A Tub of Potatoes
My grandmother used to say
don't marry for money
but stay open-minded.
She could squeeze a nickel
and make the buffalo feel light-headed;
she could make a dollar out of 15 cent.
Now she was a big woman;
ruled the family roost
with a simple look
and an iron skillet.
Many times I heard that skillet
go thunk!
Another suitor educated.
Another boyfriend righted.
She always took us kids aside
and whispered things like
'now see that'
I don't want you kids to grow up
and do things like that.'
There was the woman or man who did not
take care of the family;
the Boyfriend Rogue;
or the Gallivant,
who tipped behind his ladies back;
the dandy who dressed so well
but did not have two dimes to rub together
and slept in the park in a tent.
These were depression days
when traveling men
rode the rails
not sure of where they came from
not sure of where they went
and the women who
longed for them;
who waited
for them
listening
for train whistles
and stock yard
freights
hauling
into Chicago
from the mid-west.
Grandmother
would sit
above a tub of water
peeling potatoes
like the layers of her life
each skin
would fall into the tub
of water
and go plop;
another chapter in Grandmother's life
told to us kids
sitting
wide-eyed.
'Time was' she would say
that this was a woman and man's country
now everything gone to hell.'
They danced in the gin joints
til then the money ran out
and the party was over
and the big depression gave them all
a big headache.
Party she said but dig down deep because
there will be a piper to pay.
Plop. Plop
Time was.
Time is.
poem by Lonnie Hicks
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Related quotes
That's How We Met!
I once met a woman from Nantucket.
Who wanted me to add fluid in her bucket...
'GRANDPA? ? ? '
You asked me to recite a poem!
You kids don't know what you want.
'Yeah,
But grandpa...
Comeon.
You've got to have more on your mind,
Besides sex! '
SEX?
You kids are sumthin' else!
Who in the hell's talking about sex?
That woman just happens to have been your grandmother.
She sucked some gasoline out of my car,
To get her own started.
Using a hose.
I had never seen that before.
That's how we met!
And sex was the furthest thing from our minds.
'Oh yeah?
Well...
How did my mother get here? '
On a TRAIN!
How many times do I have to tell you that! ?
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Poem for my Grandmother
By the time
I knew grandmother
She was no more
It took sisteen-years
To know
Of her pains
On that sick bed,
My sisteen-year-old
Knowingness was shocked
To hear mum narrate her past
Grandmother as indeed a great
Woman n her life time.
Each time I go to her grave
I break down and cried for her,
I wish grandmother saw
The best of me
Before she was taken to the beyond
I know she would be proud of me
Let this poem of mine
Be for her,
My great grandmother.
poem by Efe Benjamin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Grandmother Told Me So
The declaration has been spoken,
For Grandmother told me so.
The darkeys have got their fetlocks broken,
For Grandmother told me so.
Oh, won't they have a lot of iron on hand!
And when the news travels,
Oh, won't it be grand!
'Twill sweep like a sugarcane over the land,
For Grandmother told me so.
American Eagle! hysterical bird!
Oh, flap your wing and crow!
The slaves are embellished--yes, that's the word,
For Grandmother told me so!
There's curious times in that ur section,
For Grandmother told me so.
They think they will have a resurrection,
For Grandmother told me so.
The penholders raving like persons insane --
The darkeys in exodus, raising cane,
And singing like martingales after a rain,
For Grandmother told me so.
But President Abe forgot Kentucky,
For Grandmother told me so.
And Geneses, too -- and that's unlucky,
For Grandmother told me so.
Malicious champagne will be open'd in vain,
Until we shall break the last ox-yoke and chain --
Till through the Benighted States freedom shall reign,
For Grandmother told me so.
poem by Henry Clay Work
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Unwed Mothers Pain
she was so young and mistook infatuation for love
and to her boyfriend she gave herself freely.
to her shock and gloom -a child was in her womb.
she told her boyfriend of what she discovered.
to hear him say 'it must be from another'
i am too young to marry
this problem you'll have to carry.
her friends turned their backs in dismay
they did'nt know just what to say.
when she told her family-they responded coldly.
' why did you make this mistake-now its far too late.
love is not the opening of your thighs.
now you'll have to hide that baby which you carry inside.'
abandoned by friends and family, when they were needed most.
she kneeled and prayed to the FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST.
she recalled the words which were told to her.
'abort or abandon'
is this what you have to say?
but! my child there is no other way!
in her heart she knew that it 'could not be'
that god wanted her to abandon this baby
so with determination she began to pack
she would go elsewhere-there was no turning back.
she knew that she did not have enough education
to do what she wanted to do.
but she promised this child that
'i'll make a life for me and you'
sitting at a bus stop-bags in her hand.
she met this woman all dressed in blue with soft tender eyes.
she told her -her story, and then began to cry.
this woman put her arm around her and said
'fret not my child-you can stay with me for a while.'
with hope in her heart-she went with this lady.
found a job and continued with school.
and promised herself that no one else would
take her for a fool.
nine months later she did give birth
to a baby girl with beautiful blue eyes, and her skin so white.
and above her head was a shining bright light.
so she named her after this woman who took her in.
i'll name you Mary with the beautiful white skin.
time went by quickly and graduate she did.
she gave this child the love that was always in her heart
and her career became a very big part.
she thanked God for this lady who gave her -her start.
this beautiful lady with a kind tender heart.
the years passed quickly and mary started to grow
more beautiful than you'll ever know'
she came home from work on a cold snowy day
to find that lady mary had passed away.
she honored this lady the best way she could.
by opening her home to unwed mothers and anyone
in despair'
and named this home 'marys lair'.
and now when she tells the story she says
'mother mary always dressed in blue
my doors are open because of you'
so always keep faith in your heart and mind.
God listens! it just takes time.
poem by Louis Rams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Kids
Kids - kids, Christmas i-is for kids
Look around and you will see
Kids from one to ninety-three
Laughin', lovin' life and bein' kids
Kids - ki-i-i-ids, Christmas i-is for kids
Kids like you and little brother
Aunts and uncles, dads and mothers
Grandma, grandpa an' all the other kids
Daddy runs the 'lectric train
While all the children wait in vain
To take their turn
At playin' engineer
Grandpa catches grandma's cheek
And all the family sneaks a peak
And suddenly
Their wrinkles disappear
Take a look at Betty Joe
Underneath the mistletoe
Pretending that
She doesn't know it's there
And in the front yard Uncle Mike
Just fell off brother's brand new bike
There's Christmas cheer
And laughter everywhere
Kids (kids) - ki-i-i-ids (kids)
Christmas i-is for kids
Christmas time is here again
And now it's when the fun begins
This time of year we all turn into kids...
song performed by by Kenny Rogers
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Dead
Their reward is
they become innocent again,
and when they reappear in memory
death has completely erased
the blurs, given them boundaries. They rise
and move through their new world with clean,
clear edges. My grandmother, in particular
has become buoyant, unattached finally
from her histories, from the trappings
of family. By no means was she
a good woman. But the dead don't care anymore for that.
Weightless, they no longer assume
responsibility, they no longer
have bodies. Once,
at the end of August, after swimming
in the muddy pond
I'd gone into the living room, cool
as vodka, where my grandmother
sat. Greed thins a woman,
I remember her rings, bigger
than her fingers.
Water ran down my legs
onto the floor becoming slippery
and my grandmother, her breath
scratchy from cigarettes and blended whiskey,
leaned into my ear and whispered
you're an ugly girl. Do I have
to forgive her? My mother tells me
no one ever loved her,
so when I see her, I see her again in the park
in her pink tailored suit, suede pumps,
I see her moving among the strange
gentlemen that have gathered, the dark
powerful men. She is still young, blonde
and most of all, she is beyond reach, beautiful.
poem by Kate Northrop
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Depression Is When
depression is when you hate everyone around
depression is when you don't want to make a sound
depression is when all you want to do is cry
depression is when you feel like you’re dying inside
depression is when your thoughts wonder all the time
depression is when you can't sleep even though you’re tired
depression is when you don't want to go on
depression is when you can't stop shaking outside
depression is when you hide who you are
depression is when you put on a mask to hide what you feel
depression is when you feel weak all the time
depression is when you give in to everything around
depression is when you don't care what happens anymore
depression is just another day in my life
poem by Tashi Coote
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Depression is...
Depression is when you hate everyone around
Depression is when you don't want to make a sound
Depression is when all you want to do is cry
Depression is when you feel like you’re dying inside
Depression is when your thoughts wonder all the time
Depression is when you can't sleep even though you’re tired
Depression is when you don't want to go on
Depression is when you can't stop shaking outside
Depression is when you hide who you are
Depression is when you put on a mask to hide what you feel
Depression is when you feel weak all the time
Depression is when you give in to everything around
Depression is when you don't care what happens anymore
Depression is just another day in my life
poem by Celeste Alvear
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my DEPRESSION
depression is when you hate everyone around
depression is when you don't want to make a sound
depression is when all you want to do is cry
depression is when you feel like you’re dying inside
depression is when your thoughts wonder all the time
depression is when you can't sleep even though you’re tired
depression is when you don't want to go on
depression is when you can't stop shaking outside
depression is when you hide who you are
depression is when you put on a mask to hide what you feel
depression is when you feel weak all the time
depression is when you give in to everything around
depression is when you don't care what happens anymore
depression is just another day in my life that will forever remain
poem by Kaliaha Hogue
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The Crossroads Between Heaven & Hell
Listening to the symphony of sounds from my cell
I'm at the crossroads between heaven and hell
Remembering back through all of those years
the laughter, the pain and so many tears
Skipped through childhood, danced through teens
loved and cried in our twenties; had kids in between
The depression of life had me shivering in fear
wishing I was invisible or could just disappear
No more pretending to be something I'm not,
as I summon the courage that time has forgot
I've gathered my strength; pulled together my rage
put my life down in a book screaming from each page
Skipped through childhood; danced through teens
loved and cried in our twenties, had kids in between
Imagine an elevator traveling through time and fate
Reliving all the memories from both love and hate
Listening to the symphony of the sounds of farewell
I'm at the crossroads between heaven and hell
poem by Linda Racaniello
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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I'm A Woman
Well I can wash out forty four pairs of socks
And have em on the line
You know I can starch and iron two dozen shirts
fore you can count from one to nine
I can slip up a great big dip up of lard from a drippings can
Throw it in the skillet, do my shopping, and be back before it melts in
The
Pan
Chorus:
Cause I'm a woman
W-o-m-a-n
Let me tell ya again
I'm a woman
W-o-m-a-n
Well I can rub and scrub till this house shines just like a dime
Feed the baby
Grease the car
Powder my nose at the same time
You know I can get all dressed up
Go out swinging with the m-a-n
Jump in bed at five
Sleep till 6
And start all over again
Repeat chorus
Well now if you come to me sick you know that I'm gonna make you well
And if you come to me all hexed up you know I'm gonna break the spell
And if you come to me hungry, you know
I'll feed ya full of my grits
And if its loving you want, I can kiss you and give you the shivering
Fits
Repeat chorus
(I'll say it again)
Well, I got a twenty dollar gold fee that says theres nothing that I
Can't do
Well I can make a dress out of feeding sacks and I can make a man out
Of you
Repeat chorus
I'm a woman
I'm a woman
I'm a woman
Yeah I'm a woman
song performed by by Reba Mcentire, music by Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Joie De Vivre
We must know where our kids are at all the time
And protect them from danger
We must teach them not to talk to strangers
Joie de vivre
The kids are part of our family
We raise them from babies to adult
Sometimes we wish they would grow up fast
Sometimes we wish they never grew up
They do things that drive their parent crazy at times
Joie de vivre
It is important that they socialize with kids of their own age group
On the weekends it is time to get the family together
Dad’s drive there kids to soccer games
They cheer for there soccer team
When there soccer team wins it is a celebration
All the dad’s scream of joy
Dad’s are proud of there kids achievement
poem by Aldo Kraas
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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For The Love Of Money
Money money money, money
Some people really need it (oh, well)
Some people got to have it (in vain)
Listen here yall, do things, do things, do bad things with it
So you will do things, do things, do good things with it
Talk about cash money, no help at all
For the love of money
People will steal from their mother
For the love of money
People will rob their own brother
For the love of money
People cant even walk the street
Because they never know who in the world they gotta beat
For that lean, mean, mean green
For the love of money
People will lie, lord, they will cheat
For the love of money
People dont care who they hurt or beat
For the love of money
A woman will sell her precious body
For a small piece of paper it carries a lot of weight
Call it lean, mean, mean green
Almighty dollar
I know money is the root of all evil
Do funny things to some people
Give me a nickel, brother can you spare a dime
Money can drive some people out of their minds
Got to have it, I really need it
How many things have I heard you say
Some people really need it
How many things have I heard you say
Got to have it, I really need it
How many things have I heard you say
Lay down, lay down, a woman will lay down
For the love of money
All for the love of money
Dont let, dont let, dont let money rule you
For the love of money
Money can change people sometimes
Dont let, dont let, dont let money fool you
Money can fool people sometimes
song performed by by Utopia
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Protection
The things you're doing are
Illegal in your own country
So you travel around the world
Looking for your heaven
Little girls are waiting there
Forced to be abused
By you
Refrein:
It was their mother
She made them scream
Even though they were
All she had then
But she needed the money
If she wanted to survive
She had to be selfish
Gave her kids away
Gave her kids away
And as she's sitting there
She's playing with her girlfriends
She is playing with her dolls
Tries to catch a butterfly
But when the monster comes in
She has to put up make-up
Again
Refrein:
It was their mother
She made them scream
Even though they were
All she had then
But she needed the money
If she wanted to survive
She had to be selfish
Gave her kids away
Gave her kids away
And as you're lying there
The sheets you lie on
Are all full of blood
The cross you pray on
But where's your god
There was no protection no
There was no protection no
There was no protection no
Nooo
Refrein:
It was their mother
She made them scream
Even though they were
All she had then
But she needed the money
If she wanted to survive
She had to be selfish
Gave her kids away
Gave her kids away
song performed by by Krezip from Nothing Less
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Why A Woman Cries
Jerry mcbee
He calls you from the office and he tells you that hes sorry
But it looks like hell be working late again and he asks you how your day went
But he didnt say he missed you and hed rather be home with you and the kids
Then suddenly the day has lost its meaning and you find it hard to hold the tears inside
And the tears begin to fall, and another days gone by
As you dry the tears from your eyes, just another reason why a woman cries
You ask him if hed call you when hes working late again
But its nine oclock and still he hasnt called and the dinner fixed with special care
Is getting cold, and hes not there - you wonder if he really cares at all
Another lonely night and hes not with you and you find it hard to hold the tears inside
And the tears begin to fall, and another days gone by
As you dry the tears from your eyes, just another reason why a woman cries
Now you push aside the curtains and youre looking out the window
And the kids are playing with him in the yard, he takes you out occaisonally
And once more youre a family and he thought about your birthday after all
Its then you know the reason why you love him and hell never know the joy you feel inside
And all the tears youve cried, just a part of a womans life, when a womans happy inside
Its another reason why a woman cries, just another reason why a woman cries
song performed by by Roy Orbison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Saints
In our family, there were two saints,
my aunt and my grandmother.
But their lives were different.
My grandmother's was tranquil, even at the end.
She was like a person walking in calm water;
for some reason
the sea couldn't bring itself to hurt her.
When my aunt took the same path,
the waves broke over her, they attacked her,
which is how the Fates respond
to a true spiritual nature.
My grandmother was cautious, conservative:
that's why she escaped suffering.
My aunt's escaped nothing;
each time the sea retreats, someone she loves is taken away.
Still she won't experience
the sea as evil. To her, it is what it is:
where it touches land, it must turn to violence.
poem by Louise Gluck
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Street Collage
Written by john ryan
[spoken by various people on the street]
Well, you see now
Im a depression baby
And I remember the wpa
If we could just start the same thing again and get people working out there, why not?
Is it too menial for somebody to sweep the street?
And if youve got enough money where you dont have to work
Lets face it, who wants to work?
Theres no reason why anybody that five generations of people got to be on welfare
I had one gentlemen get in ---
No offense to you gentlemen, he had long hair and a beard --
And I told him, he had better go home and take a bath;
He had b.o. so bad, it was terrible
I said you might be educated, but did your parents tell you to go dirty?
See the latest issue
Hard up, see
Chicago scene
Kids nowadays, thats the whole thing
Too much money, theyve got too much money
They dont have to struggle and work for things
Like when I was growing up had to do
And I was lucky if I got that job delivering hats in a hat store
For twenty-five cents per hat
Too much money today is with the young kids
Everything was handed to em,
And thats why they are the way they are
song performed by by Styx
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Woman Power
Youve heard of woman nation,
Well, thats coming, baby.
What we need is the power of trust,
That its coming.
Youve heard of the law of selection,
Well, thats how were gonna do it, baby.
We allow men who wanna join us
The rest can just stay by themselves.
Woman power! (woman power!)
Woman power! (woman power!)
Two thousand years of male society,
Laying fear and tyranny.
Seeking grades and money,
Clinging to values vain and phony.
Woman power! (woman power!)
Woman power! (woman power!)
Do you know that one day you lost your way, man?
Do you know that some day you have to pay, man?
Have you anything to say, man, except
Make no mistake about it, Im the president, you hear?
I wanna make one thing clear, Im the president, you hear?
Woman power! (woman power!)
Woman power! (woman power!)
You dont hear them singing songs,
You dont see them living life,
cause theyve got nothing to say, but
Make no mistake about it, Im the president, you hear?
I wanna make one thing clear, Im the president, you hear?
Woman power! (woman power!)
Woman power! (woman power!)
You may be the president now,
You may still be a man.
But you must also be a human,
So open up and join us in living.
Woman power! (woman power!)
Woman power! (woman power!)
In the coming age of feminine society,
Well regain our human dignity.
Well lay some truth and clarity
And bring back natures beauty.
Woman power! (woman power!)
Woman power! (woman power!)
Evry woman has a song to sing,
Evry woman has a story to tell.
Make no mistake about it, brothers,
We women have the power to move mountains.
Woman power! (woman power!)
Woman power! (woman power!)
Did you have to cook the meals?
Did you have to knit?
Did you have to care for life instead of killing?
Theres no mistake about it, sisters,
We women have the power to change the world.
Woman power! (woman power!)
Woman power! (woman power!)
Woman power!
Woman power!
Woman power! (woman power!)
(woman power!)
(woman power!)
(woman power!)
(woman power!)
(woman power!)
(woman power!)
(woman power!)
(woman power!)
(woman power!)
song performed by by Yoko Ono
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Chicago
Chicago, chicago, that toddlin town
Chicago, chicago, Ill show you around (youll stay around)
Bet your bottom dollar you lose the blues in
Chicago, chicago, the folks who visit
All wanna settle down. (all wanna settle down in my hometown)
On state street, that great street, I just wanna say,
They do things they dont do on broadway,
Youll have the time, the time of your life
Bring all your friends, all your kids and your wife to
Chicago, chicago my hometown. (hey now baby--)
(oooh baby)
Youll have the time, the time of your life
Bring all your friends, all your kids and your wife to
Chicago, chicago my hometown.
Oh, to chicago, chicago my hometown (yeah)
song performed by by Chicago
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mills
F/ faith evans
[dmx]
I know that my savior lives
And at the end, he will stand on this earth
My flesh may be destroyed, yet from this body, I will see god
Yes, I will see him for myself - and I long for that moment
Grandma, I really miss you and it aint been the same
I drop a tear when i, hear yo name
Mariella holloway, why you gotta be so far away?
Used to say, dont worry, its gon be okay
But it aint - its like when you left, you took the lord witchu
Why couldnt I come when he came to get you?
Damn I really miss you - I had to say it again
I remember the time when I was like ten
Crept up in the neighbors yard, yeah, bein hard headed
You told me I would get it - you said it!
And boy did I get it, but after you spanked me, you hugged me
Kissed me on my forehead, told me that you love me
And I saw, that it hurt you, more than it hurt me
I thought - how bad could this hurt be? I know now
Thats why its only done out of love
What I wouldnt give for one mo hug, from grandma
[chorus: faith evans]
Baby its gon be okay (she used to tell me that)
Baby its gon be okay (I really miss hearin)
Baby its gon be okay (she used to tell me that)
Baby its gon be okay (I really miss hearin)
[dmx]
What Im about to say a couple of family members is gon hate me
But ima let you know whats been goin on lately
Now you know since you left, a lot of things witcho kids done changed
Yeah jackies still crazy, dont know whats up with james
Aint seen jerry in a while, you know he walk like you
And renees back in jail, you know she talk like you
Riculahs(? ) doin real good now, she workin
Rhondas still runnin around, trickin, jerkin
Buckeyes buggin, he done lost his mind
And jarvis? back out of jail, doin fine
Kylie? he done changed, it aint all about self
As for my father.. well, thats somethin else
But thats my dog, he hold his grandmother down
My great grandmother, makin a lot of trips out of town
But thats a good thing, and if I could only hear you sing
Once more, oh lord, the comfort it would bring
[chorus]
[dmx]
You left behind a mother (and) eleven kids (and) eleven grandkids
And since then, two of yo grandkids done had kids
They had a boy named tacoma, xaviers brother, thats right
Xaviers means you a great grandmother
I thank you for the best times of my life
I thank you for when you first met her, accepted and lovin my wife
I thank you for those sunday dinners, they were vital
I thank you for my - life, I thank you for the bible
I thank you for the songs that you sing in the mornin
(amazing grace..) while Im yawnin
I thank you for the two beatings you gave me
Cause I know somewhere along the line
The lesson I learned from the two beatings saved me
And when you died I cried like a baby, I begged the lord to take me
Cause no one else could give me what you gave me
But life like everything comes to an end
I pray I go to heaven to see you again - amen
[chorus] - repeat 2x
[faith evans]
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now Im found
Was blind, but now I see, yeahhh
song performed by by DMX
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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