Oracle
The oracle said we would lose, its message was very clear.
'Abandon the bones of your fathers, your lands, businesses,
Round up your children, gather what articles of worth
Might feasibly be carried on your backs and get the heck out;
For the foe', it said, 'will descend like a whirlwind
Drink your blood and impress who's ever left
Into the vilest servitude.'.
Most believed and prepared to flee. Only one wise, old woman
Reluctant to leave her potato garden, shook a wise, gnarled finger
At the crowd and demanded a re-interpretation
(Which, of course, she got)
'Clearly', said the divines, 'on reconsideration
The oracle meant just to foretell the destruction of the foe';
We, ourselves, had nothing much to worry about
If we'd only take heart, think and manage our resources wisely;
Talk to each other with an extra measure of politeness and agree to agree;
Oh, and build a fleet.
Such was the re-interpretation of the divines.
That was ten years ago. Putting our faith entirely in the oracles
message;
As the divines bid we did, and when the foe invaded, won the day.
Truly these oracles have a way of changing that optimism never does.
Odd. Could it be that oracles are mostly a matter of interpretation?
poem by Morgan Michaels
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Related quotes
The Oracles
Invaders, invaders! The oracles must be consulted;
From the North to the South and,
From the East to the West are the African Oracles.
The oracles of my ancestors are,
The trademarks of my African identity to a call;
We have to consult the oracles in times of need.
Who said it is not rue?
Who said it is not powerful?
Visit the Oracles of Africa and know the truth.
The African Oracles,
Do ask Mr. Okonkwo about it;
He will tell you why,
The Whiteman's 'iron Horse' was hanged on a tree.
Oh! The oracles of my ancestors;
Out of their mystic myths,
So lay their powers.
Of their creative arts and acts,
Of their spell which makes me think otherwise;
Yet still, the African lacks behind in many things.
If onne could fly in the thin air and able to vanish,
Why can't they form a Universal Soldier in Africa? !
Those are they who are bullet-proof too;
Are these Oracles also working for them?
The oracles,
The Oracles of Africa!
With respective rites for a passer-by who,
Wants to know more about the African;
Oh, the oracles of my forefathers.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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Know Thyself
at the entrance of all our doors
in our delphis
we put this notice
addressed to ourselves
know thyself
sometimes i wonder
what does this mean?
do i have a self?
have i given it a name?
is the name myself?
i look inside
this self, there is none
it is not me
it is thinking thoughts
not my own
we quarrel
we disagree
this is not me
this ought not to be me
the oracle of delphi
must be wrong
how oedipus rex hurt himself
because he did not like himself
suggests somehow
there is another self
within us........
how many now?
this self? that self?
these selves?
somehow the oracle
of all oracles must be correct
we are unhappy
because 99% of what we do
is for the self
the self and nothing but the self
and there is none any anymore
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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This is a much more fitting interpretation of the book than its modern interpretation.
quote by Robert Vaughan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.
quote by Friedrich Nietzsche
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Signs and Synbols
The dreams you have betray a need
You may not always recognise,
just what it is: You will concede
that this is true if you are wise.
Interpretation of your dreams.
Is not an easy thing to do.
You mind conceives fantastic schemes
to try and get it’s message through.
Although the language is obscure.
The symbols which your mind supplies
can paint a very clear picture.
Quite suddenly you realise.
Just what the symbols signify.
It is quite easy when you try.
25-Sep-08
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
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Triolet
After the melting of the snow
Divines depart and April comes;
Examinations nearer grow
After the melting of the snow;
The grinder wears a face of woe,
The waster smokes and twirls his thumbs;
After the melting of the snow
Divines depart and April comes.
poem by Robert Fuller Murray
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Why Isn't Anyone Obeying The Rules?
Why isn't anyone obeying the rules?
'Rules?
Which ones?
The ones that were in effect,
That have been changed?
Or the ones no one ever obeyed,
After the changes were made...
To make the old ones more effective? '
That doesn't make sense.
'And maybe that's why they aren't being obeyed.
Which interpretation of rules are in effect?
And who's interpretation of those rules,
Should be respected?
If they aren't being followed by those who break them,
To obey,
Then who should say to whom what should be obeyed? '
What?
'Why repeat what is not in existence?
Does a cow drink its own milk,
To obtain stronger bones with a steady dose of vitamin D?
I doubt it.'
And...
Nevermind.
I am so glad I am not seeking explanation!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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The Words Of Belief
Three words will I name thee--around and about,
From the lip to the lip, full of meaning, they flee;
But they had not their birth in the being without,
And the heart, not the lip, must their oracle be!
And all worth in the man shall forever be o'er
When in those three words he believes no more.
Man is made free!--Man by birthright is free,
Though the tyrant may deem him but born for his tool.
Whatever the shout of the rabble may be--
Whatever the ranting misuse of the fool--
Still fear not the slave, when he breaks from his chain,
For the man made a freeman grows safe in his gain.
And virtue is more than a shade or a sound,
And man may her voice, in this being, obey;
And though ever he slip on the stony ground,
Yet ever again to the godlike way,
To the science of good though the wise may be blind,
Yet the practice is plain to the childlike mind.
And a God there is!--over space, over time,
While the human will rocks, like a reed, to and fro,
Lives the will of the holy--a purpose sublime,
A thought woven over creation below;
Changing and shifting the all we inherit,
But changeless through all one immutable spirit
Hold fast the three words of belief--though about
From the lip to the lip, full of meaning, they flee;
Yet they take not their birth from the being without--
But a voice from within must their oracle be;
And never all worth in the man can be o'er,
Till in those three words he believes no more.
poem by Friedrich Schiller
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It Is Just Like A Dream
It is just like a dream when you lack communication,
Nine years in riches as you claim it to be;
But i will like to say,
Welcome to the club.
It was the mystic of the air which sounded the echo,
Like a joyful song to see my friend once again;
Nine years in absence do tell it all.
Is it a dream or, just a trip from japan?
This is the state of my mind to the oracles.
Here he was in a different style,
It was just like a dream to me;
He saw the changes of our life styles too.
Welcome home, welcome to Ghana;
The very home you left some years ago.
What do you expect when you lack communication?
Right from the oracles to the realms at large;
How is it in Japan as compared to Africa? !
Take a clue from this and do get in touch always.
Ask 'Rocky Dawuni' and 'Kofi Annan' and,
They will tell you more about life;
My friend, welcome home.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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There Is A Benefit Received
When is 'enough' understood,
To be that which it is?
When those have said they have had it...
It is doubtful it is meant,
A wish for more is the intent.
With an interpretation that more of an agitation,
Is, afterall, a welcoming event.
And when enough has flowed to leave nothing else left,
Will suggestions be made...
To advocate the instigation,
Of a people seen who have lost their minds,
Completely.
Wanting with a price to pay as demanded,
A chaos as the latest craze.
When is 'enough' understood,
To be that which it is?
When those have said they have had it...
It is doubtful it is meant,
A wish for more is the intent.
But that also depends on 'who' believes,
There is a benefit received to those with intentions.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Most importantly, I agree that the truth of these matters should be determined by interpretation of scientific evidence - experiments, fossil studies and the like.
quote by Phillip E. Johnson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Can We See The Future Today? [Part 3]
Human beings have peeped into the future with clairvoyance
Clairvoyance is the ability to perceive future events with
powers that are beyond the natural range of the senses
The practitioners of this art are called clairvoyant or psychic
In esoteric language, clairvoyants are said to possess second sight
How true is clairvoyance as a tool to peep into the future?
The accuracy depends on the clairvoyant or the psychic
The ancients have used the oracle to foresee the future
This is a process of consulting the oracular gods through
a priest or priestess to learn about future events.
The oracles are still in use in many places around the world
Even today, some people will not start a new project
or commence an undertaking without consulting the oracle
How correct is the oracle as a means to foretell the future?
The precision depends on the oracle priest or priestess
Can we see the future today?
Human beings have peeped into the future using necromancy
This is the process of invoking or conjuring up the
spirit of the dead to make prophesies and foretell the future
The practitioners of this art are called medium or spiritualist
How accurate is necromancy as a device to forecast the future?
The veracity depends on the spiritualist or the medium
Can we see the future today?
Some people have used I Ching to peep into the future
I Ching is a Chinese system of divination or
fortune-telling that has been in use since the B.C era
In English language, I Ching is called the Book of Changes
There are many methods of using I Ching, but the most
popular ones are the yarrow stalks and the coin methods
Another Chinese method of divination that has been
practiced since the B.C era is called Feng Shui
Feng shui which in english means wind and water is
defined by encarta as a Chinese system that studies
people’s relationships to their environment, especially
their home or workspace, in order to achieve maximum
harmony with the spiritual forces believed to influence all places
Today, believers in feng shui can be found in many countries
[To Be Concluded in Part 4]
poem by Julius Babarinsa
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Mythology
The mythology of all the races,
And of Greek's oracles to teach many;
But, the African oracles will let me write out my mind,
And like a bearded man with the breasts of a woman.
To the Roman province of England,
To the theologians of Memphis!
And like the Cow-Goddess, Hathor of Dendera;
But, Zeus of Olumpus still rules the world today.
The Sun-God, 'Re' of Helpolis,
Of the bull Apis!
And these are all part of the mythologies of the races.
The Cosmic-God, Amon of Hermoplois,
And like Nimrod who founded Babylon! !
In pagan antiquity to teach us all;
Nimtod, Semiramis and Ninus!
And like the flight of a snake and an alligator.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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Sing To Me
Ligeia is my Greek siren singer.
Singing warmhearted songs of happiness
At night, I waking at sunrise to her
Indescribable Psyche* loveliness.
Although oracles consulted are wise
And state her beauty is too great for me.
To leave her on a mountaintop advised
Placate the jealous gods I’ll not agree.
Unlike Eros**, Ligeia lights each lamp
And knows her man that loves her every night.
She’ll not make compromises -not this vamp!
So serenade me Ligeia, excite
My fancies. Sing to me songs that we love
The kind we dream and those still undreamed of.
* Greek goddess of the soul and one of exquisite grace and beauty.
** Greek god of love, husband of Psyche.
poem by Albert Ahearn
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I have the right to interpretation as a dramatist. I research. It's my responsibility to find the research. It's my responsibility to digest it and do the best that I can with it. But at a certain point that responsibility will become an interpretation.
quote by Oliver Stone
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Get The Message
(eric carmen)
Recorded by cyrus erie
Epic 10451 / 1969
Weve been goin together so long
Cant you feel that theres somethin wrong?
You only take me half way there,
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
We cant go on this way
While theres nothin more to say
Get the message
(come on now, come on now)
Get the message
(come on now, come on now)
Can you hear me? can you clear me?
Get the message
My bedroom walls been scaled of late
So often its become my friend
But these great lows are what Ive got to end
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
We cant go on this way
One more hour, one more day
Get the message
(come on, now)
(come on, now)
Get the message
(come on, now)
(come on, now)
Can you hear me? can you clear me?
Get the message
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
We cant go on this way
One more hour, one more day
Get the message
(come on, now)
(come on, now)
Get the message
(come on, now)
(come on, now)
Can you hear me? can you clear me?
Get the message
(come on, now)
(come on, now)
Can you hear me? can you clear me?
Get the message
song performed by by Eric Carmen
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Moments after
Who know what will happen moment after?
Cries may be all over after day of joy and laughter
Destruction all over and mass slaughter
When hate spreads its wings and revenge there after
No one knows what is likely to take place
There may not be any body to offer solace
Better to prepare for worst to follow
Not let up or uncertainty allow
Who ever is alert is bound to succeed?
Careful planning cautiously proceed
May not yield what is expected
Danger may not take over as suspected
Half way is through if alertness is there
Easy solution and path way clear
Full confidence without any fear
Mental preparedness for hardship to bear
Life is full of uncertainty
No one is sure of its continuity
Happy moments should he shared fully
Life may believed in sense truly
“Leave all worries to me” I shall look
Every message is thus read in book
Why worry today when He is present?
Try for best which has got His consent
Life is continuity and noble mission
Needs some divine blessings with submission?
May be there lapses and emission with omission
Still lot of joy left with clear position
It may happen at destined hour
Nothing will be left to claim mine or your
This is one of simplest philosophy of life
Situation is not bad and time is ripe
Moments after and moments now
Hangs a balance for to act and how
If we can understand and manage
Road is open with clear message
poem by Hasmukh Amathalal
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Sleep Come Free Me
Well, Ive been lying in this dungeon
Since I was eighteen
Ten lonely years of my life taken
Ive been living in the pages of a magazine
It breaks my heart to awaken
(chorus)
Set me free
Sleep come free me (please, please, please)
Set me free
Set me free
Now the state of alabama says I killed a man
The jury reached the same conclusion
I remember I was there
With a tire iron in my hand
The rest is all confusion
- chorus -
More like an animal and less like a man
What they leave you aint worth keeping
Brother let me tell you
I got a clock with no hands
The only way out is through sleeping
- chorus -
You get to where you used to be
Whoever you claim
Its open to interpretation
Just remember your number
And abandon your name
And hold on to your name
And hold on to your imgination
Oh no no
- chorus -
song performed by by James Taylor
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Those Tricks Played
Strip away from yourself,
Those tricks played...
That have outdated themselves,
And only then we can agree...
Upon what is honest,
In this relationship.
Your elementary school tactics used,
Once believed hiding insecurities...
Are no longer needed to impress,
Your ego needing to be addressed.
If I can take years of your critique,
I am sure one self examination...
Done you do will clear the air,
Between you and me.
Strip away from yourself,
Those tricks played...
That have outdated themselves,
Without delay.
And only then we can agree...
Upon what is honest,
In this relationship.
Both us seem to believe,
Has a value left and worthy to keep.
'I 'guess' you are right!
We both seemed to have gotten older...
And to me it has seemed,
To have happened overnight.'
Well...
Those nights have been the longest ones,
I have ever known in my life.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Knowledge Interpretation Flames
judgment discernment eyes world cosmos changing
mimesis Ancient Greek soul through worlds hurling
mimesis art’s imitation of life nature centuries enduring
independent intellectual pursuits time critique overlapping
analysis meaning human texts symbolic expressions flowing
knowledge interpretation flames bright insight understanding
contrast form self-reflective knowledge involving understanding
implicitly explicitly interpretation texts defined knowledge perceiving
theoretical explanation to reduce entrapment in systems mind dominating
domination dependence obeying emancipatory interest perception expanding
focused interpretation explanation not social transformation dominating
knowledge liberation scope of autonomy scope of domination reducing
espoused general theory of values either society affirming or criticizing
literature humanities plus minus a normative dimension perceiving
poem by Terence George Craddock
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