I Didn't Quite Understand It At The Time
No tolerance do I have,
For those who show their gratefulness...
With their hands out.
I appreciate those having less than others.
I grew up like that myself.
But I always witnessed my mother doing things!
And they were always for someone else.
And my grandparents were wizards.
To this day no one can explain,
What they did and how that was done.
And my motivation comes from them.
Taking nothing for granted!
With no expectations from anyone!
No tolerance do I have,
For those who show their gratefulness...
With their hands out.
I saw my father's blistered hands.
From working with hot iron in the foundry.
He once had said he was cursed for being black.
And my mother he called 'high yellow'!
Saying she was 'lucky' for that.
But these 'traps' of having less,
And inflicting self defeat...
Was not a way I intended to look at life.
Not when I had dreams,
To be free of limitations and to write.
Sometimes it was said to me...
'Oh, he think he's white! '
By those totally brainwashed...
To live in ignorance.
Unmotivated and uptight!
No tolerance do I have,
For those who show their gratefulness...
With their hands out.
Nor do I hold a high regard...
For those on their knees in churches.
When a church in my own hometown,
Told my mom she could no longer play piano for them...
Because she didn't have a college degree.
Union Baptist is that 'joint'.
Where those of pretensions speak of their pedigrees.
And how proud they were to have slave masters!
Sick jackasses.
I especially despise those who claim they created something.
When thieves of dreams are all they are.
The only thing they've established...
Are ruined lives and a place where family members,
Can fill their plates off of government grants...
Solicited to aid the community and uphold a unity!
That BS has created urban nests of poverty.
I was told one day I was embittered,
By someone who had a silver spoon shoved up his ass!
And this dude knows nothing about having wants or needs at all.
He may have whims to fulfill!
But he is without guts driven by motivation.
Few do!
I just do not view them sipping on cocktails.
No tolerance do I have,
For those who show their gratefulness...
With their hands out.
And I let them know it!
You will get from me my critique...
If you aren't willing to sweep the streets to eat.
I've grown up to go without.
Just to provide for someone else!
'Thank you, ma!
I am forever blessed,
With that teaching of your lesson!
I didn't quite understand it at the time.
But so clear do I see now! '
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
The Crazy Woman
she is a neighbor
they think she is crazy
what we have
we keep
tolerance and
tolerance
she asks for coffee
and cookies
watches tv
and decides which channel to watch
i am about to burst
until she gets away with
sanity
she says
what she has is tolerance
and tolerance for me
fair.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Nothing Else Is Needed
I need not know,
That you are blessed.
Nor am I tasking the time,
To see if you show it!
Like those self righteous,
With wings and halos.
Quoting highlighted scriptures...
From Bibles,
As they glow!
Hopefully there is a gratefulness.
Internally felt.
And a consciousness,
That expresses a thankfulness.
Confessions of a closeness to the Creator,
Which is The Most High...
Is a personal committment,
One daily lives.
And not considered a championship to win.
With expectations The Almighty will forgive,
Any and all sins.
As we have been religiously conditioned.
This should not be a bet...
One chooses to pursue to prove in a contest.
To regret upon one's transformation into death.
I need not know,
That you are blessed.
Nor am I tasking the time,
To see if you show it!
If it is felt,
Nothing else is needed...
To qualify this feeling.
And the sensation this feeling brings.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Cut From the Chase and Get to The Point
By a show of hands...
Who amongst you,
Would be willing to give up your pretensions...
If you could afford an introduction to truth?
I see!
Okay.
Let me put that another way.
I can tell this lesson is going to be painful.
By a show of hands...
Who amongst you can acknowledge,
That deceit,
As it was once received and delivered...
Who prefers more of that,
Although it exposes...
Those who keep that active?
'Mister Pringle,
Can we cut from the chase and get to the point?
All of us sittin' up in here 'is' dysfunctional.
Greed to us is like crack.
If that's all you know...
What picture 'is' you paintin'
For us to carry on our backs?
Just tell us what we have to do...
To pass this class.
Most of us have to get out of here...
To sell some bags of grass and do that fast!
Those 'visions' you have,
Have not been 'prioritized' to satisfy our needs.
Can you cut the chase and pick up the pace, please? '
I see!
Okay.
Let me put that another way.
I can tell this lesson is going to be painful.
By a show of hands...
How many of you now observe a fool?
Hoping to impress with a shallowness.
As a way to keep an attraction...
To an empty nothingness?
I see!
Marshall, you may leave!
Many here wish to keep...
Their ignorance kept more discreet!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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My mother's hands
My mother had thick, wide, hands,
callused from years of hard work.
I used to like to hold them,
feel their strength and warmth
Those were the hands that cared,
caressed and held her me close.
Those were the hands that scrubbed
and washed, cooked for us and nursed.
My mother had beautiful hands
and would paint her nails light pink.
They were warm, artistic hands
that could crochet well and knit.
Those were the hands that created,
made beautiful shawls and clothes.
Those were the hands that altered dresses
I wore ‘til they were old.
My mother had beautiful hands
that cooked and cleaned and scrubbed,
and within the things that those hands did
were bundles and bundles of love.
poem by Ruth Walters
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My heart is my hands
My hands
Is
Only my hands...
Not for
your hands....
So...
I want too work
My hands...
I want too serve
My hands...
I want to do about
Somthing of my
Hands...
My hands is
Free for only
Sleeping time only...
my hands is
working all the times
My hands not only
Hands...
It is human workers...
Allways for my friends...
My hands...is my heart...
My heart is my hands.....
Ok...How is your hands...?
poem by Otteri Selvakumar
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Listen Like Thieves
(inxs)
On the talk back show
On the radio
At the local bar
In the hot traffic by the red tail lights
Everybodys down on their knees
Listen like thieves
But who needs that
When its all in your hands
And we take it down
To the end of town
Where they have control
But theyre losing touch when the lights go out
Everybodys down on their knees
Listen like thieves for the end signs
But who needs that when youve got it all in your hands
Its all in your hands
Its all in your hands
You are all you need
You are all you need
And that is everything
So dont hesitate
Theres no time to waste
You just do it for yourself
song performed by by INXS
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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These Hands
Given by God -are these hands!
One can do many things -with these hands
With love one can help a strangers' hands-
Allay and comfort the elders' gnarled hands
Clean sweep and mop with these hands
Decorate and embellish with these hands
Cook and serve food to all with these hands
Clasp a loved one with these hands
Applaud one with pleasure with these hands
Dig the soil and form a garden with these hands
Hold a book to read with these hands
Write and post a card with these hands
Type a poem to cheer someone with these hands
Draw a picture and sew clothes with these hands
Paint a beautiful scene to amuse with these hands
Play a game of volley ball or cricket with these hands
Swim the waters and row a boat with these hands
Pick the harvests and fruits with these hands
Feed the animals and birds with these hands
Seek the warmth of dear ones with these hands
Feel the soft petals of a flower with these hands
Fold the palms to pray with these hands
Given by God - are these hands!
poem by Chandra Thiagarajan
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Soulfire
Every morning as I wake to another day
I bow my head hit my knees and I begin to pray
I search for answers that I wonder if I'll ever find
Running circles in the mazes deep inside my mind
You always take me to a higher level
Show something that's deep inside
You show me things I never knew
You push me you pull me
You set my soul on fire
You take me so much higher
Higher again
Thank you for it all
Everyday living this life not knowing what it means
Consolation from above fulfilling all my dreams
And as I look across the crowd in their eyes I see
All their troubles and their pain staring back at me
You always take me to a higher level
You show me something that's deep inside
You show me things I never knew
You push me you pull me
You always give the best for me
Lift your hands high right where I can see
You always give the best for me
Lift your hands high right where I can see
song performed by by 12 Stones from 12 Stones
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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In this Duality of Our Reality
Mother Nature is no longer,
In accordance with our abuses.
Her tolerance once given to us,
Has been evidenced to have gone.
Storms affecting upon all shores,
Have those proclaiming they can not take more.
And the latest fiasco in the Gulf...
Has Mother Nature wanting to even the score.
Her adored natural wonders,
Are becoming eyesores.
Mother Nature is no longer,
In accordance with our abuses.
Her tolerance once given to us,
Has been evidenced to have gone.
Some believe they are here,
To conquer over resources and mankind alike.
Some perceive themselves to be the chosen ones,
Because of their abilities to deceive and perpetuate fights.
Mother Nature has witnessed this...
And these conflicts have ruined her appetite to delight.
Mother Nature has begun to deliver the last word.
And God has stood back,
With arms folded and lips shut tight!
Mother Nature is no longer,
In accordance with our abuses.
Her tolerance once given to us,
Has been evidenced to have gone.
Storms affecting upon all shores,
Have those proclaiming they can not take more.
And the latest fiasco in the Gulf...
Has Mother Nature wanting to even the score.
Her adored natural wonders,
Are becoming eyesores.
And in this 'duality' of our 'reality'...
Mother Nature is not happy!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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So Very Clear
I don't expect you to know me.
Or how I managed to travel this far,
Without you.
I had to put my life on hold,
Because of a devotion within me felt.
That kept me away from selfish endeavors.
For many years I thought less about feeding my needs.
To provide those needs for those I adore.
I didn't think twice of sacrifice.
Or having those things...
I wanted then that were nice.
I even spent nights alone without companionship.
Wishing I sat with anyone who understood,
The depth of my commitment.
And why I had to deal with it!
I even got sick...
Prepared and ready I was to embrace death.
That's when you and your friends,
Socialized without end...
Having fun and comparing dance steps.
I remember spending six weeks,
Feeling weak...
In a forced locked down isolation meant!
To heal and recover as I did...
Has created within me a freedom from limitation.
And an abundant insight instead!
I don't expect you to know me!
Or how I managed to travel this far without you.
But I do understand where you are coming from.
I was there myself!
That is why where you are is so very clear!
And I am blessed with a gratefulness,
My faith has strengthened!
Since it has been God alone,
Who has kept me here!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Growing Up In the Projects
You want to know what it's like,
To grow up in the projects?
Being different and taking risks?
'Can't be that bad! '
Follow me.
'Where are we going? '
Up to the roof.
'To the roof? '
Yeah.
I want to show you something from my point of view.
Now...
Turnaround.
Put your hands behind your back.
'Why? '
I'm going to tie your hands behind your back.
Then I'm going to blindfold you before I leave you alone.
'But...
I might fall off the roof.
Aren't you concerned about that? '
You'll learn to adjust.
If you want to survive.
And...
If you can not get up from a fall?
Maybe you were too blind not to pay attention.
Some steps some folks shouldn't take.
Listening and observation is key.
Common sense is precious.
You be surprise how many lessons one learns,
Growing up in the projects.
'But my hands are tied.
And I can't see.'
I use to hear that all the time!
~Boy! Can't you see my hands are tied?
I can't see where the next dime is coming from.
And all I get from you is lip! ~
Note:
Not too many folks I knew who grew up
in the projects became victims from the experience.
In fact, most of the folks became very successful people.
But...that was a time when expectations were high.
And many years ago when folks chose to have 'some' identity
and dignity connected to the 'self' and a growth process.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Emily
Now Emily hides in a way
she is waiting for a
knight in shining armor
and I know that nothing I'd say
could make her see me
as a man of honor
but I am
now sometimes I wish she could see through
all the rain and clouds that fill her sky
and know that tomorrow brings with wings
of bird a song to fill her mind
and I am
oh yes I am
[Chorus:]
the one who can sing
all of the dreams
the one who can make them all come true
if she would believe
I'm down on my knees
but in my hands I hold
Now Emily stands at the door
a picture lies in pieces on the floor
the one where we walked on the beach
the wind blew waves
that crashed upon the shore
oh we are
forever more
[Chorus:]
the one who can sing
all of our dreams
the one who can make them all come true
if she would believe
I'm down on my knees
but in my hands I hold
everything that she wants
everything that should be
as far as her
big blue eyes could see
if she would believe
I'm down on my knees
but in my hands I hold
what do you want me to do
my head in my hands
I wait for the words
to come and make you understand
so tell me I'm right
tell me I touched you down
so deep inside
Now Emily hides in a way
she is waiting for a
knight in shining armor
and I know that nothing I'd say
can make her see me
as a man of honor
[Chorus:]
I'm the one who can sing
all of our dreams
the one who can make them all come true
if she would believe
I'm down on my knees
but in my hands I hold
everything that she wants
everything that should be
as far as her
big blue eyes could see
if she would believe
I'm down on my knees
but in my hands I hold
in my hands I hold
the ring
song performed by by Nine Days from So Happily Unsatisfied
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Hands & Knees
You see me walking away
What more could I say than sorry
I failed by all your complaints
You pushed a life change but its not me
And filthy hands lay apon my chest
Lay upon my sin, but I do it for green
And in your mind you are blind
And your back turn so fine
Where were you when I needed you most
So mother so father
Im on my hands and knees
So mother so father
Im scrounging for whats left of me
My self-indulgence to blame
For all of the shame in the family
You dont know what its like
How I feel how I cry
How I hate the way I hate my life
So mother so father Im on my hands and knees
So mother so father
Im scrounging for whats left of me
Pues madre, y padre
Esta vida no quiero vivir
So mother so father
I dont want to live this way
So mother so father
Im scrounging for whats left of me
So mother so father
I dont want to live this way
So mother so father
Im scrounging for whats left of me
song performed by by Unloco
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Colors Of Life
See the colors of life
The colors of dreams
The colors of life
Wherever you go
Wherever you may go
Trust in hope, trust in your real friends
Planet colors alive, you hold it in your hands
Realize you have to open your eyes
And Ive learned everything has always two sides
You're not alone
The world is one family
You're not alone
Find your way to be free
You're not alone
Love is the hope to survive
You're not alone
See the colors of life
See the colors of life
See the colors of life
See the colors of dreams
They are wild and free
See the colors around
See the colors around
The colors you have found
See the colors of life
See the colors of life
The colors of dreams
The colors of life
The colors of life
The colors of dreams
The colors of life
There's a land, there's a place in your heart
Tolerance is the key to make a better start
I've been waiting for my lessons of life
And I've learned everything has always two sides
song performed by by DJ Bobo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Irrational And Static Combatives
There is no justification I can show,
For resenting those spending their lives...
Wasting their gifts to them presented,
In fears they try to hide with lies.
Or those who actually have created careers,
Preventing others...
From doing what they do,
By the use of backroom tactics...
Intentionally to smear with a doing so clear.
I've witnessed the evidence,
How a sharing of gifts increases progress.
I've witnessed the evidence,
Of those blocking others with a stopping...
That eventually diminishes their own quality of life.
Only to call for a unified effort...
When it begins to dawn on them,
A doing of nothing done...
Reflects a jealousy deceivers participate in.
Leaving them to become losers...
In a game they sought to see others victims.
There is no justification I can show,
For resenting those spending their lives...
Wasting their gifts to them presented,
In fears they try to hide with lies.
Or those who actually have created careers,
Preventing others...
From doing what they do,
By the use of backroom tactics...
Intentionally to smear with a doing so clear.
Defining with unquestioned meaning...
The demeaning of irrational and static combatives.
I have no justification for a resentment shown towards this.
Although there is a definite existence of it,
In environments where people find this accepting.
And I'm discovering my tolerance becoming more limited.
Although from it,
I do choose to move but still feel affected.
Is it ignorance if it overwhelms and conditions?
Is it ignorance if it conditions into subdivisions?
Is it just a condition of ignorance...
That continues to offend when this is mentioned?
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Woes And Wonders
Show me a city full of happiness,
Then i will show you the effect of their weakness.
Show me a man who is full of himself,
Then i will show you why he's a fool to himself.
Show me your success today,
And i will show you your mistakes of yesterday.
Show me a community not far from the mountain,
Then i will show you why their security is certain.
Show me a holy man,
Then i will show you why he's called a human.
Show me a man who is not afraid of death,
Then i will show him the theory of birth.
Show me an ocean of misery,
Then i will show you how to swim in victory.
Tell me the meaning of ' STOP ',
Then i will show you the way to the top.
Show me your best friend,
Then i will show you where your dreams will end.
Show me a good and caring heart,
And i will show you why it hasn't been torn apart.
Show me your hall of pain,
Then i will show you all what u've gain.
Show me an exceptional reader,
Then i will show you a great leader.
Show me a way to financial prosperity,
Then i will show you a way to heavenly security.
Show me a great man of all time,
Then i will show you his footprint on the sand of time.
Show me a problem you can't solve,
Then i will show you why you haven't use the solution called love.
Show me a world full of fantasy,
Then i will show you the pain behind a life full of ecstasy.
Show me a kingdom built with wrath,
Then i will show you how much it is worth.
Show me a man with a problem free life,
Then i will show you why he hasn't gotten a wife.
Show me all of earth's pleasure,
Then i will show you why heaven is the place to be beyond all measure
poem by Stanley Oguh
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All In My Hands I Hold
All in my hands I hold
Money, silver, Jewell, and gold
All those things that man can love
I still have more though some I sold
All in my hands I hold
Brackets and jackets to drive all the cold
To keep me warm and act like a stove
That when you talk all I do is to nod
All in my hands I hold
All great names in the world I'm called
Angels can know who I am from above
And tell my deeds to the might lord
All in my hands I hold
Stories I made but some I was told
Tales still fly in my head like a dove
And some still hang in my brain they're stored
All in my hands I hold
Everything in the world to you I showed
All have
But still I'm bored.
poem by Walani Ndhlovu
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In Prayer to You
Thank you, My Father
For all that You've done for me.
For all that you've done for me...
I thank You, My Father.
Thank you, My Father
For all that You've done for me.
For all that you've done for me...
I thank You, My Father.
Thank You...
Father, Father, Father!
Thank You...
Father, Father, Father!
Thank You...
Father, Father, Father!
For all that you've done for me.
In the early morning hours,
When I arise to greet the Sun...
I feel blessed and prepared,
With such gratefulness...
In prayer to You.
This I must do!
And when noon approaches...
No matter what I have done,
Before that time comes...
That may create a disturbance,
I did not invite nor did I make.
I find time to show it is You I appreciate.
In prayer to You.
This I must do!
Whether or not...
Thunder storms roar,
Or rain drops fall to pitter and pat.
Thank you, My Father
For all that You've done for me.
For all that you've done for me...
I thank You, My Father.
And at the oncoming of Sunset...
Not one moment do I forget,
The power of Your presence...
That showers the blessings,
From You I get!
Thank You...
Father, Father, Father!
Thank You...
Father, Father, Father!
Thank You...
Father, Father, Father!
In prayer to You.
This I must do!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Attached To The Master
From my hands I hold onto such a gratefulness.
I am blessed to have a mind to define my success,
In terms I can only confess...
As accepting my life as a gift.
And not an animated object obsessed to obtain,
The creature comforts of possessions that tempt...
And corrupt with delusion.
I will not reject them if earned or given.
But my consciousness does identifies,
The emptiness of time wasting sessions...
Wishing for things and not a peace of mind,
Only a comprehension brings when attached...
To The Master.
Who IS and HAS my ALL.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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I Dreamed.... (Hands)
i dreamed last night...
and all i could see were hands.
sometimes hard and calloused,
sometimes soft and feminine.
skilled hands, laborer's hands,
loving hands, nurturing hands....
fingers digging in the dirt,
fingers holding a pen.
fingers playing a piano,
fingers unbuttoning blouses.
hands extended, hands gripping the rope,
hands holding the shovel,
hands covered with resin.
hands folded in prayer,
hands balled into fists.
hands stuffed in empty pockets.
hands that define both history,
and destiny!
hands scarred and bruised,
hands covered with age spots.
hands that speak many languages.
hands that know mistakes, and failures.
hands that built fires,
hands that put fires out!
hands that wiped away tears,
that picked up trash,
and revealed souls....
whose hands?
my hands, your hands?
god's hands?
does it really matter?
hands engaged and involved,
in the very act of living!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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