I Choose to Be Eccentric
I don't think you are listening to me.
I make no attempts,
To duplicate the efforts of others
For comparison purposes,
That may gain your approval.
If I left that impression...
May I have it back?
I am carving out my path in this jungle.
Alone and slightly nervous...
Without a sigh of desperation or fear.
I want to make that clear,
To anyone in doubt...
And in observation!
I am not the 'next' of anything!
I am the first of everything.
I will ask for your advice,
Perhaps.
And if I do so...
It is not a request to hold your hand,
Or be handcuffed to ideals!
This is what I want understood.
This is what I want you to understand.
And that is the only reason you noticed!
The fact that I enjoy eating crumpets,
Sipping mint tea naked in public...
Is MY decision,
And has nothing to do
With seeking attention,
Trust me!
What do you mean I am being arrested?
Because I attest restrictions?
I protest.
I don't think you are listening to me,
Officer!
I choose to be eccentric!
And the other patrons are offended by that!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
To Be Understood
Nothing believed comes,
If one should run from it.
And...
Nothing believed comes,
If one is stunned by it.
Nothing is comprehended,
To understand.
And...
Those who become offended,
Often demand...
To be understood.
Observe and listen with a sitting,
Not too many do.
Too many are quick with their lips,
And...
Prove they are rude.
To then to accuse,
Someone to be abusive.
Nothing is comprehended,
To understand.
And...
Those who become offended,
Often demand...
To be understood.
And wounds are never mended.
With a healing recommended...
'Cause...
People wish to brood as they choose.
Nothing is comprehended,
To understand.
And...
Those who are offended,
Often demand...
To be understood.
But they aren't listening,
As they could and they should.
No they're not listening as they should and they could.
And if they listen they would be understood.
No they don't listen to,
Be understood.
No they don't listen like they could and should.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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Listening
Listening.
And being there for someone loved...
To do just that!
With a mind willing,
To be receptive and clear...
Of opinions sitting,
On the tip of one's tongue.
With a giving of attention,
And staying mum.
Listening to someone.
Listening is not easily done.
For those who have experienced...
A life in which peace of mind has come.
When a listening ear,
Had not been volunteered by no one.
And some who know this...
Do their best to sit with patience.
Listening with no other reason...
But to be there as is wished.
For someone who has selected you,
Just for this.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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Fantastic friend
A good friend
For me
Friend is one
Whose intentions are transparent
And who behaves in a fashion
Not deviating dangerously
From my expectations
I have a friend
Matching well my above specifications
Who makes it clear to me
That he will never try to understand me
Any amount of my
Explaining him my stance
Has no meaning for him
He simply refuses to understand me
He will also not mince words while telling me
Please make no attempts
To make me understand
I am determined not to do that
This deportment of his
Is comfortable to me as
I enjoy accepting people as they are
With no great efforts made
To understand them
As it is my weighed belief that
I have not understood any thing so far
My great friend
Has also understood this
And demonstrates the confidence
That there will not be any time lost
In the fruitless unnecessary efforts of understanding
And so,
We, when stay together,
Enjoy the company of each other
And each second of our association
Is spent only to enjoy the presence of
A compatible companion to the other
With none posing to be leader of the situation
With none driving home a point
With no goals fixed
With no targets to be reached
Each second spent in his company is
Memorable and whenever I am left alone
I recall with pleasure
The painless pastime
I had with this great friend
On a previous occasion
Whenever he is with me
Each unit of time, say, second
Will stand before me
Ask me whether it can lapse
Leaving space for the
Next second
This great glamorous friend is
None other than my
Four year old grandson
poem by Bashyam Narayanan

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You May Not Remember Me. But...
The best advice ever given to someone,
Was probably solicited.
With a promise not to become offended,
When the decision was made to deliver it.
To eventually despise the one who was direct.
Yes?
And after years of being upset...
The one given the advice once in denial,
Recognizes the advice to be the best.
Right?
And then with a doing...
There is an attempt to make amends.
Hoping to be forgiven.
'Hello...
You may not remember me.
But...
I was the one who asked for your advice.
And after you gave it to me...
I accused you of being mean and cruel.
And did everything I could to ruin your life.
Do you remember me?
Hello?
Hello? '
Well...
In 'some' cases when asking for advice,
And that advice is disliked?
It is highly recommended,
To leave one's mother out of it.
With an insinuating of one's preference.
Or disgracing someone,
Because of something you've done!
Since it is hard to overcome,
An impression made left as a reference.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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Up And Disappeared
There has been a lot of listening missed,
That did not reach either your left...
Or right ear.
And I know there has been many attempts...
To reach you.
But you...
Refused to pay attention.
Since what was said you did not want to hear!
Time is very much a factor in this.
Because it is with time allowed,
Comprehension needs that thought process...
To make 'anything' for one to become clear.
But the only thing your stubborn held fits,
Has not understood...'and' 'that' you've dismissed.
Any understanding those few were willing to give,
Has up and disappeared with no regret shown for it!
Time is very much a factor in this.
Because it is with time allowed,
Comprehension needs that thought process...
To make 'anything' for one to become clear.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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My Way Or The Highway...
Should I start this song off with a question?
Or should I say what's on my mind.
(Add a cello here to add a sad impression)
Cause I'm not looking forward to leaving my friends all behind.
I didn't vote (though I'm not proud),
cause I'm Canadian, and I'm not allowed.
Give it a go or throw in the towel.
Stand all alone or swim through the crowd.
No one around to help you decide.
It's time to make up your mind.
It's time to make up your mind.
Chours:
By the wayside we fell.
He said, "It's my way or the highway to hell."
It's your decision, choose it well.
He said, "It's my way or the highway to hell."
(repeat)
Decisions we make; life's an election.
Precision we take, seeking direction.
But there's so many lies.
Unsure where we can look.
But, we've got a guide-a really thick handbook.
No one around to help you decide
It's time to make up your mind.
It's time to make up your mind.
Chorus
Are you with me or against me?
Noticed you're sitting on the fence.
We wondered why you're not cut and dry.
You got to choose our side and live,
or their side and die.
Which hand holds your soul?
Do you want to guess one?
If that scares you to death, may that be your lesson.
It's your decision, make it the best one.
And should I end this song off with a question?
song performed by by Relient K

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Relax. Just Observe It For What It Is
Please.
Can you assist me?
'I will do the best I can.
What is it that you seek? '
I am trying to make some sense,
Out of what's going on.
Can you tell me where it is I can go,
To begin with my efforts?
'Oh.
I can tell you many places to go.
But.
The only suggestion I can give,
Is try not to make any attempts at all.
That's right.
Pretending to go along with whatever is going on,
Will be the best solution.
Just observe it for what it is.
Trying to stand out,
As one being accountable for your actions...
Is not a healthy way to live.
Afterall
Who would understand this?
And today
People are easily offended by anyone,
Making attempts to be responsible.
Relax.
Just observe it for what it is.'
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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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

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If you make listening and observation your occupation you will gain much more than you can by talk.
quote by Robert Baden-Powell

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Find New Ways to Annoy
To those who annoy...
For purposes to gain attention.
And other conscious efforts,
Motivated by childhood deprivation.
Or something connected,
To a seeking not found.
Listen up!
Find new ways to annoy.
Don't just do it,
Because it is enjoyed and routine.
Make this a process of your creativity.
Revel with refreshed integrity involved.
Build upon it.
And you can...
Take pride that 'your' annoyance done,
Is second to none.
With an established identity,
Only you can deliver!
Only 'you' can prevent...
Hand-me-down-annoyances.
Make that your goal.
Think it over.
You can develop your own customed genre.
*Annoyances From The Heart*
Or something like that.
Just don't annoy for the hell of it!
Make it your concentrated area,
Of a deliberate artform.
And, If you'd like...
I'll provide you with a list of folks,
To test market your service.
I see success there for you.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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S.O.S.
Is anybody listening?
Can they hear me when I call?
I'm shooting signals in the air
'Cause I need somebody's help
I can't make it on my own
So I'm giving up myself
Is anybody listening
Listening
I'll be standing here and I'm miles away
Making signals hoping they'd save me
I lock myself inside these walls
'Cause out there I'm always wrong
I don't think I'm gonna make it
So while I'm sitting here
On the eve of my death bed
I'll write this letter and hope it saves me
Is anybody listening?
Can they hear me when I call?
Shooting signals in the air
'Cause I need somebody's help
I can't make it on my own
So I'm giving up myself
Is anybody listening
Listening
I'm stuck in my own head and I'm oceans away
Would anybody notice if I chose to stay?
I'll send and SOS tonight
Wonder if I will survive
How in the hell did I get so far away this time
So now I'm sitting here
The time of my departure's near
I say a prayer
Please someone save me
Is anybody listening?
Can they hear me when I call?
Shooting signals in the air
'Cause I need somebody's help
I can't make it on my own
So I'm giving up myself
Is anybody listening
Listening
I'm lost here
I can't make it on my own
I don't wanna die alone
I'm so scared
Drowning now
Reaching out
Holding on to everything I love
Crying out
Dying now
Need some help
Is anybody listening?
Can you hear me when I call?
Shooting signals in the air
I need somebody's help
I can't make it on my own
I'm giving up myself
Is anybody listening?
song performed by by Good Charlotte

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Scream
[verse 1]
Does anybody know how I feel?
Sometime's I'm numb, sometime's I'm overcome
Does anybody care what's going on?
Do I have to wear my scars like a badge on my arm?
(pre-chorus)
For you to see me
I need release
[chorus]
Do I have to scream for you to hear me?
Do I have to bleed for you to see me?
'Cause I grieve, you're not listening to me
Do I need to scream?
[verse 2]
Has anybody seen what's been done?
Where was my defense? No one heard my protest
The eyes of God were watching me
It's time to make my peace, let it go and be released
(
pre-chorus)
So I can breathe again
I'm on my knees
[chorus] 2x
Do I have to scream for you to hear me?
Do I have to bleed for you to see me?
'Cause I grieve, you're not listening to me
[bridge]
I've been marked, set apart
But I'm cut so deep and afraid of the dark
One drop of blood from the hole in Your hand
Is enough to heal me and make me stand
(pre-chorus)
'Cause I'm clean, He is listening to me
[chorus]
I don't have to scream for Him to hear me
Don't have to bleed for Him to see me
'Cause I'm clean, He is listening to me
I don't have to scream
I don't have to bleed
'Cause I'm clean, He is listening
And I don't have to scream
song performed by by ZoeGirl

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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You Have No Need For The Ones You Have
Continue to procrastinate.
Do nothing,
But waste your time!
Advice solicited given to you...
Has been excused,
While you choose to make up your mind.
Time after time...
After time each time!
Keep your steps reluctant.
Make decisions you say are with faith.
Remain stubborn not listening to others.
And hesitate,
Sitting while you wait!
In a selfish self debate,
You salivate...
Deliciously,
When speaking of your fate.
Those dreams you wish fulfilled with promise?
With hopes?
Came by to knock on your door!
But you were inside,
With doubts you did not stop!
And those knocks you heard,
You left ignored!
And away from you,
They've gone forevermore!
There was a delivery that came,
Especially for you.
But those 'gifts' disappeared.
When you made it clear and obvious...
You have no need for the ones you have.
And the ones you have you fear!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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Decisions
At the times decisions must be had, we weigh the good and the bad.
Decisions not always cut and dry, being left too often to wonder why,
What decision bears more weight, on the scale that people call fate?
Why do these things happen to me, just what is it that I can not see?
With decisions made from the heart, reason sometimes plays no part.
There is never rhyme or reason, when it’s your heart you’re pleasing.
And reason can seem kind of cold, when a decision seems to be bold.
However, it is never fate my friend, with our God, who knows the end.
With any decision that you make, there’s a chance a heart will break.
But you must remember my friend, that in due time hearts will mend.
Decisions come in various kinds, and burden both hearts and minds.
Whatever the decision, be assured, guidance is offered by The Lord.
Friend, you can humbly go to God, and He will light the path to trod.
And when you truly seek His face, God will fill your heart with Grace.
Make the decision and take a stand, even if others don’t understand.
If someone towards you is unkind, Christ will give you peace of mind.
The Lord will light the proper path, guiding you from the unkind wrath.
If you have never sought The Lord, He’s truly a source to be implored.
Christ will then show you the way, to make a decision in a Godly way.
With God make your decision then, leave it with The Savior my friend.
(Copyright ©04/2006)
0008 A Ghazal
I lie awake as the light night-rain falls, listening
to its irregularities, listening
as the breeze blows it now and then
against the window and the curtain flutters; listening
and wondering if I can hear
the rain listening
to itself, as if – I sometimes think I hear this –
there’s a moment just before it stops as if listening
to its own decision to stop, as if it sighs,
thinks, that’s enough; it could be listening
to the gratitude of the closed flowers, the wet earth,
the ecstasy of roots which are themselves listening
to the flowers sleeping, sighing in their sleep.
But do you wonder why I’m listening
instead of sleeping, this warm rainy night?
What’s so important that it needs my listening?
It was the rain that woke me; and as I turned, sighed,
it was the thought of you last night here next to me, listening
not to me, but to your own dreams – which I may never share;
though I may share you in my listening
to your sweet sleep’s breath, felt faintly on my shoulder;
and so, there’s a question in my listening –
did you awake at the same night rain, you so far away,
awake, sigh, and in your half-awakened listening
know that I too, thought of you?
Sighed that sweet thought, of our shared, single listening? …
As the perfume of a rose may be more evocative than the rose,
So sweeter, steadier than thought, dream, memory – the listening!
[A ghazal has a rhyme scheme aa ba ca da >]
poem by Michael Shepherd

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Suspicious Of Others With An Opinion
You know...?
How can I say this?
'Just say it.
Get it out of the way.'
You wont be offended?
'I can't promise that.
But at least what you say,
Is out of the way.
And you can sigh with relief.'
You know...?
Your conversations of late,
Are making to me less sense.
'Whew.
You had me frightened for a moment.
I thought you were beginning to comprehend,
My motives not to be understood.'
But...
Shouldn't you be wishing to be understood?
With my paying of attention?
'Are you kidding?
And have you believe I am intelligent?
Do you know what a threat that could present,
To those already suspicious of others with an opinion.
No!
Trust me.
The more you believe I am crazy...
And you tell others that.
The more I can enjoy my peace of mind.'
Huh?
'I have more loose and mixed nuts in my head,
Than a holiday fruit cake.'
Oh.
Well...
I could have told you that!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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It Is Best To Be Prepared
Just because a mouth is constantly open...
Doesn't mean expectations should be raised,
That anything worthwhile comes out of it.
Would you trust one known to gossip...
With a secret,
You wished not have publicly exist?
Think about it!
Would you rely on someone,
Who has never committed to anything done?
But sit,
To give unsolicited opinions...
As if,
They have knowledge or wisdom you had not witnessed.
When someone like this gives you advice...
Don't be disrespectful by not listening.
Since you never know what is being said...
Will make you think about it more than twice.
Remember...
If you can tolerate BS?
Anything is possible.
Even a confession of ignorance.
I've done it!
And it is refreshing to become 'humblized'!
A process called 'growth' begins.
Just because a mouth is constantly open...
Doesn't mean expectations should be raised,
That anything worthwhile comes out of it.
But then again...
Never lower 'your' expectations,
That something coming out of a mouth like this...
Has not been visited by a thought process.
Connecting one day to make sense!
And you were blessed to have been made a gift of it!
The eyes and ears take over,
When the mouth is closed.
With observation and listening enhanced.
It is best to be prepared...
Anytime, any place, from anyone and anywhere!
Even birds don't fly seeking just a tree to land on.
Nor does wisdom exclusively come from those considered wise!
And 'that' took me a long time to realize,
My depth of comprehension...
Kept adding unto my understanding.
And at times my patience and tolerance I question.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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Intrigued
Since I have gotten older,
And wiser with a wisdom...
That had begun to marinate in patience.
I hear and understand you,
And others quite clearly.
With a growing desire to comprehend.
Sometimes.
When the mood for it is ushered in.
Listening to others as I have done of late,
Gives me more of an appreciation...
As I welcome the aging process,
With acceptance.
Without feeling the doing of this,
Is something I must tolerate.
I love the fact I need not impress.
Or dress to meet someone's expectations.
Although...
Speaking my mind I find can offend.
Especially those still hiding,
Behind their pretensions.
Since I have gotten older,
And wiser with a wisdom...
That had begun to marinate in patience.
I hear and understand you,
And others quite clearly.
With a growing desire to comprehend.
And,
If I so choose...
I now allow my mind to drift with the wind.
To sit and stare without argument...
As if to give my full attention.
I've learned giving a nod or two in agreement does wonders.
I wish I had known this earlier in my life!
'Are you paying any attention to me? '
Of course.
Didn't you just see me nod my approval?
In fact...
I am so interested,
I was about to ask you to repeat what you just said.
I am intrigued and fascinated by the topic.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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Nobody's Listening
I have a heart full of pain,
I tried to give you everything,
But I noticed that nobody’s listening,
I tried to warn you,
I told you everything I know,
But nobody’s listening,
Thank you for ignoring me,
Giving me this heartache,
You caused me to see what was unknown from the start,
I want hear you say those words,
That you don’t love me no more,
Want to hear you say you hate me,
I knew this was never real,
I have so much pain that can not understand,
But nobody’s listening to me,
Ignore me, hate me, punch me,
Just let me know that you weren’t listening to me from the start.
poem by Jennifer Rondeau

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Black Bruises II
I can ponder upon the blackness,
the garrulous of silence
placated by benign solitude
I can endure the ostracizing
listening to lulling lullabies,
listening to trembling metals,
listening to enraptured echoes,
listening to a soundless shattering,
listening to nothingness,
listening to guffawing crows,
listening to diffident clocks,
listening to the waning time;
but am I the only one listening
to these black bruised whispers?
poem by Norman Santos

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