Swagger
With a walk of pride,
And heads held high.
Displaying a confidence seen and undenied.
Some come to think of this still as arrogance.
Anyone appearing dignified and proud,
With an identity that speaks out loud...
And arrogance is applied to this stride that clouds,
Today's definition
Swagger is what that is called today.
In my day...
In times that seem so far away.
To act as if one was a foolish clown...
Was one who was down to Earth.
And had been taught this was acceptable,
With a teaching of this from one's birth.
Being a fool was preferred behavior.
In cycles where dysfunctions were revered.
Many times I was told I wasn't a bag of chips.
But easily spotted as a dim-witted dip!
To display one's intelligence...
Was for some an embarrassment.
Today...
Those 'dips' done by the ones with wit,
Appear to have a lot of emulated swagger.
With a hip-hop that raps and rocks!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Not Afrocentric Enough
Years ago...
They acted as if,
I was an embarrassment to them.
Not Afrocentric enough.
Even though I had identity,
Branded on my 'strut-and-stuff'!
My name, Lawrence Suhuba
Yuroban selected.
Doubling the meaning of my given name.
Suhuba (Lawrence) now Lawrence S.
Proud of my heritage and having no shame!
None to confess.
Today I 'strut' with my stuff all over the internet.
Doing what I've done most of my life.
And that's write.
And I might have been an embarrassment to them then...
But 'them' not feeling comfortable to be who they are now,
Should embarrass them more!
Since having no identity today,
Makes little sense since everything folks have lived for...
To impress with materialism has diminished in value.
And everything they are has been invested in it!
My head is held high...
Most times.
If I am not in deep thought!
And...
I might not have a dime in my pocket.
Most times,
My mind tells me I'm worth millions!
And I look to the ground,
Just to make sure I'm not dropping any of it!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Yours Seem To Be On Your Shoulders
At times your tongue,
Seems ready to spit fire.
Why so quick,
To expose and display...
Such an attitude laced,
With embitteredness?
'Well,
Let's see.
Maybe it is residue left over,
From the years I have experienced...
Being a Black man.
Who knows?
And maybe...
Just being a human being around those,
Who have chosen to follow along...
Like programmed robots when I am not.
And I am reminded of those times...
When pretentions were easily spotted.'
And today?
'Today?
No one cares.
Most eyes are focused on exposed butts.'
And this reality makes you disgruntled?
'Of course it does.
Even though I am told,
I have a butt of a nineteen year old.'
By who?
'Nevermind.
Who's behind is it? '
And today...
Yours seem to be on your shoulders!
'Like I said...
It is mine to flaunt.
Whether or not it is on my shoulders.
I am in no attitude to conduct a random survey.'
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Today...
Today, the leaves were greener
Today, the sky wasn’t grey
Today, the sun was brighter
Yes, it changed today
Today, people transformed
Today, they weren’t rude
Today, I felt loved
All just today, it’s true
Today, I lived for today
Today, was not for the future
Today, was a great day
Not menial, tiring, brutal
Today, I laughed in silence
Today didn’t make me cry
Today, everything became clearer
But, today, I couldn’t figure out why
And today, if everything changed
And today, if it wasn’t a dream
I don’t know what happened
But today will become everyday, it seems.
poem by Shreya Madhogarhia
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Affirmations(2002-2004)
Today, I will get up before my alarm
Today, I won't close my eyes until dusk
Today, I will not get a speeding ticket
Today, I will count this day as a first
Today, I will enjoy the life that has been left to me
Today, I won't frown over the may-have-beens
Today, I won't cry over the should-have-beens
Today, I won't wonder about the could-have-beens
Today, I'll smile.......Today, I'll Laugh.... Today, I'll relax
Today, I won't feel alone because I don't see you
Today, I'll find something new that wasn't true of you
Today, I won't be afraid to look upon a new face
Today, I'll step up and take my place
Today, I won't think about what I've lost
Today, I'll look forward instead of behind
Today, I'll find some piece of mind
Today, I'll hope.... Today, I'll pray... Today, I'll believe
Today, I'll dream as if I always did
Today, I'll wish on a star the way I used to
Today, I'll reach for the heavens and sigh
Today, My heart will start to heal
Today, the biggest miracle is ME.
Today, Yesterday's problems ceased to be
Today, the rain has stopped and the sun has returned
Today, the breath of kindness is found in words
Today, I wonder.... Today, I am a child.
poem by Lillian B. Rose
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Before The Making of a Dollar
Standards valued today,
And what they 'should' be...
Have definitely changed,
From what those same values...
Applied yesterday.
Had been and use to be.
And in 'those' days...
A having of dignity and pride,
Was shown and not denied.
And depending on who you are...
A pride taken in oneself,
Will be labelled conceit and arrogance.
Again...
This depends one how one is depicted.
And 'what' one represents.
To emphasis those values...
Only when they seem to be demeaned,
By a targeted class of people hip hopping on the scene...
Society chooses to belittle and disrespect.
With a media microscoping to defame and diminish.
However...
Those same values are not kept,
When addressing those who believe they are above others...
When marketing their disgrace,
To advertise high on billboards, movies...
And other 'money grabbing' ways up in everyone's face.
Standards valued today,
And what they 'should' be...
Have definitely changed,
From what those same values...
Applied yesterday.
Had been and use to be.
Before the making of a dollar,
Replaced the making of quality human beings.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Cultural Ingenuity
CULTURAL INGENUITY
mELVIN BANGGOLLAY
Gone are the days when we display
Shyness when we are part of minority
When we are called with ingenuity
as the brave peacocks of the north
wearing head gears in open court
with feathers swaying back and forth.
Today, our culture is our pride
We must show so proud with all stride
for its the essence of our own blood
that was never touched by tyrant’s mud
but with our nature to learn so fast
We can be at par with anyone at last.
let us be proud if we were born igorots
When we're reared with Kalinga’s roots
When we spoke the tongues of ibalois
when we have the tenure of ifugaos
When we sing the songs of cordilleran
and lived in every mountain’s grand.
Be proud of whatever your culture’s birth
for its the reason you are upon this earth
to speak and take pride of what you are
Instead of pretending on what you are not
for you can never become somebody’s race
if you’re born upon Cordillera’s breast.
poem by Melvin Banggollay
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Today
There has been a day like today
But a fresh new day is today
It is a unique day today
It is wide open today
All the answers for our questions has today
Let us dream today
Let us laugh today
Let us share our love today
Let us express our greatness today
Let us trade many a yesterday for today
Let us perform our tasks today
Let us make it a magnificent today
Let us thank God for giving life today
Let us thank God for seeing His creations today
Let us love most about today
A golden day is today
For it is a fact today
It has arrived today!
poem by Chandra Thiagarajan
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Marcus
I am joyous today because,
I have given birth to a son for my husband;
For he who is called Marcus is very glad today.
Of the shades of yellow, brown, green and red;
Of the shades of black, white, blue and orange;
I am very joyous today because of you Marcus.
Of the laborious process,
In Medieval and Byzantine times;
Today i have given birth to a son for my husband.
Of the fruits, vases, butterflies, birds, animals and the landscapes;
Of the love, peace, care, kindness, hope, and the dreams;
For he who is callled Marcus is very glad today.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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The two lives
Today I saw two sons being born
Both with that loud wail they came
Innocently eager to meet their destines
To walk that earth and be somebody,
Rewrite the thought about their land
They shared a brightness in their eyes.
Today I saw two youthful boys pass by
One with a bag going on to school
Running fast to meet his tomorrow,
He held that same brightness in him.
The other with a bunch of firewood
Too scared to even hold his head up high,
Scared to think, what tomorrow is to be?
Today two men woke up in the morning
One was rushing; he’s to be sworn in today,
Sworn in as one of the Ministers of State
The other rushed to sit by the roadside,
At least today the minister will see him
Maybe, today he will and give him a coin.
Today I saw those two sons of Africa
That were born to be the same, a blessing
But only one got the chance to become
One lived safe and became then, educated
He alone received his right in life.
poem by Caleb Tukahiirwa
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Live your day...
Today, forget your past;
Today, don't worry about tomorrow.
Today, the life is vast;
Today, forget the joy and sorrow.
Today, don't belong to any caste;
Today, fill in your prevailing hollow.
Today, live in minute;
Today, work in the moment.
Today, the hero stands high;
Today, there's no time for a sigh.
Today, persevere in today;
Today, is the moment.
poem by Aashish Kalra
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Just for today...
Just for today I will start my day the right way
Just for today I will pray on my knees
Just for today I will be thankful for all my treasures
Just for today I will lean more into HIS understanding
Just for today I will be confidant and share my heart
Just for today I will not be afraid
Just for today I will Love myself unconditionally
just for today I will extend grace to all I know
Just for today I will be BOLD and Courageous
Just for today I will share my hopes and dreams
Just for today I will listen to others as well...
and just for today I will help others succeed.
Just for today I will accept myself for who I am
Just for today I will work on my gifts...and
Just for today I will extend a hand to a fellow man
Just for today I will know God put me on this earth to Give
Written July 9 2008
poem by Shelley L Baxter Stanley
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Just for today...
Just for today I will start my day the right way
Just for today I will pray on my knees
Just for today I will be thankful for all my treasures
Just for today I will lean more into His understanding.
Just for today I will be confidant and share my heart
Just for today I will not be afraid
Just for today I will Love myself unconditionally
just for today I will extend grace to all I know.
Just for today I will be BOLD and Courageous
Just for today I will share my hopes and dreams
Just for today I will listen to others as well...
and just for today I will help others succeed.
Just for today I will accept myself for who I am
Just for today I will work on my gifts...and
Just for today I will extend a hand to a fellow man
Just for today I will know God put me on this earth to Give.
Written July 9 2008
poem by Shelley L Baxter Stanley
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I Sent My Child To School Today
I sent my child to school today
With his little lunch box
When he came home he said his friend
Had gotten the chickenpox,
I sent my child to school today
And asked him what he learned
He told me about firemen
They taught him how not to get burned,
I sent my child to school today
He said, 'Do you know what they taught me? '
He told me they taught him numbers
As well as his ABC’s,
I sent my child to school today
A smile on his face
I gave him a kiss and a hug
And said, 'See ya funny face! ',
I sent my child to school today
His smile bright and wide
But an older child brought in a gun
How did he get it inside? ,
I sent my child to school today
As in every day
But the child with the gun started shooting
The reason? No one could say,
I buried my child after school today
All I can do is cry
I lost my child at school today
And nobody can tell me why.
poem by Doug Hollywood Davis
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Socially Inappropriate Behavior
It 'use' to be called socially inappropriate behavior.
But today,
Any socially inappropriate behavior displayed publicly.
And visually confirmed,
Is a prerequisite.
For anyone wishing to run for public office.
And with certifiable dysfunctions known AND expressed?
Anyone with these credentials is guaranteed to be elected.
With favorable and overwhelming results.
'Oh!
I like them.
They be down to Earth.
Just like us.'
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Today! !
Today the sun was shine less
Today the moon was mood less
Today the birds were wing less
Today as the sun rose, they told me
Today as I woke
They told me
Last night I’ve lost my voice they echoed me
Today the mountains are height less
Today the clock was time less
Today the sky was wind less
Today my hands were workless
Today as the sun boiled, they told me
Today as I spoiled
They told me
Last morning I’ve lost my hands they assured me
Today the world was sightless
Today the room was lightless
Today the voices were figureless
Today my eyes were imageless
Today as the night dived, they told me
Today as I defined
They told me
Last afternoon I’ve lost my eyes they cursed me
Today the era was soundless
Today the room was noise less
Today the things were strike less
Today my ears were voice less
Today as the dawn fell, they told me
Today as I felt
They told me
Last evening I’ve lost my ears they pitted me
Last night I was voiceless
Last night I was hand less
Last night I was eyes less
Last night I was ears less
And now today I feel
That they’ll tell me
That I’ve lost, they’ll yell me
Lost a heartbeat
And now is grave less
Left in open far godless
Unmentioned they say expressionless.
poem by Nishtha Dutta
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Is Today the Day
Is today the day
we tell Satan flee
is today the day
we will be free
Is today the day
we curl and run
is today the day
we use that gun
Is today the day
much like before
Is today the day
to close the door
Is today the day
the walls come down
Is today the day
we will abound
Is today the day
we ask Jesus in
Is today the day
life begins again
Is today the day
we help a friend
is today the day
Will we let Him in
(2005)
poem by Linda Fleming
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To Get Done And With Competence
I don't intend to offend when I begin,
To write...
It just happens,
Within my scope of a life I define...
From my point of view.
And,
Hey...
This point of view is mine!
Today...
I am not selling congeniality.
Nor am I embittered with that kind of...
Mood swinging attitude,
Like some say I am since I do walk,
As if I've got swagger.
And not pulling myself,
Through a field of molasses.
You know...
Like the ones who humble themselves,
To be accepted while filling out a job application.
With their bowed heads and upturned eyes?
And their smile-on-cue demeanors.
I am respectful not a clown!
And I do not 'yes' my way through conversations.
If I have an opinion...
I might express it 'If' I am challenged,
To apply my experience and intelligence...
When communicating a seriousness left,
I wish to leave.
Although I have had my share of injustices.
Some blatant and some masked as if...
I am to understand my minority status,
As a declared human being.
And people who approach me that way,
Are left learning a few lessons.
'The world is a classroom.'
Whenever there is a need to be taught,
A few things about life.
Since I do enjoy delivering...
Some concepts of my own.
I don't often 'trip' like that!
And it does offend those who believe,
I should know my place!
And their place?
Not to get in my way...
If I am expected to perform a task,
To get done and with competence.
Which to 'them' and those like them...
Is another thing that offends.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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I Wished Upon My Life Today
I wished upon my life today
I wean upon my life today
I bet upon my life today
I borrowed upon my life today
I feasted upon my life today
I fell upon my life today
I paid upon my life today
I plead upon my life today
I frowned upon my life today
I flew upon my life today
I smoked upon my life today
I shitted upon my life today
I pissed upon my life today
I pass upon my life today
I sneezed upon my life today
I sneaked upon my life today
I asked upon my life today
I ate upon my life today
I wept upon my life today
I won upon my life today.
I prayed upon my life today.
poem by David E. Patton
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New Times
New times. new times. new times.
Good morning. good morning. good morning.
Im the guard. at one time
This was rather pleasant
The poets they still had to muse
Over the classicism of clean shoes
But who today still knows a button stick
Well, thats the new times
Thats the new times
Thats the new times
The girls would lie down before us
First one went dancing, then behind the bushes
Today you have to run through twenty places
Get drunk on saccharin and methyl
And then you still dont get them that far
Well, thats the new times
Thats the new times
Thats the new times
Now take it easy there in the early morning
Who arrives but the brethren from the press
If somewhere there lies a cadaver
Or something is foul in the state
You can be sure that a writer is not far behind
With his excellency I only say:
Hands off the literature
The laurel wreath one gets today
Second hand so to speak
>from the old empires stories
Sold underhand at the alexanderplatz
With all the wigs and costumes
Twitching from the shoulder one is informed
Well, thats the new times
Thats the new times
Thats the new times
New times. new times. new times.
song performed by by Violent Femmes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Man of Her Dreams
today is the day i marry the man of my dreams
today is the day all my worries will be deceased
today is the day all my dreams will come true
today is the day that i say i do
today is the day that two become one
today is the day to rejoice and have fun
today is the day i give you my heart because i knew i loved you from the start
today is the day you take my hand and we have our first weddeing dance
today is the day that ive been waitin for
today is the day that i can truely say that i am yours
today is the day to see family and friends
today is the day you became my one and only man
today is the day`to laugh joke and play
today is the day that my father gives me away
today is the day i marry the man of my dreams
today is the day ive been dreamin about in my sleep
today is the day
poem by Nene Brock
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