Proportionality'. A disgusted rant.
We here in Britain have a traditional
belief in fair play.
Like, if we lose an away match,
we trash their town centre,
hold the town square as our turf
for several hours against the
full might of the police
who hours before, got us safely
to our seats and kept the home crowd
from throwing more at us
than we could shout at them
(That's one thing about
not learning foreign languages:
they have to learn English
to insult you...)
Proportionality.
It’s reassuring.
A level playing field.
And if one end dips away,
change ends at half time.
Like Waterloo, as we were taught,
was won on the playing fields of Eton.
Whatever that means.
That’s Waterloo in Belgium,
not the rush-hour and every
man and woman for themselves.
So it’s really offensive to our sense
of fair play when those countries
of the Middle East who love fighting
and who’s ever going to stop them,
do they want to, it’s
a national sport, kinda gun Olympics –
when those countries don’t play
the rules of proportionality:
the death toll in the ‘conflict’
- and Dubya-or-quits agrees with this –
should be more or less equal;
and in these democratic days,
that should include civilians
in with the troops.
Proportionality.
It’s reassuring.
A level killing field.
Bodies strewn equally.
Perhaps if it dips away one end like this,
They should change ends at half time.
Though, would anyone notice?
poem by Michael Shepherd
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Related quotes
At play
Play that you are mother dear,
And play that papa is your beau;
Play that we sit in the corner here,
Just as we used to, long ago.
Playing so, we lovers two
Are just as happy as we can be,
And I'll say "I love you" to you,
And you say "I love you" to me!
"I love you" we both shall say,
All in earnest and all in play.
Or, play that you are that other one
That some time came, and went away;
And play that the light of years agone
Stole into my heart again to-day!
Playing that you are the one I knew
In the days that never again may be,
I'll say "I love you" to you,
And you say "I love you" to me!
I love you!" my heart shall say
To the ghost of the past come back to-day!
Or, play that you sought this nestling-place
For your own sweet self, with that dual guise
Of your pretty mother in your face
And the look of that other in your eyes!
So the dear old loves shall live anew
As I hold my darling on my knee,
And I'll say "I love you" to you,
And you say "I love you" to me!
Oh, many a strange, true thing we say
And do when we pretend to play!
poem by Eugene Field
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Change Myself
Half of me wants to knock you out
Half of me wants to tell you that Im sorry, so sorry
Meanwhile, half of the world wants to scream and
Shout at half of the world
Just like you and i
Just another fact of life
We plan and we scheme
til theres nothing left of our little dream
But half of the time I cant decide and
Half of the time Im petrified
I want to change the world
I want to make it well
How can I change the world
When I cant change myself
Try again tomorrow
Id love to change your mind
Capture your citadel
How could I change your mind
If I cant change myself
Try again tomorrow
Both of us want to win this fight
Both of us think the other is mistaken, so mistaken
Meanwhile, everyone wants to take up sides
So everyone helps us to fall apart
Just another fact of life
Its hard to play fair
And its so easy to pretend to care
But if nobody wants to share the blame
Then everyone gets more of the same
If I want more peace in the world
Then I must make peace with myself
If I want more trust in the world
Then Ive got to trust in myself
If I want more love in the world
I must show more love to myself
song performed by by Todd Rundgren
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The one game we all play
The one game we all play
We play games
To show our valour
And mainly to win
We do not mind going for coaching
If we feel we do not have the
Required strength to win
We play games
Either as a team or individual
The attempt is to demonstrate
That we are better talented
Than the team or member
Against whom we play
Nations enthuse people to play games
So that they add pride
Some games are played with
Gadgets and protective accessories
We have spectators to watch
The way we play
We have umpires and referees
Who ensure rules of the games
Are strictly adhered
And it is all a fair play
We play games indoor or outdoor
We play games in daylight
Or under artificial illumination
We score while playing
And the score achieved by a team or individual
In a specific time
Decides the winner
We telecast the games
We comment on the strengths and weaknesses
Of a team or individual
We conduct national and international
Tournaments to declare a team or individual
As champion
Irrespective of skills, race, gender
We all play a game
Which is played mainly to lose
It is an individual game
With no specific rules
With no umpire
With no spectator
With no commentator
With no TV coverage
With no scores
With no trophies
With no victory stands
With no top scorer
With no “player of the match”
But we play
Most of us like to play this game
Indoor and in closed doors
Decency and civilized ways
Do not allow this game being played in the open
There is no season for this game
It can be played any part of the day
And any part of the year
Summer, winter, monsoon seasons
Have no bearing on this game
The one requirement in this game is
Complete transparency and intimacy
Rules for this game
Vary from individual to individual
Rules also get refined
With the experience of the players
There are no restrictions to employ
Any method as both the players
Are determined to be the loser
Duration of play depends again
On the individuals
The game ends
Most often to the satisfaction
Of the both the players
In other games players declare
That they are retiring from playing
There is no retirement in this game
As players advance in age
They understand it is more a mind game
Outcome of this game
Are further more players
You guessed it right
It is the game of love
poem by Bashyam Narayanan
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The battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton.
quote by Arthur Wellesley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I think I have a passion for playing the game. I love to play, and I want to play at a high level. You have to do the right things in order to continue at that level.
quote by Dan Marino
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Probably the battle of Waterloo was won on the playing-fields of Eton, but the opening battles of all subsequent wars have been lost there.
quote by George Orwell
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Is All About You
1 hour unity,
2 hours peace,
3 hours playing,
4 hours sleeping,
5 hours smiling,
6 hours living,
7 hours trusting in your muse!
For this river is mine and yours foeevers;
And, i want to be close to you always.
1 hour smiling,
2 hours learning,
3 hours thinking,
4 hours with your muse,
5 hours teaching,
6 hours working,
But, the 7th hour comes for me to sleep with you;
Because, this love is all about you! !
And, i want to be with you always.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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Croquet by Moonlight
On a moonlight evening, in the month of May,
A number of young people were playing at croquet,
They mingled together, the bashful with the gay,
And had a pleasant time and chat, while playing at croquet.
CHORUS:
This play they call croquet, croquet,
This play they call croquet,
It is amusement for the young,
This play they call croquet.
On that pleasant evening, the moon shone clear and bright,
And every heart among that crowd was filed with great delight.
It was a merry party, for lady Dell was there
Her merry laugh above the rest was heard by all, so fair.
CHORUS: This play, etc.
She was the belle that evening, admired by great and small,
And all the boys liked to play with the girl and blue ball.
She was a splendid player, so lively and so gay,
For she was skilled in playing that pleasant game croquet.
CHORUS: This play, etc.
Two young men among them, that loved this pretty Dell;
Although I write about them, their names I will not tell.
They were fine young fellows, so bashful, and yet so gay;
They tried to beat the girl that with the blue ball play.
CHORUS: This play, etc.
Ah! with those handsome fellows, Dell thought she'd have some fun,
"The one of you that'll catch me, may see me safely home."
The play began in earnest, between those fine young men,
To catch the girl with the blue ball, was impossible for them.
CHORUS: This play, etc.
She went around the play-ground, so full of life and gay,
She left them at the farther arch, so she beat them at croquet.
It was late that evening, and as I went away,
I know not how they came out, in that pleasant game, croquet.
CHORUS: This play, etc.
So croquet by moonlight is pleasant, as you see,
For business cares were laid aside, in that little company.
So playing at croquet, croquet, so playing at croquet,
It is amusement for the young folks, this play of croquet.
poem by Julia A Moore
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I really didn't have a plan, I just went in and started playing. one of my specialties was to be able to play for a really long time without stopping and I would play these repeated patterns for hours and hours and I wouldn't seem to get tired.
quote by Terry Riley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Level Playing Field
A few words need to be said about the level playing field
and the relative benefits to those concerned it does yield.
If those who are in authority are not impartial in their ways
the effect of this is reflected back to all no matter who plays.
There are however some exceptions to the rule
regardless of what we have all learnt at school.
Whether it be sport, business, industry, research or education
the level playing field applies to each and every situation.
When certain people are prejudiced towards one person or group
and show too much favor for one party then the other they'll dupe.
This practice is known to be a form of much corruption and deceipt
and should be recognised by all those who're in the grip of receipt.
_____________________________________ _____________________________
poem by George Krokos
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Symmetry (Love Poem)
Is a pleasing proportionality
Is imprecisely harmonious
Is before and after in time
Is the friendship of lovers
Is the mirror of reflection
Is a patterned similarity
Is an agreeable balance
Is two sides of one coin
Is a dyadic relationship
Is the love of friends
Is a perfect couple
Is you and me
Is us.
poem by Ian Beckett
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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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Months Of Long Duration
All those phantom months
months of long days passing
day after hard working day
during all that time
day after weary day
day after endless day
during all that time
no word from you
no support from you
days you would spend
ten twelve hour days
playing computer games
day after day after day
level after level after level
in each favourite game
this is your chosen world
your world where you compete
your world you do not share
in all that playing time
in all those endless days
no time could you spare
not even thirty minutes
not even once not once
to support a true friend
poem by Terence George Craddock
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where did I park my car?
1
where did I park my car?
I’m sure I left it here
on this level
just hours before
had a coffee at the center
caught up with some friends
watched a movie
and bought some stuff for home
and now I can’t find my car
though I’ve searched past 10 minutes
where did I park my car?
I’m sure I left it here
on this level
just hours before
no, that’s not mine
that’s a Mercedes;
that one’s too shiny;
and maybe it’s this one
- no, mate,
we won’t go any nearer
this car is too clean
mine will look like
it’s not been washed since Noah
where did I park my car?
I’m sure I left it here
on this level
just hours before
2
well, yes, help me look out...
it’s an old Nissan
blue faded into white;
no, nobody ‘ll steal that
and the only people
who’d give it a second look
will be the traffic police
who’d wave as if to say:
Pull over, Sir;
let’s have a look at
your rego and front tyres
now, where did I park my car?
I’m sure I left it here
on this level
just hours before
well, damn,
I’m sure it hasn’t moved
it’s not that sort with smart technology
self-park, self-drive or with sensors;
it’s like an old useless dog
completely lost without its master
where did I park my car?
I’m sure I left it here
on this level
just hours before
now that we’ve looked
about 30 minutes or more
I’m not sure if this is the right level;
Oh, did I stop at Yellow Level
or Blue or Green or Pink?
was it level 1 or 2 or 3 or 9?
it’s completely out of my mind
where did I park my car?
I’m sure I left it here
on this level
just hours before
ah, there it is
that old boneshaker;
thanks mate, for helping me look
You were saying you want a lift –
yes, come - I'll dropp you…no trouble…
yes, it’s just on the way…
Hey…Where you going?
What? Don’t want a lift?
You’d rather walk home?
Hey, what’s wrong with my car?
OK, suit yourself…
at least I found my faithful car…
where did I park my car?
it was Level 5, Yellow Sector
Lot 125
all the while
and that beauty was here each second
an old helpless dog, waiting for its master
poem by Raj Arumugam
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To My Name-Child
1
Some day soon this rhyming volume, if you learn with proper speed,
Little Louis Sanchez, will be given you to read.
Then you shall discover, that your name was printed down
By the English printers, long before, in London town.
In the great and busy city where the East and West are met,
All the little letters did the English printer set;
While you thought of nothing, and were still too young to play,
Foreign people thought of you in places far away.
Ay, and when you slept, a baby, over all the English lands
Other little children took the volume in their hands;
Other children questioned, in their homes across the seas:
Who was little Louis, won't you tell us, mother, please?
2
Now that you have spelt your lesson, lay it down and go and play,
Seeking shells and seaweed on the sands of Monterey,
Watching all the mighty whalebones, lying buried by the breeze,
Tiny sandpipers, and the huge Pacific seas.
And remember in your playing, as the sea-fog rolls to you,
Long ere you could read it, how I told you what to do;
And that while you thought of no one, nearly half the world away
Some one thought of Louis on the beach of Monterey!
poem by Robert Louis Stevenson
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Kat II
Kat,
you know it feels wierd
seeing you for only a few minutes now
talking for only a second
i remember when we used to have hours together
talking about nothing and everything
i remember sitting on the bus listining to your ipod
singing along to our favourite songs
i can remember thinking,
God i hope this never ends
i remember playing guitar on the bus home from little school
we would play random songs just to look cool
I remember starting secondry school and thinking i'd never see you again
i guess that was kinda stupid
I can remember us being reuinited with ben
praying our joking and dancing could last forever
i guess it nearly did
i remember us falling out sometimes over nothing, and everything
sometimes laughing about it afterwards
i remember trying to set you up with ben
i guess that didnt turn out so well
Now i only see you round college with your friends
its like we've run out of escapes and hit a dead end
we'll pass each other and say hi then rush off again
i miss our little days
of fun, laughter and regret
if only i could have them back
but you know me
i wouldnt change anything you can bet
* For Kat, who i miss on a daily basis: P *
poem by Rachel BaByBeAr Anderson
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Cuckoo Song
(Spring begins in southern England on the 14th April, on which date the Old Woman lets the Cuckoo out of her basket at Heathfield Fair -- locally known as Heffle Cuckoo Fair.)
Tell it to the locked-up trees,
Cuckoo, bring your song here!
Warrant, Act and Summons, please,
For Spring to pass along here!
Tell old Winder, if he doubt,
Tell him squat and square -- a!
Old Woman!
Old Woman!
Old Woman's let the Cuckoo out
At Heffle Cuckoo Fair -- a!
March has searched and April tried --
'Tisn't long to Mary now.
Not so far to Whitsuntide
And Cuckoo's come to stay now!
Hear the valiant fellow shout
Down the orchard bare -- a!
Old Woman!
Old Woman!
Old Woman's let the Cuckoo out
At Heffle Cuckoo Fair -- a!
When your heart is young and gay
And the season rules it --
Work your works and play your play
'Fore the Autumn cools it!
Kiss you turn and turn-about,
But my lad, beware -- a!
Old Woman!
Old Woman!
Old Woman's let the Cuckoo out
At Heffle Cuckoo Fair -- a!
poem by Rudyard Kipling
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The play
Man, you are a social animal.
You need a group to belong to.
Play is a thing you cannot dispense with.
Play is where you match yourself with mates.
Where you become sensitive to others’ needs,
Where you learn power, and adjust with others
Where you let out negative feelings in positive way,
Where you develop skill and attitude,
And where you build your confidence.
There is much more in playing than winning.
Play while you play to keep yourself in gay.
21.07.2007
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
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Playing With The Boys
Id say it was the right time
To walk away
When dreaming takes you nowhere
Its time to play
Bodies working overtime
Your money dont matter
The clock keeps ticking
When someones on your mind
Im moving in slow motion
Feels so good
Its a strange anticipation
Knock, knock, knocking on wood
Bodies working overtime
Man against man
And all that ever matters
Is baby whos ahead in the game
Funny but its always the same
Playing, playing with the boys
Playing, playing with the boys
After chasing sunsets
One of lifes simple joys
Is playing with the boys
Said it was the wrong thing
For me to do
I said its just a boys game
Girls play too
My heart is working overtime
In this kind of game
People get hurt
Im afraid that someone is me
If you want to find me, Ill be
Playing, playing with the boys
Staying, playing with the boys
After chasing sunsets
One of lifes simple joys
I dont want to be the moth around your fire
I dont want to be obsessed by my desire
Im ready, Im leaving
Ive seen enough
...with the boys
Ive seen enough
You play too rough
Playing, playing with the boys
Ill be staying, playing with the boys
After chasing sunsets
One of lifes simple joys
Is playing with the boys
Playing with the boys
Playing
Playing
Playing
Playing
song performed by by Kenny Loggins
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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U Say, I Say
You say
I say
You say
I say
You say
I say
But now you're out there playin' games
I know that you will never change
You say that you love me
But you still be wylin' out
All of this yellin', all of this fussin'
Over just nothin', in my house
I pray to my Savior
And hope He will just help me out
'Cause all this confusion got me just bluesin'
I know what I should be doin' now, yeah, yeah
I can't lie, I (Don't wanna waste no more time)
I can't see why (You never try to do me right)
I can't lie, I (Don't wanna waste no more time)
I can't see why (You never try to do me right)
You say (That you love me)
I say (That I love you)
You say (We don't ever have to fight)
I say (I don't ever wanna cry)
You say (You will never play the field)
I say (I will always keep it real)
But now you're out there playin' games
I know that you will never change
I try to be patient
To see if you could figure out
With all of your lyin', all your denyin'
I cannot keep you around
You know that I love you
It's gonna hurt me to see you leave
I can't go through bein' misused
'Cause you know that that ain't me, yeah
I can't lie, I (Don't wanna waste no more time)
I can't see why (You never try to do me right)
I can't lie, I (Don't wanna waste no more time)
I can't see why (You never try to do me right)
You say (That you love me)
I say (That I love you)
You say (We don't ever have to fight)
I say (I don't ever wanna cry)
You say (You will never play the field)
I say (I will always keep it real)
But now you're out there playin' games
I know that you will never change
Cool with whatever 'cause it's been so long
All this nonsense you're doin' only made me strong
But if we stay together there's got to be some change
I don't even wanna hear another call your name
Cool with whatever 'cause it's been so long
All this nonsense you're doin' only made me strong
I don't think we'll be together 'cause you'll never change
Already stuck inside your ways, you'll always be the same
You say (You really love me)
I say (I really love you)
You say (We don't ever have to fight)
I say (I don't ever wanna cry)
You say (You will never play the field)
I say (That I will always keep it real)
But now you're out there playin' games
I know that you will never change
Uh-uh, yeah
Yo', Ashanti, INC
Murder Inc
Uh-uh, uh-uh
Chinky Deek
And of course Milwaukee
song performed by by Ashanti
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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