L'Envoi
Oh, awful Power whose works repel
The marvel of the earth's designs,--
I 'll hie me otherwhere to dwell,
Arcadia has trolley lines.
poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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Ballade
By Mystic's banks I held my dream.
(I held my fishing rod as well,)
The vision was of dace and bream,
A fruitless vision, sooth to tell.
But round about the sylvan dell
Were other sweet Arcadian shrines,
Gone now, is all the rural spell,
Arcadia has trolley lines.
Oh, once loved, sluggish, darkling stream,
For me no more, thy waters swell,
Thy music now the engines' scream,
Thy fragrance now the factory's smell;
Too near for me the clanging bell;
A false light in the water shines
While Solitude lists to her knell,--
Arcadia has trolley lines.
Thy wooded lanes with shade and gleam
Where bloomed the fragrant asphodel,
Now bleak commercially teem
With signs 'To Let,' 'To Buy,' 'To Sell.'
And Commerce holds them fierce and fell;
With vulgar sport she now combines
Sweet Nature's piping voice to quell.
Arcadia has trolley lines.
poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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Tattoos
The faint sound of the tattoo needle dipped in ink
Is rising the anticipation with every single blink
In my mind I celebrate the finished works of art
A great piece of self declaration born in my heart
Every tattoo has a beginning story and an inspiration
A carefully selected self expression and liberation
The subtle pain is a sacrifice in the name of creativity
Forever embedded in my skin as a treasured exclusivity
I crave the puncturing cuts that mark my body and mind
The whispering of the needle and the sting it leaves behind
I marvel at the beauty and detail of all styles and designs
But mostly I long to trace with my finger all of your lines
I admire the beauty of the marks on your tanned skin
A sight that inspires admiration from deep down within
What could be more exciting than touching your tattoos
Mingle them with mine illuminating all colors and blues
The large tribal designs on your skin end on your sleeve
And it is your business suit and demeanor that strongly deceive
What you do not display in the open I still know that it is there
And it feels exhilarating just like a private undisclosed affair
poem by Kristina Louisa Carr
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Sonnet XXXIV: Marvel Not, Love
To Admiration
Marvel not, Love, though I thy power admire,
Ravish'd a world beyond the farthest thought,
And knowing more than ever hath been taught,
That I am only starv'd in my desire.
Marvel not, Love, though I thy power admire,
Aiming at things exceeding all perfection,
To Wisdom's self to minister correction,
That I am only starv'd in my desire.
Marvel not, Love, though I thy power admire,
Though my conceit I further seem to bend
Than possibly invention can extend,
And yet am only starv'd in my desire.
If thou wilt wonder, here's the wonder, Love:
That this to me doth yet no wonder prove.
poem by Michael Drayton
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Sonnet: The Fool on Earth
The fool on earth alone believes own strength:
Ignores the blessings of God, powerful:
That rules the quality of life and length,
And crashes to the ground in ways awful!
The fool on earth believes that luck can smile,
And works his way with craftiness all days;
Yet, can’t complete in life, that final mile
Of success, which progeny wish to gaze!
The fool on earth follows the shorter cuts,
Main thoroughfares and paths untried by men;
Develops keen vision in darkness and guts:
And using clout, works only by his ken!
The fool on earth does not believe in God,
And thinks that he can do, without His Lord?
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-2-2008
poem by John Celes
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The Magic Of His Designs
The magic of His designs
all around us we see,
the working of His divine skill
nature continually displays
and in mysterious ways
His unending love
works selflessly
falling for evermore
like showers from above
and even if we do not want to admit
that He exists and judge His works
by our own feeble sense
make statements by our science
we still do err in incompetence
while His works persist,
His amazing grace and love stays boundless.
poem by Gert Strydom
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Let I get my thoughts
Let I get my thoughts, my verses from You
who reigns supreme over everything
and in it let You bless me as You constantly do,
to make everyone of my words sing
and let others boast
of finding supreme power
from a familiar ghost
in which they flower
and let them in that spirit dwell
while You dwell with me in tranquillity
and let them be dignified and of its powers tell
while You guide me in every activity:
and although their works play out as a lucky clover
in my writing Your blessings resound over and over.
[Reference: Sonnet 86 “Was it the proud full sail of his great verse” by William Shakespeare.]
poem by Gert Strydom
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Run And Dance And Play
'The mission of poetry is to create among people
the possibility of wonder, admiration, mystery,
the sense that life is marvelous...
To make life a marvel-that is the role of poetry.'
- OCTAVIO PAZ
she finally admits that she likes octavio
but she does not understand him, and i quip
that if that is the case, you must stop reading him, he is killing you
and your initial desire to be in love with poetry
isn't it that the mission of poetry is to create this marvel?
this admiration? this feeling that life is marvelous?
that there is still this wonderful feeling left inside us
despite the odds?
if octavio makes you wonder about more wonders
continue reading the magnificence of his lines
marvel, marvel, marvel
but if he does not achieve that purpose in you
try reading back those nursery rhymes
those that make you feel better and make you
go back to the niceties of your childhood
run and play and dance and sing
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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Psalm 33 part 1
Works of creation and providence.
Rejoice, ye righteous, in the Lord,
This work belongs to you;
Sing of his name, his ways, his word,
How holy, just, and true!
His mercy and his righteousness
Let heav'n and earth proclaim;
His works of nature and of grace
Reveal his wondrous name.
His wisdom and almighty word
The heav'nly arches spread,
And by the Spirit of the Lord
Their shining hosts were made.
He bid the liquid waters flow
To their appointed deep;
The flowing seas their limits know,
And their own station keep).
Ye tenants of the spacious earth,
With fear before him stand
He spake, and nature took its birth,
And rests on his command.
He scorns the angry nations' rage,
And breaks their vain designs;
His counsel stands through every age,
And in full glory shines.
poem by Isaac Watts
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Sonnet: Man Must Do The Will Of God
When clouds give rain and Sun gives warmth and light,
When trees give shade and flowers, fruits, perfume,
When God gives sleep and food gives muscle-might,
Why can't men sweat at work; not fret and fume?
When birds sing songs to glorify Nature,
When wind blows cool from sea to land as breeze,
When air gives breath and skies at night rapture;
Why men curse God and dwell on earth sans peace?
When God gave time so precious and fleeting,
When things of worth all men can surely do,
When brain works well, heart always keeps beating,
Why should most souls on earth the demons woo?
When Nature works as per the Will of God;
Why can't all human beings, made from clod?
poem by John Celes
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Longing For Childhood
I saw an elderly man in the supermarket
Moving fast and smoothly, his aim was to get to the end of the aisle
I took a closer look, he had such style
He rode that trolley with such glee
Everyone stood back to see
I wondered what was going through his head
Maybe next moment he was being put to bed
To reminisce of days long gone
Must be as sweet as a good song
As he grins from ear to ear
And the shoppers all clap and cheer
I hoped that trolley could stand the strain
A he didn't look as if he could survive any pain.
poem by Brian Roy Skyers
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Psalm 57
Praise for protection, grace, and truth.
My God, in whom are all the springs
Of boundless love, and grace unknown,
Hide me beneath thy spreading wings,
Till the dark cloud is overblown.
Up to the heav'ns I send my cry,
The Lord will my desires perform;
He sends his angel from the sky,
And saves me from the threat'ning storm.
Be thou exalted, O my God,
Above the heav'ns, where angels dwell;
Thy power on earth be known abroad,
And land to land thy wonders tell.
My heart is fixed; my song shall raise
Immortal honors to thy name;
Awake, my tongue, to sound his praise,
My tongue, the glory of my frame.
High o'er the earth his mercy reigns,
And reaches to the utmost sky;
His truth to endless years remains,
When lower worlds dissolve and die.
Be thou exalted, O my God,
Above the heav'ns, where angels dwell;
Thy power on earth be known abroad,
And land to land thy wonders tell.
poem by Isaac Watts
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Shall Earth No More Inspire Thee
Shall Earth no more inspire thee,
Thou lonely dreamer now ?
Since passion may not fire thee
Shall nature cease to bow ?
Thy mind is ever moving
In regions dark to thee;
Recall its useless roving -
Come back and dwell with me -
I know my mountain breezes
Enchant annd soothe thee still -
I know my sunshine pleases
Despite thy wayward will -
When day with evening blending
Sinks from the summer sky,
I've seen thy spirit bending
In fond idolotry -
I've watched thee every hour -
I know my mighty sway -
I know my magic power
To drive thy griefs away -
Few hearts to mortal given
On earth so wildly pine
Yet none would ask a Heaven
More like this Earth than thine -
Then let my winds caress thee -
Thy comrade let me be -
Since nought beside can bless thee
Return and dwell with me -
poem by Emily Jane Brontë
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No Respect Of Persons
I am talking to you as you are reading my lines,
For, you are now without a defence;
And, Yahweh's Kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.
Your reward is according to your works,
My reward is according to my works,
Our rewards are according to our works;
But, on one hand, being persistence in doing righteous!
For, there is no respect of persons with Yahweh.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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Black Elk Speaks
The power of the world
always works in circles.
The sky is round,
and I have heard
the earth is round
like a ball,
and so are all the stars.
The wind,
in its greatest power, whirls.
Birds make their nests
in circles,
for theirs is the same religion as ours.
The sun
comes forth and goes down
in a circle
The moon does the same.
And both always come back
to where they were.
The life of man is a circle
from childhood to childhood.
And so it is in everything
where power moves.'
poem by Adryan Rotica
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My Living And Dying
Repelling and rebelling, smelling like a toad,
This soldier has a message so like a road.
Enclose him in words, as a dead man lurks
In the bushes, in the trees where he works.
Much trekking was ending, testing
And demanding, but then the march was cresting.
This dash, a mighty explosion came here,
With the power to maim my silly brain, near.
Repel the intruder, justice has empowered me,
A boat of bodies swims near, just to see.
Kill them those enemies, the soldier and the sergeant
Is near, for all the swimming and the abhorrent.
I see the end, roses come near to finish the imagination,
My living and dying created a fortune, from an abomination.
poem by Naveed Akram
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Lord of power and strength
Lord of power and strength
that rules the universe,
created earth, planets, stars
with vast space into infinity,
in the sky and on earth
the great magic of Thy
works I see
and just but a speck I am
against Thy great immensity
and still I am dear to Thee.
poem by Gert Strydom
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Psalm 15
Characters of a saint.
Who shall inhabit in thy hill,
O God of holiness?
Whom will the Lord admit to dwell
So near his throne of grace?
The man that walks in pious ways,
And works with righteous hands;
That trusts his Maker's promises,
And follows his commands.
He speaks the meaning of his heart,
Nor slanders with his tongue;
Will scarce believe an ill report,
Nor do his neighbor wrong.
The wealthy sinner he contemns,
Loves all that fear the Lord;
And though to his own hurt he swears,
Still he performs his word.
His hands disdain a golden bribe,
And never gripe the poor:
This man shall dwell with God on earth,
And find his heav'n secure.
poem by Isaac Watts
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God's obssession with Geometry
you may not be all knowing
but it does not mean you
would not know the all knowing
for instance the fact that he is
obssessed with geometry
the lines you see everywhere
in the the butterflies, the birds,
the insects, animals
what do they have in common?
such an overpowering exquisite
range of shapes and patterns
the obssession develops into
creating things to carry and
dance with those mindboggling,
at times, eerie, alluring and simply
ingenious and haunting designs
his favourite should be the shape of a ball
all things important are crowned with a roundness
that conveys his fondness for them
it starts from your two eyeballs, then the earth
then the sun, the whole planetary system
even the way they move, circular lines
the rest of his geometric insanity,
you have to run for them in the butterflies,
the birds, the molluscs, the shells,
each earth particle, the crystals
and did i say our very own face.
every line on the face makes us another person
you need not be all knowing
but that does not mean you
would not know the all knowing
his preference, his dos and donts
the way he talks in symbols using
things around us, and the cycle of things
his obssession with geometry
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo
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The Ocean
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
~ Psalm cvii. 23, 24.
HE that in venturous barks hath been
A wanderer on the deep,
Can tell of many an awful scene,
Where storms for ever sweep.
For many a fair, majestic sight
Hath met his wandering eye,
Beneath the streaming northern light,
Or blaze of Indian sky.
Go! ask him of the whirlpool's roar,
Whose echoing thunder peals
Loud, as if rushed along the shore
An army's chariot wheels;
Of icebergs, floating o'er the main,
Or fixed upon the coast,
Like glittering citadel or fane,
'Mid the bright realms of frost;
Of coral rocks, from waves below
In steep ascent that tower,
And fraught with peril, daily grow,
Formed by an insect's power;
Of sea-fires, which at dead of night
Shine o'er the tides afar,
And make th' expanse of ocean bright
As heaven, with many a star.
Oh God! thy name they well may praise,
Who to the deep go down,
And trace the wonders of thy ways,
Where rocks and billows frown.
If glorious be that awful deep,
No human power can bind,
What then art Thou, who bidst it keep
Within its bounds confined!
Let heaven and earth in praise unite,
Eternal praise to Thee,
Whose word can rouse the tempest's might,
Or still the raging sea!
poem by Felicia Dorothea Hemans
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Jump Start
In the dark of the city backwoods, something stirs then slips away.
Law and order in darkest knightsbridge. crime and punishment at play.
Hey, mr. policeman wont you come on over. hook me up to the power lines
Of your love.
Jump start, or tow me away.
And through the bruised machinery, the smoking haze of industry.
Another day with ball and chain. I do my time, then home again.
Hey, mrs. maggie wont you come on over. hook me up to the power lines
Of your love.
Jump start, or tow me away.
Well, should I blame the officers? or maybe, I should blame the priest?
Or should I blame the poor foot soldier
Whos left to make the most from least?
Hey, jack ripper wont you come on over. hook me up to the power lines
Of your love.
Jump start, or tow me away.
You can blame the newsman talking at you on the satellite t.v.
And if youre fighting for your shipyards, you might as well just blame the sea.
Hey, mr. weatherman come on over. hook me up to the power lines
Of your love.
Jump start, or tow me away.
song performed by by Jethro Tull
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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