This Spiraling Cliff
mmm
The subject matter and the topic,
You have chosen to discuss
Is most interesting.
You hint,
That a boat floating
Once with an incompetent commander,
Unaware of it floating towards the edge
Of a waterfall cascading at unquestionable speed.
And had been warned of this danger
Should 'not' be the one found at fault.
Because the waterfall at the time of his leadership
Was not as close as it is today?
And the new commander recently taking helm
Who dares to turn the ship away,
From this spiraling cliff
With reason to believe all aboard,
Face eminent and devastating danger?
Because he represents a vision
That has not been collectively decided,
By those wishing to continue sailing
With scheduled social events to attend?
And
Everyone aboard,
Now hears the thunderous roar of this waterfall?
But pretend the evidence of it does not exist?
I'd like to make this suggestion strongly recommended.
And this is hypothetically speaking,
Of course.
'Of course.'
If everyone 'now' hears,
The thunderous roar of this waterfall...
Wouldn't it be to the best of everyone's interest,
IF they paid attention?
And gave the new commander their support?
'In response to your hypothetical suggested recommendation,
To my 'hypothetical' inquisitive mention of this
Of course.
Giving the new commander that much authority,
Would reveal delusions all aboard 'this' ship
I mean 'the' ship,
Wish to keep to themselves without the embarrassment,
Of admitting
They have standards and values,
They would rather keep to impress others who 'may'
Look upon them with less respect!
And,
They would rather try to convince others,
The new commander has weaknesses
Than to confess an apparent ignorance exposed.
And their severe incompetence to address,
Is a confession.
WHO and WHAT are they trying to protect?
'An 'image' of greatness!
Hypothetically speaking,
Of course.'
Sure.
And hypothetically speaking
Where would the lifejackets be stored,
Aboard 'that' fated ship?
'I have no idea.
I am going back to the upper deck,
To attend tonight's activities.'
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Related quotes
The Ship That Never Returned
On a summer's day while the waves were rippling, with a quiet and a gentle breeze;
A ship set sail with a cargo laden for a port beyond the sea.
Did she ever return? No, she never returned, and her fate is still unlearned,
But a last poor man set sail commander, on a ship that never returned.
There were sad farewells, there were friends forsaken, and her fate is still unlearned,
But a last poor man set sail commander on a ship that never returned.
Did she ever return? No, she never returned, and her fate is still unlearned,
But a last poor man set sail commander, on a ship that never returned.
Said a feeble lad to his aged mother, I must cross that deep blue sea,
For I hear of a land in the far off country, where there's health and strength for me.
Did she ever return? No, she never returned, and her fate is still unlearned,
But a last poor man set sail commander, on a ship that never returned.
'Tis a gleam of hope and a maze of danger, and our fate is still to learn,
And a last poor man set sail commander, on a ship that never returned.
Did she ever return? No, she never returned, and her fate is still unlearned,
But a last poor man set sail commander, on a ship that never returned.
Said this feeble lad to his aged mother, as he kissed his weeping wife,
"Just one more purse of that golden treasure, it will last us all through life.
Did she ever return? No, she never returned, and her fate is still unlearned,
But a last poor man set sail commander, on a ship that never returned.
"Then we'll live in peace and joy together and enjoy all I have earned."
So they sent him forth with a smile and blessing on a ship that never returned.
Did she ever return? No, she never returned, and her fate is still unlearned,
But a last poor man set sail commander, on a ship that never returned.
poem by Henry Clay Work
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Button Down Your Hatches Quick
Button down your hatches quick...
You lassies fast grabbing lads.
Pull up your britches over your hips.
The commander comes to inspect the ship.
And we with a quickened pace must ensure...
The commander leaves impressed with it.
Remove all makeup from the boys.
And you girls make sure you wear slips.
Don't embarrass yourselves with low self esteem.
Remember the oath to maintain our greatness.
No matter what trash we wallow in and permit.
Impress with image to prove none of us are misfits.
Button down your hatches quick...
You lassies fast grabbing lads.
Pull up your britches over your hips.
The commander comes to inspect the ship.
And fast we must ensure...
The commander leaves impressed with it.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Aboard At A Ship's Helm
ABOARD, at a ship's helm,
A young steersman, steering with care.
A bell through fog on a sea-coast dolefully ringing,
An ocean-bell--O a warning bell, rock'd by the waves.
O you give good notice indeed, you bell by the sea-reefs ringing,
Ringing, ringing, to warn the ship from its wreck-place.
For, as on the alert, O steersman, you mind the bell's admonition,
The bows turn,--the freighted ship, tacking, speeds away under her
gray sails,
The beautiful and noble ship, with all her precious wealth, speeds
away gaily and safe.
But O the ship, the immortal ship! O ship aboard the ship! 10
O ship of the body--ship of the soul--voyaging, voyaging, voyaging.
poem by Walt Whitman
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To Protect 'Your' Interests
My fellow Americans.
And those of preferred hyphenations.
Listen up!
This is your commander speaking.
It has been brought to my attention,
Many of you have become disgruntled.
Upset!
By the direction I have chosen,
To stir this vessel of imperfection.
However...
This needs clarity.
And many of you have been begging for just that!
As a reminder to those of selective memories.
Not too long ago,
There were those who had jumped ship.
Remember they selfishly pocketed?
With blatant greed and thoughtlessness.
To leave you shocked and dismissed.
Remember it!
Now they secretly wish to return,
As if I am not the one...
Who desires to protect 'your' interests.
You know what a bull does,
When it squats?
Keep that image!
And forget it not!
Remember it.
And don't let your memories stop!
The many of you wishing to review,
Your heartfelt empathies?
Have only one choice.
Accept the truth!
Since it is too late for your to leave.
Snap out of it!
You have no idea,
How tough it has been...
To keep your ridiculous delusions afloat!
On a boat I'm guiding through these stormy seas,
Just on faith and principle.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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It Is This Poem
thunderstorm
carries a ship
relentlessly aboard
a hopeless man he confesses to be
one hopeless man
losing his sense of direction
climbs
aboard towards the roof of the ship
gazing at the horizon
i fear that he would jump
out the ship into the whirlpool
he looks at me
and i sense the same
fear
to an identical situation
upon the same
storm upon the same ship
upon the same
dark hour
somehow we change
and so here i am
writing about him
it is this poem.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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History of This Ship
They wish to see a broken ship,
Sinking with a huge hole in the side of it...
With a promise to keep it afloat,
By another commander...
Who replaced the last one,
Who was a joke.
They wish to see it sail...
As if it was brand new!
They wish to eat a feast and dance.
Without getting wet!
And doing that with magic too!
They wish all these things,
But nothing brings...
Back the fantasies or delusions,
They were taught...
By the flight of the abandoning crew,
Who screwed them!
'That new guy hasn't a clue of what he's doing!
He's trying to fix it like a brand new boat.
If we stick together...
We'll see that he doesn't by taking a vote!
Who is he to tell us what to do?
The history of this ship,
Our forefathers wrote! '
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Waterfall
(carly simon)
Somethings going down like a waterfall
Some strong feelings some old love
I saw you and it made no sense at all
Now I feel like theres too much caffeine in my blood
Like a waterfall goin down
Like a waterfall washing me down
Spinnin me around
Lord, and Im drownin
Like a waterfall going down
Just like a waterfall washing me down
Like a waterfall going down and down and down
Youre an old lover making new contact
Making those cold defenses melt
And though lying in your arms is after the fact
Once again Im feeling like Ive never felt
Its like a waterfall going down
Like a waterfall washing me down
Spinninme round
Lord, and Im drowning
Like a waterfall going down
Just like a waterfall washing me down
Like a waterfall going down and down and down
song performed by by Carly Simon
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Remove It From Your Mind
Does the shallowness,
Of one with a fickled soul show...
If it is announced to another,
How much a missing of one's presence is...
After many years has come to go,
Without a sign of contact.
Or...
Should the one who has been contacted,
Not be suspicious of this act at all.
If the one proclaiming to have done the missing...
Responds to an email sent 'eleven' years ago,
And did not express this in a telephone call.
'Well,
My opinion is this...
That person isn't too high,
On a priority list.
And a confession made,
After that length of time has come to go away...
I wouldn't be suspicious.
I would remove it from my mind to dismiss this quick.'
Hypothetically speaking?
'Hypothetically speaking or not.
People like that are into themselves.
People like that are thoughtless and should be dropped.'
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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The American President resembles the commander of a ship at sea. He must have a helm to grasp, a course to steer, a port to seek.
quote by Henry B. Adams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Endless Love
'Where are the other passengers?
Has everyone survived?
Is everyone keeping their hopes alive? '
Some stayed aboard the vessel.
With hopes to bail themselves out!
The rest of them that did not drown...
Are in the rowboat with the Captain.
With cheers and their undivided devotion!
'Cheers?
Devotion! '
Yes!
They are proud he stayed the course.
And kept to his principles.
Even though the ship is sinking.
From lack of common sense.
Never used to bring about...
A collective process,
To produce comprehension...
Triggered by the act of thinking!
'What is that song...
They keep singing over and over?
And what is that appearing on the horizon? '
They are singing 'Endless Love'.
I believe the Captain and his wife are singing.
It sounds like him.
A bit intoxicated.
Some of the others have been heard whispering,
Amongst themselves.
Something about a new commander.
Coming to save us.
'New commander?
Coming to save us?
And what is his name? '
I'm not sure!
But they too are singing.
I hear it.
Listen!
It's getting louder.
It's that Pointer Sisters tune from years back!
I remember it now.
It is called 'Yes We Can Can.'
It's ethnic.
And has a lot of rhythm!
Note:
The song 'Endless Love'
composed by Lionel Ritchie.
And sung in duet originally
by Lionel and Diana Ross.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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How’s My Boy?
“HO, Sailor of the sea!
How’s my boy—my boy?”
“What’s your boy’s name, good wife,
And in what good ship sail'd he?”
“My boy John— He that went to sea—
What care I for the ship, sailor?
My boy's my boy to me.
“You come back from sea,
And not know my John?
I might as well have ask’d some landsman
Yonder down in the town.
There ’s not an ass in all the parish
But he knows my John.
“How’s my boy—my boy?
And unless you let me know
I’ll swear you are no sailor,
Blue jacket or no,
Brass buttons or no, sailor,
Anchor and crown or no!
Sure his ship was the ‘Jolly Briton’”—
“Speak low, woman, speak low!”
“And why should I speak low, sailor,
About my own boy John?
If I was loud as I am proud
I’d sing him over the town!
Why should I speak low, sailor?”
“That good ship went down.”
“How’s my boy—my boy?
What care I for the ship, sailor?
I was never aboard her.
Be she afloat or be she aground,
Sinking or swimming, I’ll be bound,
Her owners can afford her!
I say, how’s my John?”
“Every man on board went down,
Every man aboard her.”
“How’s my boy—my boy?
What care I for the men, sailor?
I’m not their mother—
How’s my boy—my boy?
Tell me of him and no other!
How ’s my boy—my boy?”
poem by Sydney Thompson Dobell
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Be The C.E.O. Of It
Handle your own business.
With an expertise,
You keep.
And be the C.E.O. of it.
You are the Chief Executive Officer.
Commander of your ship.
Know this.
And conduct yourself with a firm grasp held,
Within an unrelenting fist.
Get over mistakes made.
Moaning over them for you leaves no benefit.
You alone can make it known,
Persistence is in your grip.
And with it,
There is no quitting.
Handle your own business.
With an expertise,
You keep.
And be the C.E.O. of it.
You are the Chief Executive Officer.
Commander of your ship.
Know this.
And conduct yourself with a firm grasp held,
Within an unrelenting fist.
Release from your mind designs of defeat.
You...
And no one else,
Can succeed with skills to achieve.
Handle your own business.
And be the C.E.O. of it.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Waterfall
So now its getting late, for thse who hesitate, got no one,
But they dont understand and no one hears the sound,
Its like a waterfall, its an illusion.
Chorus
Love is all, waterfall, love is what you are,
Pulls you in, takes you down, its a sad affair,
But you know as you hold back the power there without the friends
And lovers you could never go on living.
Across the waterfall thats falling evermore down on you,
Cascading through the days, and flowing on its way,
Thats how it has to be, just an illusion.
Chorus repeat
song performed by by Electric Light Orchestra
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Aboard At A Ship's Helm
the island with the gracious mountain
the tip of the boat inches steadily forward
my heart angled between it
one hour, two hours, three hours
the mountain looms so grand but so far
the boat plods on... and on
bumping against the wave
going up down, up down
the swirling birds, how fortunate they are up there
i put my bored mind into their wings
and travel to realms that excite the mind and senses
of man and wife and children
that run between the trees, shrubs
that flip past my eyes
i put stories into the houses that run
away so fast from view
warm stories of infatuation, continuous love making
where the world revolves around
a man and woman, and their senses
the halcyon day stays as it is
never runs into night
on and on the river records my imagination
youthful imagination that makes
the young years so worthy of living
so many generations pass for my hero and heroine
in one boat ride seven hours in all
they run on so many fields, cheerful in so many of the houses
before the mountain finally looms big onto my eyes
the stories i have spun trail the waves to another dimension
i ready myself for the stories the almighty spins for me
each step of the way i am now the hero
the waves and the whole mountain lie in wait for me
Aboard At A Ship's Helm
ABOARD, at a ship's helm,
A young steersman, steering with care.
A bell through fog on a sea-coast dolefully ringing,
An ocean-bell-O a warning bell, rock'd by the waves.
O you give good notice indeed, you bell by the sea-reefs ringing,
Ringing, ringing, to warn the ship from its wreck-place.
For, as on the alert, O steersman, you mind the bell's admonition,
The bows turn, -the freighted ship, tacking, speeds away under her
gray sails,
The beautiful and noble ship, with all her precious wealth, speeds
away gaily and safe.
But O the ship, the immortal ship! O ship aboard the ship!
O ship of the body-ship of the soul-voyaging, voyaging, voyaging.
Walt Whitman
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo
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Today... 'Commander
A great Leader and Commander was given
charge of leading His people into heaven.
We walk in His footsteps and obey His words
for He is our King of kings and Lord of lords.
'Come and choose this day whom you will serve' we hear
the voice of Joshua calling loud and clear
and joining with him in this response we say
'as for me—I will serve the Lord from this day.'
Examples of His leadership can be seen
in the miracles performed on this worlds scene.
Demonstrating His power as King of kings
and His right to be Commander of all things
Healing the Centurions Servant (Luke 7: 1-10)
'Just say the word and Your great power reveal
for I believe that my servant You can heal.
I'm a man understanding authority
and can recognise it in the One I see.'
These are words the Centurion said to You
for he saw great authority in You too.
As Commander Your authority's not bound
by any earthly barrier or battleground.
The Raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11: 17-44)
They opened the tomb and rolled the stone away
then they heard Your command in a loud voice say
'Lazarus come out' and before them they saw
he who had been dead was not dead any more.
Healing the man possessed (Mark 5: 1-13)
With this man the demons always had their way
among the tombs during the night and the day.
'Legion, Come out of him' to the man You said
and at the Commanders voice the demons fled.
They had to obey You for You were Divine
and they fled to the hills entering the swine.
Then the two thousand demons ran down the bank
fell into the sea and they all drowned and sank.
Stilling the storm (Mark 4: 35-41)
Petrified in the boat they were panicking
as the waves of the sea came cascading in.
You awoke Lord and then commanded the sea
'Be still, ' You said with awesome authority.
'What manner of man is this' out loud they cried.
Amazed as they saw the wind and sea subside.
The storm was quelled and the wind and rain did cease
the Commander obeyed, they were left in peace.
Conclusion
Mightier than any tempestuous sea
Mightier than clashing thunderstorm is He.
Our Commander God is The Sovereign Lord
all heaven and hell have to obey His word.
(see also the additional information below in the Poet's box)
Obviously, if the commander makes certain decisions that the reporter thinks is inhibiting his right to report a legitimate story, he has to appeal to the commander's boss to get that changed.
quote by Bob Schieffer
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Miss Pinkie and Her Ship Of Love
Take me, Miss Pinkie says,
take me. A plump bundle
of pinkness, dyed hair, grey
at the roots, the blue eyes
whiskey soaked, the mouth
open, the naked skin, the full
moon flowing in. All aboard
who are coming aboard, she
says to the room, and he beside
her says, are you sure? now
of all times? yes, she says, lift
the anchor, set sail, take note
of the rough seas, the rise and
fall of the waves, and he looking
back sees moonlight on his naked
butt, the sound of Mahler's 6th
echoing from the other room,
and he sensing the high seas
and moving surf, climbs aboard,
set eyes to the horizon of bed
board and cool blue walls, and
hears the sirens sing, hears the
creak of bed and bones as he and
Miss Pinkie, on the love ship, hold
tight and smile, as it rises and falls.
poem by Terry Collett
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Battles Too Long Fought
They are determined to be right...
Without sleep and plans of strategies,
That continue to fail!
Day and night...
They fight against the power of God.
And still they will not cease.
They are convinced they will win.
Even though the signs of doom,
Are fast approaching upon them.
With a script prepared in Hollywood,
And lives dispensible
To keep a tilting ship that sinks...
No one dares to inform the commander,
The days previewed seem few and shrink!
That God is closing in with the ultimate weapon
To end an egotistical drive to prove themselves,
Totally insane and deranged with insecurity!
Humanity is on the brink of nonexistence.
Placing all of God's creation in jeopardy!
And they say this mission is HIS 'will'!
Although the power of God...
Has always been directed,
In silent and peaceful ways!
The only peace that comforts and stays...
Saves a troubled soul from within!
These warriors are troubled!
And it shows far and wide,
With battles too long fought with intent...
To spread a diseased mentality outside!
Although some passengers aboard,
Scream ignored with fears and hide!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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May This Be Love
(jimi hendrix)
Waterfall
Nothing can go wrong
Nothing can go wrong
My sweet waterfall
When I go
When I go down deep
I want you here with me
My sweet waterfall
I can see
A rainbow calling me
Through your mystery
My sweet waterfall
Waterfall
For a million day
Fall with me for a million days
My sweet waterfall
Waterfall
Nothing can go wrong
Nothing can go wrong
My sweet waterfall
Nothing can go wrong
My sweet waterfall
song performed by by Emmylou Harris
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Ship Of Earth.
'Thou Ship of Earth, with Death, and Birth, and Life, and Sex aboard,
And fires of Desires burning hotly in the hold,
I fear thee, O! I fear thee, for I hear the tongue and sword
At battle on the deck, and the wild mutineers are bold!
'The dewdrop morn may fall from off the petal of the sky,
But all the deck is wet with blood and stains the crystal red.
A pilot, GOD, a pilot! for the helm is left awry,
And the best sailors in the ship lie there among the dead!'
poem by Sidney Lanier
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