0412 Their World
It's a sepia photograph, taken, I'm guessing,
1900,1910? The whole of it is taken up by
a crowd on the move, passing the photographer,
who could be, say, clinging to a lamp-post, or on a balcony.
Going to? Leaving? Impossible to tell.
Who's rich? Who's poor? No clue.
What's it got to tell you about - life?
Why go on looking at it? No reason
except that you're human; they were human; and
today, you wish, with increasing intensity,
to connect. In some way. Somewhere at the back of
uncomfortable mind, maybe, lurks the thought that one fine day,
you'll be that anonymous one in that anonymous crowd,
forever recorded - dead on the page;
by the irony of history, photographed
when you were sure that you were alive forever...
There's one chap in the crowd looking at the camera;
as the artist, in some Renaissance adoration, and
slightly aloof from the crowd's concern,
looks out of history at you the spectator - as if to say
I'm there; I'm here; and what of you?
But he's no artist; he's looking boldly at the camera,
a cigarette between his lips at 45 degrees from the vertical -
a cheeky angle you never see today; the equivalent, I guess,
of the V-sign at the camera, as some meaningless, cocky, lively,
spontaneous act of defiance -at what?
Now you can 't put the photo down.
It's like picking at a scab or
a joyless masturbation. It threatens - you threaten -
your sense of security; whatever that might be.
Every one of that crowd lived a valid life.
You'd like to be one of them - or would you?
Why aren't you filled with a joyous sense
of identity and compassion?
A selfish greed, perhaps, to know more than you ever can?
Maybe, one day, you'll pick up that photo once again
and greet them like old friends.
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Crowd
The Crowd
Artist: Roy Orbison (peak Billboard position # 26 in 1962)
Words and Music by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson
I go out with the crowd, I play the game
Pretending out loud but it don't seem the same
For the heart of the crowd is gone from sight
My part of the crowd is not with me tonight
I remember the prom, every dance with you
All the crazy things that we used to do
Sometimes we'd wait for a chance
And then we'd steal away
From the crowd and the dance to our hideaway
Aww, but you're gone and it's not the same old game
I fall apart each time I hear your name
Guess I'll go along with the crowd, I'll make believe
That you'll come back to me, run back to me
Hurry back to the crow-ow-ow-owd a-and me-e-e-e-e.
Transcribed by Ronald E. Hontz
[email protected]
song performed by by Roy Orbison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The crowd is the catalyst.
Whenever you are in the crowd
There I get you by sensual aid
As eyes are swords, more than words.
You are at ease in the crowd,
So private and so shrewd
In your approach to my side
That no one can suspect.
Enough. That only I expect.
A clear internet exists,
That binds us with no exits.
You are so sophisticated;
I am so intoxicated.
Whenever you are in the crowd
I never miss the very crowd.
You are the reason that I survive.
You are the cause my youth relives.
Whenever we are in the crowd
In us is lost the whole crowd.
We are fed when our eyes meet.
More than that, I want not.
Less than that, I stand not.
We are at ease in the crowd.
The whole time I shall incur.
I salute the crowd to recur.
30.04.2001, Pmdi
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
For an unnamed teacher
You know that shot, in films and musicals
glamorising La Révolution Francaise:
a hundred metres away, just fitting into
the camera’s breadth of range,
a crowd which signifies rights withheld
advances on you (safe in bourgeois seat…) ,
led by a token handsome, flushed, tall
kerchiefed man or woman, centre-stage?
Today, that’s me – in upraised hand,
a Bill of Poets’ Rights… You said,
I’m told, that ‘if you were a poet,
you would just write praise…’
Do I detect a note
of implied criticism there? …
Did you not know, that every word that poets write
is praise? First, praise of the language that we use –
its glorious flexibility; praise of the chance to use it
at its height and breadth and depth,
freshly - as if it had never put before
this word with that, and made of it new thought
to lodge within your mind, and warm your heart,
to call from soul to soul, of what souls share…
Advancing on the camera, we shout,
if you don’t know this - that all that, is praise…
then you’re not ready for reading poetry, just yet…
‘For this we stand; for this we live; for this we’ll die’…
The photo-opportunity has come and gone;
the cameramen push back, drive to their editors;
the crowd disperses, glowing with its righteousness;
and leaves the world to darkness, and TV…
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Crowd
Words and music by roy orbison and joe melson
I go out with the crowd, I play the game
Pretending out loud but it dont seem the same
For the heart of the crowd is gone from sight
My part of the crowd is not with me tonight
I remember the prom, every dance with you
All the crazy things that we used to do
Sometimes wed wait for a chance
And then wed steal away
From the crowd and the dance to our hideaway
Aww, but youre gone and its not the same old game
I fall apart each time I hear your name
Guess Ill go along with the crowd, Ill make believe
That youll come back to me, run back to me
Hurry back to the crow-ow-ow-owd a-and me-e-e-e-e.
song performed by by Roy Orbison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Click, Click
Youthful, delicate, feminine, photogenic,
Her walk stops talk,
Lookers look on,
She catches my eye, points to herself,
her camera ready,
my hands willing, my fingers unsteady,
Her magnetic smile draws eyes
of passers-by,
A wolf-whistle, - Loud,
Laughter from the crowd,
Cameras lifted, click, click,
A reincarnation divine,
burst through eons of time,
Saphire eyes, raven hair,
confidence magnifed in electrified air,
Someone's shout: Elizabeth Taylor,
She puckers her lips,
a camera kiss,
Another wolf-whistle - Loud,
Laughter from the Crowd!
Click, Click.
poem by Elke Nigro
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
One Of The Crowd
(lowe/tennant)
--------------------
When I go fishing with my rod
I often get that urge
To fall asleep a sleep so deep that
No-one notices me
Dont want anyone to know my name
Dont want to get a fax
Dont want to meet the royal family
Just cause Ive paid my tax
Dont wanna be seen or heard
Dont want to shout out loud
I want to be part of the herd
One of the crowd
Dressing individually doesnt impress me
I think that its pathetic
Following fashion, I just like it
Dont i?
Dont wanna be seen or heard
Dont want to shout out loud
I want to be part of the herd
One of the crowd
(one of the crowd)
(one of the crowd)
Fishing
Fishing
I never fight, but every night
I think its gonna be alright
I think I might think in spite of
Every - thing
Dont wanna be seen or heard
Dont want to shout out loud
I want to be part of the herd
One of the crowd
One of the crowd
One of the crowd
One of the crowd
One of the crowd
One of the crowd
(one of the crowd)
Fishing
(one of the crowd)
Fishing
song performed by by Pet Shop Boys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
I'm an outdoorsman kind of person, so I don't like the buzz of the crowd, crowd, crowd and all that so much. I mean I don't mind it, but I don't seek it out.
quote by Josh Holloway
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Fundamental of Liar Chapter LXI: Crowd
Be inside of the crowd and you’ll get that euphoria strike
Be outside of the crowd and you’ll get a better spot
Be inside of the crowd and you’ll feel so high
Be outside of the crowd and you’ll find who’s right
poem by Maria Sudibyo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Funny Times With Rich
Electric guitar plays the sounds,
of Rich’s guitar to the crowd.
The crowd at bar called the Paradise,
in West Palm Beach and it was nice.
Shooting photographs of Rich’s band,
I made interesting photos of Rich
while Augie the lead singer sang.
Now this was in the year 2005,
it was before Clematis really came alive.
Construction mess was just outside,
while band played on really loud.
One night Razel puppet stole the show,
by end of night Augie was red angry with a glow.
Check out Augie’s photo on www.razelpuppet.com
it is a really funny photo of Razel I have found.
Thanks Rich for some happy times,
never a dull moment I can testify.
Written by Suzae Chevalier on August 24,2011
www.puppetpoems.com www.razelpuppet.com
www.christinasunrise.com www.purplepoems.com
poem by Christina Sunrise
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Alone...............even in circle
I feel alone,
I am lonely,
And some where aloof,
Crowd is there,
But, nobody known,
No similarity at all,
Different faces,
Keep me confused,
Searching identity,
Nothing properly suit,
At last, it makes me,
Uncomfortable, unlike
And clueless,
Try to adjust,
Yet, poorly dull n loose,
Not find any interest,
And introverted itself,
Being single,
Seem standing without row,
Waiting for chance,
To bring out best from good,
Yah! Nobody is there,
Although, I am there for you,
Attempting to assemble influence,
“Crowd” of own,
A queue of alone,
A presence of mine,
A mob of loneliness…………………..
poem by Abhishek Anand
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Lost in a Crowd
Lost in a crowd no one else
Lost in a crowd all by myself.
A lonely party, only one? Me.
A lonely party, not even three.
Lost in a crowd but there's
soemthing i see! Is it a mirror
reflecting me?
No it's another! Lost like me.
He turns around and i bet he see's!
We join together, Lost in a crowd
Were lost in a crowd, not a single frown.
Lost in a crowd.
poem by Kiara Anderson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Laugh song
(it's just a silly song, please sing with your own melody)
Drunken man: The bottle is empty
I’m still thirsty
What can we do right now?
Crowd: Let’s steal some wine!
Bar owner: It’s the time up now!
You must pay and go
Crowd: Why is she so cruel?
We’re just having fun
Bar owner: The wind goes strong
I’m afraid storm comes
What can I do old man
With drunken men and fool?
Crowd: Our friends with us
You are warm and nice
Bar owner: No more drink tonight
Go home, goodnight!
Servant boy: The rain goes heavy
The bridge is down!
Crowd: Lord has mercy
We can’t go right now!
Crowd: The road is dark
Hard storm around
What can we do right now?
Bar owner: Sit and wait sad clown!
Man: Thunder sparks wild
Do we have some bone?
The dog still barks
Crowd: Bark, bark, bark, bark, bark
Drunken man: The bone is gone
Tomorrow we’ll mourn
What can we do right now?
Crowd: What can we do right now?
Man: No feet dance here
No music I hear
Crowd: Let’s ask our dear!
She can cheer we here
Man: The fiddle’s asleep
Her cords are curling
Crowd: Let’s just sing a song!
La, la, la, la, la
Drunken man: Your song is bad
My ears are ache
Crowd: It’s the wine not song
Your sense goes wrong
Servant boy: The rain still falls
It’s not safe to home
Crowd: We own our fall
It’s not safe from fight
Drunken man: The bottles mad and fly
Too pity they’re empty
Bar owner: Play set in my rest
You’ll be kicked and wet!
Man: Let’s close to the fire
Till words are over
Crowd: Tell tales and stories
Till the world’s over
Crowd: Only wise can say
We crazy laugh and cry
In the middle of flood
The last laugh will shout!
poem by Maria Sudibyo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Be, Here, Now
‘The camera does not lie’;
yet the truth rests in yourself..
Here’s this photo of one, said
by those who know, to be a saint;
(no one to say smile now please;
no one to say just say cheese..)
here is one who knows that all and everything
is God; so looks into the camera and beyond
and at all of us, and at all of all of us
as God; in goodwill; Godwill;
looking Lordward to the Lord in you and me.
Who can value such a photoed shakti..
shower of grace in just one smile
from one who gives all of himself,
to the camera as the God in us; ‘developed’, multiplied
towards infinity, and rolled around a printing press,
flashed in binary upon computer screen.
We as we look at it become all truth
and like the camera, cannot lie
about ourself: we are perfection.
Before the camera was,
I AM. click.
*
[www. Hindupedia.com > Great Sages > Saints of Recent Times > Neem Karoli Baba]
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A Face In The Crowd
Before all of this ever went down
In another place, another town,
You were just a face in the crowd
Out in t he street walking around
A face in the crowd
Out of a dream, out of the sky
Into my heart, into my life
And you were just a face in the crowd
Out in the street, thinking out loud
A face in the crowd
song performed by by Tom Petty
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
A photo
Have seen a photo today,
photo of two lovers,
they are running,
running for their love,
running for their time,
time of being alive to love,
more more and more,
they are dreaming,
dream of staying together,
forever, each other, forever,
they are dancing alone
in their arm,
they are so so happy
with each other forever,
they are crying,
they are hugging,
they are fighting,
fighting with each other,
they are smiling,
they are loving
each other,
forever, they are the lover,
forever,
I have seen a photo today
poem by Suman Karmakar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
King Is White And In The Crowd
Talking by the pool of light, language from Americ.
a
She puts on the film of him, King is white and in the crowd
They are not a melting pot, say no, say no tapestry
She puts on the film of him, King is white and in the crowd
She takes his hand and she says you'll stay
She's lost in the crowd
King
Wire them up, fire them up
The life and times, the art and talk
Wire them up, fire them up
The life and times, the art and talk
Lovers run camp Africa, Bars in town are civilised
She puts on the film of him, King is white and in the crowd
Panorama, Citylife
Youth's dance proud from the waist down
She puts on the film of him, King is white and in the crowd
Shot from where the action is, a rhapsody in black and blue
She puts on the film of him, King is white and in the crowd
Love lies under western eyes, powerful yet transient
She puts on the film of him, King is white and in the crowd
song performed by by Simple Minds
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Billions Billions Alive Today
Officially half of all the human beings
who have ever lived are alive today.
The entire population of all human history
an equivalent of all humans who ever lived.
Half entire human race who were ever born
are alive on earth now living on earth today.
Asia China India regionally 2.5 billion alive today
in fifty years Asian population will double triple?
In fifty years planet earth will need to produce more
food than has presently by humans ever been eaten?
Are these food figures statistics not impossible odds?
Famine pestilence war pandemics what future awaits?
Will compassion seeds flower in collective soul humanity?
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Click
Hoo Wah!!!!
Just because i walk like Obie Won Kenobie
you people talk but you dont even know me
and all these guys they think they want to fight me
and all these girls i know that they dont like me
i made them laugh
they do it just to spite me
a . . . . crowd
and none of them are like me
I dont care what u say
I dont need u anyway
I'll just go about my day
but anyway
You go out on Friday nights
i'll stay in but thats all right
cuz i have found a planet to call my own
in crowd out crowd I dont care
Your crowd my crowd we can share
cuz i have found a planet to call my own
Lets go!!
They call and talk to me on my computer screen
the best years of our lives arent as easy as they seem
and one day we'll look back and then we'll have to laugh
they use to call us babes and they want our autographs
so i dont care what u say
i dont need u anyway
i'll just go about my day but anyway
i dont care what u say
i dont need you anyway
i'll just go about my day
but anyway
u go out on friday nights
i'll stay in but thats all right
cuz i have found a planet to call my own
in crowd out crown i dont care
your crowd my crowd we can share
cuz i have found a planet to call my own
she said she'd call
but i know she won't
she wont
she wont
but anyway
You go out on friday nights
i stay in but thats all right
cuz i have found a planet to call my own
in crowd out crowd i dont care
your crowd my crowd we can share
cuz i have found a planet to call my own
Lets go!
But anyway
I dont need you anyway
i dont need you anyway
i dont need you anyway
song performed by by Good Charlotte
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The Crowd At The Ball Game
The crowd at the ball game
is moved uniformly
by a spirit of uselessness
which delights them—
all the exciting detail
of the chase
and the escape, the error
the flash of genius—
all to no end save beauty
the eternal—
So in detail they, the crowd,
are beautiful
for this
to be warned against
saluted and defied—
It is alive, venomous
it smiles grimly
its words cut—
The flashy female with her
mother, gets it—
The Jew gets it straight— it
is deadly, terrifying—
It is the Inquisition, the
Revolution
It is beauty itself
that lives
day by day in them
idly—
This is
the power of their faces
It is summer, it is the solstice
the crowd is
cheering, the crowd is laughing
in detail
permanently, seriously
without thought
poem by William Carlos Williams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Anonymous
Anonymous: there's comfort in numbers,
Safety and security in being
Faceless, nameless, no one who's worth seeing
When the crowd keeps tight knit and together.
Anonymous: it's ok to wash out
Against quickly cascading cavalcades
Rushing, crushing and forcing you to fade
In two doses of self-pity and doubt.
What does it matter if nobody cares
And no one notices the difference
Between you and this sea that surrounds you?
This shallow pool, all around, ev'rywhere
Dictates the tide of your non-confidence
And your anonymous nothingness too.
poem by Tim Stensloff
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!