Wrestling With Time
Time and I are grappling
as we have all my life.
In my youth I tried to full-nelson her
into telling me my future
but she didn't comply.
I spend many hours with her
in my upstairs bed-room
peering at video games;
she waited patiently
for me to get through this phase.
The referee in this match
I tried to bribe he refused
but she gentle-stroked my brow
and told me to play fair and be patient.
I dreamed of having super powers
and told her that was what I wanted;
she smiled reassuringly
saying 'Sure but you have to first overcome many barriers
and prove yourself.
Too many tests there
it turned out for me.
I asked her for luck
but no luck.
I tried arm-twisting on her
but every fall I won
I also lost another.
It did not even look like the crowd was on my side.
At times it even looked like my own family
declined
to support me.
When I started to date Time threw down the dice
snake-eyes and craps
never a lucky seven.
one step up and two steps back.
I asked her at last
for True Love and
she said simply 'Look behind you.'
turning I saw it was someone
who had always
been at my side
living in my blind spot.
Time smiled.
Now it is Time against two
in this match
this has improved the odds.
Not so much happily ever after, but
we two in this round two
are now a tag team;
Time is sitting in that opposite corner, solo.
Any day
we'll will pin her
to Life's Mat
declare victory
or not.
In any event
hope you
will
root for us
because I assure you my friend
Time knows your name too.
poem by Lonnie Hicks
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Still Smiling........
Smiled When Mother Took Me Into Her Arms For The First Time,
Smiled When Saw World Outside The Hospital For The First Time,
Smiled Whenever Went To School,
Smiled Even Being Laughed At....
And Called A Fool....
Smiled When Stood First In The Class,
Smiled When I Wasn't Misunderstood..... At Last!
Smiled When My Poem Was Said Wow!
Smiled When Realised That Only Day Is Today....
And Time Is Now......
Smiled When Got My 'True' Love,
Smiled As I Always Felt We Are Two Doves,
Smiled Even When Came To Know He's Not Mine,
Smiled Even When He Married My Friend.....
And Raised A Toast Of Wine,
Smiled Even When Lost Every Hope,
Smiled Even When Wasn't Able To Cope,
Smiled Even When Knew My End Is Near,
Smiled And Enjoyed Cutting My Nerve.......
No Fear...............
Smiled At Every Moment Of My Life,
Whenever, Wherever And Never Cried.............
But Now, I'm Lying Under A White Cover,
Father Putting Me On Fire.........
With No Blessings Left To Shower.....
People Around Have Nothing To Do With My Death
But Are Crying.........
And I'm............
Still Smiling.................................
poem by Apurva Jain
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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And You Don’t Remember Me
I sat on the park bench
pen and notebook in hand.
I watched all the people
as they passed on by.
I wondered how in life
each one of them had fared
with their happiness
and their sorrows.
I looked for inspiration
for something to write.
She looked at me and smiled,
I smiled back
thinking that was that.
“You don’t remember me? ”
She said and sat down.
I looked at her again
as memories swirled
around in my mind.
She was right
I didn’t remember her
Her hair was mousey colour
with flecks of grey
starting to appear here and there.
There were thick lines
across her forehead,
crow feet lines
near the corners of her eyes.
The corners of her mouth
drooped just slightly.
Her blues eyes were striking
and I knew I had seen them before,
but they were with a younger face
a long time ago.
A face that lit up
whenever she spoke.
“You still don’t remember me? ”
She asked once again.
I shook my head,
but unfortunately, I did.
I could remember
all the beauty
she had had in her youth,
before time had ravaged her
and taken away her beauty
and her youth.
She looked so sad.
I wanted to reach out
like I always wanted to,
but something deep inside,
a little voice you could call it,
kept telling me no.
My urge to hold her
was trying to win out,
but I couldn’t do it.
She was no longer
a part of my life.
All she was now
was a memory I clung to,
a memory of my youth
so long, long ago.
With notebook and pen,
I smiled and bit her farewell.
I whispered her name
as I said a last goodbye.
I didn’t look back
or I would have looked back with regret.
She was a past,
something none of us can ever relive.
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Secrets
I told her all my secrets.
Once started they came out almost by themselves and she acted so enchanted it was easy to just keep going on and on.
I told her about my first kiss, about my stealing grapes from the grocery store, one grape, is all it was, but I never forgot taking it. I told her about the time I told a lie to make myself seem more important than I was.
I had never been to Russia. But I said I did to impress my friends. I told her of times I had been quiet when I should have spoken up, of that moment of cowardice when I should have helped my friend when the gang caught us. I didn't help. I ran and they caught him. I didn't go back to help.
I revealed what I think about at night when I am going to sleep, my little vanities and self-deceptions because they seem harmless. I told her about the little mean things I've done and the day I learned that you could lie if it was small one and it kept someone from feeling hurt; of the secret anxieties i felt and the loves I lost and never knew why, of how I worry about being in shape all the time and the times in my twenties when I looked everywhere in faces on the street, in magazines, among strangers asking myself are you The One? I told her that quest never ended-I simply shortened the voyage because long quests can be tiring.
I told her of my secret desire to impress her by telling her my secrets; no pretending to tell her secrets so as to get her to tell me her secrets and this was my ultimate secret which, of course was no secret at all, since I told.
She laughed saying 'I know but the gesture, I thought was sweet.'
So, I said, 'Do you have pretend secrets for me? ' 'Sure, ' she said, 'but I will mix in the telling some real ones, like you did, and we can then both guess which ones were true. A little mystery never hurt anyone.'
So she began to reciprocate tellling me her first kiss was through a screen door and her mother asked what was wrong with her lips, about never realizing until she was ten that it went in... there.. About the shock of all of it. About the time she saw her mother and dad doing it. She told me about the first time which was very very short, and the boy who was afraid and fumbly. About her first push-em-bra and lace underthings she bought at Victoria's Secret and the party where some one felt her up in the dark and she let him. About her belief that she had lived in some previous life and remembered bits and pieces of it.
About how she thought when getting her period that she was dying and didn't tell anyone until her mother discovered the blood. Her first boy friend who was sweet and a virgin and so was she. She thought you could get pregnant from tonguing when kissing; about her first O and how it scared her; how she looked in the mirror afterwards to she if she had changed; about how scared she was when it came time to deliver the baby.
We talked for hours, mostly about the secrets but ultimately we started to share dreams. She wanted to be a ballerina but had to give it up. I wanted to be a sports star, but too short. We share dreams gains and lost, mostly lost, given up for a good job or the quest for one or for family and kids.
From that first 'she called my number by mistake call' we call once a year, in secret of course, and share some more. We've never met. Don't need to. I already know all her secrets and she knows mine.
poem by Lonnie Hicks
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Overnight Cafe
All alone on the road near the other side of town;
In the dark of the night and the rain was fallin down;
Up ahead, said a sign, was the overnight cafe;
Maybe one for the road just to pass the night away.
Then she came in the room and she moved across the floor
With the look of a woman whos been through it all before;
Then she smiled as she spoke, and it made me realize
That the time was right, and the love was in her eyes;
That the time was right, and the love was in her eyes.
Then she asked and I told her that I was due in town.
Hey mama, can you tell me whats on your mind?
Then she told me that shed like to see me hang around.
And maybe I could take her home,
Never know what could happen when were both alone.
Now Im back on the road and Im running overtime;
Turn around if I could, and you know it crossed my mind;
But I know Ill be back cause she made me realize
That the time was right, and the love was in her eyes;
That the time was right, and the love was in her eyes.
song performed by by Chicago
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Goalkeeper Joe
Joe Dunn were a bobby for football
He gave all his time to that sport,
He played for the West Wigan Whippets,
On days when they turned out one short.
He’d been member of club for three seasons
And had grumbled again and again,
Cos he found only time that they’d used him,
Were when it were pouring with rain!
He felt as his talents were wasted
When each week his job seemed to be
No but minding the clothes for the others
And chucking clods at referee!
So next time selection committee
Came round to ask him for his sub
He told them if they didn’t play him,
He’d transfer to some other club.
Committee they coaxed and cudgelled him
But found he’d have none of their shifts
So they promised to play him next weekend
In match against Todmorden Swifts.
This match were the plum of the season
An annual fixture it stood,
‘T were reckoned as good as a cup tie
By them as liked plenty of blood!
The day of the match dawned in splendour
A beautiful morning it were
With a fog drifting up from the brick fields
And a drizzle of rain in the air.
The Whippets made Joe their goalkeeper
A thing as weren’t wanted at all
For they knew once battle had started
They’d have no time to mess with the ball!
Joe stood by the goal posts and shivered
While the fog round his legs seemed to creep
'Til feeling neglected and lonely
He leant back and went fast asleep.
He dreamt he were playing at Wembley
And t’roar of a thundering cheer
He were kicking a goal for the Whippets
When he woke with a clout in his ear!
He found 'twere the ball that had struck him
And inside the net there it lay
But as no one had seen this ‘ere ‘appen
He punted it back into play!
'Twere the first ball he’d punted in anger
His feelings he couldn’t restrain
Forgetting as he were goalkeeper
He ran out and kicked it again!
Then after the ball like a rabbit
He rushed down the field full of pride
He reckoned if nobody stopped him
Then ‘appen he’d score for his side.
‘Alf way down he bumped into his captain
Who weren’t going to let him go by
But Joe, like Horatio Nelson
Put a fist to the Captain’s blind eye!
On he went 'til the goal lay before him
Then stopping to get himself set
He steadied the ball, and then kicked it
And landed it right in the net!
The fog seemed to lift at that moment
And all eyes were turned on the lad
The Whippets seemed kind of dumbfounded
While the Swifts started cheering like mad!
'Twere his own goal as he’d kicked the ball through
He’d scored for his foes ‘gainst his friends
For he’d slept through the referee’s whistle
And at half time he hadn’t changed ends!
Joe was transferred from the West Wigan Whippets
To the Todmorden Swifts, where you’ll see
Still minding the clothes for the others
And chucking clods at referee!
poem by Marriott Edgar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Better This Time
Last Time It Was A Secret,
Last Time Ended In Tears.
Last Time Wasn’t Official,
Last Time Didn’t Go So Great.
The Time Before That Was Even Worse,
The Time Before That I Was Depressed.
The Time Before That You Cheated Me,
The Time Before That You Didn’t Love Me.
This Time We Started Off Amazingly,
This Time There Is No Tension.
This Time It’s Official,
This Time You Asked.
This Time There Are No Secrets,
This Time We Want The World To Know.
This Time We Are Unbelievable Together,
This Time We Have Full Trust.
This Time You Spoke First,
This Time You Said “I Love You”
This Time I Have Your Heart,
This Time You Have Mine.
We Are Better This Time...
poem by Alexandra Bowden
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Time Heals all
when my brother had a bad car crash and nearly died
i was told to give it time
time heals all
one after another my four grandparents died
i was told to give it time
time heals all
when a mates brother hung himself
i was told to give it time
time heals all
when my friend turned her back and distroyed my life
i was told to give it time
time heals all
when i got epilepsy and lost peoples trust
i was told to give it time
time heals all
when i got depressed and lost control of my life
i was told to give it time
time heals all
i gave it time
but i'm not healed
so when dose time help
when do people stop relying on time
and get off there butts and help
cause time dosen't heal all on its own
The Next Time I Fall
Love, like a road that never ends
How it leads me back again
To heartache
I'll never understand
Darling, I put my heart up on a shelf
Til the moment was right, and I told myself
The next time I fall in love
I'll know better what to do
The next time I fall in love
The next time I fall in love
The next time I fall in love
It will be with you
Now, as I look into you eyes
Well I wonder if it's wise
To hold you like I've wanted to before
Tonight, I was thinking that you might
Be the one who breathes life in this heart of mine
Next time I fall in love
I know better what to do
Next time I fall in love
Next time I fall in love
Next time I fall in love
It will be with you
Next time I'm gonna follow through
And if it drives me crazy
I will know better why
The next time I try
Next time I fall in love
Next time I fall in love
Next time I fall in love
Next time I fall in love
Next time I fall in love with you
song performed by by Amy Grant
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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This Time
Last Time Is Was A Secret,
Last Time Ended In Tears.
Last Time Wasn’t Official,
Last Time Didn’t Go So Great.
The Time Before That Was Even Worse,
The Time Before That I Was Depressed.
The Time Before That You Cheated Me,
The Time Before That You Didn’t Love Me.
This Time We Started Off Amazingly,
This Time There Is No Tension.
This Time It’s Official,
This Time You Asked.
This Time There Are No Secrets,
This Time We Want The World To Know.
This Time We Are Unbelievable Together,
This Time We Have Full Trust.
This Time You Spoke First,
This Time You Said “I Love You”
poem by Alexandra Bowden
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Next Time I Fall
Love like a road that never ends
How it leads me back again
To heartache
Ill never understand
Darling, I put my heart upon a shelf
till the moment was right, and I told myself
The next time I fall in love
Ill know better what to do
The next time I fall in love
Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
The next time I fall in love
The next time I fall in love
It will be with you
Now as I look into your eyes
Well I wonder if its wise
To hold you like Ive wanted to before
Tonight I was thinking that you might
Be the one who breathes life in this heart of mine
The next time I fall in love
Ill know better what to do
The next time I fall in love
Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
The next time I fall in love
The next time I fall in love
It will be with you
Next time Im gonna follow through
And if it drives me crazy
I will know better why
The next time I try
The next time I fall in love
Ill know better what to do
The next time I fall in love
Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
The next time I fall in love
The next time I fall in love
It will be with you
song performed by by Peter Cetera
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Next Time I Fall
Love like a road that never ends
How it leads me back again
To heartache
Ill never understand
Darling I put my heart up on a shelf
till the moment was right and I told myself
Next time I fall in love
Ill know better what to do
Next time I fall in love
Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
The next time I fall in love
The next time I fall in love
It will be with you
Now as I look into your eyes
Well I wonder if its wise
To hold you
Like Ive wanted to before
Tonight ooo I was thinking that you might
Be the one who breathes life in this heart of mine
Next time I fall in love
Ill know better what to do
Next time I fall in love
Ooo ooo ooo
The next time I fall in love
The next time I fall in love
(it will be with you)
Next time Im gonna follow through
And if it drives me crazy
I will know better why
The next time I try
Next time I fall in love
Ill know better what to do
Next time I fall in love
Ooo ooo ooo
The next time I fall in love
The next time I fall in love
Repeat
song performed by by Peter Cetera
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Turnaboout
As large as life she stood there
Kissed my cheek and called my old nickname
And though several years had passed
Both of us still looked quite the same
I said hi relaxed a bit
Then asked her how she'd been all these years
She told me she was feeling fine
Came to see a friend who lived up here
Told me she had finished school
And then went on to college for a year
I asked if she had married
Slowly down her cheek there came a tear
She said just an itchy eye
It must be the weather way up here
Told her I can't stand the cold
It freezes me and I can't feel my ears
We talked a bit about Mobile
And thought about how it has never changed
I told her I was a comin' home
To spend some time and hoped it wouldn't rain
She asked if she could see me then
And we could spend some time now and then
Because I lived so far away
Was still no chance why we could not be friends
I drove her to the waiting plane
Watched that big jet streaking through the sky
Thought about the sad young girl
And the time that I just saw her cry
That flame must still be burning bright
I think I'll catch a later flight today
It's time for me to go on home
And spend a day or two down by the bay
song performed by by Jimmy Buffett
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Turnabout
By: jimmy buffett
1970
As large as life she stood there
Kissed my cheek and called my old nickname
And though several years had passed
Both of us still looked quite the same
I said hi relaxed a bit
Then asked her how shed been all these years
She told me she was feeling fine
Came to see a friend who lived up here
Told me she had finished school
And then went on to college for a year
I asked if she had married
Slowly down her cheek there came a tear
She said just an itchy eye
It must be the weather way up here
Told her I cant stand the cold
It freezes me and I cant feel my ears
We talked a bit about mobile
And thought about how it has never changed
I told her I was a comin home
To spend some time and hoped it wouldnt rain
She asked if she could see me then
And we could spend some time now and then
Because I lived so far away
Was still no chance why we could not be friends
I drove her to the waiting plane
Watched that big jet streaking through the sky
Thought about the sad young girl
And the time that I just saw her cry
That flame must still be burning bright
I think Ill catch a later flight today
Its time for me to go on home
And spend a day or two down by the bay
song performed by by Jimmy Buffett
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Beginner's Luck
At any gambling casino
From monte carlo to reno
They tell you that a beginner
Comes out a winner
Beginner fishing for flounder
Will catch a 17 pounder
That's what i always heard
And thought absurd,
But now, i believe every word
For i've got beginner's luck
The first time that i'm in love
I'm in love with you
Gosh, i'm lucky
I've got beginner's luck
There never was such a smile
Or such eyes of blue
Gosh, i'm fortunate
The thing we've begun
Is much more than a pastime
For this time is the one
Where the first time is the last time
I've got beginner's luck
Lucky, through and through
Cause the first time that i'm in love
I'm in love with you
(bridge)
The thing we've begun
Is much more than a pastime
For this time is the one
Where the first time is the last time
I've got beginner's luck
Lucky, through and through
Cause the first time that i'm in love
Yes, the first time that i'm in love
Oh, the first time that i'm in love
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
song performed by by Ella Fitzgerald
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Her Refrain
Do you love me?' she said, when the skies were blue,
And we walked where the stream through the branches glistened;
And I told and retold her my love was true,
While she listened and smiled, and smiled and listened.
Do you love me?' she whispered, when days were drear,
And her eyes searched mine with a patient yearning;
And I kissed her, renewing the words so dear,
While she listened and smiled, as if slowly learning.
“Do you love me?” she asked, when we sat at rest
By the stream enshadowed with autumn glory;
Her cheek had been laid as in peace on my breast,
But she raised it to ask for the sweet old story.
And I said: 'I will tell her the tale again—
I will swear by the earth and the stars above me!'
And I told her that uttermost time should prove
The fervor and faith of my perfect love;
And I vowed it and pledged it that nought should move;
While she listened and smiled in my face, and then
She whispered once more, ' Do you truly love me? '
poem by John Boyle O'Reilly
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Any Other Time
ALL of us play our very best game—
Any other time.
Golf or billiards, it’s all the same—
Any other time.
Lose a match and you always say,
“Just my luck! I was ‘off’ to-day!
I could have beaten him quite half-way—
Any other time!”
After a fiver you ought to go—
Any other time.
Every man that you ask says “Oh,
Any other time.
Lend you a fiver! I’d lend you two,
But I’m overdrawn and my bills are due,
Wish you’d ask me—now, mind you do—
Any other time!”
Fellows will ask you out to dine—
Any other time.
“Not to-night, for we’re twenty-nine —
Any other time.
Not to-morrow, for cook’s on strike,
Not next day, I’ll be out on the bike —
Just drop in whenever you like —
Any other time!”
Seasick passengers like the sea—
Any other time.
“Something . . I ate . . disagreed . . with me!
Any other time
Ocean-trav’lling is . . simply bliss,
Must be my . . liver . . has gone amiss . .
Why, I would . . laugh . . at a sea . . like this—
Any other time.”
Most of us mean to be better men—
Any other time:
Regular upright characters then—
Any other time.
Yet somehow as the years go by
Still we gamble and drink and lie,
When it comes to the last we’ll want to die—
Any other time!
poem by Andrew Barton Paterson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Fay and You and the Ruler.
Fay met you
on your way home
from school
standing by the entrance
of Meadow Row
she was in her school uniform
a satchel
over a shoulder
how was school?
she asked
boring and the day
too long
you replied
but at least
you can learn things
she said
like how
to make a candle
holder in woodwork?
finding some river
in India
I'll never see?
you said
she smiled shyly
well maybe you will
she said
how are you?
you asked
ok
she replied
got told off
by Sister Bernard
for not having a ruler
what did you do
with your ruler?
you asked
lost it
she said
ah well
there you are
you said
naughty naughty
she walked on
down Meadow Row
and you walked
beside her
actually
she said quietly
my daddy took it
she stood still
and stared at you
he beat me
with it
she said
in a whisper
you looked
into her eyes
and saw your
reflection there
two yous
staring back
why?
you asked
taking in her paleness
her fair hair tied
in a ponytail
he said l hadn't done
my jobs properly
jobs?
you asked
around the house
helping my mum
and did you? help?
yes usually
but I forgot
this time
big crime
you said
won't he give
the ruler back?
no
she said
he said he will keep it
as a lesson to me
can't you buy
a new one?
you asked
I haven't any money
she said
you can have
one of mine
you said
I have plenty at home
can I borrow one?
you can have one
she smiled weakly
her eyes lit up
and she took one
of your hands
and held it
I'll have to hide it though
she said
or he'll take
that one too
quite a guy your dad
you said
she looked away
at the bombed out houses
on the left hand side
you saw her hurt
and sadness
some things you can't hide.
poem by Terry Collett
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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For A Friend
(released as b-side of we wait and we wonder cd single, 1994)
When I saw him last
He had that look in his eyes
I said, do you need to talk?
He said, no.
So I called him up, asked him again and I waited a while -
He began to speak, then he started to cry
You know some things are best left unspoken
And some things just never work out
And sometimes, seems you try and you try and whatever you do
Theres a fix that youre in, and you just cant get out
He said, i need your help, I need it now
Give me the strength to go on
Though I didnt know what
I knew that something was wrong
But he still had his pride
Hed tell me in time
Well this feeling inside
Kept eating at me
I was losing a friend, and I had to know why
When I heard the voice on the phone, I knew it was bad news
So I rushed to be by his side
And we said goodbye for the last time
I gently hugged him, and kissed him goodbye
He whispered, i need your help, I need it now
Give me the strength to go on.
We were always laughing
I just remember laughing, mama
We were always laughing
Oh I need your help, I need it now
Give me the strength to go on
Though as time goes by, and it all becomes clear
We can see the deceit, we see the lies
So I asked myself, over and over, and over again
What did they know? what did they hide?
Fools, leading the innocent blindly
Fools, turning away
And I know that
When I think of my friend with that look in his eyes
And if they told the truth, he might be here today
I need your help, I need it now
Just give me the strength to go on, on
I remember the laughing
We were always laughing
Oh no - its just strength we need now
Just the strength to go on...
song performed by by Phil Collins
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Luck
Luck visited one day;
Winked and smiled at me.
Things began to go my way.
As I could plainly see.
I met someone by chance,
Who sought a better life.
Now together we advance
Forever man and wife.
Once again luck appeared,
This time without a smile,
As workplace disappeared;
Now time to think awhile.
Now time to think that luck
Wears a keen disguise,
And really only visits
Per direction from the skies.
poem by Gregory Huyette
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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While I Cry
They told me what youd do
If I ever stayed with you.
They told me that youd laugh
While I cried.
They told me what youd say
That youd turn and walk away
And find another place to play,
While I cried.
Now I think back on those times
I didnt read between the lines.
How all the things that you said
Never seemed to match the things you did.
Thoughts keep turning round in my mind
Now I see reason and rhyme.
Time spent with you has brought me something
And Ive lost nothing if you are that kind.
They told me what youd do
If I ever stayed with you
And sure enough,
It all came true.
song performed by by Monkees
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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