On a wing and a prayer
Icarus
has had a bad press
throughout history
as some sort of moral metaphor
for a man who challenged
Intelligent Design
and/or the gods
and failed, in a narrow-minded view
A young man’s ambition
and perhaps devotion
drew him towards the heavens
why not
and science had not developed very far
so how was he to know
except by experiment
I’d like to think that as he dropped
out of a cloudless Greek sky
out of mythology
out of Breughel’s painting
out of Auden’s mindfulness
he was caught before the third and last bobbing up
by a bevy of compassionate mermaids
and returned gently to land
to live again perhaps under
an assumed name
while the mermaids sang to each other his story
across the seven seas
who whispered it to men
in the off-shore breeze
as a moral story telling how
heartfelt prayer always reaches heaven
there to be taken into account
but science is dodgy, make sure
you get it right and
it will be your servant
and when one day with heaven’s consent
you build a better vehicle to ‘conquer’ space
though how untrue a phrase
perhaps Apollo would be
a safer name since Icarus Two
somehow doesn’t have that ring about it.
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Letter Never Sent
Its been pretty simple so far, vacation in athens is calling me
And knock, knock, knock on wood, I thought Id left you behind
Heaven is yours, heaven is yours, heavens yours where I live
The thought of the catacombs left my soul at home
This letter never sent
And its so far, its so dark, Im so lost
Heavens yours, heavens yours, heavens yours where I live
(another story, another story for a while, someone show me)
When Im moving too fast, wheres my new address?
The water is evening now, the catacombs are filling in
If my soul was made of stone, no, not, not so dark, dark
And its so far, its so dark, Im so lost
And its so far, its so far, its so far
Heavens yours, heavens yours, heavens yours where I live
(another story, another story for a while, someone show me)
Heavens yours, heavens yours, heavens yours where I live
(another story, another story for a while, someone show me)
song performed by by REM
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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When Icarus Did Fall
When Icarus did fall
his wings were scorched,
when Icarus did fall
a bolt of lightning did strike him
in the sea near to a island,
to help him there were nobody
when Icarus did fall
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Love Sonnet 13 As Wings Would Take To Skies For Lofty Flights
As wings would take to skies for lofty flights,
And waves would roll, ardent, towards the shore,
Would I, my love, pursue the pure delights,
Which once bestowed, I could not care for more;
We'll not aspire to soar, reaching the sun,
To fall Icarus-like on melted wings,
Nor sail the seas upon the waves we shun,
Except in calm, such as Poseidon brings;
But with your loving care throughout the years,
I'll have the bliss that every blessed owns,
And this fond heart to highest heaven swears,
Will have its fill of mirth without the clowns;
......This story ends, like most, might get retold,
......Yet like the skies and waves, it can't grow old.
poem by Reyvrex Questor Reyes
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Fundamental of Liar Chapter LXXX: Story
Story about future is called imagination
Story about past is called memories
Story about present is called reality
Story that becomes true is called prophecy
Story that becomes unfulfilled is called regret
Story that becomes no end is called boasting
Small story is called experience
Epic story is called history
Forgotten story is called lesson
Story that becomes obsession is called ambition
Story that becomes untold is called secret
Story that becomes go its own way is called life
poem by Maria Sudibyo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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0135An informal note to God
In case you were on holiday, this nice sunny weather,
(and may I say, what a great idea the Sun is?)
I thought I'd dropp you a line to say, in case you missed it
that our great President, the Bush
who burns with virtue like an oil well yields,
approves that 'Intelligent Design' should be made
along with the Theory of Evolution
a cornerstone of the education of our great nation.
So just in case you felt a little reduced in function
and come back from holiday to
'Oh, were you away? We hadn't missed you...'
and your new official status, that you were simply around
(around? hmmm) to 'flick the switch'
while two something-or-others got together
to evolve a Creation with its quaint old ideas, like love,
(and by the way, your bright idea
of one, two and three, etc., was cute, too...)
I'd just like to take this opportunity to say
that in your modest role of
Intelligent Design
you certainly flicked the switch on
a pretty spectacular show - including those laws
which, understood by some quite impressive intelligences,
enabled the rather smaller, but impressive
'intelligent design' of the space-shuttle
to.. er.. 'evolve'.. and
to fly a fraction, Icarus-like,
nearer the sun...yep, some show...
So 'intelligent design' would be, like,
from those two proto-thingies that happened to
to meet across a room crowded with...emptiness? or everything? -
to whatever intelligent design might be needed
from Now, and every new 'invention' in the world
until...well... Then...
That seems something even better than Evolution
and a bit similar to Providence and
well, sort of.. eternal...? And universal too...
So if You are still enjoying your seventh day of rest
this pleasant sunny weather (somewhere
ecologically balanced, like the seaside, may I hope?) ,
thanks.
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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(Dodgy Dave Tale) Plastic Flowers
(Dodgy Dave Tale) Plastic Flowers
This is another Dodgy Dave Tale that goes out
To all the romantics that have their doubts
See Dodgy states he is unromantically inclined
That could leave poor Vera maligned
(Vera his wife that this story is behind)
You see when your in love with a man
Women expect romantic gifts not just a hand
And Vera felt a little slighted here
Because it was flowers she lacked from her dear
So one day his wife and Dodgy Dave
Went out on the town not to misbehave
They decided to go to a Car Boot Sale
(Don't ask me what that is Dave knows that tale)
As they were walking along that day
Dodgy Dave came upon a plastic flower bouquet
Well he picked the thing up
And thought to himself...what luck
Now I have flowers to give to my gal
And she will think of me as her romantic pal
The moral of this silly story here
Is if you want to be unromantically clear
Give your loved one plastic flowers instead
And in return for your supper expect water and brown bread
28 Jan 2008
Ark Angel
Red ribbon rainbow
A garland of gold for your hair
Wherever you go
I see faith crush despair
In chaos find courage
The answer to my prayer
Lipstick... liner... perfume... soap
Wont scrub this city or give it hope
Youre the antidote... youre an...
Ark-angel
Do you dream about me too
Ark-angel
When I dream I dream of you
Ark-angel
But could I change this world for you
Ark-angel
You do... you do
Whisper it softly
Or scream your name out loud
God built an angel
In sun and sky and cloud
Then heaven sent vengeance
To a world that once stood proud
Lipstick... liner... perfume... soap
Wont scrub this city or give it hope
Youre the antidote... youre an...
Ark-angel
Do you dream about me too
Ark-angel
When I dream I dream of you
Ark-angel
But could I change this world for you
Ark-angel
You do... you do... you do
Icarus rising - flies to close to the sun
Icarus falling - a moral for everyone
Youre the only one... youre an...
Ark-angel
Do you dream about me too
Ark-angel
When I dream I dream of you
Ark-angel
But could I change this world for you
Ark-angel
Then fly... then fly... fly...
song performed by by Abc
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Alliance of Poetry and Science
Poetry and Science don’t always
Appear to marry very well
But there are times
Amid these rhymes
When similar stories they tell
Science supports the quite Poetic view
I am both like and different from you
Though we hail from a like molecular start
Differences arise to set us apart
Poetry and Science do keep
Some common goals in mind
Both delving into the deep
While seeking to aid mankind
By examination of life’s glory
Both illuminate the human story
Scientists do quite logically rely
On observations of scientific eye
Poetry and Prose are much different art
Better envisioned when aided by the heart
Poets need not ever argue with Science
Nor should those of Science forgo reliance
On the value of the views brought
By what Poetry has wrought
If something at length be True
Such Truth will be valid then
No matter latter have you
Proved it by Science or Pen
poem by Mary Havran
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Love Science
Ive been around the world, Im going around again
I got a new word up, gonna lay it on my friends
Im still too young, Ive got these emotions in my blood
But when I grow up, gonna be a scientist of love
Working on, love science
Got to know, love science
Show the world, love science
How to be a scientist of love
Tell my friends, love science
Take a chance, love science
Give it up, love science
Im a scientist of love
Feel the power, love science
Study hard, love science
Know the truth, love science
Be a scientist of love
Choose a plan, love science
Pick em up, put em down, love science
Bring it on home, love science
Got to be a scientist of love
Hey you!
Sometimes you get screwed up, and youre looking for a cure
But you dont want to see just another amateur
I know the kind of expert you must be thinking of
Go out and find yourself a scientist of love
Some say that loves a game, a random circumstance
Im not the type to leave that kind of thing to chance
You might sit back and wait, but Im taking off the gloves
Im gonna crack this case like a scientist of love
1, 2, 3!
If loves what we want, if loves what we need
Why cant we make love from suspicion and greed?
If loves what we want, if loves what we need
Why cant we make love?
Ive got no time to waste just waiting for the bus
This is the place, the space to get down and serious
School is in, the lab is open for research
I do declare that love is a walking, talking church
Ive got to quell the beast, be a credit to my sex
Ive got to give at least as much as I expect
Cant get no rest til I discover what I need
Gotta start somewhere, that why I believe, believe, believe
Believe the word, love science
Party down, love science
Thinking hard, love science
How to be a scientist of love
Place to place, love science
Hour to hour, love science
Cant hold back, love science
Got to be a scientist of love
Sexy girl, love science
Manish boy, love science
Take the course, love science
And be a scientist of love
In your face, love science
Outer space, love science
Heres a taste, love science
Got to be a scientist of love
If loves what we want, if loves what we need
Why cant we make love in a love factory?
If loves what we want, if loves what we need
Why cant we make love?
song performed by by Todd Rundgren
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Pity Of Merworld!
In the water world mermaids and mermen live
Romantic life man and woman could not imagine!
Without knowing the value of romance world men
For short time gain destroyed the land by pollution!
After the whole habitat of man has become water world
Merworld feels pity for men and women for their loss!
Mermen and mermaids so search for littered lands available
For remaining humans to survive in romance at least now!
Relinquishing natural life man boasted himself of materialism
And material life deprived him of romantic life to tragedy!
The freedom enjoyed by beasts, birds and fish he lacked long
By destroying all species in exploitation of natural resources!
Instead of following 'live and let live' he followed 'live and let die'
Policy leading him to hell rather than heaven he dreamt long!
poem by Ramesh T A
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How I Became Known As Dodgy Dave
From time to time people ask me
how I got the name Dodgy Dave
and why I take no offence at it.
The story starts about six or seven years ago
when I joined a Western Re-Enactment Society.
I went to help build a western town
that eventually became know as Deadwood.
As the date for near completion came
the only building left to be finished was the Church.
The original builders had left it only half built.
The owner of the farm
on which the town is built
wanted it finished for our grand opening day.
Someone suggested that because of all the help,
I had given, why I don’t take it on
and they would help me finish it,
but I needed a town name
that would go along with the building,
I thought for a moment and then said
what about Reverend Mr Black
after the old Kingston Trio song.
So for a couple of years
I became known as Rev. Mr Black.
Two of my friends Buck and Caroline
(better know to one and all as Caz)
were planning their wedding.
They were going to have an official ceremony
on the Friday and on the Saturday;
they were to have another wedding in the town.
They asked if I would marry them in the town ceremony.
I told them I would be honoured.
Caz then went around telling everyone,
family and friends
that Dodgy Dave the vicar was going to marry them,
but he isn’t dodgy,
it’s just my pet name for him.
Soon everybody started calling me Dodgy Dave.
However, with every nice story
somehow sadness always intervenes.
Six weeks before their wedding,
this pretty woman who had renamed me Dodgy Dave
died at the tender age of thirty.
We held a wake for her in the town
on the day she and Buck were to marry.
It was a sad affair,
but her memory remains with me
every time someone calls me Dodgy Dave.
There are so many memories attached to that name.
It was never given out of malice,
but out of friendship sincere.
Now the name Dodgy Dave
has become very dear to me.
I use it all the time,
because when I do it reminds me
of the young woman with fair hair
whose friendship I treasured so
and I never want to let the memory of her go.
So there you have it
the story behind the christening
of me to Dodgy Dave
11 March 2008
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bottom Of The Reef (Nonsense Poem)
Way down under, the sea
the octopus danced with the squid
to the tune the mermaids played
I wanna play house with you.
The shark and the whale danced too,
everyone was having fun
as the mermaids played at the reef dance hall.
Opposites connect in funny ways
and the party was in full swing
when old Neptune swam in.
He grabbed Mrs Crab
and danced the boogie-woogie
as the mermaids played
I wanna play house with you.
As far as I know,
the mermaids are still playing
at the bottom of the reef
to everyone feeling lonely.
26 March 2011
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sonnet- Science and Poetry
When Science has made some men to walk on Moon,
A probe to Mars that brings samples of soil;
When Satellites predict the weather soon,
Man's achievements, occurs in fields by toil.
With success, man has mapped almost all Genes,
And shifts mountains to dam any River;
Constructing anything thro' compu-means,
Why should he walk with bow, arrows, quiver?
What is the use of Greek mythology now?
Science-fictions most are all reality.
To God's creation, men all must sure bow;
In accordance must be my Poetry.
A man of Science flies high today with wings,
Spirit over bodies shall now be Kings.
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Telling Stories
There is fiction in the space between
The lines on your page of memories
Write it down but it doesnt mean
Youre not just telling stories
There is fiction in the space between
You and me
There is fiction in the space between
You and reality
You will do and say anything
To make your everyday life
Seem less mundane
There is fiction in the space between
You and me
Theres a science fiction in the space between
You and me
A fabrication of a grand scheme
Where I am the scary monster
I eat the city and as I leave the scene
In my spaceship I am laughing
In your remembrance of your bad dream
Theres no one but you standing
Leave the pity and the blame
For the ones who do not speak
You write the words to get respect and compassion
And for posterity
You write the words and make believe
There is truth in the space between
There is fiction in the space between
You and everybody
Give us all what we need
Give us one more sad sordid story
But in the fiction of the space between
Sometimes a lie is the best thing
Sometimes a lie is the best thing
song performed by by Tracy Chapman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Being human has its side effects (read the small print)
Where are the great myths of our age –
hiding truth within their all too human stories?
In their absence, scientific research
has wondrous tales yet to tell…
Jon, the renowned professor of psychology
and not averse to self-examination and experiment,
took Paxil – Prozac’s cousin – for eight
adventurous weeks.
In week five – ‘the world changed’…
his heavy work load, his insecurities
as an untenured professor,
vanished like magic; changes which he’d wished
to make for himself for years,
happened overnight – he loosened up,
he lightened up, he accepted his mistakes
and did not dwell on them –
who would not want to be a Prof like he?
But… a side effect: names began to elude him –
‘Hi! ’ and ‘Hi there! ’ were all his students got
out on campus, in the morning classroom …
and along with that, the subterfuges –
how can you ask a student whom you’ve known for years
to give their opinion… er, point, smile,
hope they’re watching.. yes, you…
and facts too started to recede –
just out of reach on the top shelf of
the mind’s rich library, memory’s repository…
Greek tragedy would have a word,
a scene, a moral, for it:
the Fates had claimed their own…
Nemesis had struck; Icarus’ wings had melted,
Prometheus’ insult to the gods avenged…
or in our scientific terms, a brain on Paxil, Prozac,
has more serotonin in certain synapses,
so the neurons fire more often…
The celebrated young Professor
stopped taking the pills; five weeks later,
the memory returned; as did the worries
(security of tenure threatened even more
by Professors who can’t even remember
what they profess to profess…) .
Mnemosyne, goddess of memory,
bestowed one gift alone on Prof:
he remembered just how he had been those weeks;
as certain Greeks, it’s said,
remembered like a dream
the Golden Age which they never
might recapture, but only tell of
in myths and suchlike tales
of truth and goodness; beauty too..
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Heavens In Here
Baby I dream between the blade and the tongue
Of the rose on your cheek the wounded and dumb
We stumble and fall we stumble and fall
Skin on skin but theres heaven in
Heavens in here
Heavens in her
Among the twilight and star
Like a rocket to mars
Heaven in here
The first and the last are telling it all
Telling you loud but selling it small
Im taking a swing at this shadow of mine
Crucifix hangs an my hearts in my mouth
But its here
Heavens in here
Heavens in her
Among the twilight and stars
Like a rocket to mars
Heavens in here
Feeling it wanting
Mm mm m
Heaven in
Heaven lies between your marbled thighs
The rustle of your falling gown
We stumble and fall like tragedy falls
We stumble and twirl theres heaven in here
We stumble and fall uncertain we fall
Theres flesh on flesh but theres heaven in
Heavens in here
Heavens in here
Heavens in here
Among the twilight and stars
Like a rocket to mars
Heavens in here
Youll dance to my tongue
Well dance on the sun
Were the twilight and stars
And theres heaven in here
Heaven
song performed by by David Bowie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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One of my complaints is that you've got far more scientists than ever before but the pace of discovery has not increased. Why? Because they're all busy just filling in the details of what they think is the standard story. And the youngsters, the people with different ideas have just as big a fight as ever and normally it takes decades for science to correct itself. But science does correct itself and that's the reason why science is such a glorious thing for our species.
quote by Nigel Calder
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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the recent fall of Icarus
i was busy talking to you
about poetry and too sad
we did not bother listening
to the recent fall of Icarus
what i heard later was that
Icarus did not die
He is alive and so thankful
of his melted wax wings
the radar did not detect him
and so here he is knocking
at my door
asking for a little time
to be with us in this
safe house
it was his father who was shot
because he was
shouting.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Landscape With The Fall Of Icarus
According to Brueghel
when Icarus fell
it was spring
a farmer was ploughing
his field
the whole pageantry
of the year was
awake tingling
near
the edge of the sea
concerned
with itself
sweating in the sun
that melted
the wings' wax
unsignificantly
off the coast
there was
a splash quite unnoticed
this was
Icarus drowning
poem by William Carlos Williams
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Falling Down
Where does the time go
Spinning my wheels
Standing still
Its like running on ice
I only gain a little distance when I fall
How did I become a molecule
In the concrete of this city
Indifferent to my endless motion
In a space too small to see
Nonetheless expected to be
I only get a little attention when I fall
Chorus:
And Im falling
Falling down
Falling
Falling down
Cursed with reason
In a world so defiant
Without conclusion
This is the story
The story we live out
And it is the moral too
Look at me Im falling for you
Shaking, crying
Hating lying to myself
Im tired of telling myself its ok
To be this tired
This sick and tired of the turns the world takes
And the people that it makes us be
And lately it appears to me that
Chorus
Im falling down...
song performed by by Vertical Horizon
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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