Where I Was Born
Even though the streets are dark
I have no trouble finding my way
and even without the use of eyes
I can see as clear as day.
I’ve been walking these streets
for what seems many years
and there's been few changes,
but nothing is as it appears.
Often people don’t acknowledge me
and treat me as though I’m not here,
and then someone will look surprised,
but why this isn’t clear.
The house on the corner is where I was born,
and there’s my granddad closing the door.
Now that’s unusual I’ve not seen him for years,
I think I was three or four.
He looks exactly the same
and he still has that same suit on.
It still looks as good as the day it was bought
even though all that time has gone.
My mum and dad are coming down the street
with a babies pram and they’re laughing.
I’ll have a look to see who the baby is,
why it’s me and I’m coughing!
poem by Orlando Belo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
A Corner People Thing
On the streets in our hometowns
They stand together...
Men throw cans in carts together
Learning to live and eat whatever.
All...
In the name of love!
They play together
Grow gray together
Walk, talk and think together.
All...
In the name of love!
These are the people cornered
On the corners
Begging for change and miracles
On the streets of our hometowns.
Together they expect a 'ship' or something better
Coming while they doze from a 'high' together.
Some would call bums of these lifeless 'go-getters'
All...
In the name of love!
These are the people cornered
On the corners
Begging for change and miracles
On the streets of our hometowns.
Warriors wasting their points of views,
On streets where all claim paid their dues.
Rubbing their hands to get warm in Winter's cold!
A corner people thing showing numbers...uncounted
Untold!
On the streets of our hometowns.
Note: 'A Corner People Thing' was composed
many years ago as part of my 'MindPrints from
Untouched Places' presentation. This was back in the 80's.
And I think it is even more relevant today.
This poem also appears in the collection,
MindPrints from Untouched Places, Vol I (the book)
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Where The Streets Have No Name/cant Take My Eyes Off You
(hewson/evan/mullen/clayton/gaudio/crewe)
-----------------------------------------
(burning down love)
(burning down love)
I want to run, I want to hide
I want to break down the walls that hold me inside
I want to reach out, and touch the flame
Where the streets have no name
Ah-ha-ah
I want to feel the sun on my face
I see the dust cloud disappear without a trace
I want to take shelter from poison rain
Where the streets have no name
Ah-ha-ah
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
Were still building, then burning down love
Burning down love
And when I go there
I go there with you
Where the streets have no name
Cant take my eyes off of you
I love you, baby, and if its quite alright
I need you, baby, to warm a lonely night
So let me love you, baby
Let me love you
The citys aflood, our love turns to rust
Were beaten and blown by the wind, trampled in dust
Ill show you a place, high on a desert plain
Where the streets have no name
Ah-ha-ah
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
Were still building, then burning down love
Burning down love
And when I go there
Its all I can do
Where the streets have no name
I cant take my eyes off of you
(ooh aah)
Love you, baby, let me love you
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
song performed by by Pet Shop Boys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Gorbals
A lad from the Gorbals
Years ago from these streets I did grow
Rough and tumble every day
Life was hard in every way
Winters dark cold and long
But from these streets I belong
Sandstone building dark with suit
Gas light lit the neighbourhood
Glasgow’s dark and dingy streets
Football played and hide and seek
Lassies dancing curly hair
We had great fun and not a care
This was all so long ago
And places change as we all know
Sand blasted building nice and clean
This is not the place of my childhood dreams
Chellaston
21 04 2010
poem by Jim O'Donnell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Saturday Night Streets
Saturday Night Streets
Cars driving back and forth
People of different colors walking down the streets
laughing
talking
drinking
enj oying the night
The streets are talking to me
These streets have stories
different cars, different colors
I Love these streets
I love the night
I love Saturdays
l think I'm in love with these streets
I'm in love with Saturday night streets
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sun belongs to workers and the sun
Saturday belongs to the night, people and these streets
Saturday Night Streets
poem by Rebecca Succes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Street Child
Who will care for me when i am born into this world?
For day and night i've been walking on the streets;
And i have to struggle to survive for i am a street child.
No, not even one!
For many parents do not even know their children;
And i was born into a lovely home but now,
I do live on the street as a street child.
Lust and sex,
We were born out of it;
But how many parents still know that we do exist?
How many?
They really do not care abour us,
And i have to struggle to survive on my own;
How many days more left for me?
And i have to make ends meet from the streets;
Because there is nobody around to help me,
And i have no place called home again.
A street child that i am,
And of the many rivers to cross for my survival;
How many social workers do know of our plights?
How many?
How many streets do we have to sleep on?
How many? Hopw many governmenets do we have to wait for?
How many?
Yet still i am a street child.
Who really care about us?
And who really care about me?
My parents do not even know my where about;
Right from Kwazulu Natal Province to Tingitingi,
And from Obbia to Nima!
How many do care?
I am born into this world but,
I am living on the street;
And who will care about me?
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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I Celebrate The Day
And with this Christmas wish is missed
The point I could convey
If only I could find the words to say to let You know how much Youve touched my life
Because here is where Youre finding me, in the exact same place as New Years eve
And from a lack of my persistency
Were less than half as close as I want to be
And the first time
That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever
And so this Christmas Ill compare the things I felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear
That You have come to meet me here
To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me
In the hope that what You did
That you were born so I might live
To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me
And I, I celebrate the day
That You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life
song performed by by Relient K
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Streets Of Little Italy
(robbie seidman)
Producer for bonnie: desmond child
The narrow and the winding ways
The streets of old new york
The families, the street life, the spark
The rooftop where we watched
San gennaros festival
Masquerades in the dark...
On the streets down in little italy
Where the past goes on and on forever
And I feel it ever present
In every step I take alone
On the streets down in little italy
The oceans and the years
That separate our lives
From these streets we once called our home
Those distances of space and time
How strong they are
And how weak they are...
On the streets down in little italy
Where the past goes on and on forever
And I feel it ever present
In every step I take alone
On the streets down in little italy
Does the morning sunlight
Still hit the bed where we used to lie
Do the sidewalk stands and markets still overflow
Where I lingered till I was empty
Where I stayed till I had to go
Though in the night
Sometimes I see you disappear
Down cobblestones...
On the streets down in little italy
Where the past goes on and on forever
And I feel it ever present
In every step I take alone
Like your presence in my bones
On the streets down in little italy
song performed by by Bonnie Tyler
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Long Gone
Skulking in the mean streets whispering in the halls
Redlight bandits on the corner give no quarter calls
Infectious garbage fills the streets and in their eyes you know
A thin blue line bends and breaks stop the overflow
* fan the flames of the citys heat
In dark corners that you never seen
Desperation when the trouble flares
/alarm guns ring/ [well Im gonna scream] running scared
And youre long gone, down in this hell
Long gone down in this hell
So baby wont you hold me tight
Let your softness fill my night
Weve got a dream dont let it slip away
In your eyes I can see the fear
This town never sheds a tear
Were gonna be /out someday/walking away
People looking for the holy one,
Some kind of hero or a prophet to come
Visionaries dance the night away
Theres no tomorrow living for today
But youre long gone down in this hell
Long gone down in this hell
[instrumental]
I saw the stars come out tonight so lonely and immune
Summer rain kissed the streets that bleed like /open wounds/ [old balloons]
Patrol cars sweep the avenues down on forty eighth
While faces in dark doorways wait to arouse the hate
* repeat
** baby better walk away
Baby better walk away
Well be busting out someday
** repeat
[instrumental]
song performed by by Ufo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Crumblin Down
Some people aint no damn good
You cant trust em, you cant love em
No good deed goes unpunished
And I dont mind being their whipping boy
Ive had that pleasure for years and years
No, no I never was a sinner-tell me what else can I do
Second best is what you get-till you learn to bend this rules
Time respects no person-what you lift up must fall
Theyre waiting outside-to claim my crumblin walls
Saw my picture in the paper
Read the news around my face
And now some peopkle
Dont want to treat me the same
When the walls come tumblin down
When the walls come crumblin crumblin
When the walls come tumblin tumblin down
Some people say Im obnoxious and lazy
That Im uneducated and my opinipn means nothin
But I know Im a real good dancer
Dont need to look over my shoulder to see what Im after
Everybodys got their problems-aint no new news here
Im the same old trouble youve been having for years
Dont confuse the problem with the issue, girl,
cause its perfectly clear
Just a human desire to have you come near
Want to put my arms around you
Feel your breath in my ear
You can bend me you can break me
But you better stand clear
When the walls come tumblin down
When the walls come crumblin crumblin
When the walls come tumblin tumblin down
song performed by by John Mellencamp
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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See Babies Crying
I see babies crying
For their older brothers
And no one will ever know
If they'll be home again.
But babies don't you cry
Dry those frosted eyes
Look up in the heavens and say
We need you GOD today.
I now hear babies talk
As they learn to walk
Unto two, as from four
Then they're sent to war
But babies don't you cry
Dry those frosted eyes
Look up to GOD and say
We need you Lord, today.
So babies don't you fear
No need - for a couple of years
So let's see a baby's smile
Until they turn to tears.
I hear babies cry
As they learn to die
No one will give a listen
No one will ask them why
For they are sent to school
Then they're learned to talk
Then they are given guns
Then they're told to walk.
I now see babies walking
As they carry guns
I don't see babies talking
For they're not having fun.
But babies don't you cry
Lets see a cherry face
Come on babies, smile
Filled with GOD's grace.
So babies don't you fear
No need for a couple of years
Let's see a precious smile
Then we'll see your tears.
For i know why babies die
I know why babies cry
I now know the answer is
No one asks them why.
Randy L. McClave
poem by Randy McClave
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Some Bridges
Every day I walk out in this torn up world
And I fight to survive
Im laughing when I make it to the saturday
And Im alive
Carrying your smile with me
Carrying your smile with me
Everywhere I look I see this world slippin down
That low road, day by day
And I just go on working for the things I need
And making my own way
Carrying your smile with me, oh yea
Carrying your smile with me
Take a walk on the troubled side of this old town
Take a walk on the broken streets and the buildings falling down
Look at all these kids with nothing but trouble in their eyes
Trouble in their future, trouble in their lives
Some bridges are falling down
Some bridges are still around
Take a walk on the shaded uptown avenue
Some people are doing well no matter how they do
And I know theres more to life than what you own
But I see so many good things, things Ive never known
Some bridges are falling down
Some bridges are still around
Every night I listen to the sound of the street
Lying in my bed
I love to see the dreams that are dancing there
In the light above your head
And sometimes I get so weary
And when hope is caving in
You fill me with your love and your laughter, baby
Until I get back up again
Carrying your smile with me
(take a walk on the streets of this divided town)
Carrying your smile with me
(take a walk on the smoking edge of the battleground)
Carrying your smile with me
(take a look at the situation, the poverty and the desperation)
(take the time for the realization)
Everyday Im carrying your smile with me
(take a walk in the daylight)
Carrying your smile with me
(some bridges are falling down)
Carrying your smile with me
(some bridges are still around)
song performed by by Jackson Browne
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Waiting For The Man
D. mccafferty/p. agnew/d. sweet/m. charlton
Cruisin on down to my street corner
Where me and my friends hang out
Im pickin up billy along the way
Man he knows what its all about
Jed knows some chicks that can be had
Hes got his old mans car
You know that cant be bad
Phil just got numbered in a fight
But we all jumped in now ol phils alright
Hangin out together on the street
Lookin so hot we cant be beat
Keepin so cool when we get hassled
Takin our time to move along
And if youre lookin to start some trouble
Man you dont know what youre takin on
Me and billy all the guys
Fat marie with the friendly eyes
She aint so pretty but, ooh my my my
Street corner people waitin for the man
Just me and billy and all the guys
Fat marie with the friendly eyes
She aint so pretty but, ooh my my my
Street corner people, were waitin for the man
Shootin our job to the local ladies
Showin them such a good time
Drinkin our wine and gettin crazy
And movin on down the line
Just me and billy, all the guys
Fat marie with the friendly eyes
She aint so pretty but, ooh my my my
Were just street corner people waitin for the man
Me and billy, all the guys
Fat marie with the friendly eyes
She aint so pretty but, ooh my my my
Street corner people waitin for the man
Were just street corner people
Were waitin for the man
song performed by by Nazareth
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sarah Jane
little sarah jane ran away from home
fourteen and pregnent she was all alone
couldn't run from wrong, and was gonna be sent away
walkin' with her black and blue eyes full tears
the burden that she carries much to old for her years
looking at her face would confirm your worst fears
but instead she goes unnoticed
Sarah Jane another girl who is dying inside
you'd think that someone would stop
but we hide, to intent on completing our day
and she's left there to say
Chorus:
Do you hear me?
Can you see me?
Walking down the street watching you
You could help me
But your not looking
I bet you would if only you knew
You could make a difference
Do you hear me?
Can you see me?
Walking down the street needing you
I want to make it
How can I get there?
If you showed me that you cared, you know
You could make the difference
He's left to watch the world from the fifteenth floor
alone with the reminder, don't go out anymore
You know those boys are trouble here in our neighborhood
BUt you're my boy and you've got the chance to be something good
Still the call of the streets was too much to ignore
Now he's caught up in the game and can't find an open door
He's a good boy gone bad and he's trying to get out
But everybody's too afraid to hear what he's talking about
Marcus Brown, lives a life much too old for his age
If no one responds, he'll be words on a page
Another statistic cause no calls were made
To check on the boy who was missing from the fifth grade
chorus
bridge
Everywhere you turn there's hurting people passing by
Its such a shame that we could change a life but we don't try
To look outside out world
song performed by by Out Of Eden
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Black-streets II
Black-streets, seats, base, bases, eat, eats, ate, tea, ask, asks, trace, least, seer;
But, try to succeed in life by doing the right things always!
Because, it is better to help one another than living in hatred and wars.
Black-streets, race, races, traces, track, tracks, tar, tars, star, stars, east, seers;
With the works of love being manifested in the land of joy! !
But try to live by the rules and be able to achieve your goals in life.
Black-streets, art, arts, rat, rats, beat, beats, treat, treats, beet, beets, beast, bleat!
With many years of work and many years of experiences;
But, it is better to share with one another in peace, unity and joy.
Black-streets, Beck, bet, bets, belt, belts, let, lets, brass, bass, cake, bee, bleats;
Preparing the meals of love to share with others!
For, it is better to give than to receive.
Black-streets, cakes, lake, lakes, leak, leaks, cab, cabs, crab, be, bare, bear, bears;
Walking along the streets to understand the ways of life!
Because, this world was made with love and, we have to live in love.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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On Yonge Street
See the people walkin up and down
See the people movin all around
On the streets of my hometown on yonge street
Longest street in the world they say
Summertime soon slips away
I hope Ill see you one fine day on yonge street
Everywhere you go in a city by the lake
Back there in the flow you may give a hand a shake
Everyone you pass seems to wanna say hello
Even late at night on the freshly fallen snow
See the children jumpin all around
See the parents looking up and down
Upon the streets of my hometown on yonge street
Its a mean street if you choose
Its a lean street when you lose
An in-between street when you cruise on yonge street
Everywhere you go in a city by the lake
Youll be sure and find its a case of give and take
Everyone you pass seems to want to say hello
Even late at night when the streets are all aglow
Its the longest street in the world
With the most feet in the world
Another street where boy meets girl on yonge street
See the people walkin up and down
See the people movin all around
Those are the streets of my hometown on yonge street
Everywhere you walk people almost say hello
Even late at night when the streets are all aglow
On yonge street
On yonge street
song performed by by Gordon Lightfoot
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Knockin On Heavens Door
I remember playin my guitar in the projects
Playin in the pjs
A product of the environment
Pour some liquor for those who passed away
I told my mom ima get up out of da hood
Mama
My dad taught me the american dream, baby
You can be anything that you wanna be
If I did it yall could do it
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Mama, take these guns away from here
Mama, I cant shoot them anymore
Cease fire
I feel a dark cloud coming over
So poor, so dark
It feels like Im knockin on the heavens door
To biggie smalls and tupac
Knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
Hip hop
To freaky ty and big heavy
Lost boy
Knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
Yeah
And to the princess aaliyah
Were knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
To my brother big pun
Terror squad
Were knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
Oh lord, oh lord
Would someone take these guns away from here
Take these guns from the street, lord
I cant shoot my brothers anymore
I seen a thug cry
I feel a dark cloud coming over me
Over me
It feels like
It feels like Im knockin on the heavens door
So sing along street children
Were knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
And to my daddy that passed away
Rest in peace
Knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
To the god, fred jordan, were
And put the fugees on
Knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
To my people doin time
Were
Locked up
Knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
Crypts and bloods, latin peace
Please just chill wit the violence
Though even though I know that the bad boy move in silence
Im asking yall please chill wit the violence
Said even though I know that the gangsters move in silence
Whoa
Were knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
To my people in the twin tower
Were knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
And to my soldiers in the pentagon
Were knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
New york
New york
New york
New york
New york
Mama
To my people in the streets
Im talkin to you now
Please put down your heat
Oh lord
To my brothers thats on the corner
Oh god
Ay get out quick or you too will be knockin on heavens door
song performed by by Wyclef Jean
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Knockin On Heavens Door
I remember playin my guitar in the projects
Playin in the pjs
A product of the environment
Pour some liquor for those who passed away
I told my mom ima get up out of da hood
Mama
My dad taught me the american dream, baby
You can be anything that you wanna be
If I did it yall could do it
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Mama, take these guns away from here
Mama, I cant shoot them anymore
Cease fire
I feel a dark cloud coming over
So poor, so dark
It feels like Im knockin on the heavens door
To biggie smalls and tupac
Knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
Hip hop
To freaky ty and big heavy
Lost boy
Knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
Yeah
And to the princess aaliyah
Were knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
To my brother big pun
Terror squad
Were knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
Oh lord, oh lord
Would someone take these guns away from here
Take these guns from the street, lord
I cant shoot my brothers anymore
I seen a thug cry
I feel a dark cloud coming over me
Over me
It feels like
It feels like Im knockin on the heavens door
So sing along street children
Were knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
And to my daddy that passed away
Rest in peace
Knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
To the god, fred jordan, were
And put the fugees on
Knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
To my people doin time
Were
Locked up
Knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
Crypts and bloods, latin peace
Please just chill wit the violence
Though even though I know that the bad boy move in silence
Im asking yall please chill wit the violence
Said even though I know that the gangsters move in silence
Whoa
Were knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
To my people in the twin tower
Were knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
And to my soldiers in the pentagon
Were knock, knock, knockin on the heavens door
New york
New york
New york
New york
New york
Mama
To my people in the streets
Im talkin to you now
Please put down your heat
Oh lord
To my brothers thats on the corner
Oh god
Ay get out quick or you too will be knockin on heavens door
song performed by by Wyclef Jean
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Publicly You Treat Me Evil
You don't have to be,
Pleasing and sweet.
But publicly...
You treat me evil.
In private you are so adored.
And I am sure...
You-are-my-equal.
But on the streets,
You then deceive.
You have a need,
To treat me evil.
Why do you seek,
To treat me evil.
In the streets,
You treat me evil.
Then alone and under sheets...
You-are-sweet-full.
Why do you seek,
To treat me evil.
In the streets,
You treat me evil.
Then alone and under sheets...
You-are-sweet-full.
But publicly,
You treat me evil.
People see,
You treat me evil.
Why is it in the streets you seek,
To be evil.
Why is it in the streets you seek,
To be evil.
Why is it in the streets you seek,
To be evil.
To be evil.
Then alone and under sheets...
You-are-sweet-full.
But...
Pub licly you treat me evil.
Publicly you treat me evil.
Publicly you treat me evil.
Treat me evil!
But...
Publicly you treat me evil.
Publicly you treat me evil.
Publicly you treat me evil.
Treat me evil!
TREAT ME EVIL.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Place of Forgotten Memories
For years I’ve put odds and sods up into the roof space,
like old books, photographs, and the odd vase.
When my parents died I also put their memorabilia up there,
and now my loft holds many memories from over the years.
My grandson ventured up there and came down with a photograph,
he asked me why his picture was not in colour, and I began to laugh.
Of course it wasn’t him in the photograph it was his great granddad,
the resemblance was uncanny, which made me kind of sad.
The picture of my granddad was taken at the age of nine,
the same age as my grandson at this particular time.
I remember my granddad well especially in his later years,
and seeing him in my grandson fills me with tears.
poem by Orlando Belo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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An Isn't...Is!
An isn't...
Is!
When that isn't...
Appears.
An isn't...
Is!
When that isn't...
Appears.
Cheating spouses,
Who run about...
To play a cat and mouse,
Out of the house.
Often lie,
When they can...
To hide unfaithfulness from eyes that scan.
But that isn't...
Is!
When that isn't appears.
Oh yes that isn't,
Is...
When that isn't appears!
Those downlow and attempting discreet...
Play it cheap,
While sneaking under sheets.
Be they lesbians or homos too,
Cruising darkened streets to do what they do...
To hide an isn't...
That is!
When they say what isn't,
Appears.
Oh yes that isn't,
Is...
When that isn't appears!
You can say that isn't,
Is!
When that isn't,
Appears!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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