On Living
I
Living is no laughing matter:
you must live with great seriousness
like a squirrel, for example--
I mean without looking for something beyond and above living,
I mean living must be your whole occupation.
Living is no laughing matter:
you must take it seriously,
so much so and to such a degree
that, for example, your hands tied behind your back,
your back to the wall,
or else in a laboratory
in your white coat and safety glasses,
you can die for people--
even for people whose faces you've never seen,
even though you know living
is the most real, the most beautiful thing.
I mean, you must take living so seriously
that even at seventy, for example, you'll plant olive trees--
and not for your children, either,
but because although you fear death you don't believe it,
because living, I mean, weighs heavier.
II
Let's say you're seriously ill, need surgery--
which is to say we might not get
from the white table.
Even though it's impossible not to feel sad
about going a little too soon,
we'll still laugh at the jokes being told,
we'll look out the window to see it's raining,
or still wait anxiously
for the latest newscast ...
Let's say we're at the front--
for something worth fighting for, say.
There, in the first offensive, on that very day,
we might fall on our face, dead.
We'll know this with a curious anger,
but we'll still worry ourselves to death
about the outcome of the war, which could last years.
Let's say we're in prison
and close to fifty,
and we have eighteen more years, say,
before the iron doors will open.
We'll still live with the outside,
with its people and animals, struggle and wind--
I mean with the outside beyond the walls.
I mean, however and wherever we are,
we must live as if we will never die.
III
This earth will grow cold,
a star among stars
and one of the smallest,
a gilded mote on blue velvet--
I mean this, our great earth.
This earth will grow cold one day,
not like a block of ice
or a dead cloud even
but like an empty walnut it will roll along
in pitch-black space ...
You must grieve for this right now
--you have to feel this sorrow now--
for the world must be loved this much
if you're going to say "I lived" ...
Trans. by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konuk (1993)
poem by Nazim Hikmet
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Living is no laughing matter: you must live with great seriousness like a squirrel for example - I mean without looking for something beyond and above living, I mean living must be your whole occupation.
quote by Nazim Hikmet
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sun Goes Down (Livin' It Up)
Though I live on the edge time is on my side
all the doors to my life are open wide
just as long as the wheels keep on turning 'round
I will live for the groove 'til the sun goes down
living it up, living it up
I can feel it
living it up
is it a crazy notion?
living it up, living it up
I can feel it
living it up
I got forward motion
I don't wanna go to war, I don't wanna go to war
I said I know what I want and I don't wanna go war - do you follow me?
I saw a soldier standing in a bar
looked so tired he'd come so far
he said "I need to love someone, before they drop the atom bomb"
there's a girl at the back making eyes at me
and her hair long and black is a sight to see
but I get kind of scared when love's around
I just live for the groove 'til the sun goes down
living it up, living it up
I can feel it
living it up
is it a false emotion?
living it up, living it up
I can feel it
living it up
I got forward motion
so I'm a-taking you out but I'm a-faking
I'm married to the beat
but to the music I gave the heart I could have given you
still there's something 'bout the way that you move
and the way that people stare it's the shock of the new
I want my friends to see me standing next to you
the sun goes down . . .
time is on my side
I don't care what they say I'll enjoy the ride
but I get kind of scared when I turn around
so I'll stay with the groove 'til the sun goes down
living it up
living it up
I can feel it
living it up
I got forward motion
ooh - watch her dance
there must be one like her in every club in every town
but I don't mind if that the way she wants to be
there's something 'bout her that reminds me of me
she's my soulmate - we'll be together 'til the sun goes down
the sun goes down
living it up
living it up
I can feel it
living it up
I got forwand motion
song performed by by Level 42
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Sun Goes Down
Though I live on the edge time is on my side
All the doors to my life are open wide
Just as long as the wheels keep on turning round
I will live for the groove til the sun goes down
Living it up, living it up
I can feel it
Living it up
Is it a crazy notion?
Living it up, living it up
I can feel it
Living it up
I got forward motion
I dont wanna go to war, I dont wanna go to war
I said I know what I want and I dont wanna go war - do you follow me?
I saw a soldier standing in a bar
Looked so tired hed come so far
He said I need to love someone, before they drop the atom bomb
Theres a girl at the back making eyes at me
And her hair long and black is a sight to see
But I get kind of scared when loves around
I just live for the groove til the sun goes down
Living it up, living it up
I can feel it
Living it up
Is it a false emotion?
Living it up, living it up
I can feel it
Living it up
I got forward motion
So Im a-taking you out but Im a-faking
Im married to the beat
But to the music I gave the heart I could have given you
Still theres something bout the way that you move
And the way that people stare its the shock of the new
I want my friends to see me standing next to you
The sun goes down . . .
Time is on my side
I dont care what they say Ill enjoy the ride
But I get kind of scared when I turn around
So Ill stay with the groove til the sun goes down
Living it up
Living it up
I can feel it
Living it up
I got forward motion
Ooh - watch her dance
There must be one like her in every club in every town
But I dont mind if that the way she wants to be
Theres something bout her that reminds me of me
Shes my soulmate - well be together til the sun goes down
The sun goes down
Living it up
Living it up
I can feel it
Living it up
I got forwand motion
song performed by by Level 42
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I'm living a dream
I'm living a dream
where people stay together as one
as god want us to be
where all the enemies compromise and become as one
i'm living a dream
where i could wake up and look at the blue sky with a happy sunny face
where i could watch the rainbow on the sky
i'm living a dream
where the battle have to come to an end
i'm living a dream
where i could hear the singing bird
where i could stand on the top of a high mountain and shout for freedom
poor me
we yell at each other
we used each other
we hurt each other
because we are human
this is a way of life
my people let's hope for the best
my people lets stop being selfish
open your eyes and see the world is drifting apart
because of us
i'm living a dream
where we all become as one
holding hands in hands
I'm living a dream
where we all could live without any pain and sorrow
how wonderful would it be
if we stay together
die together
blame together
i just realized we are only human
I'm living a dream
poem by Guenael Oristel
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There Are No Minutes Kept Backed Up
There are no minutes kept backed up,
To put aside to decide to live them.
There are no minutes that can be stored as such,
For one to decide life is worth living.
There are no minutes kept backed up.
None one can say they have wrapped up.
There is no one on Earth with that much luck...
To decide when their life is worth the living.
People think they should be shown some proof,
That a life they live is worth the living.
While they isolate themselves locked up in coops,
To decide that a life they live is worth the living.
While awaiting for someone to approve what they do,
That a life given to them is worth the living.
With a choosing of every move...
Excusing some choices while others are removed.
To clarify that a life they live is worth the living.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Some Fortunate Dead
Those, who are gone, left in the memory,
An incredulous effect. No one can believe that these folks,
Then and there, are no more. They are gone in the sea,
Without saying goodbye, they are living in the black space.
The dead are never gone, they are missing, buried
In an inexplicable void. They are somewhere; nowhere.
They neither live nor breathe. They are scattered
In the hearts, in the erroneous minds of the street, somewhere.
It was yesterday that the new dead were laughing and dreaming,
It was this morning that I saw them live, live, in flesh.
I thought they were all the close friends of Methos.
Those, who are hardly living, abruptly found peace,
The rest they sought since the first leap of the heart;
They are now away from fear, sorrow and pain.
poem by Hebert Logerie
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What Are We Really Living For?
What are we really living for?
If we don't seek love.
What are we living for?
If inside we can't be happy.
We're living for,
The pursuit of it...
And some people think,
It is a ship coming in.
And all they have to do is sit and giggle and grin.
What are we really living for?
Does it get to show.
What are we really living for?
Who on Earth knows.
What are we really living for?
Is it for upheavel.
What are we really living for?
Or a treated evil.
What are we really living for?
Deceit and disbelief.
What are we really living for?
Or for other people.
What are we really living for?
To meet and greet.
What are we really living for?
Does it get to show.
What are we really living for?
Who on Earth knows.
What are we really living for?
Is it for upheavel.
What are we really living for?
Or a treated evil.
What are we really living for?
Or, are we too blind...
What are we really living for?
To see we're here...
And are together on the right scene.
We just don't want to know what it means...
To Let go, Let God, and let happiness,
Be released!
What are we really living for?
If we don't seek love.
What are we really living for?
If inside,
We can't-be-happy.
Are we really living for,
The pursuit of it...
And some people think,
It is a ship coming in.
And all they have to do is sit and giggle and grin.
What are we really living for?
Not for snicks and giggles.
What are we really living for?
Not for snicks and giggles.
What are we really living for?
Not for snicks and giggles.
What are we really living for?
Not for snicks and giggles.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Purgatory
Beautiful people - got their beautiful lives - got their
Beautiful husbands - got their beautiful wives - got their
Beautiful bankers - got their beautiful lawyers
All things bright and beautiful
The beautiful people are sent to destroy us
Beautiful people - got their beautiful kids - got their
Beautiful schools where the beautiful other half live - got their
Beautiful futures in their beautiful professions
All things bright and beautiful
The beautiful people got the money for the lessons
I'm living in purgatory - I know what purgatory is
This ain't no sanctuary - This ain't no way to live
You gotta have a sense of humour - you gotta know how to laugh at it
Cos, I'm living in Purgatory 'n anything's better than this
Beautiful people got their beautiful clothes - got their
Beautiful mansions - down their beautiful country roads - got their
Beautiful Doctors - in their beautiful surgeries
All things bright and beautiful
The beautiful people like a little privacy
I'm living in purgatory - I know what purgatory is
This ain't no sanctuary - This ain't no way to live
You gotta have a sense of humour - you gotta know how to laugh at it
Cos, I'm living in Purgatory 'n anything's better than this
Beautiful losers on their beautiful estates got their
beautiful job centres on the beautiful welfare wait and wait
Beautiful dreamers - out of their beautiful skulls
All things are bright and beautiful
As long as they're beautiful, people stay beautiful.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
I'm living in purgatory - I know what purgatory is
This ain't no sanctuary - This ain't no way to live
You gotta have a sense of humour - you gotta know how to lau
song performed by by Ian Hunter
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Living God
Living God
Maker of all the heaven and earth
We want to worship you
Living God
You are the prince of peace
The master of the universe
Living God
We are your children
We will never forget you
And you will never forget us either
Living God
We give all the glory to you
Living God
You take away our sins
Living God
We are not perfect like you
So I hope you understand this
Because we are human beings
And we have our faults also
Living God
You are worth to be praise
Living God
Take the place of all the power
Living God
Behold, it comes in might,
The power that is power,
The light that is in darkness,
The shade in dazzling light
It is joy that never spoke,
Living God
poem by Aldo Kraas
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Every Living Thing Barring Mother Nature
They may be very famous people and leave their footprints in the sands of time
And their legends may live on for centuries and even outlive the poet's rhyme
But their fame won't live on forever though them the masses celebrate
For every living thing barring Mother Nature has on it set a time date.
Every living thing barring Mother Nature will eventually go into decay
And even from history's pages be lost and forgotten one day
Suppose that's what makes all things equal and whether we are buried or burn
Mother Nature is there to receive us and to her bosom we'll return.
All of my best years behind me and I've lived most of my time span
Less than two years short of sixty soon I will be an old man
Every day nearer the last day that is the end for us all
To us then it will not matter if the living our names won't recall.
Every living thing barring Mother Nature must bow to old father time
And though the achievements of some great people may outlive the great poet's rhyme
Their fame has on it a time date it has often been said before
That only herself Mother Nature will live on forever more.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Livin In The Limelight
**everybody wants to be a star
Living in the limelight
A big house and a fancy car
Living in the limelight
Everybody gonna know your name
Surely pleased to meet you
Ask you for your autograph
See your latest feature
In the middle of the middle of a dream
Living in the limelight
See yourself on the silver screen
Living in the limelight
*how you gonna keep em down on the farm
Never make em happy
How you gonna keep em close to home
Everybodys leavin, headin for hollywood
Everybody has a fantasy
Living in the limelight
A personality
Living in the limelight
Hypnotisin the roar of the crowd
Living in the limelight
Never heard of stagefright
First one back for the curtain call
Fall in love with the spotlight
On the cover of a magazine
Living in the limelight
In your limousine
Living in the limelight
Everybody gonna know your name
Living in the limelight
Say, gonna be pleased to meet you
Living in the limelight
Living in the lime, living in the limelight
Living in the limelight
They go to hollywood, be a star
Living in the limelight...
(* repeat)
(**repeat)
song performed by by Peter Cetera
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Wiggly World
They say the fittest shall survive
Yet the unfit may live
Let em wear gaudy colors
Or avoid display
Hey it dont matter
Its all the same
So I do this and I do that
So I do this and I do that
So I do this and I do that
Its never straight up and down
Its never straight up and down
Its never straight up and down
Its never straight up and down
Oh you got a nickel
I got a dime
Id like to get to know you
But I havent got the time
You gotta walk like a mannequin
Roll like a tire
Act on reaction
Dodge the big spud fryer
So wiggle on the bottom
Wiggle on the top
Wiggle up the middle
And laugh a lot
Cause Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggly world, a wiggly world
I got to tell you
Ive been living in a wiggly world now
Wiggly world, a wiggly world
Well Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggly world, a wiggly wor/d
I got to tell you
Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggiy world, a wiggly world
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle
Yeah Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggly world
Oh Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggly world
Well Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggly world
Well Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggly world
Well Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggly world
Well Ive been iiving
In a wiggly world now
Wiggly world
Well Ive been living in a wiggly world
Wiggly world
Oh, Ive been living in a wiggly
Wiggly world
song performed by by Devo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Trees
Trees, please me
To sit and watch them grow
As from a seed,
They do breed,
And from the Earth and Wind they grow,
Reaching up towards the clouds
And swaying in the breeze,
It always makes me feel so proud,
To sit, and watch a tree.
Earth is the Father,
Protecting his precious child,
While Mother is Nature,
Giving protection from the wild.
Trees, please me
Living from a seed,
Living in awe,
And growing so tall,
Entertains both you and me.
Randy L. McClave
poem by Randy McClave
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Til Death
Kill.
Were fighting death in a living hell.
Were fighting death remove any wait.
Were fighting death in a living hell.
Fighting death.
Were fighting death in a living hell.
Were fighting death remove any wait.
Were fighting death in a living hell.
Fighting death.
You play the loser.
Remain to live.
Live to the day.
Find the need, kill all.
Kill, raid, rot, and live to fight death.
We loathe thee to the death.
Loathe its lies.
Fight til the death.
Live, we die.
Kill for the need.
Death we love.
It lied.
song performed by by Obituary
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Tressure And Dry Earth
The dry earth every time generated dark smoke everywhere like morning misty
Delight full sky with sun voyaging full of day without space for dark cloud time of every
Ounce upon time made many of lake seen like one of garden grass with tasty
The people of sin excavated for destroying the proud of history among dry
The natural dowry destroying ignorant people it be hate for living people
They never get to chance for living like human the hell will open it will be true
The people turn to back world via clause till die all of innocent people
They refuse theme with people and natural will hate and revenge
The history and heritages thieving sin people without knowing proud of mother s land
Where can shown some day to own children this is mine deposited for my love proved
The future heritage dry earth and empty forest live and sorrow with gathered
Oh the dowry from father vanish children cried with sorrow weeping wiped
The smooth whether turn to dry and harmfully for people living better
With large thirsty wild animal carcass showing every village near
Demolish link with natural the people feared and shivered and murmur
Although they not allowed pure reality by word of believably will listen wind whisper
poem by Inguruwatta Pushpadewa
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Born to Feel Passion
I have been told
Not to expect others
To feel as passionate
About life as I do!
I thought that strange.
Especially...
Since those comments
Were from those
Living!
Or...
Maybe not!
And what I feel,
Is not real to them!
Perhaps for them it lacks appeal?
This life I have,
I am not in doubt...
Nor trying to figure out,
Who's life I have I am living!
Could they be right?
Could they be tossing,
And turning with sleepless nights...
Yearning?
It is my life.
And I thank God,
I was born to feel passion.
And as a bonus,
He added compassion.
Or...
Maybe not!
Maybe it is the other way around?
And they are right.
It is my life!
And I am confused...
As to which part of it lived to use?
And how much of it exposed,
I should be living and giving
First?
This life I live that comes to give...
As I live it,
Is unrehearsed!
I did not bother to watch others,
From a safety that is perched!
Perhaps,
I should just sit...
To watch others more experienced,
Living it...
In practice to arrange
A more suitable existence...
That protects,
And perfects it!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Letter To My Wife
11-11-1933
Bursa Prison
My one and only!
Your last letter says:
"My head is throbbing,
my heart is stunned!"
You say:
"If they hang you,
if I lose you,
I'll die!"
You'll live, my dear--
my memory will vanish like black smoke in the wind.
Of course you'll live, red-haired lady of my heart:
in the twentieth century
grief lasts
at most a year.
Death--
a body swinging from a rope.
My heart
can't accept such a death.
But
you can bet
if some poor gypsy's hairy black
spidery hand
slips a noose
around my neck,
they'll look in vain for fear
in Nazim's
blue eyes!
In the twilight of my last morning
I
will see my friends and you,
and I'll go
to my grave
regretting nothing but an unfinished song...
My wife!
Good-hearted,
golden,
eyes sweeter than honey--my bee!
Why did I write you
they want to hang me?
The trial has hardly begun,
and they don't just pluck a man's head
like a turnip.
Look, forget all this.
If you have any money,
buy me some flannel underwear:
my sciatica is acting up again.
And don't forget,
a prisoner's wife
must always think good thoughts.
Trans. by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konuk (1993)
poem by Nazim Hikmet
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Alive
A child of a broken mind
The fear that I hide behind
I hate rejection
It's the worst
It gravely hurts me
Living inside my head
I feel like the living dead
I need your affection
It's the best
It greatly helps me
With my back against the wall
Trying so hard not to fall
I'm so tired of sleeping around
Hopeless
song performed by by Ozzy Osbourne from Down To Earth
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sonnet: The World Ahead
Our children grow up faster, every day;
Years roll away unnoticed, stealthily;
Adults will soon be old; some gone away;
ome live with grief; some souls leave happily.
Our children will be parents too like us;
And rule the destiny of planet Earth;
We hope they live better than us, not worse;
And make their lives on earth really worth.
The modern world looks great in its own way;
But evil minds and spirits turn life sad;
Misery haunts the living ones each day;
Our peace of mind seems lost; the world looks mad.
Alas! All that we can do is to pray
To God, Almighty, Lord, ”show us the way'.
poem by John Celes
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Dead End Street
Theres a crack up in the ceiling,
And the kitchen sink is leaking.
Out of work and got no money,
A sunday joint of bread and honey.
What are we living for?
Two-roomed apartment on the second floor.
No money coming in,
The rent collectors knocking, trying to get in.
We are strictly second class,
We dont understand,
(dead end!)
Why we should be on dead end street.
(dead end!)
People are living on dead end street.
(dead end!)
Gonna die on dead end street.
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
On a cold and frosty morning,
Wipe my eyes and stop me yawning.
And my feet are nearly frozen,
Boil the tea and put some toast on.
What are we living for?
Two-roomed apartment on the second floor.
No chance to emigrate,
Im deep in debt and now its much too late.
We both want to work so hard,
We cant get the chance,
(dead end!)
People live on dead end street.
(dead end!)
People are dying on dead end street.
(dead end!)
Gonna die on dead end street.
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
(dead end!)
People live on dead end street.
(dead end!)
People are dying on dead end street.
(dead end!)
Gonna die on dead end street.
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Head to my feet (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Hows it feel? (yeah)
Hows it feel? (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
song performed by by Kinks
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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