Young, Patriotic And Undeniably Brave
Discharged from the Air Force.
Married and living independently.
And at 21 years old...
I was then with wife,
And we lived in Kansas City, Missouri.
42 years ago,
Seems to me a 'century'.
And today,
At the age of 63...
I can certainly confess,
I am extremely blessed.
As I observe the lack of discipline,
Allowed by the guardians of today's children.
I remain very curious,
As to 'why' more people...
Are not showing they are furious?
And exactly 'who' are 'they' who speak,
Of values gone undisplayed?
With nerve to say,
How 'others' should be held accountable!
And many of 'us' in those days,
Were young, patriotic and undeniably brave.
Dedicated:
To those young men and women,
who 'still' volunteer to enter into the military...
for a cause that should be more applauded!
Bless your efforts, dedication and sacrifice.
~lsp~
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Not So Patient To Bite My Tongue
Fourty-four years ago,
I had been patriotic AND young.
A military veteran, married and living independently,
In Kansas City, Missouri.
And proud of those accomplishments,
I had then done.
Today...
When I hear people say,
How they walk by faith and pray to overcome.
While doing that to pass judgement on others,
I am not so patient to bite my tongue.
Knowing people like this to be the biggest hypocrites.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Lot Older and Less Naïve
1968 has much significance for me.
I was young, married and recently discharged,
From the military.
And living independently in Kansas City, Missouri...
I still was a bit innocent and naïve about life.
But even then I was adventurous,
And explored life excited.
With a delighted attitude easily ignited.
It is 2010 and fourty two years later.
And I am a lot older and less naïve.
Just as adventurous with a more suspicious nature.
Very few people I've come to trust.
And I find those ignorant the most dangerous.
People are quick to find excuses for themselves.
And even quicker to shift their insecurities,
On unsuspecting shoulders.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Perhaps It Is This Lack Of Discipline
Perhaps there was a sense of responsibility,
Others and myself had perceived as a duty...
When we enisted into the military.
As young men with initiative.
And wanting to prove we had accountability.
Perhaps too it was the knowing,
At the age most of us were 21...
Some of us had married and experienced,
Living away from a known comfort zone...
To begin living lives in other environments,
With a making of a home and on our own.
And perhaps that has been,
The reason for my impatience...
With those who today complain,
About decsions they've made to lay on others blame.
Without having the courage to adventure forward,
To adjust to something new and embrace the change.
And perhaps it is this lack of discipline,
Welcomed by immature grown men and women...
Who believe they are owed entitlements,
Given without earning them...
With demands and claims,
That so many today are clearly insane...
And spoiled by their prioritized delusions.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Eternal Kansas City
Chorus (choir singing)
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city? (do you know the way to kansas city? )
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city? (do you know the way to kansas city? )
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city? (do you know the way to kansas city? )
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city? (do you know the way to kansas city? )
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city? (do you know the way to kansas city)?
(van singing)
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Train down to st. louis
Get me there alright
Over to the city there, you know that one
Where the farmers daughter digs the farmers son
Dig your charlie parker
Basie and young
Witherspoon and jay mcshann
They will come
Oooowoooowoooo
Chorus (van and choir in background)
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Lady liberty in waiting
You know she lights the way
Her name is billie, shes a holiday
And the city is eternal -- hey, cant you see?
Its inside of you and its inside of me
Oooowoooowoooo
Chorus (van and choir in background)
You know, you know the way to kansas city?
You know, you know the way to kansas city?
You know, you know the way to kansas city?
You know, you know the way to kansas city ?
You know...the way to kansas city
You know...the way to kansas city
Wild thing
You know the way to kansas city (choir only)
Thank you man (van)
You know the way to kansas city
Sing it (van)
You know the way to kansas city (van and choir)
Hit it (van)
You know...the way to kansas city
You know...the way to kansas city
You know...the way to kansas city
You know...the way to kansas city
Baby cant you sing it one time (van)
(choir)
You know the way to kansas city
You know the way to kansas city
You know the way to kansas city
You know the way to kansas city
You know the way to kansas city
You know the way to kansas city
You know the way to kansas city
You know the way to kansas city
song performed by by Van Morrison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Preference For Distance
It is not that I am controlling.
I am self assured.
It is not that I 'think' I know everything.
I've been made aware of watching my own back.
And being accountable for my own actions.
I was extremely young,
When I was introduced to independence.
Even younger than that...
When I discovered I was emotionally alone.
You see...
I was raised not to be babied.
I don't recall being hugged or cuddled.
And the young women that I married...
Were younger still in their minds.
I guess during those days,
We all were trying hard to find roles to play.
Somewhere to feel comfortable enough to stay.
It is not that I am controlling.
I am self assured.
It is not that I 'think' I know everything.
I've been made aware of watching my own back.
And being accountable for my own actions.
My tolerance level sometimes is nonexistent.
And most times I realize I have a preference for distance.
I was not always this way.
It developed with a consciousness,
That became increasingly disgusted...
With the acceptance of deception.
Some may call this 'standoffish' behavior anti-social.
I call it surviving a dysfunctional past I care not to revisit.
And today...
That's all people want to do.
Discuss a past as if those times were the best times lived.
And I already know those are lies!
Why should I live to outdo those who choose to lie?
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Kansas City
PAUL McCARTNEY - KANSAS CITY
Kansas City, Kansas City here I come.
Kansas City, Kansas City here I come.
Got some pretty little women there, I'm gonna get me one.
Standing on the corner, crawl straight in my hand
With my Kansas City Baby, now by the Kansas City world.
Well the water in the city, well, taste like Georgia Pie
Going to Kansas City where it tastes like sugar, oh I know it.
Kansas City, Kansas City here I come.
Got some pretty little women there, I'm gonna get me one.
Kansas City, here every night you gave me none
Kansas City, surely looked like they were done
You know they turned it around now Baby, gonna scratch it, gonna run.
And rock with my Baby, rock with my Baby, one more time
Rock with my Baby, Kansas City Baby, one more time
Went to the city for, for this souvenir in my hand.
Well I might take a plane, might take a train
If I have to walk you won't grind in the same.
Oh, Kansas City, Kansas City here I come.
Got some crazy little women there, I'm gonna get me one.
song performed by by Paul McCartney
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The first professional training I received of any kind was when I was 14 years old and we were in Kansas City, Missouri. I attended the Kansas City Art Institute for one summer.
quote by Marc Davis
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Future Is The Children's
The future is the children's and I am of the past
And I too had my young years but nothing ever last
On looking back the Seasons how quickly the years have gone
Old age is fast approaching and the clock ticks on and on.
The future is the children's the children of today
They have the gift of youth with them though youth with them won't stay
On looking back decades from now when time has left them slow
They will wonder as I do where did the years to go.
The years are catching up one me and time has left me gray
And the future is the children's that would be true to say
The people in their sixties are running out of time
And few of them will be living when today's children are in their prime.
The future is the children's and to them alone belong
And those who will tell you differently have somehow got it wrong
But the hands of time keep turning and time on none does wait
And all of us are branded with an invisible use by date.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Kansas City (1st Time)
Kansas City, Kansas City here I come. Kansas City, Kansas City here I come.
Got some pretty little women there, I'm gonna get me one.
Standing on the corner, crawl straight in my hand
With my Kansas City Baby, now by the Kansas City world.
Well the water in the city, well, taste like Georgia Pie
Going to Kansas City where it tastes like sugar, oh I know it.
Kansas City, Kansas City here I come.
Got some pretty little women there, I'm gonna get me one.
Kansas City, here every night you gave me none
Kansas City, surely looked like they were done
You know they turned it around now Baby, gonna scratch it, gonna run.
And rock with my Baby, rock with my Baby, one more time
Rock with my Baby, Kansas City Baby, one more time
Went to the city for, for this souvenir in my hand.
Well I might take a plane, might take a train
If I have to walk you won't grind in the same.
Oh, Kansas City, Kansas City here I come.
Got some crazy little women there, I'm gonna get mo one
song performed by by Grateful Dead
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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They Came From Distant Places
They came from distant places to this far southern shore
The men who built the city at rest forever more
Some of them could not speak the language but they were strong and young
And they were willing workers and their praises ought be sung
The men who built the city their grandchildren old today
They worked hard to support their wives and families from their old homeland far away
They built the factories, homes and railways and they worked hard for their pay
The men who built the city for years with Nature lay
No monument built to them no last post for them played
For the men who built the city there was never a parade
Only their direct descendants would have heard of them by name
To be honest and hard working is never a claim to fame
The men who built the city their praises remain unsung
And today their grandchildren are not what one would call young.
poem by Francis Duggan
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I'm Very Young Today
I drank the sky, the summer sky
And watched the orchestrated trees
Symphony with woodwind breeze
And 'Lovin' Spoonful' on the radio
In long grass where I lay
As children's laughter narrates this play
I'm very young today
I'm very young today..
Your strawberry lips with a forever kiss
As I slumbered to a faraway shore
Setting sun takes pictures for the memory
That the wind alone will store
And Dylan on the radio
On white sand 'Lay Lady Lay'
I'm very young today
I'm very young today.
And now after all these years, time pushed you away
Love burns bright within me, just to find you in the dark
Dreams just lend me moments
Stargazing in the park
I never held you tight enough
But would have crushed you like a flower.
Yet when your hand stroked my cheek
- I wasn't tough
God give us one more hour
And Beach Boys on the radio
I close my eyes and sway
I'm very old today
I'm very old today.
poem by Kevin East
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From a Time Gone By
Is this surge worse than Viet Nam?
At least back in 1968,
There wasn't so many conflicts going on!
And being a patriotic black young man...
I had returned from the military,
Feeling strong and giving a damn!
I was in the military,
Two weeks after graduating from high school.
Seeking to protect a nation,
Not then realizing...
When I was discharged,
I would be considered a fool!
And I was shown this,
More times than a few!
Especially by those...
Who went on to graduate,
With BA's and MA's and PHd's...
From top notch schools!
And here we are today...
Approaching two thousand and eight!
With our sons and daughters in wars,
They participate.
And I think back then,
How patriotic I had been.
To think I was prepared to give up my life...
So others can have rights,
To denounce me and the color of my skin!
But let me say this...
Not one hint of bitterness,
Within me exist!
Not because of actions,
I consciously did take!
Although it irks me to no end...
To see so many folks make the same mistakes.
As I grow older with the grace I am blessed!
I am so happy
My tattered emotions have been mended.
My inner conflicts have been cured of buried stress.
But I must confess...
The world we live now is in a mess!
Not because of real threats made.
But because of an ignorance accepted and expressed!
People have lost an inner worth it seems.
Gone are visions of fellowship,
To the marketing of schemes and corruption themes!
And the youth of today,
Have one thing on their minds!
How best they can 'get over'...
To obtain 'things'
By committing an assortment of crimes,
They are assisted to define!
As the sacred dollar...
Falls to worthlessness.
I feel my basic needs are those of a relic!
From a time gone by when people just wanted
To 'be' and do their best!
One who seeks peace of mind with quality...
While others seek to feed an endless greed,
From an emptiness that is felt!
Whether or not,
There is conflict and unrest!
And I observe this 'mess'...
Wondering why this humanistic 'slide'
Tumbles into oblivion!
Without more cries of those rejecting this in protest!
And each day that I awaken...
I thank God,
He has put my faith and bravery I have shown...
Through such obstacles and tests of mental strength,
He has produced!
And He and I alone have known!
While others may portray a sympathy...
Just to maintain a materialistic gain.
Without one hint of dignity that remains!
Or none remembered to be sustained!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Like They See It Done In The Movies
I was in and out of the military,
By the age of 21.
Living co-independently with responsibilites...
As a married man with a wife expecting our son.
Today I have little patience,
With men and women both who whine.
About living lives they wished they had.
But accepting routines to live,
Everyday...
In their minds.
And I have no tolerance for those who make claims...
About what they do and how they do it.
While expressing a self centered sadness,
To hold others to blame for their restricted ambitions.
And listening to them...
You will hear them threaten to run away.
And make childish proclamations.
And there are still those...
Who will convince others they have been on their own.
All their lives!
But they have never spent time by themselves.
Nor could they walk on their paths alone.
They have never done it.
But quick to demand from others they do!
Like they see it done in the movies.
Without the added moans and groans.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Happy Birthday Love
For my wife who is -? Today
Today is your birthday
and you are telling everyone
that you are twenty-one years young.
The children don’t believe it
as it makes you younger that them.
When you tell them they say,
“In your dreams, mum.”
However, having said that
you are twenty-one to me
still filled with love and vitality.
We’re still young as when we fell in love
and today is your birthday.
You are sure to have a good one
surrounded by friends and family.
That is all I have to say except
Happy Birthday Love,
have a wonderful day.
Your loving husband David,
the one born down on the funny farm.
8 March 2008
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Inbred Ambitions
I remember the days,
People took their creativity seriously.
And lived to fulfill their inbred ambitions.
Today people want to participate,
More as a whim to socialize and network.
And when they stroll in late,
With excuses to make...
I am not one to appreciate it,
With a subtle delivery of comments.
And coming in smacking on gum!
And carrying snacks?
My discipline within I keep,
Will not allow me to tolerate that!
And 'please'...
Do not hold up other people's time,
By a display of 'theatrics' that lie.
That kind of disrespect,
Will get a direct sign I am more than upset!
I am clinical when I sever connections.
I remember the days,
People took their creativity seriously.
And lived to fulfill their inbred ambitions.
Today...
People are living to get the attention.
And wanting to get paid to display,
Both lack of talent and a depth of feeling...
For the craft!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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The Divorcee
She's been through a messy divorce case and single now she will remain
And she feels she's had it with marriage and she'll never marry again
She tried her best to save her marriage at least she gave it her best try
And from her past mistakes she has learnt like they say 'once bitten twice shy'.
She had seven years of married life and five of those years for her hell
And years from now she will remember yes she will remember too well
The beatings she received from her drunken husband as their two young children looked on
And they like their mother feel happy since out of their lives he has gone.
She married for love and love only but her feelings of love quickly soured
And years from now she will remember how beneath his cruel blows she cowered
Her children now ten and eleven feel happier without their dad
He often beat them and their mother and by him they were treated bad.
A woman in her early thirties she has only turned thirty two
And she vows she'll never re-marry that one marriage enough to go through
Her ex husband now is re-married and her sympathies are with his wife
And she hopes that he will treat her kindly and that he's learnt from his mistakes in life.
Her son and daughter soon to be teenagers are all that she worry about
That 'life isn't meant to be easy' at such a young age they found out
She raise them as a single mother and she works hard for them every day
Since her ex husband doesn't pay alimony or help them out in any way.
She vows that she'll die a divorcee and that she'll never marry again
And the sad memories of her broken marriage through her life time with her will remain
For she took the abuse and beatings when she was a callous
man's wife
Still she doesn't feel bitter towards him she merely gets on with her life.
poem by Francis Duggan
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The Non Swimming Man Of The Sea
He had his own fishing boat for many years though he never ventured far out to sea
And from fishing he made a good living enough to upkeep his family
He was born and he still lives near the ocean and the ocean holds no fears for him
But to many it may seem a bit strange that he's never learned how to swim.
Though he left school young for to fish with his father he's a bright man and nobody's fool
And his son and daughter live in the big city their children in Primary school
Two years ago his wife she died suddenly they had been married for thirty five years
And though for her his grieving is over thoughts of her still move him to tears.
A year younger than him she felt quite well till a massive heart attack struck her down
And one day he too will go to join her in the grave yard in the sea side Town
He had a wish to be cremated and his ashes spread on the sea shore
But to his wife he must remain true and with her he will lay forever more.
He sold his fishing boat when his wife died his great zest for life with her died
He now lives on the old age pension and from his cottage he can hear the tide
Rage against the rocks on the fore shore the huge waves they rumble and roll
The immortal voice of the ocean is ever soothing to his soul.
Last February he turned seventy and the years have left him gray and slow
Still he finds comfort in his good memories of his better days decades ago
Of his beautiful wife and their children but life part of mortality
And the Reaper is now quietly waiting for the non swimming man of the sea.
poem by Francis Duggan
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What About The Children
Tears streaming down, her heart is broken
And because her heart is hurting, so am I
He wears a frown, his dreams are choking
And because he stands alone, his dreams will die
So, humbly I come to you and I say
As I sound aloud the warfare of today
Please hear me, I pray
CHORUS
What about the children
To ignore is so easy
So many innocent children will choose the wrong way
So what about the children
Remember when we were children
And if not for those who loved us and who cared enough to show us
Where would we be today
So, where is your son
and where lies his refuge
And if that young man can't come to you, then where can that young man run to
She's such a foolish foolish girl, yet still, she's your daughter
And if you will just reminisce on all the crazy things that you did when you were that young
You see, it's not where you've been, nor what you've done
Because I know a friend who specializes in great outcomes
See His love overcomes
CHORUS
What about the children
To ignore is so easy
So many innocent children will choose the wrong way
So what about the children
Remember when we were children
And if not for those who loved us and who cared enough to show us
Where would we be today..............
What about the children they need our help today
And what about the children they need us
more than ever more than ever more than ever
what about the childen where would we be today
where would we be today
what about the children
Where would we be today
Where would we be today
Where would we be today
What about the the children
song performed by by Yolanda Adams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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What About The Children
Tears streaming down, her heart is broken
And because her heart is hurting, so am I
He wears a frown, his dreams are choking
And because he stands alone, his dreams will die
So, humbly I come to you and I say
As I sound aloud the warfare of today
Please hear me, I pray
CHORUS
What about the children
To ignore is so easy
So many innocent children will choose the wrong way
So what about the children
Remember when we were children
And if not for those who loved us and who cared enough to show us
Where would we be today
So, where is your son
and where lies his refuge
And if that young man can't come to you, then where can that young man run to
She's such a foolish foolish girl, yet still, she's your daughter
And if you will just reminisce on all the crazy things that you did when you were that young
You see, it's not where you've been, nor what you've done
Because I know a friend who specializes in great outcomes
See His love overcomes
CHORUS
What about the children
To ignore is so easy
So many innocent children will choose the wrong way
So what about the children
Remember when we were children
And if not for those who loved us and who cared enough to show us
Where would we be today..............
What about the children they need our help today
And what about the children they need us
more than ever more than ever more than ever
what about the childen where would we be today
where would we be today
what about the children
Where would we be today
Where would we be today
Where would we be today
What about the the children
song performed by by Yolanda Adams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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11 Years Ago!
I was with you 11 years ago,
And now you are matured enough to be married;
However, i am very glad you've taken to my teachings,
And today, your cup overflows with love.
I am the biggest tree nearer to you,
But your love is like a lamp to my feet and a light to my path;
And i have the new moons and the conjuction of the time to share with you.
From sunset and to the moonset,
But i still remember how young you were 11 years ago!
However, be very kind to the man who wants to marry you today.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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