En.Citatepedia^®.ro

0144 Clickety

Clickety.

The old-fashioned slide machine you thought that
you'd abandoned long ago
suddenly goes clickety out of nowhere, and throws up
an image you didn't particularly want
to remember. And you wonder why
it's still there, and why now, and why then?

I was cast as the visiting celeb in Midsville, when
all I wanted was to drink it all in
without being anything except
a privileged observer, fly on the wall, tourist with a visa. No dice. So
I had to do the things that go with a paid ticket which
they don't tell you with the invite -
I had to meet the local press and TV. That was
part of the deal. I felt that
the egos, maybe even careers of others
depended on my unscripted performance. Who was
this stranger in the town? Who was I, for that matter?
What part was I to play? Uncomfortable.

Was it a small town in big America,
or a big town in small America,
big-town aspirations in small-town minds?
Money lurked behind culture;
oil wells jigged in rural fields;
that was uncomfortable in itself;
I was sponsored; that seemed to be significant;
I felt I'd left one class structure for another,
the same differences, a different sameness.

We lunched at the local exec's club, I guess:
black professional staff crisp in white,
well-scrubbed smart white students
also in black and white. Silver service, impeccable;
aspiration I'd not met before in my previous laid-back world.

Then I saw her - the press.
I'd never considered the phrase, 'bandbox-fresh' - but
she could have walked straight onto the set
of Meet Me in St Louis, and her make-up girl
and costume designer would have been looking on proudly;
I guess she wrote the social column.
She interviewed me. I doubt it got printed. I had the feeling
that whatever she was looking for, I didn't have it. But what was it?
All I wanted was to love America. Just that.

Other people's everyday lives; my American Moment.
A frozen slide in the forgotten film of life; and
I'm none the wiser.

Clickety.

poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Small Town

Well I was born in a small town
And I live in a small town
Probly die in a small town
Oh, those small communities
All my friends are so small town
My parents live in the same small town
My job is so small town
Provides little opportunity
Educated in a small town
Taught the fear of jesus in a small town
Used to daydream in that small town
Another boring romantic thats me
But Ive seen it all in a small town
Had myself a ball in a small town
Married an l.a. doll and brought her to this small town
Now shes small town just like me
No I cannot forget where it is that I come from
I cannot forget the people who love me
Yeah, I can be myself here in this small town
And people let me be just what I want to be
Got nothing against a big town
Still hayseed enough to say
Look whos in the big town
But my bed is in a small town
Oh, and thats good enough for me
Well I was born in a small town
And I can breathe in a small town
Gonna die in this small town
And thats probly where theyll bury me

song performed by by John Mellencamp
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Our Small Town

Love going for walks around town
A small town a holler from the big city
The many old building lining the main street
Which by the way isn't main street that's a block away
From the small library to the high school a jot to get to
The sidewalks resemble the old boardwalks from yesteryear
The shops vary as the street winds to the highway
The country air blows thru the street full of manure
Good ole air, they say around here
The small diner with the local farmers dwell at
Talking of this year's events from farming to politics
The ladies at the sew shop talking gossip
It's amazing how time don't change as years pass
Every year the town picnic to the 4th July jamboree
To the harvest dance and everything in between
Small town people living the old time ways
Wishing every town was as good as it
Walking thru saying hey to neighbors all around
Can make everyday a good day
Seeing people in the park enjoying the kids play
The banner welcoming you to our small town
Small town America, loving it, living it

poem by Michael Peterson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Smalltown

When youre growing up in a small town
When youre growing up in a small town
When youre growing up in a small town
You say, no one famous ever came from here
When youre growing up in a small town
And youre having a nervous breakdown
And you think that youll never escape it
Yourself or the place that you live
Where did picasso come from
Theres no michelangelo coming from pittsburgh
If art is the tip of the iceberg
Im the part sinking below
When youre growing up in a small town
Bad skin, bad eyes, gay and fatty
People look at you funny
When youre in a small town
My father worked in construction
Its not something for which Im suited
Oh, what is something for which you are suited
Getting out of here
I hate being odd in a small town
If they stare let them stare in new york city
As this pink eyed painting albino
How far can my fantasy go
Im no dali coming from pittsburgh
No adorable lisping capote
My hero, oh, do you think I could meet him
Id camp out at his front door
There is only one good thing about small town
There is only one good use for a small town
There is only one good thing about small town
You know that you want to get out
When youre growing up in a small town
You know youll grow down in a small town
There is only one good use for a small town
You hate it and youll know you have to leave

song performed by by Lou Reed
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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America Town

I know I should be happy in your land
It's not all that wild to me
Not that I want to be any other where
I know its hell out there

Here in the borders of America Town
All of the dollies are spinning round and round
Hail to the chief
Lets just drag them all down
There's got to be a hero somewhere

Used to get annoyed at the fire and the flag
Now it just seems old to me
(Everyone is old to me)

And I know we'd kick your ass
But first I'll take a nap tonight
And know someone's looking out for me

Here in the borders of America Town
All of the dollies are spinning round and round
Hail to the chief
Lets just drag them all down
There's got to be a hero somewhere

I tried it
I've seen it
I bought it all

Not that I'm upset
I can still make my bet on the basketball game
And I got my spare change
I'm even O.K. with the hoodlums on the hill
They're in my will
Like her and you
Whom and who
In America Town
We all spin around
In America Town
I'm really not down:
We all spin around
In America Town
America Town
America Town

song performed by by Five For Fighting from America Town
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Stranger In My Own Town

J. spinks, t. lewis
I still remember what I saw last night
Three small kids stealing money from a poor man
Now that aint right - no that aint right
Im still thinking bout the things I heard
Poor old man - he was frightened and afraid of every word
- and its all so absurd
But times are changing now an d I still care
There must be something we can do out there
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
I keep on walkin through these run down streets
Graffiti walls - this aint nothing like it used to be
Not for you or for me
This towns never been so down before
Looks like a photograph - someone mighta taken in
The second world war
Oh but what was that for
So many people gave their lives for this
Theres nothing left for us to reminisce
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
When those sad days were over
Im sure they all thought that weld won
But now as I look around
Were still invaded by everyone
Things wont ever be the same again
Ive not lost a town - Ive lost my only friend
Oh but where does it end
Well never change these times with good intent
But right now I know I dont feel content
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
Im like a stranger in my own town baby

song performed by by Outfield
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Small Town Girl

(arnold goland / aaron. h. schroeder)
Am I just a small town girl
With big town dreams
That wont come true?
Thinking everything that means anything to me
Means something to you, too?
Am I just a small town girl?
Hey, big town boy
Dont let me down
You know I got it real bad
I gotta make good somehow
cause thats all theyre saying now
(shes a small town girl with big town dreams)
(big town dreams that never will come true)
Yeah, Im just a small town girl with big town dreams
But, just you wait
Ill make em all come true, yes I will
Oh, take this little small town girl, yeah
In your arms and hold her tight
Make her life start tonight, yeah, yeah, yeah
Come on and take this little small town girl
With big town dreams that wont come true
Come on and make her dreams
cause she loves you
Come on now, big town boy
Come on, dont let her down
You gotta fill my heart
You gotta

song performed by by Dusty Springfield
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Her Town Too

Shes been afraid to go out
Shes afraid of the knock on her door
Theres always a shade of a doubt
She can never be sure
Who comes to call
Maybe the friend of a friend of a friend
Anyone at all
Anything but nothing again
It used to be her town
It used to be her town, too
It used to be her town
It used to be her town, too
Seems like even her old girlfriends
Might be talking her down
Shes got her name on the grapevine
Running up and down
The telephone line
Talking bout
Someone said, someone said
Something bout, something else
Someone might have said about her
She always figured that they were her friends
But maybe they can live without her
It used to be her town
It used to be her town, too
It used to be her town
It used to be her town, too
Well, people got used to seeing them both together
But now hes gone and life goes on
Nothing lasts forever, oh no
She gets the house and the garden
He gets the boys in the band
Some of them his friends
Some of them her friends
Some of them understand
Lord knows that this is just a small town city
Yes, and everyone can see you fall
Its got nothing to do with pity
I just wanted to give you a call
It used to be your town
It used to be my town, too
You never know till it all falls down
Somebody loves you
Somebody loves you
Darling, somebody still loves you
I can still remember
When it used to be her town, too
It used to be your town
It used to be my town, too

song performed by by James Taylor
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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White Shoes

(jack tempchin)
I want em, I need em
And Im gonna go out and get em
White shoes
I know Ill feel better
When I slide down into the leather
White shoes
White shoes ... woah, oh, oh... white shoes
White shoes ... woah, oh, oh... white shoes
I woke up from a dream
When I saw em in a magazine
White shoes
I said lou you gotta start new
And the first thing you gotta do
Is get some white shoes
White shoes ... woah, oh, oh... white shoes
White shoes ... woah, oh, oh... white shoes
You know he left me with the lonesome blues
Been hangin round too long with nothin to do
Yeah, he really made me pay those dues
But Im goin out on the town tonight in
White shoes
Well, I wanted em, I needed em
Yeah, and I went out and got em
White shoes
That new boy when I see him
Im gonna walk right up and meet him in
White shoes
White shoes ... woah, oh, oh... white shoes
White shoes
Im goin out on the town tonight
White shoes ... woah, oh, oh... white shoes
White shoes ... woah, oh, oh... white shoes

song performed by by Emmylou Harris
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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White Town

Its midnight down in sector two
Little girl walkin dressed in innocence and cool
Only fourteen and dressed up for the score
Hold that breath now boy, he(? )
She dances, baby, to the beat
Of breaking glass and running feet
Down in white town
Down in white town
Down in white town
Oh, she comes home from work and grabs something to eat
Turn the corner and walks down her street
In a row of houses, chic, shiny and dirty and grey
Disappears like the scenery in another mans play
And as she dances, oh, to the beat
Oh the trooper stickin dresses for the number on the sheet
Down in white town
Down in white town
Down in white town
Down in white town
Yeah, mr. outside, youre walkin so free
If you turn your eyes so you dont see
You act like youre the hand turns the key
And you become the hand that turns the key
And no matter how I try I cannot understand
The way that they will turn a man
Into a stranger in his own land
Down in white town
(repeat to fade)

song performed by by Bruce Springsteen
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Her Town Too

Shes been afraid to go out
Shes afraid of a knock on her door
Theres always a shade of a doubt
She can never be sure
Who comes to call
Maybe the friend of a friend of a friend
Anyone at all
Anything but nothing again
It used to be her town
It used to be her town too
It used to be her town
It used to be her town too
Seems like even her old girlfriends
Might be talking her down
Shes got her name on the grapevine
Running up and down the telephone line
Talking bout someone said someone said
Something bout something else
Someone might have said about her
She always figured that they were her friends
Maybe they can live without her
It used to be her town
It used to be her town too
It used to be her town
It used to be her town too
Well peopled gotten used to seeing them both together
But now shes gone and life goes on
Nothing last forever
Oh no
She gets the house and the garden
He gets the boys in the band
Some of them his friends
Some of them her friends
Some of them understand
Lord knows that this is just a small town city
Yes and everyone can see you fall
Its got nothing to do with pity
I just wanted to give you a call
It used to be your town
It used to be my town too
But you never know til it all falls down
That somebody loves you
Somebody loves you
Darling somebody still loves you
I can still remember
When it used to be her town too
It used to be your town
It used to be my town too
Ah but you never know til it all falls down
That somebody loves you
Somebody loves you

song performed by by Indigo Girls
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Somewhere In America

J. spinks
Just play the game and throw the dice
You might not win but you cant lose tonight
Just watch this fairy tale unfold
You wont believe all the things youve been told
Young or old
Somewhere in america
Somewhere in america tonight
Another town another place
Another name but you dont know the face
A joker deals and makes the rules
A game of chance a game that was made for fools
Like me and you
Somewhere in america
Somewhere in america tonight
Tonight
Dont wave a flag unless its white
Dont make a noise unless youre prepared to fight
Wrong or right
Somewhere in america
Somewhere in america tonight
Somewhere in america
Somewhere in america tonight

song performed by by Outfield
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Ghost Town

This town is becoming like a ghost town;
Many of our local shops are closing down.
Once upon a time, this town was really hopping,
But now people go elsewhere for their shopping.

The life from our town has been sucked out,
And nowadays there is hardly anyone about.
Local people go to other towns and cities:
That it has ended up this way, is a real pity.

The town's population is rapidly growing,
But trade in our shops is rapidly slowing.
Many units stand empty for years and years:
Owners found the rents were just way too dear.

We need some life breathed back into town;
We need to turn this situation back around.
Of help for new businesses, we need much more,
So that our town can be the place it was before.

poem by Angela Wybrow
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Boys Are Back In Town

Guess who just got back today
Them wildout boys, that'd been away
Haven't changed, had much to say
But man I still think them cats are great
They were asking if you were around
How you was, where you could be found
Told them you were living downtown
Driving all the old men crazy
The Boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
(I Said) The boys are back in town
The boys are back in town
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
You know that chic who used to dance a lot?
Every night she'd be on the floor, shaken what she got
Man when I tell you she was cool she was red hot
I mean she was steamin'
And that time over at Johnny's place
When this chic got up and slapped Johnny's face
Man we just fell about the place
What that chic don't wanna know forget 'er
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
(I said) The boys are back in town
The boys are back in town
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
Spread the word around
Guess who's back in town
You spread the word around
Friday night they'll be dressed to kill
Down at Dino's bar and grill
The drinks will flow and blood would spill
If the boys wanna fight you better let 'em
That kid rocks down at the corner blasting out my favourite song
The nights are getting warmer and won't be long
Wont be long till the summer comes
Now that the boys are here again
The boys are back in town (the boys are back in town)
The boys are back in town (the boys are back in town)
The boys are back in town (the boys are back in town)
(Spread the word around)
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
(The boys are back, the boys are back)
The boys are back in town again
They're hanging out at Dino's
The boys are back in town again

song performed by by Thin Lizzy
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Cheap Seats

Cheap seats
This town aint big, this town aint small.
Its a little of both they say.
Our ball club may be minor league but at least its triple a.
We sit below the marlboro man, above the right field wall.
We do the wave all by ourself.
Hey ump, a blind man couldve made that call.
Chorus
We like our beer flat as can be.
We like our dogs with mustard and relish.
We got a great pitcher whats his name.
Well we cant even spell it.
We dont worry about the pennant much.
We just like to see the boys hit it deep.
Theres nothing like the view from the cheap seats.
The game was close, well call it a win.
Go off to toast the boys again.
That local band is back in town.
They got a kinda minor league sound.
Theyre not that bad, theyre not that good.
But all in all its understood.
We wanna dance, they wanna play.
We wouldnt have it any other way.
Chorus
Cheap seats
Now the majors called up oh whats his name.
And one more buildin rises tall.
And suddenly were all grown up.
And this old town not quite so small.
But Ill always miss the middle size town.
In the middle of the middle-west.
With no name pitchers and local bands,
And mustard and relish and all the rest.
Chorus
Cheap seats

song performed by by Alabama
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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He Feels The Time Is Ripe

Where many do live for local renown
The ageing fringe dweller in the old country town
Has never played football with the local club
And always drinks on his own when he is in the pub.

Since he does not talk about the local club's latest loss or win
He remains an outsider and does not fit in
Though he has lived here for ten years as an outsider he remain
The status of a local he has yet to attain.

He feels a decade of his life enough to have spent here
He will move to the bigger town early next year
This not a town for one such as he an artist and a talented man
More suited to a footballer or a football fan.

In the old country town he does not have a friend
And his stay in the place is coming to an end
In his early to mid fifties his best days long gone
And he feels the time is ripe for him to move on.

poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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How Long?

Its five oclock
In the afternoon
Somebodys playing
A sixties tune on the radio
A lazy wind tumbles
Down the street
It shakes the dust up
With the summer heat
Where the people go...
In fancy town
Where nothings real
They dont consider
What you feel
In fancy town
Its black & white
They close their minds
They say
Wrong is right
How long
Will your love
Hold on
To stay strong enough
In fancy town
The attitude
Could strip you bare
Like frozen food
A ship of fools
In a crazy choir
Is gonna take you home
And light your fire
In fancy town
Where nothings real
They dont consider
What you feel
In fancy town
Its black & white
They close their minds
They say
Wrong is right
How long
Will your love
Hold on
To stay strong enough
A deck of cards
In perfect black
Like cold cement
On the pavement cracks
Where lovers steal
And beg for time
And doctors sign
On the dotted line...

song performed by by Eurythmics
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Twirl

(kinky friedman)
Just a small-town girl
Till you learned to twirl
Then you set the world on fire
Like a drive-in cinderella
In a chevy named desire
So leave your teddy-bear
At the county fair,
Honey, hollywoods on the phone,
For a small-town girl
From a small-town world
Youre a long, long way from home.
They say that dreams come true in indiana
That momma loves you up in abilene,
And if you wish upon a star in texarkana
Some day you may be a twirling queen.
Just a small-town girl
Till you learned to twirl
Then you set the world on fire
Like a drive-in cinderella
In a chevy named desire
So leave your teddy-bear
At the county fair,
Honey, hollywoods on the phone,
For a small-town girl
From a small-town world
Youre a long, long way from home.
Then you turned around and yesterday was over,
Childhoods like some long lost lullabye
Way back when all the pearls were in the ocean,
Way back when all the stars were in the sky.
Just a small-town girl
Till you learned to twirl
Then you set the world on fire
Like a drive-in cinderella
In a chevy named desire
So leave your teddy-bear
At the county fair,
Honey, hollywoods on the phone,
For a small-town girl
From a small-town world
Youre a long, long way from home.
Just a small-town girl
Till you learned to twirl
Then you set the world on fire
Like a drive-in cinderella
In a chevy named desire
So leave your teddy-bear
At the county fair,
Honey, hollywoods on the phone,
For a small-town girl
From a small-town world
Youre a long, long way from home.
For a small-town girl
From a small-town world
Youre a long, long way from home.

song performed by by Kinky Friedman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Jerusalem Tomorrow

Man you should have seen me way back then
I could tell a tale, I could make a spin
I could tell you black was white I could tell you day was night
Not only that I could tell you why
Back then I could really tel a lie
Well I'd hire a kid to say he was lame
Then I'd touch him and make him walk again
Then I'd pull some magic trick I'd pretend to heal the sick
I was takin' everything they had to give
It wasn't all that bad a way to live
Well I'm in this desert town and it's hot as hell
But no one's buyin' what I got to sell
I make my lame kid walk I make a dumb guy talk
I'm preachin' up a storm both night and day
But everyone just turns and walks away
Well I can see that I'm only wasting time
So I head across the road to drink some wine
This old man comes up to me He says I seen you on the street
You're pretty good if I do say myself
But the guy that come thru here last month he was somethin' else
Instead of callin' out for fire from above
He just gets real quiet and talks about love
And I'll tell you somethin' funny He didn't want nobody's money
Now I'm not exactly sure what this all means
But it's the damndest thing I swear I've ever seen
Well since that time every town is the same
I can't make a dime, I don't know why I came
I decide I'll go and find him And find out who's behind him
He has everyone convinced that he's for real
Well I figure we can work us out a deal
So he offers me a job and I say fine
He says I'll get paid off on down the line
Well I guess I'll string along Don't see how too much can go wrong
As long as he pays my way I guess I'll follow
We're headed for Jerusalem tomorrow

song performed by by Emmylou Harris
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Just An Ordinary Fellow

His life revolves around work his mates and football
But his wife and children he seldom does talk of at all
Each evening after work he calls to the pub
Or else to the bar-room of the Football Club.

In his early to mid thirties he is well liked in the town
To have kicked five goals in the local Grand Final is his one claim to renown
And though his team did not win the flag he earned his local fame
With a best on ground display on a beaten side he made for himself a name.

His wife takes care of the children a boy of four and a girl of three
She is not well known in the town few as down to earth as she
So different from her husband she's never seen at the pub
And she is not a member of any local club.

He is a well liked character and in the town well known
And the local people say of him he is one of our own
Not a bad husband and father though better than him not hard to find
Just an ordinary fellow in his own way he is kind.

poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Life In A Small Town

No one would have guessed
Things would end up this way
Living in a small town
Everyone should have known

But to the town’s surprise
They never suspected this
There was no warning to be had
And no warning to be taken

But now there will be stories
Told in the halls of school
And in the pews of church
About a girl gone wrong

She lived a modest life
Attending all the social events
Including the pasture parties
But never being invited to one

Nobody noticed her
She was just another face
That rotated around
Drinking and socializing

But they should have known
The quietest are the worst
Hiding everything
And never letting anyone in

Then there was one day
That changed things
And no matter what they say
They should have known

She took her list of names
And read them loud and clear
In front of the school board
On just who were having affairs

But it didn’t stop at that
She walked up to those
Who called her stupid
And let them have it

She named every misstep
Causing disarray in the town
Breaking infallible hearts
And freeing captured ones

In a town proud of family
Barely a soul is left
From the disillusions
That had been caused

But for those left behind
There is lesson learned
One should not judge
For the audience may be me

poem by C.R. Ebowski
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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