Related quotes: I’m not one for mementoes...

Dick Fozard's Wartime Navy Knife

I’m not one for mementoes – Grandma
in sepia, pie-crust necked and pleated blouse,
expressionless amidst her dressed-up, mixed-up brood; chic aunt
with that hundred-watt smile which clicked
off, the instant the shutter clicked…but now

I’m holding this kitchen knife.
It’s got a triangular blade to allow
for that quick chop-chop of the trained cook
or kitchen-hand; black, dulled ebonite handle;
and although it’s made in Sheffield,
by Geo.Watt,1943, it’s not stainless steel
but stained iron; sharp, but not too dangerous
when used in the cook’s galley of a hungry ship of the unslept
that’s simultaneously zigzagging to avoid torpedoes
and kamikaze dive-bombers, while buffeting through
the South China Seas. The ‘ broad arrow’
stamped on it – as once used to pattern convicts' clothes –
here means, that it was wartime issue.

Dick trained as artist and lithographer’s apprentice
just in time not to hone his talents when called up
to fight the Japs in that nasty, ruthless end-campaign
when Europe had declared peace, but not Japan.
He wouldn’t talk of it; and when a few years back
someone saw and remembered him from then, he
shook hands warmly, said little, left it to the other jacktar
to tell the story when he’d gone. And went back to find himself again,
walking the Yorkshire hills and dales with rucksack, pipe, a crust,
an onion, cheese, cut I guess with this same knife, and
missing nothing with his artist’s vision;
beyond solitude; content; complete.

He never really used his part-developed skills again
except to teach, with few words but with superb craftsman’s care,
leaving a trail of devoted pupils: ‘He taught me all I know’.

Only those, perhaps, who know war,
can know peace in this way, asking nothing; to know him
(but careful not to question) was to know a little of that peace
deep within the sea of himself, the sea
which holds so many souls.

When he moved on, as he often did,
he left his knife. I use it every day,
remembering this man who was just one
who knew, lived, war, quietly guarding his memories
of pain with love, of love with pain.

I sharpen it, like a memory
I do not have. Like one who prays
devoutly, to that unknown god
of war; who may, in ways we cannot understand,
guard such souls.

poem by Michael Shepherd
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Related quotes

Recycled Soul

Boo hoo hoo went the little girl
and held the knife above her arm
and threatened to her friends and self
to end the pain with vicious harm.

Chop chop chop went the kitchen knife
went up and down in flesh and bone
she's screaming for painless freedom
the fuzz of black edged monotone

Boo hoo hoo went the family friends
and marched the rain soaked grass
stared down at a little black coffin
and mourned the troubled lass

Up up up went her spirit form
and paused a while above the earth
then caught an opportunity
and found a body for rebirth

Boo hoo hoo went the little girl
and held the noose around her throat
she repeated again this tragic play
and never got her chance to vote.

poem by Poet Dragon
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Chronicle of a strange Trollop

She invited them for the dinner.
Tom's a Mason, Dick a carpenter and Harry a painter.
When they finished the dinner,
Tom did some masonry,
Dick repaired her antique bed
And Harry painted the kitchen.
Their pretention looked as drunk
And want to stay the night it seems?
But when they see the one-eyed butcher at the back yard with a sharp knife
All greeted her politely and left the premises quietly.

*Wish you all a Happy Christmas and a Properous Nerw Year!

poem by Nimal Dunuhinga
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An Emo's Prayer

If they ever cared and ever loved someone,
Then let them hear what they have done.
To me for a decade now,
Let them know it was they who made me take my final bow.

I am emo this is true,
But what have I ever done to you.
I sleep by a silver blade at night,
Holding it so tight.

With scarlet blood in my dreams,
Yet no sign of a holy beam.
I want them to know what I'm about to do,
And why they hurt me was pain longer over do.

The names they said to me for 10 years has been stuck inside my head,
Now they'll see me lye motionless in my bed.
They say that sticks and stones can break your bones and word shall never hurt you,
Yet the words did more than hurt me and gave pleasure to you too.

They wonder why I cut my wrist at night,
Why I hold on to my blade so tight.
I want to escape this pain in my life,
I will always cut with that knife,

Now tell me do you understand why I do this?
why the knife gives me such bliss?
It takes my pain away for a while.
And leaves me with a broken smile.

My time is up and I must leave.
Time for me to see.
I hear the angels bells,
Yet I'm heading towards hell.

poem by Alice Spakrs
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Peace Of Mind

I gotta find peace of mind... I gotta find peace of mind
He says it's impossible...But I know it's possible
He says it's impossible... But I know it's possible
He says there's no me without him... Please help me forget about him
He takes all my energy... Trapped in my memory
Constantly holding me... Constantly holding me
I need to tell you all... All the pain he's caused mmmmm
I need to tell you I'm... I'm undone because mmmmmm
He says it's impossible... But I know it's possible
He says it's impossible without him... But I know it's possible
To finally be in love... And know the real meaning of
A lasting relationship... Not based on ownership
I trust every part of u.... Cause all that you say you do
You love me despite myself
Sometimes I... I fight myself
I just can't believe that you.... Would have anything to do
With someone so insecure... Someone so immature
Ohh you inspire me, to be the higher me
You make my desire pure... You make my desire pure
Just tell me what to say... I can't find the words to say
Please don't be mad with me... I have no identity
All that I've known is gone... All I was building on
I wanna walk wit you, how do I talk to you?
Touch my mouth with your hands... Touch my mouth with your hands
Oh I wanna understand the meaning of your embrace
I know now I have to face... The temptations of my past
Please don't let me disgrace... where my devotion lays
Now that I know the thruth... Now that it's no excuse
Keeping me from your love... What was I thinking of
Holding me from your love... What was I thinking of
You are my peace of mind... That old me is left behind
You are my peace of mind... That old me is left behind
He says it's impossible... but I know it's possible
He says it's improbable... but I know it's tangible
He says it's not grabbable... but I know it's haveable
Cause anything's possible... Cause anything is possible
Please come free my mind... Please come feed my mind
Can you see my mind ohh... Won't you come free my mind
Oh I know it's possible
Anything, anything, anything, anything, anything.... yeah
Anything, anything, anything, anything, .... yeah
Anything, anything, anything, anything, anything.... yeah
Oh, free... free, free, free your mind
Free... free your mind
Free.. free your mind
Free free free free your mind
Oh, it's so possible... Oh, it's so possible
I'm telling you it's possible... I'm telling you it's possible
Free, free, free....... free, get free now (repeat)
Your my peace of mind... That old me is left behind
Your my peace of mind... Your my peace of mind
He's my peace of mind... He's my peace of mind
He's my peace of mind... What a joy it is to be alive
To get another chance, yeah... Every day's another chance
To get it right this time... everday's another chance
Oh what a merciful... merciful, merciful god
Oh what a wonderful... wonderful wonderful god (continue to end)
What a merciful... merciful, merciful, merciful god
What a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, merciful
Merciful, merciful, wonderful
Merciful, wonderful............

song performed by by Lauryn Hill
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Psychopath

The Psychopath

The lane is siesta empty, meanders forever amongst
olive trees and budding almond flowers, but afar I see
a black clad man, an ominous shadow, marching
towards me. He has got one hand in his pocket, a knife?
Bet he is a psychopath out to see if he can kill someone
without being caught. Nowhere to run fields are soggy
and he’s younger than me; he will catch up and plunge
a knife in me when I’m exhausted. When he stops and
looks around to be sure there are no witnesses, I quickly
bend down and pick up a big stone I can hit him over
the head with it, I think I’m stronger than him. He looks
tense as he passes me on the opposite side of the lane,
I stop pretend to look at the sky, can’t let him thrust his
knife in my back. He’s running now, see him disappear
around a sharp bend but I wait till sure he ain’t coming
back, I better arm myself with a kitchen knife next time
I go out the world is full of bad people.

poem by Oskar Hansen
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I Gotta Find Peace Of Mind

song performed by by Lauryn Hill
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Choppin' Wood

(Van Morrison)
You wired the trains and went back home to St. Claire's shores
Before you became a spark down at the yard
You were passing through those hungry years alone
You were just trying to make a living out in Detroit
When you came back off the boats you didn't want to go anywhere
You sit down to TV in your favourite chair
You watch the big picture fade away down at Harland and Wolff
But you still kept on choppin' wood
And you came back home to Belfast
So you could be with us like
You lived your life of quiet desperation on the side
Going to the shipyard in the morning on your bike
Well the spark was gone but you carried on
You always did the best you could
You sent for us once but everything fell through
But you still kept on choppin' wood choppin' wood
Well you came back home to Belfast
So you could be with us like
And you lived a life of quiet desperation on the side
Going to the shipyard in the morning on your bike
WeIl the spark was gone but you carried on
Well you did just the best that you could
You sent for us one time but everything fell through
But you still kept on choppin' wood
Kept on choppin'wood
Kept on choppin' wood
Local man chops wood
You know you did the best you could
Well everything just fell through
Kept on choppin' wood
Chop, chop, chop, chop, chop,
Chop, chop, chop, chop, chop,
Chop, chop, chop, keep on choppin'
Chop, chop, chop, choppin' wood

song performed by by Van Morrison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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One Of These Days

(earl montgomery)
I wont have to chop no wood
I can be bad or I can be good
I can be any way that I feel
One of these days
Might be a woman thats dressed in black
Be a hobo by the railroad track
Ill be gone like the wayward wind one of these days
One of these days it will soon be all over cut and dry
And I wont have this urge to go all bottled up inside
One of these days Ill look back and Ill say I left in time
Cause somewhere for me I know theres peace of mind
I might someday walk across this land
Carrying the lords book in my hand
Goin cross the country singin loud as I can
One of these days
But I wont have trouble on my back
Cuttin like the devil with a choppin axe,
Got to shake it off my back, one of these days
One of these days it will soon be all over cut and dry
And I wont have this urge to go all bottled up inside
One of these days Ill look back and Ill say I left in time
Cause somewhere for me I know theres peace of mind
Theres gonna be peace of mind for me, one of these days

song performed by by Emmylou Harris
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Kiss The Knife

its stupid for me
to let u back in my life
but i cant go no more
without kissing the knife

i know i made u made
i shall pay the price
but all i wanna do is.....
kiss the knife

u can stab me in my back
but i can take that
what makes me feel right
is a kiss to the knife

sharpiest knife in the draw
there is my knife out the door
kiss the knife goodbye

it cut me open
n i gave it my heart my life
i want you back
kiss the knife

poem by James Bost
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Soul Dear

I'm but a soldier
In an army called life
In my right hand a pen
In my left one a knife

When I meet my enemy
He decides which I use
I'll do what it takes
I can't afford to lose

When I meet a friend
I will have his back
On me he can depend
My loyalty won't lack

When you see me walking
Down the avenue
Will it be the pen
Or the knife I use

I'm but a soldier
In an army called life
Is it true the pen
Is mightier than the knife?

poem by SinJace Ramos
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Teacher’s Day Poem (A Pot Pourri)

They help us strive for goals;
They give us model roles;
They are such superb souls;
That help sprout ‘student-poles’!

Most teachers teach us well;
We have no words to tell;
Sometimes, they even yell,
When we can’t rightly spell.

A gentle pat on back;
A simple word or whack;
Most teachers know the knack,
To find out what we lack.

They show us how to write;
They tell us what is right;
They taught all to be bright,
No matter what our plight.

And some talk about life;
And problems that are rife;
Be careful with a knife,
And how to tackle strife.

A teacher is so wise;
Most teachers do advise,
To keep away from vice,
And never tell white lies!

They teach us speak the truth;
And guide us in our youth;
In life, they help us smile
And run our earthly mile.

Some teach us how to play;
Some tell us how to say
The twin words, ‘aye’ and ‘nay’
And put us in life’s way.

God bless our teachers dear;
And keep them always near;
Their voices to well hear;
May they in life not tear.

What could our school-life be,
Without teachers lovely?
We love our teachers truly
We’ll miss them all surely!

‘Happy Teachers’ Day! ’ (Sept 5th)

poem by John Celes
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Knife Party

My knife - its sharp and chrome
Come see inside my bones
All of the fiends are on the block
Im the new king, Ill take the queen
cause in here were all anemic
In here - anemic and sweet...so...
Go get your knife, go get your knife
And come in
Go get your knife, go get your knife
And lay down
Go get your knife, go get your knife
Now kiss me
Oooh...well I can float here forever
In this room we cant touch the floor
In here were all anemic
In here - anemic and sweet...so...
Go get your knife, go get your knife
And come in
Go get your knife, go get your knife
And lay down
Go get your knife, go get your knife
Now kiss me
Ohh... I could float here forever
Ohh... anemic and sweet
Ohh... I could float here forever
Ohh... anemic and sweet...so...
Go get your knife, go get your knife
And come in
Go get your knife, go get your knife
And lay down
Go get your knife, go get your knife
Get filthy
Go get your knife, go get your knife
And kiss me...

song performed by by Deftones
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Grandma's Quilt

God blessed me with a grandma of many talents,

And one of them always left me thoroughly amazed.

It was the way she collected square scraps of cloth

To make quilts that seemed worthy of praise.

Each with its own colors and textures,

Of rare beauty in pattern and design,

She formed them with love

Into a tapestry of aesthetics sublime.

These squares of fabric became a work of art

In my grandma’s talented and trained hands.

These treasures have become a fond remembrance,

Over the years since my grandma left for elysian lands.

It intrigues me how these patchworks of varying textures

Became such sources of hospitable warmth and amenity.

They stir my sentimental thoughts about many distinct folk

That I recall from my youth who became my extended family.

They kept me feeling comfortable and warm with attentive care,

Much like the quilts my grandma made with many a fabric square.

poem by Albert Price
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Cuts Both Ways

It cuts both ways
Our love is like knife
That cuts both ways
Its driven deep into my heart each time
That I realize
How it cuts both ways
Cant be together
Cannot live apart
Were heading straight into a broken heart
But I cant stop
(bridge)
cause I feel too much to let you go
Im hurting you and its hard I know
To stay and fight for what weve got
Knowing itll never be good enough
cause you and I are dangerous
We want too much and life aint that way
Dont ask for more
Dont be a fool
Havent we already broken every rule
It cuts both ways, were in too deep for sorry alibis
Cant have regrets or even question why
We cant say goodbye
Because it cuts both ways
No more illusions of the love we make
No sacrifice would ever be too great
If you would just stay
(bridge)
Cuts both ways
Our love is like a knife that cuts both ways
Its drivin deep into my heart each time I see we livin the lie
And it cuts both ways
It cuts both ways, mmm
Cuts both ways
Cuts both ways

song performed by by Gloria Estefan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Alankar (Decor) -30

Kitchen clash (Double Rondeau)

How difficult it is to cook
In hot summer how a wife to cook
'Take rest, shall buy food from outside'
He says with concern on her side
Wife is happy she need not cook
Happy so life runs like a brook
Variety food, pleased they look
Seasoned hot, they know kitchen's stride
How difficult
Time in hand changed is her outlook
Changed is also her old cook-look
Styleless to stylish in set glide
Makes her new with glow to her pride
She can speak on her strife to cook
How difficult

How difficult but back a cook?
Daughter visits with siren look
There, stirs in dad's heart a high tide
Sneaks'cooking has been set aside
These days mom does not at all cook'
Enough for her to word and hook
Daughter counsels mom back to cook
To be in shifty husband's stride
How difficult!
Luck is but a wheel in life-book
So such a wife can't overlook
And mom vows never to abide
Honeyed words but put them aside
Blamed wife telling herself 'to cook
How difficult! '

poem by Indira Renganathan
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Twist The Knife

A razors edge
The speed of your thoughts
A heart as black as coal
A sudden change
A painted-on smile
A woman with no soul
Dancin on the edge of my dreams
Dealin with your mixed up scenes
Darlin dont you know what I mean
Save me from this pain
Twist the knife
Turn it around
Twistin my life away
Twist the knife
Turn it around
Oh-oh
A liars dream
A piece of your heart
Dont really mean a thing
Scream right out loud
Youre feeling my pain
See what your fantasy brings
Dancin on the edge of my dreams
Dealin with your mixed up scenes
Darlin dont you know what I mean
Save me from this pain
(repeat chorus 4x)
Twist the knife
Twist the knife
Twist the knife
Keep on twistin

song performed by by Toto
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Kitchen

The bosom of her virginity is all about this story,
And of a woman portrayed upon the walls of hope;
But like the horsemen riding upon their horses,
The kitchen is where you do cook your food.

I am not an African woman and,
I am not your African wife!
But the kitchen is there for you to cook,
So do not wrap up your nakedness in the wings of my mind.

Blow the ram's horn to understand this poem,
And take a walk along the coast of love to understand my mind;
For i am in the deep steep of love with a pupil of sin,
And she is not an African woman.

poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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Peaceful Soul

Sitting alone on a green grass
Is what gives me peace,
Watching the birds in a shady clear sky
Is what gives me peace.

Walking slow in pearly raindrops
Is what gives me peace,
Tuning low under the reddish sunset
Is what gives me peace .

Feeding the hungry helping the blind
Is in what I find the innermost peace
Gifting a smile snatching a teary pain
Is in what I find the innermost peace

Peace is in walking in twilight on the riverside
It is in feeling the most eternal reality of life!

poem by mahvash AMU
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Suicide

I sit here by myself, thinking of suicide
I look at a knife, wanting to commit suicide
I look at a photo, hating my life
Telling myself, suicide stops the pain

I turn the lights off, alone in dark
Reaching for the knife, that’s going to take it away
I think of certain people, they don’t care
For the first time, I think of myself

I dig the knife, into part of my skin
Letting all of my blood, pour out
I’m not dying quick enough, so another cut I make
Then a final cut on my neck, and a stab in my heart

poem by Lisa French
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Peace be with you (Latin-Pax Vobiscum)

Oh God! I need a quiet place,
Where flows the nectar of peace,
Not that kind of dead peace,
In the grave, one finds with ease.

I went to the Himalayas Mountain,
But peace there was no certain,
As the solitude tore my mind,
A little peace when I tried to find.

I heard good spiritual lectures,
Those from eminent preachers,
For peace, I left no place unturned,
But with a perturbed mind I returned.

Tell me, oh God, that unknown place,
Where lies that elusive peace,
What I need, now I can find,
So, I’ll have peace of mind.

God answered, “Hey you fool,
First learn to keep yourself cool,
Don’t search elsewhere out,
But dive deep into your heart.”

“Peace isn’t an object that lies outside,
But it’s a feeling that’s generated inside.
Learn to cultivate peace in your heart.
To enjoy this peace, better you now start.”

“Know this I’m in your heart.
I fill it up with peace quite a lot.
This divine peace when you merit,
No need to go elsewhere for it.”

poem by Rajaram Ramachandran
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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