
Upright no matter how hes faring
No matter what kind of shoes hes wearing
The shoes hes wearing
They dont make the man
So many people out running around
Handicapped before they hit the ground
Thinking theres nowhere to go
Shouldnt we all be looking for ways
To keep on seeing our better days
Were not chained to what we know
But if your eyes are open and your mind is free
Theres no tellin what a man can be
Upright no matter how youre faring
No matter what kind of shoes youre wearing
The shoes youre wearing
They dont make the man
But if you cant walk through the best of times and the worst of times
Find your feet still walking the line
Youll never carry the load worth bearing
No matter what kind of shoes youre wearing
The shoes youre wearing
They wont make the man
The shoes youre wearing
They wont make the man
song performed by by Clint Black
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Shine On
The greatest gift, the gift of life
The gift of love divine
God gave us all a special gift
He meant for it to shine
He meant for it to shine
The darkest night can be made light
By one bright word or smile
If wed put on our neighbors shoes
And choose to walk a mile
God gave us all our own free will
To choose the paths we take
No greater deed could eer be done
Than for anothers sake
The greatest gift, the gift of life
The gift of love divine
God gave us all a special gift
He meant for it to shine
He meant for it to shine
Shine on, shine on, for all to see
Gods light inside your soul
Shine on, shine on, let love flow free
Warm others in its glow
Shine on, shine on, shine on
So hide it not or it will fade
Shine on, shine on, shine on
Shine on, shine on, shine on
The greatest gift, the gift of life
The gift of love divine
God gave us all a special gift
He meant for it to shine
Shine on, shine on, shine on
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Through An Osmosisness
Unconscious assimilation,
To seduce one into conversation?
Perhaps.
But there are some with realities,
Who are distorted by facts.
And few comprehend that,
When they allow...
The comfort of their delusions,
To sit back and relax.
I have earned the right to express my identity,
With much flair if I dared.
From dawn 'til noon until midnight.
And doing it aware that I have not a care.
And if anyone expresses I do this and declare,
My arrogance to be unbearable.
And a dignity I pride...
Begins to choke with a coolness I carry.
As if I owned the air!
So be it!
If I flaunt a bit of obnoxiousness.
I've earned all of it.
The identity I pride with the dignity I don't hide.
I am not here to defend every step I've taken.
Nor those experiences life to me has personally given.
'Oh!
I can understand how you feel! '
Is that right?
What part of my life have you lived that delights?
And what hour of which day...
Have you said to yourself,
'Ignore what others say.
Keep your faith it will be okay! '
'Well...
I don't have to go through that process,
To understand what others go through! '
Hmmm.
I see.
So you're one of those folks who live vicariously?
Through an osmosisness done.
And challenging all obstacles that come?
'Well...
I don't have to go through that process,
To understand what others go through! '
Hmmm.
I see.
So you're one of those folks who live vicariously?
Through an osmosisness done.
And challenging all obstacles that come?
'Well,
I don't have to...
Forget it.'
That just expressed,
I can understand and accept.
As from you confessed.
There is no need to further address,
Your comprehension to suggest.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Shoes
'Get rid of those old shoes, ' she said,
'Their time has come and gone.'
I looked down at my battered soles
And smiled, as she went on;
When women talk of 'romance', then
It must be dressed to kill,
But these old shoes saw more romance
Than she could ever tell.
I took these shoes to China,
They passed through Singapore,
They trod old Wenzhou's meaner streets
In silence, pride and awe;
They padded through fine Restaurants
And stood before my class,
While Chinese students bit their pens
Translating Poe, en masse.
These shoes took me to Shanghai,
To walk the Nanjing Road,
They stood while shoppers gaily passed
And chattered some sweet code,
These shoes have trod through old Beijing
The Square, Tian'anmen,
Where Marco Polo did his thing
My shoes had followed on.
They walked the Summer Palace
Where Emperors played their roles,
A thousand years of history
Was scuffed along their soles,
They slithered over Kunming Lake
Long frozen, on the ice,
They strolled the Bronze Pavilion
Like some ancient paradise.
Then on the heights at Ba-da-ling
They helped me climb 'The Wall',
They dragged my poor old bones aloft,
I thought that I would fall,
They paced beside the Terra Cotta
Warriors at Xian,
These shoes have seen more romance
Than a new pair ever can.
'Get rid of these old shoes, my dear,
I couldn't, I regret;
I bought them when I first met you,
When we were young, my pet;
They hold too many memories
Of how we were back when;
I'll keep them underneath our bed - '
The wife - she kissed me then!
21 February 2008
poem by David Lewis Paget
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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