Hollow Rituals
When they were young,
Adorable and cute.
You announced to me...
That they were 'your' children.
And I respected that.
Now that they've grown older...
Opinionated, loud and abusive.
Lazy and disrespecting.
Impatient with no time to listen.
You do not hold yourself responsible.
Nor accountable for their actions.
In fact you are quick,
To rely on your selective memory.
Remember...
I was there observing,
Those lessons taught to them you did teach.
In a loud judgemental roar...
You sometimes to them preached.
And your self righteous activities...
Are there to be observed in church!
And you tell me you can not remember,
Your own pastor's sermons?
Although you dress impeccably...
As if this is rehearsed!
That is why I find it difficult,
To follow hollow rituals.
Or believe anyone feels...
What they sing in spirituals.
With voices raised in serious praise!
For them it is just a routine...
Without depth and very little meaning.
Like a 'buck' that is passed...
And has lost its worth.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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Off Of Those Stages Rehearsed
One experienced has strong beliefs.
And normally away from classrooms,
Has their lessons been taught.
It is difficult to converse,
With someone who has lived...
Far away and off of those stages rehearsed.
When one has survived alone,
And has done it from the trenches.
And not sitting on park benches...
Sniffing floral arrangements,
Or wishing to be uplifted...
By a drifting of a Spring breeze.
It becomes difficult to share idealism...
With one who realistically lives.
One experienced has strong beliefs.
And normally away from classrooms,
Has their lessons been taught.
It is difficult to converse,
With someone who has lived...
Far away and off of those stages rehearsed.
There is a depth of meaning,
That has been involved in one's interpretation.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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Church
I am sure there are those who go to church,
For purposes I have yet myself researched.
But I do not intend to learn more about Satan.
Nor about those demons...
Dispensing sins.
Where from inside a church...
People pray to be forgiven for them.
I am sure there are those who go to church,
Other than to wear their Sunday best.
Or to regurgitate...
Scriptures learned or verses they've rehearsed.
And in privacy misdeeds confessed.
But there is evidence lacking on urban streets,
Near these places where 'The Word' is heard.
And sermons are preached.
All I observe is decadence done.
Where hypocrites congregated and speak,
To others what 'they' should not do!
As a form of their 'community' outreach!
While showing how the devil does it.
From lessons recited to ignite inner fear.
And the 'how-one-should-live'
To get those expected golden 'wings'...
Given to them,
By a 'heavenly' being...
Adorning upon them 'halos' they've earn.
As melodious harmonic voices sing!
With angels appearing to dance near.
And this conflicts with my depiction of God!
When I witness the destruction of all that God creates.
As those who say they are of faith with 'belief'...
Do not find their actions neither wicked or odd!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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WHO And WHAT Implemented This
How can anyone think or believe,
They could distance themselves...
From actions their own children take,
That provokes others with disrespect...
To then proclaim they are not responsible,
For those actions their children have learned...
From behind walls where they were first taught.
To then take those lessons beyond their own backyards?
With a doing done to create for others havoc!
Is the First Amendment that diverse?
WHO and WHAT,
Inspired with encouragement their transgressions?
With beliefs to violate others is okay?
And with rights that entitles them to do it their way.
From WHERE was this thoughtlessness generated?
WHO and WHAT implemented this in their minds,
To have those who should be accountable...
Find someone else to blame!
And with accusations that dismisses their teachings.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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Lines Upon Your Face
A small group of boys walks down the street
Throwing a ball in the air
One says to another
Hey Ill always be your brother
Ill always be your friend
Chorus:
Do you remember
When we thought we were immortal
And the games we played always had a happy end
But in the game of life all the roses wither
And time writes its lines upon your face
Summers here and three young men
Drive through the town in the night air
When fall comes theyll part again
One turns to another and he says
Chorus
Its three a.m. and hes been feeling lonely
Works been hard and the citys hard too
He picks up the phone and halfway across the country
A brother listens to his blues he says
Chorus
Lift your voices loud and clearly
Sing for brotherhood right now
Lift your voices loud and clearly
Sing for sisterhood right now
Sometimes I wish
That we all were immortal
And the game of life always had a happy end
But I know its not true oh time keeps passing
But Im just glad to spend my time
With you
Lift your voices loud and clearly
Sing for brotherhood right now
Lift your voices loud and clearly
Sing for sisterhood right now
song performed by by Vertical Horizon

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Now Look At Them
Remember the days,
When they banned together.
To collect in suburbia.
Teaching their children,
How to hurl indignities and profanities...
At those deemed minorities!
In some 'backwater' communities,
This is still today done!
But now look at them...
The scripture quoting, Bible thumping self righteous.
They are tearing each other to shreds.
Over values they claim had been God sent.
Perhaps they misunderstood God's intentions.
And what God meant...
From their interpretations that has taken them,
To now call each other abusive names!
Showing just how nasty a people they can be.
Although quick to identify heathens who sin.
And yet...
They would never see themselves,
As judgemental witches...
Stripped to give quick lap dances,
In the dens of hate mongering warlocks!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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Fazer
Standing like a sore thumb, out,
notice your image is different.
Traits that change, it's just too quick,
follow on clues and guess what, that's what, it's like.
Follow your ups and downs,
it's safe to say that I can't tell.
All sense aside.
Left out in the cold,
sight of your routine getting old.
Blame some indifference inside,
taken on shapes not to selective.
Just what you find.
Looking for seconds of peace of mind,
pieces of something to hold on to.
A job that you just can't hold down,
distracted for seconds, you're gone.
Follow your ups and downs,
it's safe to say that I can't tell.
All sense aside.
Left out in the cold,
sight of your routine getting old.
Blame some indifference inside,
taken on shapes not to selective.
Just what you find.
Where you find it.
Needing to find something,
is everything ok.
I hope you find your niche, someday soon.
Easy to change your phase,
to move from where you stand,
but you got to keep that face.
Each change you plan.
Wonder,
is everything ok,
the problem is hesitation
song performed by by Quicksand

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Selective Memory
If I lay my head down
I will see you in my dream
Wearin that polka dot dress
And sittin by the stream
Leaning in to hear you
You will whisper in my ear
And everything I need to know
I finally hear
I wish I could remember
But my selective memory
Wont let me
When I was a baby we would
To out to the park
And sit out in the fountain
And splash around until its dark
Days go on forever
When you only know that much
And everything you need to know
Is answered with one touch
I wish I could remember
But my selective memory
Wont let me
song performed by by Eels

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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“Remember”
Remember where you came from.
Remember where you have been.
Remember whom you have encountered.
Remember whom you have known,
Remember joyous moments.
Remember sorrow too.
Remember all the lessons.
Remember the lessons you forgot.
Remember your Father.
Remember your Mentor.
Remember Mother Earth.
Remember the universe.
Remember to remember.
Remember gratitude.
Remember to be humble.
Remember your heart.
Remember always to love.
(Created 09-23-05@4: 53PM, Completed 11-27-06@6: 41PM)
poem by Michelle Chargualaf

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What Will Baby Be
A young couple marries, already fighting
Along comes baby makin them three
Troubles all he hears from the time hes in didies
Baby dont know just what to believe
Angry words and spiteful actions
Babys gonna cut his teeth on these
If thats gonna be the main attraction
What will the baby be, what will baby be
Baby needs love and needs direction
Babys first school is the family
For they are only a reflection
Of the things they see, what will baby be
Chorus:
What will baby be after baby is grown
What will baby do if baby dont know whats right or wrong
Got to show them love, got to teach them truth
cause what baby is when baby grows up
Well, that depends entirely on me and you
Depends entirely on me and you
Baby thinks God is just a curse word
Never said a prayer cause hes never been taught
They remember and repeat what theyve heard
So I ask whos really at fault
So many questions, so few answers
So many lessons we dont teach
Stumbling through like clumsy dancers
What will baby be, what will baby be
2nd chorus:
What will baby be after baby is grown
What will baby do when baby is out there on his own
Teach the children how to be all they should be
cause what baby is when baby grows up
Depends entirely on you and me
Depends entirely on you and me
What will baby be
song performed by by Dolly Parton

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Proud To Be Loud
Listen up good
I got a lot to say
I know what I want
And I get my own way
I call em as I see em
I dont play by the book
One dose of volume
Thats all it took
Ive seen it, Ive done it
Ive heard it before
Now its my turn
To settle the score
Ill sing it, Ill shout it
Ill say it again
I dont care if they
Never give in cause im
Proud to be loud
Proud to be loud
You know Im proud
Proud to be loud
Well Ive alway believed
In freedom of speech
And Ive always been the one
Who practiced what I preached
Love it or leave it
Ill give you the choice
But itll snow in hell
Before I lower my voice
I live it, I breathe it
I gotta have more
Its full blast
And this means war
The power, the glory
Its callin my name
I wont start to
Play their game cause im
Proud to be loud
Proud to be loud
Im proud to be loud
And Ill never
Turn it down again no!!
Proud to be loud
Proud to be loud
Im proud,
Proud to be loud
song performed by by Pantera

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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We Teach Them Young
We teach them young,
What to dislike.
And...
To separate into divisons,
With preferences selected.
We teach them young,
How to hate and who to fight.
With weapons used to kill.
And incite with mindless deeds.
We...
Teach them this!
We teach them,
With a rehabilitation done...
To respect laws when broken.
With the best of pretentions kept.
We...
Teach them this!
We teach them young,
The art of deception.
Self righteousness and hypocriscy.
And then when they reflect these lessons taught...
We teach them denial to have others believe.
We teach them young with a doing done they do!
And yet we get upset with regrets to protest those tests,
They have passed.
With accusations directed at others to blame,
For implimenting those tasks we teach.
We...
Teach them young!
With a doing of this not to admit.
As we wish for escape from their commitments,
Made.
We...
Teach them young.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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Dad's Lessons Passed On
He was not filthy rich
But had the depth of knowledge
That he had blessed me with
To face my trials with great courage.
Dad taught me the love for books
A quiet spirit in times of strife
All those years his lesson took
Me through the hardships of my life.
Teach a child the wealth of reading
To feed his mind, keep him from trouble
Values learned he will be using
To grow up wise and be responsible.
Dad's lessons I now try to teach
On the next in line there to impart
My children know their goals to reach
By keeping his lessons in their heart.
poem by Cynthia Buhain-Baello

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Loner
I remember when I saw your face I said out loud she's out of place
She's summer's child and still she feels no freedom
Your hair was long and so was mine when we were young I felt a kind of magic
Did you feel that for me
(Chorus)
I thought that you would understand you thought that I was in your hand
Now's the time when I can't stay not even you can change the way
I'm a loner
I remember when I saw your eyes I said out loud I realize
That beauty often hides a heart that's hardened
You tell me now you use them all they love it best before they fall
Collected like a flower in your garden
(Chorus)
song performed by by Kansas

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Johnny The Horse
Johnny the horse was kicked to death
He died for entertainment
Would you believe he came out well
He had a bright inquiring mind
His family knew that he'd go far
If he applied his time
But he started out standing on corners
And talking out loud, too loud
You see he couldn't believe in himself or the world
Or anything he heard
It seems a million years ago
That he left his life behind
The moment came for him to go
He said goodbye to his wife and child
Started out walking he never looked back
There was too much pain
Between Glasgow and London
One hot summer he forgot his name
Can you remember his name?
Doodlo dup dup dup
Doodlo doodlo doodlo WOO!
Can you remember his name?
Doodlo dup dup dup
Doodlo doodlo doodlo WOO!
Can you remember?
He started out standing on corners
And talking out loud, too loud
You see he couldn't believe in himself or the world
Or anything he heard
Can you remember his name?
Doodlo dup dup dup
Doodlo doodlo doodlo WOO!
Can you remember his name?
Doodlo dup dup dup
Doodlo doodlo doodlo WOO!
Will you remember?
Will you remember his name?
Doodlo dup dup dup
Doodlo doodlo doodlo WOO!
Can you remember?
Doodlo dup dup dup
Doodlo doodlo doodlo WOO!
He took his battered bones and his broken dreams
to Regents Park at sunset
Will you remember?
Doodlo dup dup dup
Doodlo doodlo doodlo WOO!
Will you remember his name?
Doodlo dup dup dup
Doodlo doodlo doodlo WOO!
Will you remember?
Doodlo dup dup dup
Doodlo doodlo doodlo WOO
song performed by by Madness

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Try To Remember
Words and music by tom jones and harvey schmidt from the musical the
Fantasticks
Try to remember the kind of september
When life was slow and oh so mellow
Try to remember the kind of september
When grass was green and grain so yellow
Try to remember the kind of september
When you were a young and a callow fellow
Try to remember and if you remember
Then follow--follow, oh-oh
Try to remember when life was so tender
That no one wept except the willow
Try to remember when life was so tender
That dreams were kept beside your pillow
Try to remember when life was so tender
That love was an ember about to billow
Try to remember and if you remember
Then follow--follow, oh-oh
Deep in december its nice to remember
Although you know the snow will follow
Deep in december its nice to remember
Without a hurt, the heart is hollow
Deep in december its nice to remember
The fire of september that made you mellow
Deep in december our hearts should remember
Then follow--follow, oh-oh
Follow, oh-oh
song performed by by Roy Orbison

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This I Have I Been Shown
Remember those days,
Seeing people cross a street...
To avoid the ones hungry and homeless?
With a looking down from their held high noses,
As if to evaluate those in need.
Do you remember experiencing hard times,
Knee deep in troubles...
And those you knew abandoned you?
To leave you and wouldn't even speak...
IF they saw you on the street or anywhere publicly.
With their evaluations.
Do you remember getting up on your own two feet,
And determined to beat the odds?
Do you remember beating those odds,
To find yourself feeling blessed...
Confessing your gratefulness to those,
Who had not a clue who you were?
Although...
You remember those days,
Seeing them cross the street to avoid speaking?
But...
You have no problem at all assisting them,
As they experience homelessness and hunger.
And you are not there to evaluate.
Do you remember experiencing hard times,
Knee deep in troubles...
And those you knew abandoned you?
To leave you and wouldn't even speak...
IF they saw you on the street or anywhere publicly?
Do you remember those days keeping your faith,
When that was all that you had to display?
Wishing you could rub a dime in your pocket.
Do you remember giving your last five dollars away,
Knowing it was okay?
And WHO and WHAT knew what it took to make you happy.
With a delivering to you all your needs?
I do.
And I don't need a hint or a clue from anyone to know this.
Nor their self righteous evaluations.
And I take pride in knowing from where it was I came.
I've taken full responsibility for my actions,
With a pause to hesitate.
And I will never find blame to fault anyone,
For the most fantastic lessons I have ever learned.
I have long awakened to know,
The Creator does not always favor...
Those impeccably dress who detest others,
Given images to test as assignments...
To uncover where one's heart is located.
This I have been shown,
Many times.
And...
Most times those who find themselves,
In positions to evaluate others...
Can not escape from being assessed,
By tests they are unaware to them had been given.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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I Remember
Writer Dolly Parton
Copyright 1973
I remember I remember I remember mama and daddy most of all
I remember meadows and fields of golden wheat
I remember songbirds and sugar cane so sweet
I remember lots of things that often I recall
But I remember mama and daddy most of all
I remember gingerbread my mama used to bake
And I remember home made toys that daddy used to make
Yes I remember many things that often I recall
But I remember mama and daddy most of all
I remember mama and daddy most of all
And our little country home they filled with love
I remember mama and daddy most of all
And all the things they did to make life happier for us
Yes I remember lots of things that often I recall
But I remember mama and daddy most of all
I remember candy that daddy used to bring I remember songs my mama used to sing
Oh I remember many things that often I recall
But I remember mama and daddy most of all
I remember mama and daddy most of all
And how they taught us children right from wrong
I remember mama and daddy most of all
How they used to hope and pray they'd live to see us grown
Oh I remember many things that often I recall
But I remember mama and daddy most of all
I remember I remember I remember mama and daddy most of all most of all
song performed by by Dolly Parton

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Sweet Children
See a young girl so soft and blonde.
Doesnt attack me but she did once.
Intoxications in her veins.
Sweet young boy plays with her brain.
Lydiall bring to life.
What are your chance not to oblige.
Putting his hand on her thigh.
Ability has now been ripped.
Take it away, Id rather sit.
Sweet children, sweet children, sweet children. remember when.
Johnnys playing fun and games, or else hes ? in the storage shed? .
Running from the light of day, or maybe lie and celebrate.
The funny circus from his head.
Follow me if you understand.
Ill trick her so shell do it.
Then Ill sing and now we run.
Sweet children, sweet children, sweet children. remember when.
Sweet children, sweet children, sweet children. remember when.
song performed by by Green Day

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Life Lesson
Listen to all
Listen to none
But remember this thing
You are the one who realize
Learn everything
Learn nothing
But remember this thing
You are the one who understand
Go everywhere
Go nowhere
But remember this thing
You are the one who search
Believe the hard one
Believe the easy one
But remember this thing
You are the one who follow
Think the worst
Think the finest
But remember this thing
You are the one who decide
Read what’s written
Read what’s hidden
But remember this thing
You are the one who feel
See the dark
See the light
But remember this thing
You are the one who watch
Dream the ordinary
Dream the impossible
But remember this thing
You are the one who hope
Try the best
Try the rest
But remember this thing
You are the one who fight
Say it straight
Say it carefully
But remember this thing
You are the one who mean it
Love you care
Love you don’t
But remember this thing
You are the one who give
Live the truth
Live the lie
But remember this thing
You are the one who grow
Do what you desire
Do what’s been ordered
But remember this thing
You are the one who responsible
Touch it rough
Touch it smooth
But remember this thing
You are the one who keep
poem by Maria Sudibyo

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Your grandchild has tougher lessons to teach
When your child was born
You might have learned certain lessons
As he or she was growing
The child would have been
Teaching lessons
Which you were not learning
From anywhere else
You would have found the lessons
Tough and difficult to absorb
As basics and fundamentals
Language used by the faculty
Methodology of teaching
Were quite different
Most of the time unstructured
Unmindful of your moods
The teacher would have kept you
Loaded with lessons difficult to decipher
The classes were far unique and
Very specially different
From any of the formal institution
Which were preparing you
For making a life
The lessons here aimed at
Making you live fully alive and aware of
Absolute realities
You would agree
Learning these never made you tired
And you were enthusiastically looking for
New lessons to come up
By the time
Your child has grown up
And stopped teaching you any further
Your grand child arrives
Now the lessons turn tougher still
Despite all the experiences in life and living
Your learning is quite difficult now
The teacher is in a great hurry
And often keeps changing
The course of lessons
You find new reasons
For things happening around
And you see yourself
In new enthusiasm
Which you feel will help you live
Longer still
With enough energy, strength and skill
In spite of the fact that
Your grandchild has tougher lessons to teach
poem by Bashyam Narayanan

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