The Strangest Creature On Earth
You're like a scorpion, my brother,
you live in cowardly darkness
like a scorpion.
You're like a sparrow, my brother,
always in a sparrow's flutter.
You're like a clam, my brother,
closed like a clam, content,
And you're frightening, my brother,
like the mouth of an extinct volcano.
Not one,
not five--
unfortunately, you number millions.
You're like a sheep, my brother:
when the cloaked drover raises his stick,
you quickly join the flock
and run, almost proudly, to the slaughterhouse.
I mean you're strangest creature on earth--
even stranger than the fish
that couldn't see the ocean for the water.
And the oppression in this world
is thanks to you.
And if we're hungry, tired, covered with blood,
and still being crushed like grapes for our wine,
the fault is yours--
I can hardly bring myself to say it,
but most of the fault, my dear brother, is yours.
Trans. by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konuk (1993)
poem by Nazim Hikmet
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Related quotes
The Strangest Creature Of The World
you look lıke a scorpion my friend
you live cowardly ın darkness like a scorpion
you look like a sparrow my friend
you are in the haste of a sparrow
you look like a mussel my friend
like a mussel closed and comfortable
and you are terrible my friend
like the muzzel of a volcano
your number not one
you are not five
but unfortunately there are millions of you
on the world
you look like lamb my friend
when well clad cattle dealer with cloak
raises his baton
you immediately join the herd
and proudly
you run to the slaughter house quickly
that to say word by word
you are the strangest creature of the world
you are stranger than the fish living in the sea
but do not know anything about the sea
and in this world
the tyranny overwhelms the world for the sake of you
and if we are hungry
weary and if the blood is shed sparıngly
and if we are pressed and pounded fiercely to yield our wines
ı do not want to say that
and though ı do not intend this
but it is a reality
most of the faults are yours
behold it
and learn this learn
my dear brethren
Nazım HİKMET
translation Metin ŞAHİN
poem by Metin Sahin
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Confessions of a Bound Soul
Brother, my brother,
How selfish was I
While you seemed to struggle,
I sat idly by
Brother, my brother
Yes, try as I might
I now realize
It was also my fight
Brother, my brother
Now look at your arm
It's cold and immovable
Lost all its charm
Brother, my brother
Now look at your leg
There's so much left missing
Yet not once did you beg
Brother, my brother
Though I lost more in mass
It is you far more haunted
By our mistakes in the past
Brother, dear brother
Listen when I say
I will stick by your side
Until this goes away
Brother, dear brother
Listen when I say
I will stick by your side
Until our final day
poem by Amanda Saveley
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Brother To Brother Hymn
Brother to brother
I know that I can always coun on you
Because you are my brther
And I am your brother also
Brother to brother
Your life is different than mine
You live in Brazil
I live in Canad a country that is more advanced in technology
Brother to brother
I will pray for you
Eventhough you don't believe in God
Brother to brother I will email you more frequently
Brother to brother I will sing you a song
Brother to brother I hope the saints will go to Sao paulo and watch you While you are sleeping
poem by Aldo Kraas
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Brother...
More than the blood of my blood. He is my friend,
my rock...my brother.
Brother, in times of need, never judging, always there.
My Brother, could, would, always make things right.
Brother, never made much ado, about the task at
hand...he just did it.
Brother, who lifted me, when I was down.
Brother, who brought the laughter, amid the pain.
Brother, the word he never spoke...was 'no'.
Brother, who had the answers, to my questions.
Brother, who by example, did walk the path of right.
Brother, in all my years...in all my life, never have
I met another...like my loving brother.
Lifelong Bonds...
More than the blood of my blood. He is my friend,
my rock...my brother.
Brother, in times of need, never judging, always there.
My Brother, could, would, always make things right.
Brother, never made much ado, about the task at
hand...he just did it.
Brother, who lifted me, when I was down.
Brother, who brought the laughter, amid the pain.
Brother, the word he never spoke...was 'no'.
Brother, who had the answers, to my questions.
Brother, who by example, did walk the path of right.
Brother, in all my years...in all my life, never have
I met another...like my loving brother.
He Is My Blood...
More than the blood of my blood. He is my friend,
my rock...my brother.
Brother, in times of need, never judging, always there.
My Brother, could, would, always make things right.
Brother, never made much ado, about the task at
hand...he just did it.
Brother, who lifted me, when I was down.
Brother, who brought the laughter, amid the pain.
Brother, the word he never spoke...was 'no'.
Brother, who had the answers, to my questions.
Brother, who by example, did walk the path of right.
Brother, in all my years...in all my life, never have
I met another...like my loving brother.
The Blood That Binds...
More than the blood of my blood. He is my friend,
my rock...my brother.
Brother, in times of need, never judging, always there.
My Brother, could, would, always make things right.
Brother, never made much ado, about the task at
hand...he just did it.
Brother, who lifted me, when I was down.
Brother, who brought the laughter, amid the pain.
Brother, the word he never spoke...was 'no'.
Brother, who had the answers, to my questions.
Brother, who by example, did walk the path of right.
Brother, in all my years...in all my life, never have
I met another...like my loving brother.
To My Brother...
More than the blood of my blood. He is my friend,
my rock...my brother.
Brother, in times of need, never judging, always there.
My Brother, could, would, always make things right.
Brother, never made much ado, about the task at
hand...he just did it.
Brother, who lifted me, when I was down.
Brother, who brought the laughter, amid the pain.
Brother, the word he never spoke...was 'no'.
Brother, who had the answers, to my questions.
Brother, who by example, did walk the path of right.
Brother, in all my years...in all my life, never have
I met another...like my loving brother.
Brother To Brother
Brother to brother
Now we must join our hearts and hands
Yeah, if we love one another
We hold the key to the promised land
Think of all that weve been through
The shucks and jives and royal blues
Let us pray our time will come
When this world will live as one
Brother to brother
Now dont let the devil get you down
Oh cause its bread and its butter
That makes this whole damn world
Go round and round
Do you know where we went wrong
Tell me why the lines are drawn?
And let us break our boundries down
And live our lives on common ground
Oh mothers and fathers
Where will tomorrows children be?
Oh brother, my brother
Let us live our lives in peace
Brother to brother
Brother to brother
song performed by by Gino Vanelli
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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About Brother Rabbit.
Brother Rabbit and Brother Terrapin wanted to run round a tree.
They went to Brother Bear and asked him to be the referee.
He said to Brother Terrapin, “You win if you’re the first to take the stone! ”
Brother Rabbit ran and won as Brother Terrapin could only go,
He cried, “Brother Rabbit has run, but has he really won?
Look here, my stone’s on me, so I’m number one! ”
When Brother Fox and Brother Rabbit meet,
Brother Fox always tries to eat
Brother Rabbit who often thinks how
To laugh at Brother Fox. Now
Brother Rabbit said, “Have we met, Brother? Hi! ”
“Oh! I haven’t had lunch”, Brother Fox replied.
“But when we yesterday met,
You also said that.
Poor Brother Fox had no lunch,
Then have for it grass or a branch”.
Brother Rabbit’s taught Brother Wolf a lesson.
He’s done it to amuse his little son.
Now, Brother Wolf’s in a cage.
Nothing he can change.
Yesterday he ate meat in a trap,
And Brother Rabbit didn’t let
Him run out, he locked him then,
He taught him and needn’t teach again.
poem by Konstantin Ananin
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For Bill - My Brother
Who was aged five when I was born
My brother
Who hid my toys and broke my dolls
My brother
Who avoided his sister at school all day
My brother
Who tolerated my teenage years
My brother
Who as an adult became a friend
My brother
Who mellowed with each passing year
My brother
Who supported my desire to immigrate
My brother
Who was there when others weren't
My brother
Who buried our parents while I was gone
My brother
Who cherished every visit I made
My brother
Who had his ticket to visit me here
My brother
Who unexpectedly died this year
My brother
poem by Evelyn Macdonald
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All My Brothers
I walk with my brother the Christian,
But I do not believe as he, I am not his Christian brother.
I walk with my brother the Jew,
Not born to his name, I am not his brother.
I walk with my brother the Muslim,
Infidel to him, he does not call me his brother.
They know only their god, not one that I can know.
I walk with my brother the Hindu.
We are love and all are one.
I walk with my brother the Buddhist
He has known me in our past family
I walk with my brother the Taoist
We are on this path but for a moment.
They know god and I am he.
I walk with my brother the Shaman,
He sees the animal spirit within me.
I walk with my brother the Pagan,
He knows only the nature from which we come.
I walk with my brother the Tribesman,
He finds my place with his people.
They know of god in everything.
I walk with my brother the deer
He watches me with curiosity
I walk with my brother the crane,
He wonders if I can catch him.
I walk with my brother the serpent,
He sees me as warmth.
They know nothing of God.
poem by R.L. Ohlhausen
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Where was my brother
Where was my brother when I needed him there?
Does he think I don’t notice or assume I don’t care?
Where was my bother it was once him and once me?
But now at some bad times it’s him I don’t see.
Where was my brother who’s back I once had?
You were the brother to count on the good times and bad.
Where was my brother by my side he should be?
He should be right here why can’t I see?
Where was my brother when I needed him most?
Now when I look to my side all I see is his ghost.
Where was my brother did I bring shame?
Does he remember me now, does he remember my name?
Where was my brother waiting to long for his call?
So I put up a brick on my emotional wall.
Where was my brother, its his court its his ball?
Guess my brother has proved he’s no brother at all.
poem by Empty Shell
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A Brother Like Him
I'M SO LUCKY TO HAVE A BROTHER LIKE HIM! A BROTHER LIKE HIM, WHO I CAN LAUGH AND TALK TO HIM ANYTIME! A BROTHER LIKE HIM WHOM I CAN MAKE NEW MEMORIES WITH HIM! A BROTHER LIKE HIM WHO IS ALWAYS BY MY SIDE! I AM PROUD TO HAVE A BROTHER LIKE HIM NOT BECAUSE OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENT, BUT BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS! A BROTHER LIKE HIM WHO DOESN'T WANT ME TO CHOOSE WRONG WAYS BUT RIGHT WAYS! YES, HE IS MY ROLE MODEL! ! A BROTHER LIKE HIM WHO ALWAYS TELL'S ME WHAT IS GOOD AND NOT GOOD FOR ME! NOW HE IS FAR AWAY FROM HOME! WE ONLY COMMUNICATE VIA CELL PHONES, AND HEARING HIS VOICE MAKES ME TO MISS HIM EVEN MORE! BUT I HAVE TO WAIT BECAUSE SOON HE WILL COME AND VIST! A BROTHER LIKE HIM......A BROTHER LIKE HIM......'MR P 'HE IS MY FIRST 'BIGGY'BIG BROTHER! !
poem by K.R Relebogile Mafojane
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I am pleased not to call you brother
I am fortunately unfortunate
Not to call you brother
For a brother is never
Envious of his brother
He never prays doom to his brother
He never stabs on his back
He never plans against him
He never lose his faith in him
And you did everything with me
Which a brother cannot do with his brother
So I am pleased
not to call you brother.
poem by Mohammad Akmal Nazir
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My brother.
My brother's so sweet
in time's of need.
my brother's so responsible
he taught me a lot of things.
my brother's so funny
we even teared from laughing.
my brother's so fierce
don't mess with him when hes angry.
my brother fell in love
and he's very very happy.
my brother made up his mind
and had a nice sweet family.
my brother is far away
i'm sad when i think of him.
but the most I love about
my brother hes always there for me
when I need him the most.
Big Brother
Big Brother your sometimes a pain,
Big Brother you've seen more than i have.
Big Brother we sometimes fight.
Big Brother you've always we're there for me,
Big Brother you've protected me,
Even though sometimes you hate to admit it.
Big Brother you helped me learn some things,
Big Brother you made a path for me in this world.
And i thank you.
Big Brother you hate to admit your annoying little sister you love.
But big brother...
I thank you.
I thank you and i'll never forget all what you've done for me.
I love you big brother & i wish the best for you.
This poem is © to
Ashley Hall
poem by Ashley Hall
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My brother? ?
a big brother
is a guy i love to be around
he is a very close friend i found
a big brother
is a guy who always seems
to care and is always there
a big brother
is a guy that i can look up to
because he always knows what to do
a big brother
is a guy i want to see
he will always understand me
that guy i talk about
is not my big brother
he is just a brother
i wish i had
poem by Meghan Andrews
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Hold On Dear Brother
Hold on dear brother
Hold on dear brother
Hold on dear brother
Oh brother
Ooooo
Tried to close my eyes
To all around me
Oh no you just cant escape
If I lose one friend
Will I still have you
Wont you please
Hold on dear brother
Hold on dear brother
Hold on dear brother
Oh brother
Ooooo
What can I love that isnt you
But you never understand inside of me
Till you realize a look
You never get more than you took
Wont you please
Hold on dear brother
Hold on dear brother
Hold on dear brother
Oh brother
Brother
In your heart you know it love
A simple feeling that you shout
I want your love
You touch my hand
I need your love
To carry me home
In your heart you know it love
A simple feeling that you shout
I want your love
You touch my
I need your love
To carry me home
Hold on dear brother
Hold on dear brother
Hold on dear brother
Hold on dear brother
Hold on dear brother
Hold on dear brother
Hold on dear brother
Hold on dear brother
Hold on dear brother
song performed by by Beach Boys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I'm Tired Of Life
I'm tired, I'm tired of life, brother!
Of all that meets my eye;
And my weary spirit fain would pass
To worlds beyond the sky.
For there is naught on earth, brother,
For which I'd wish to live;
Not all the glittering gauds of wealth
One hour of peace can give.
I'm weary,--sick at heart, brother,
Of heartless pomp and show!
And ever comes some cloud to dim
The little joy I know.
This world is not the world, brother,
It seemed in days agone,
When I viewed it through the rainbow mists
Of childhood's rosy dawn.
I would not pain your heart, brother--
I know you love me well;
And that love is laid upon my soul,
E'en as a holy spell.
But I'm weary of this world, brother,
This world of sin and care;
And my spirit fluttereth to be free,
To mount the upper air!
I know not of the world, brother,
To which I wish to go;
And perhaps my soul may there awake
To know a deeper woe!
They say the pure of earth, brother,
Find there undying bliss;
While all the wicked ones are cast
Into a dark abyss!
I look upon the stars, brother,
That gem the vault of blue;
And when they tell me 'God is love,'
I feel it must be true;
For I see on all around, brother,
The impress of a hand
That blendeth and uniteth all
In one harmonious band.
I am that which I am, brother,
As the Creator made;
To _Him_, all-holy and all-pure,
No fault can e'er be laid.
He knows my weakness well, brother,
And I can trust his love
To bear me safe through Jordan's stream
To brighter worlds above.
poem by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
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