The un-ked
Words are like unicorns –
come from nowhere
without any one’s permission or request
because there’s a need for them.
Whose painful, sudden, desolate need
called this word to be?
Market gardeners pushed further out of towns,
their customers now too far a wagon-ride away;
sheepherds too, pushed further out of valleys
to the barren windswept hills;
refugees from starving lands across the sea;
the many orphans motherless from too many birthings,
childbirth fever, fatherless from cotton-lung;
all these knew what unked meant;
but they had lived with it;
it strikes with sudden, hope-drained emptiness
the comfortable, too, when they least expect it;
it can visit monks and other religious and devout,
praying in their solitary cell;
even parish priests about their rounds; or
princesses, put into cold storage
until that right dynastic husband is found;
princes, knowing that they one day must rule
after their hated father’s hated rule…
the Psalmist knew it strike his heart;
John of the Cross called it
the dark night of the soul; Rilke said,
leaning over the chasm of myself..
say the word, sound it, roll it round your mouth,
savour its sour aftertaste; live it for a moment.
What does it tell you?
A little like ‘unfed’ – and that they often were;
‘unshod’ – and that often, orphans were;
‘ked’ – a short word with the certainty
that it’s known exactly what it should be;
so when it's missing, we know just what's lost..
or maybe, just a curt, abrupt abbreviation
for ‘uncared for’… its suddenness
beyond all family and friends then, in that moment,
a desolation of the soul; no ease from god or man;
you’ll know it; or you won’t:
unked.
[a Lancashire dialect word, which Mrs Gaskell found invaluable]
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
The Orphan's Friend
Come all kind, good people,
With sympathizing hearts,
Come listen to a few kind words
A friend to you imparts.
Be kind to an orphan child,
And always be its friend,
You will be happy in this world,
And will be to the end.
Be kind to the motherless,
Little motherless ones,
For God will forever bless
You in this world to come.
No kind and loving mother
To soothe their little brow,
Be kind to them always, friends,
They have no mother now.
Be kind to the fatherless,
Wherever you may find
One little one that is friendless,
I pray you all be kind.
For it has no loving father,
To speak with mild reproof,
Or guide its youthful footsteps
In honesty and truth.
Be kind to the little orphans,
They have no parents dear;
Be kind to the little orphans,
Speak to them words of cheer,
Then they will always love you
For kind and gentle words,
Then God will ever bless you,
For He says so in His word.
poem by Julia A Moore
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Today... 'The Word
Word of love and the Word made flesh
Word incarnate forever blessed
Word of life and the Word of light
Word of power and Word of might.
Word that was spoken, Word of the Lord
Word of the Law and the Word of God
Word of peace and Word eternal
Word of truth and last Word of all.
Word of wisdom and the Word of healing
Word from heaven, a Word so appealing
Word fulfilling the Word of prophecy
Word of the Spirit and Word of destiny.
Word of exhortation and Word of grace
Word of encouragement and Word of faith
Word of promise and a Word of insight
Word from the beginning and Word of delight.
Word of knowledge and a Word of boldness
Word of peace and the Word of righteousness
Word of the covenant and Word of love
Word of the Father from heaven above.
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box)
Words
So many words are there in our speech,
they can be very poor, they can be rich.
No one can be indifferent to their meaning
as they are alive and express your feeling.
Spoken word is not just a sound,
it can’t be found on the ground,
it’s always in your head, sometimes in your soul.
When it is spoken it becomes a parole.
A word is an energy of your spirit,
it was presented to you by God, it’s His merit.
A word is a tool of communication,
A word is a source of information.
“A word spoken is past recalling”.
Strolling all around it can’t be found,
returned back and kept in your sack.
“The pen is mightier than the sword”,
that was told about a written word.
Words, words, words………………
They are love and seduction,
each one with a certain function.
They are wonders of sin
and songs of education.
They are salvation, temptation, affectation…
They can be an executioner,
they can be the owner of a whiner.
A word can be a treatment,
It helps when you are ill.
A kind word is better than a pill.
But…there are words that just kill.
They sound like a horrible drill.
Words, words, words…………
They are triumph and defeat,
They can be pleasant and sweet.
At the end of my message
I would like everyone to acknowledge:
Each word has a strength
and it doesn’t depend on its length.
So, think before saying a word,
as it is quite well heard even by walls,
it touches someone’s soul,
it shouldn’t be a wicked foul.
“Better the foot to slip than the tongue”.
And… there is no exception for the young.
Larisa R (Odessa, Ukraine)
poem by Larisa Rzhepishevska
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Word
Find the word, understand the word,
Depend on the word;
The word is heaven and space, the word the earth,
The word the universe.
The word is in our ears, the word is on our tongues,
The word the idol.
The word is the holy book, the word is harmony,
The word is music.
The word is magic, the word the Guru.
The word is the body, the word is the spirit, the word is being,
The word Not-being.
The word is man, the word is woman,
The Worshipped Great.
The word is the seen and unseen, the word is the existent
And the non-existent.
Know the word, says Kabir,
The word is All-powerful.
The Signs Of God
They all went to their houses of worship that day
And to GOD they did pray.
Every disaster known to man
Was hitting each and every land.
People finding their lands under water
Ravaging winds, and civil disorders.
Food supplies down so low
And they had no place to go.
Stores all torn to the ground
Family and friends no where s to be found.
People being pushed to the ground
Lives being trampled and screams abound.
Panic in every nation, coping with these devastations.
People were losing hope and becoming in doubt
As to what this was all about.
Then from the church pews someone started to holler.
Most say that you are a merciful GOD
And others say you are quick to anger.
We as mere mortal men can not say
What’s in your heart day to day.
I tend to believe that you are merciful
For why would you create us in your own image
And send down your begotten son
If there was no hope for anyone?
These I know are signs from you
But you must tell us just what to do.
Is it that our fellow man
Refuses to give a helping hand
And you’ve finally taken your stand.
Not a sound or a word was heard
Just the fluttering of the wings of a bird.
All the eyes looked up to the rafters
This was the sign that they was after.
The cross of CHRIST was all aglow
Why this happened they did not know.
As fast as it appeared, it disappeared
And in their hearts they all knew
Exactly what they had to do.
So like the apostles on they went
For the feelings they had was heaven sent.
they had to spread the word of GOD
To everyone near and far.
They knew that this world needed prayer
And this love they had to share.
poem by Louis Rams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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My Heart Stood Still
I laughed at sweethearts
I met at schools
All indiscreet hearts
Seemed romantic fools
A house in Iceland
Was my heart's domain
I saw your eyes
Now castles rise in Spain!
I took one look at you
That's all I meant to do
And then my heart stood still
My feet could step and walk
My lips could move and talk
And yet my heart stood still
Though not a single word was spoken
I could tell you knew
That unfelt clasp of hands
Told me so well you knew
I never lived at all
Until the thrill of that moment when
My heart stood still
Though not a single word was spoken
I could tell you knew
That unfelt clasp of hands
Told me so well you knew
I never lived at all
Until the thrill of that moment when
My heart stood still
All that moment when
My heart stood still
My heart stood still
My heart stood still
song performed by by Rod Stewart
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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to the One Beyond Words
i stand at the coldness of the night, counting the stars
believing that i can do it.
my mind had just closed
i stroll at the sea shore enjoying picking up some pebbles
of different sizes and colors.
oh! my eyes and my body
turn restless
i paint and picture beautiful places, feeling that my interest
would be the answer of my busy hour.
it gives me boredom
i walk in a little while, knowing that it would give a little space to
relax. i find nothing but a day of tiredness
and wonder what i really want
i partake the party, go with my friends, painting the town red, still the
emptiness within me keeps me wondering
i mingle with my friends in every social gathering, attending congressional services. it doesn't satisfy my
longing which i can't describe
in a very simple word
i look up again in the sky, believing that the answer to my inquiry,
my imagination, my question, my longing, my happiness, my anger
my hope, my blindness, my doubt and even to the
extent of asking why, i have lived this
crazy question of life
i have no reason why this precious inquiry i have would mean to me
for i know that no exact word or words can describe
the word which i want to feel. my heart searches all the fulfilling satisfaction of my soul. yet! confusion and nothing
has achieved as to what is life
at the end the emptiness of my soul reveals that it is beyond words
is the answer of what is today. it is a moment of moments
the essence of our destiny, an existence that life
has to live to its fullnest
in this migthy words
poem by Antonio Liao
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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To Sara with love
Out of the blue it came for her and took away her young life.
She was their daughter, their sister, their mother, their wife
In one short moment she was gone,
He knew he would take her, he knew it all along.
Without a word, no word of warning,
Now her family left in grief and mourning.
And allthough seasons change, and death may sever,
Memories of her, will stay with them forever,
To sara with love, a lovely kind friend we shall miss deeply
night night x x x
poem by Nicola Burkett
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Not a word He said
Before the Sanhedrin You spoke no word
and from Your lips no sound was heard.
Silent like a mute not a word was said
as awayto the cross, Lord You were led.
Your lips were silent and there came no sound.
In Your defence nothing was to be found.
As a lamb before the shearer is dumb
so from Your lips not a word was to come.
Angels were waiting for your bidding, Lord.
Silently You stood and spoke not a word.
You could have summoned that great army Lord.
They were ready and waiting for one word.
Silent there before Your accusers, Lord.
To their amazement You said not a word.
Louder than thunder was Your silence Lord.
Much more powerful than the spoken word.
Those gathered there did not understand why
You kept Your silence and did not reply.
Then there on the cross Your silence You broke.
'Father forgive them' were the words You spoke
The Sound is One
The sound is one
The word is one
Sound and Word are one
Word and Sound are one
Each Sound has its own Word
And each Word
Has its own Sound,
If you know the Sound,
You know the Word
If you know one
You know the other…
Knowing is one
The knower is one,
To know is one, one knows,
One speaks and
One's Word calls one's Sound
The Sound calls the Word
And there is no answer but ONE…
©All Rights Reserved-2009
poem by Romeo Della Valle
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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I Still...
Who are you now?
Are you still the same
Or did you change somehow?
What do you do
At this very moment when I think of you?
And when I'm looking back
How we were young and stupid
Do you remember that?
Baby
No matter how I fight it
Can't deny it
Just can't let you go
I still need you
I still care about you
Though everything's been said and done
I still feel you
Like I'm right beside you
But still no word from you
Now that you're gone
Instead of moving on, I refuse to see
And I keep coming back
And I'm stuck in a moment
That wasn't meant to last (to last)
I try to fight it
Can't deny it
You don't even know
That I still need you
I still care about you
Though everything's been said and done
I still feel you
Like I'm right beside you
But still no word from you
Ohhhh
Wish I could find you
Just like I found you then
Ohhhhh (can't live without you)
Though everything's been said and done (yeah)
I still feel you (I still feel you)
Like I'm right beside you (like I'm right beside you)
But still no (still no word) word from you
song performed by by Backstreet Boys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Like a Freight Train Coming
I am a poet, writer and psalmist,
Thanks to the events of a wedding reception.
Those three titles have been added to my list,
And now I write like my life is almost done.
I receive inspiration from just about anything,
From memories of old and new.
Thoughts of friends and family to me do spring
To mind, and my hand has a lot of work to do.
However, there are times when I am empty,
I can't think of anything to write.
I try so hard, it almost frustrates me
When my poem mill is void, therefore adding to my plight.
But then, there I'll be, not even trying to write,
When all of a sudden, like a frieght train coming,
Like a bolt of lightning, inspiration strikes. So, right
Then and there, I grab my book, and words from me start humming.
A mile a minute, word after word appears,
My pen can barely keep up
With my heart as it bears
The words like wine filling my cup.
poem by Greg Oosterhouse
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On Ronald's 'they
'they' knew it,
and i like the word 'they'
sometimes
the comfort of 'they' settles
in our mind
but we are not really that
comfortable
at night the word 'they'
seeps in our minds
lies with us in our beds
and it keeps on
insisting about
us, this us that says
'we' and we always knew it
in silence
when the lovemaking
begins, we see
some other images
in our minds
because it is not
'they' not just 'they'
but 'we', yes 'we'
and they refuse
to use such word
because we know
poem by Antonio Liao
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Speak The Word
Unsettled hearts
Promise what they cant deliver
Bring me the wine
And the cold night air to clear my head
Gray matter memory house
Master of this trembling flesh
Steady still my doubts
Let me speak the word that precedes bliss
Let me speak the word
Let me speak the word
Love love love love love love love love
Let me speak the word
Let me speak the word
Love love love love love love love love
Let me speak the word
Let me speak the word
Let me speak the word
Let me speak the word
These weakened knees
Have not touched ground or pew in ages
I havent bowed my head
I offer thanks to any God or to ask for favors
But watch me now
Im falling down
Praying
To speak the word that precedes bliss
To speak the word
To speak the word
Love love love love love love love love
Let me speak the word
Let me speak the word
Love love love love love love love love
Let me speak the word
Let me speak the word
Let me speak the word
Let me speak the word
song performed by by Tracy Chapman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Love's winter
The ice was melting the day we met,
Melting somewhere north.
Your eyes be the colour of hope,
But hope was there and then.
And yes you really touched my soul,
Upon the hills so green.
And although me heart is colder still,
You live on in my dream.
So shut my mouth, erase my words,
My fragile mind did do.
And for some time, a short short time,
My life was mended too.
Among those hills i found my love,
I found my missing tune.
And through it all you were there,
You knew the final rune.
That completed the story of my life,
And tied it all to you.
But as we know no love can last,
Against nature's feud.
So the snow and ice of winters past,
Melted into rivers.
And flowing south they stole my love,
So now i cry alone.
poem by Anne Harkonen
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Fundamental of Liar Chapter LVII: Used
There’s no word ‘used’ with loneliness
There’s no word ‘used’ with boredom
There’s no word ‘used’ with pain
There’s no word ‘used’ with rejection
There’s no word ‘used’ with ignorance
There’s no word ‘used’ with guilty
There’s no word ‘used’ with sacrifice
There’s no word ‘used’ with problem
There’s no word ‘used’ with slavery
There’s no word ‘used’ with piracy
There’s no word ‘used’ with power
poem by Maria Sudibyo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Word life
Word word life life
word life life word.
Life has its own word
Word has its own life.
word life life word
Life life word word.
Are you ready to catch
The word in your life?
Has your word the strength
And power the bear the life?
Through the word
Is your life become happy?
Word word life life
Coining of words through life
Is the successful art
That is to cultvate.
You are here
I am here
Words are around us
Go and trace
Go go and crash.
poem by Gajanan Mishra
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Word Of Mouth
Ive been trying to get a message to you,
But the operator cant put me through,
Because the vandals went and wrecked all the telephones.
And all my enemies are spreading bad news,
You wont call me, thats why Im calling you,
To put you straight about the rumors theyre spreading about me back home.
I should have known, sooner or later,
Youd get the news, sooner or later,
The word of mouth will get right back to you.
Somehow we lost communication,
My only chance in my situation,
Is that the word of mouth gets my message through.
The word of mouth,
The word of mouth,
But who are they to say the things they do?
The word of mouth says that Ive gone insane,
That wine and women have affected my brain.
Well whos the big mouth spreading the news again?
The word of mouth says Im round the bend,
Its all over, this is the end.
Exaggeration sure gets the better of people who send[? ].
The word of mouth,
The word of mouth,
But who are they to say the things they do?
The word of mouth said I should be put in my place.
The word is out Im in disgrace -- a waste of space.
But if they say it, say it to my face.
People talking, trying to dig up the dirt,
There are so many lies around.
They spread their gossip and the rumors around this town.
Word of mouth, face to face,
My word of mouth has stated my case,
And Im saying Im coming back home to you.
You should have know sooner or later,
Youd get the news sooner or later,
The word of mouth will get right back to you.
The word of mouth,
Shut your mouth,
Shut your face!
song performed by by Kinks
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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This word...
This word is life,
this word is love,
this word is peace and this word makes you live it needs no complications.
So this is a word.
A word thats happines that word that lifts you up
its a word thats against all bad its a word that needs no piracy.
Its forgiving after you corrupted the word
this word is easy to call easy to spell easy to use easy to write even a dumbest pesom will spell it. Its useful
its artistic and intelligent
this
this
this word is powerful
make use of it
for it never turns its back on its word...
poem by Ernest Makuakua
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Never A Word
(GillanGloverPaiceMorseAirey)
Never a word, a word so true
Passed between us, me and you
Heard you found your pot of gold
That's the story I've been told
Never a word was said in vain
Some were never sad again
Some were lost in lovers' heat
Some lay fallen at our feet
All day all night
You and only you
All day all night
I think of you and only you
Never a word escaped my lips
Silenced by your fingertips
I kept my word, can you believe
All this time so hard to breathe
Hard to breathe
song performed by by Deep Purple
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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