The Polar Quest
UNCONQUERABLY, men venture on the quest
And seek an ocean amplitude unsailed,
Cold, virgin, awful. Scorning ease and rest,
And heedless of the heroes who have failed,
They face the ice floes with a dauntless zest.
The polar quest! Life’s offer to the strong!
To pass beyond the pale, to do and dare,
Leaving a name that stirs us like a song.
And making captive some strange Otherwhere,
Though grim the conquest, and the labor long.
Forever courage kindles, faith moves forth
To find the mystic floodway of the North.
poem by Richard Francis Burton
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Happiness?
Afar I found my happiness,
a place where I could be my best.
Far away from what caused my distress,
I finally conquered my life-long quest.
The quest to find pure happiness,
that was the quest that I've been blessed.
But what you ask is pure happiness? ..
Honestly, I'm not really sure..
just take a guess.
Being happy as what I see,
is something we always want to be.
But how you ask can we always be,
very happy for eternity?
In our days, this happiness,
it's something we just risk to mess.
But happiness where can we find?
I want to know.. what's on your mind?
We got all the needs but more of the wants,
sometimes we even want more pairs of pants.
Like all other things,
I think this happiness is just temporary.
All these things I've been saying,
honestly, I feel it's very contrary.
I guess this quest that I've been blessed,
hasn't really been conquered just yet..
'cause I feel a bit haggard about this quest,
I think for a while I need to take a rest.
So, all of you who also got this quest,
come, please help me, I'm in such a big mess.
Come on,
just tell me..
is it east or west..
where did you find this so called
'happiness'?
poem by Cookie Matzii
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Quest
If my quest was to be the best...
I could not sit,
Until I sat in 'research' quick.
Before I grabbed a walking stick...
To adorn this climbing crusade!
I want to be dressed for the part!
If my quest was to be the best.
BS and all the rest of that nonsense,
Would be left behind...
With the ignorance that it swallows.
If my quest was to be the best.
I would need to learn how to be uncomfortable...
Sometimes.
And in my discomfort I think of what's been left behind.
And I find myself in my mind feeling at home!
Glued like a magnet to the ignorance that comforts!
If my quest was to be the best...
I would find a way to excavate this 'home'
Decorated with my heart and soul within me!
And 'that' would be the best of my quest.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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The Arctic Voyager
Shall I desist, twice baffled? Once by land,
And once by sea, I fought and strove with storms,
All shades of danger, tides, and weary calms;
Head-currents, cold and famine, savage beasts,
And men more savage; all the while my face
Looked northward toward the pole; if mortal strength
Could have sustained me, I had never turned
Till I had seen the star which never sets
Freeze in the Arctic zenith. That I failed
To solve the mysteries of the ice-bound world,
Was not because I faltered in the quest.
Witness those pathless forests which conceal
The bones of perished comrades, that long march,
Blood-tracked o'er flint and snow, and one dread night
By Athabasca, when a cherished life
Flowed to give life to others. This, and worse,
I suffered -- let it pass -- it has not tamed
My spirit nor the faith which was my strength.
Despite of waning years, despite the world
Which doubts, the few who dare, I purpose now --
A purpose long and thoughtfully resolved,
Through all its grounds of reasonable hope --
To seek beyond the ice which guards the Pole,
A sea of open water; for I hold,
Not without proofs, that such a sea exists,
And may be reached, though since this earth was made
No keel hath ploughed it, and to mortal ear
No wind hath told its secrets. . . . With this tide
I sail; if all be well, this very moon
Shall see my ship beyond the southern cape
Of Greenland, and far up the bay through which,
With diamond spire and gorgeous pinnacle,
The fleets of winter pass to warmer seas.
Whether, my hardy shipmates! we shall reach
Our bourne, and come with tales of wonder back,
Or whether we shall lose the precious time,
Locked in thick ice, or whether some strange fate
Shall end us all, I know not; but I know
A lofty hope, if earnestly pursued,
Is its own crown, and never in this life
Is labor wholly fruitless. In this faith
I shall not count the chances -- sure that all
A prudent foresight asks we shall not want,
And all that bold and patient hearts can do
Ye will not leave undone. The rest is God's!
poem by Henry Timrod
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It's Grim Up North
It's Grim Up North
by The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu
Transcribed by Drew Radtke
Bolton,
Barnsley,
Nelson,
Colne,
Burnley
Bradford,
Buxton,
Crewe,
Warrington,
Widnes,
Wigan,
Leeds,
Northwich,
Nantwich,
Knutsford,
Hull,
Sale,
Salford,
Southport,
Leigh,
Derby,
Kearsley
Keighley
Maghull,
Harrogate,
Huddersfield,
Oldham, Lancs,
Grimsby,
Glossop,
Hebden Bridge,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North.
Brighouse,
Bootle,
Featherstone,
Speke,
Runcorn,
Rotherham,
Rochdale,
Barrow,
Morecambe,
Macclesfield,
Lytham St. Annes
Clitheroe,
Cleethorpes,
The M62,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North.
Pendlebury,
Prestwich,
Preston,
York,
Skipton,
Scunthorpe,
Scarborough-on-Sea,
Chester,
Chorley,
Cheedle Hulme,
Ormskirk,
Accrington Stanley,
and Leigh,
Ossett,
Otley,
Ikley Moor,
Sheffield,
Manchester,
Castleford,
Skem,
Doncaster,
Dewsbury,
Hali-fax,
Bingley,
Bramall,
Are all in the North.
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North.
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North,
It's Grim Up North
song performed by by KLF
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes
Conquest, it's a type of quest
They called it a conquest of the planet of the apes
Conquest, they played it at request
It was another type of quest
For the planet of the apes
Conquest!
Request!
We're gonna have an inquest
But this is a type of quest
For the planet of the apes
Yeah!
song performed by by They Might Be Giants
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Quest
What am I looking for?
What am I searching for?
What quest is this, I know not?
Where does this path lead to?
Where is my destination?
What quest is this, I know not?
Is my quest worth it?
Or is it just a pursuit for
some goal or purpose?
Or is it an exploration of
the journey called life?
Or is it a crusade for
meeting with the Lord?
What quest is this, I know not?
Copyright©2011Rizvana Parveen
poem by Rizvana Parveen
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Wandering Jew
The stars are falling, and the sky
Is like a field of faded flowers;
The winds on weary wings go by;
The moon hides, and the tempest lowers;
And still through every clime and age
I wander on a pilgrimage
That all men know an idle quest,
For that the goal I seek is-- Rest!
I hear the voice of summer streams,
And following, I find the brink
Of cooling springs, with childish dreams
Returning as I bend to drink--
But suddenly, with startled eyes,
My face looks on its grim disguise
Of long gray beard; and so, distressed,
I hasten on, nor taste of rest.
I come upon a merry group
Of children in the dusky wood,
Who answer back the owlet's whoop,
That laughs as it had understood;
And I would pause a little space,
But that each happy blossom-face
Is like to one His hands have blessed
Who sent me forth in search of rest.
Sometimes I fain would stay my feet
In shady lanes, where huddled kine
Couch in the grasses cool and sweet,
And lift their patient eyes to mine;
But I, for thoughts that ever then
Go back to Bethlehem again,
Must needs fare on my weary quest,
And weep for very need of rest.
Is there no end? I plead in vain:
Lost worlds nor living answer me.
Since Pontius Pilate's awful reign
Have I not passed eternity?
Have I not drunk the fetid breath
Of every fevered phase of death,
And come unscathed through every pest
And scourge and plague that promised rest?
Have I not seen the stars go out
That shed their light o'er Galilee,
And mighty kingdoms tossed about
And crumbled clod-like in the sea?
Dead ashes of dead ages blow
And cover me like drifting snow,
And time laughs on as 'twere a jest
That I have any need of rest.
poem by James Whitcomb Riley
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Psycho Killer
I cant seem to face up to the facts
Im tense and nervous and i
Cant relax
I cant sleep cause my beds on fire
Dont touch me Im a real live wire
Psycho killer
Quest que cest
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
Psycho killer
Quest que cest
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
You start a conversation you cant even finish it.
Youre talkin a lot, but youre not sayin anything.
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed.
Say something once, why say it again?
Psycho killer,
Quest que cest
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
Psycho killer
Quest que cest
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
(* spoken interlude in french *)
Psycho killer,
Quest que cest
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
Psycho killer,
Quest que cest
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh....
song performed by by Talking Heads
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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On This Cold Day
(In Memoriam)
They fell. One by one, heroes fell
On their blood against cold, harsh stones
Last words pled for the masses’ weal
Their death justice alone atones
Compelled into reluctant graves
Bodies lost, but never their quests
With zeal they lived for why they died
Peace and justice - our common pride
Terror reigns in these trying times
Do we blaspheme their sacrifice
With muted cries and cowardice
Or do we confront greed and lies?
One lesson learned from their bloodstream
Lives are worth losing for our dream
On this cold day we honor them
With warm courage, none less fitting
The air’s grim stillness, let us fill
With voices strong, unwavering
United, steadfast, we fulfill
The quest for freedom. Let us sing!
-10 December 2005
poem by Cheryl L. DaytecYañgot
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The Impossible Dream
To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest to follow that star
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far
To fight for the right without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell for a heavenly cause
And I know if I'll only be true to this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I'm laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest to follow that star
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far
To fight for the right without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell for a heavenly cause
And I know if I'll only be true to this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I'm laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star
song performed by by Peter O'Toole, music by Mitch Leigh, lyrics by Joe Darion from Man of La Mancha (1965)
Submitted by Dan Costinaş
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Self-Portrait
Lucian Blaga is as mute as a swan.
In his homeland
a creature’s snow stands for the word.
His spirit is in quest
in age-old mute quest
since all times
and up to the ultimate bounds, without rest.
He is in quest of the water of which the rainbow drinks.
He is in quest of the water
of which the rainbow
drinks its beauty and non-being.
poem by Lucian Blaga from Unsuspected Steps (1943), translated by Dan Duţescu
Submitted by Dan Costinaş
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The Poet and his Song
A SONG is but a little thing,
And yet what joy it is to sing!
In hours of toil it gives me zest,
And when at eve I long for rest;
When cows come home along the bars,
And in the fold I hear the bell,
As Night, the shepherd, herds his stars,
I sing my song, and all is well.
There are no ears to hear my lays,
No lips to lift a word of praise;
But still, with faith unfaltering,
I live and laugh and love and sing.
What matters yon unheeding throng?
They cannot feel my spirit's spell,
Since life is sweet and love is long,
I sing my song, and all is well.
My days are never days of ease;
I till my ground and prune my trees.
When ripened gold is all the plain,
I put my sickle to the grain.
I labor hard, and toil and sweat,
While others dream within the dell;
But even while my brow is wet,
I sing my song, and all is well.
Sometimes the sun, unkindly hot,
My garden makes a desert spot;
Sometimes a blight upon the tree
Takes all my fruit away from me;
And then with throes of bitter pain
Rebellious passions rise and swell;
But - life is more than fruit or grain,
And so I sing, and all is well.
poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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My Quest
(2/25/12)
I have put myself on a quest
To turn my life around and do my best
So many things that go on in life
And having to make a sacrifice.
There is nothing in life that comes easy you know
And you have to struggle and put on a show
The show of life is on a stage
And there is so much to gain.
We are all actors in this game of life
And reaching our goal is mighty nice.
But most of us are just backups
In all that we do, and we never seem to follow thru.
So I am on this quest to follow all that my heart may say
For I know that it will lead me the right way.
It will open up doors that I've yet to open
So that I may see all the beauties inside
And there will be nothing that life can hide.
Life without love is unimaginable and it can never be
If you try to hide your love from me.
Love is the stage where we all gather
To find out what truly matters.
Join me in this quest, this search for love
For it was sent from up above
We need each other like the plants need water
Like the sun needs the moon
Let us not end it so soon.
I love you and I know that you love me
And this is the way it was meant to be.
My quest is now over for my search is through
I guess I knew that when I saw you.
poem by Louis Rams
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A Soldier's War of Courage
Courage is standing in the middle of a war zone
Not knowing if you’ll be making it back home
Courage is leaving your loved ones behind
Not knowing for sure if you were seeing them for the last time
Courage is holding the weapon in your hand in a do or die place
Not showing the enemy traces of your fear and despair on your face
Courage is able to sleep at night with one eye open and eye closed
Not knowing if tomorrow, you’ll be the next one not coming home
Courage is reading a letter from a loved one holding back the tears
Remaining strong is your mission and survival becomes your darkest fears
Courage is seeing soldiers die right in front of you
While you are aware that your life is at risk for a mission you were born to do
Courage is being a hero in everyone’s eyes
Whether or not you come out alive
There, you will always and forever remain; a Soldier’s War of Courage…
poem by Gail Doyle
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0212 It's just an age thing
it's just an age thing - should you be concerned?
I'll spell it out; it may just clear my mind:
that, in impatient youth, ambition burned
to have the answers to all things defined -
but not, I haste to add, from teacher's notes,
but from experiences uniquely mine:
a random, fun-filled quest to find the goal
which, when defined, would ease the ceaseless strife;
yet now, the mind's so sceptical, and all
that passed for thought, just mental indigestion;
the quest, forgotten, changed, or redefined;
what passed for answers, are now up for question:
it's braver fun, with answers thrown away
to seek the greater questions in this play.
2003
poem by Michael Shepherd
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What Gives You Courage
Without fear there cannot be courage
Fear drives the unthinkable out of us
What gives you courage when there is none?
What gives you courage to get out of bed?
What gives you courage to drive when you know it's dangerous?
What gives you courage to succeed?
What gives you courage to survive?
What gives you courage to strive?
People have courage to live for their children
People have courage to live for themselves
People have courage to live for hope
People have courage because they believe
People have courage to not give up
Fear is not the essence of life
But a free soul not tamed
Courage is the journey of your heart
Guided by strength
On a path of untamed obstacles
Let courage guide you
As you begin your quest
poem by Alisha Ricks
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A Love In My Mind
I don't know if I'll ever see,
The love I have in mind,
The one that last forever,
The one you search a life to find.
A love stronger than steel,
That can pass the test of time,
The love that lasts forever,
And not be dropped on a dime.
The quest has been set forth,
To see if there's a love so true,
One that people only read of,
A love such as me and you!
poem by Richard Goolsby
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American Child
This song appears on four albums, and was first released on the autograph album, and has also been released on the earth songs, the very best of john denver (single cd) and the john denver colle
- calypso albums.
Goin up to alaska
Up to the land of the midnight sun
Where the whale and the polar bear run
Oer the icy blue sea
Goin up to alaska
Up to the north and the pioneer life
Where courage and strength still survive
And a man can be free
American child, does the call of the wild
Ever sing through the mist of your dreams
Does it fly with the wind when you waken again
When its gone do you know what it means
Can you picture the time when a man had to find
His own way through the cold
To come back again to all that youve been
Cant you see that its time to come home
To the flowers and seas and the rivers and the trees
And the earth whos the mother of all
A promise once made - will it shine, will it fade
Will we rise with the vision or fall
Goin up to alaska
Up to the land of the midnight sun
Where the whale and the polar bear run
Oer the icy blue sea
Goin up to alaska
Up to the north and the pioneer life
Where courage and strength still survive
And a man can be free
Men can be free
Goin up to alaska
Goin up to alaska
Goin up to alaska
Words and music by john denver and joe henry
song performed by by John Denver
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Quest
Part i:
Three men set out for their worldly quest
One for gold, another for a pleasure nest
The third for what he could not tell
But trusted his heart to lead him well.
'I shall have every silver and every gold'
The first boasted so bold
'All pleasure everywhere is mine'
The second yelled, 'with plenty wine and dine'
To the third they asked, 'what will yours be'
'Well for all i ask and seek, ' said he
'Let the sun guide me by day, by night the moon
To my quest, my heart shall lead me there soon'
Part ii
And there before the rising sun
Set all three with hope to return
Through North, south, from east to west
In search of their worldly quest
Part iii
The first found silver and gold of every kind
Much more he hoped to find
Some so big, some sparkling small
O! How much he loved them all
The second found his pleasure land
With plenty merry go hand
So much to eat, and much to drink
Till his cheeks grew fat and pink
Part iv
The third, from valley low, to mountain top
And yet he did not stop
For deep inside love bade him come
Of your quest, you'd find the sum
Alas! So weary from his worldy quest
Sat he down quietly to rest
Soon he was gently fast asleep
As he snored so free and deep
He dreamt he stood before a court so heavily thronged
And he in kingly robe adorned
By his side stood a beautiful queen
That eye had ever seen
He woke up and lo! he saw before him
That castle in his dream
So marvelous still, was that royal face
In so splendid a place
Part v
Soon news went round as time unfold
Of those who sought for pleasure and gold
O! Such a terrible tale to hear
What strife they had to bear
For the first had gone to sail at sea
Aboard 'Her Golden Majesty'
'For all under heaven' boasted he
'There is none as rich as me'
Then came a gathering gloom
Of tempest christiened doom
It pressed them low and tossed them high
They screamed- 'we are all going to die'
'Ho! For every life and property aboard
One' said the capt, 'must go overboard
Choose now, your judgement me be fair
We have no time to spare'
A murmur here, a murmur there
But then it was quite clear
For all on board, silver and gold,
A life is worth more to behold
And so over and over went his silver and gold
Till none was left to hold
Thus he lost his worldly gain
His life now filled with vain
For the one who sought for pleasure
Had more than words could measure
Food, drink and women of every name
For fun he grew to fame
Soon one after one, as darkness befall
Till none was left at all
And so alone left he to fend
O! What a traggic end
For all he had were friends for fun
But now they were all gone
He knew not where to go or what to do
What will you, if it were you?
Part vi
Back to the one who sought for love
Had more that mortal quest could prove
A beautiful queen, and a royal gown
Sweet end and a golden crown
'Welcome my lord, come thee to me
I have by the gate waited thee
Its time to take thy rightful place
The world awaits thy face'
'I am not worthy of such glory and gold' he cried
Hush! Love knows best and never ask' she said
Then hand in hand she led him on
'Of all life's quest, the best you have won! '
'For begger is he who seek only riches and all it brings
But to find love the dream of kings! !
poem by Okonkwo Osamedua. Allen
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A Song of Failure
HERE is my hand to you, brother,
You of the ruck who have failed
I, too, am only another
Fighter who faltered and quailed.
Now with my courage for token
Here to grim Fate I give tithe;
I, too, am beaten and broken,
Lying, the swath of the scythe!
We to the conquerors' seeming
Crouch, an incongruous horde—
Fighters, enmeshed in their dreaming,
Dreamers who girl on the sword,
Weaklings with splendid ambitions,
Heroes who learnt to succumb,
Poets a-swoon in their visions,
Singers with ecstasy dumb.
Failed! So we cast off our burden,
Done with our doubts and our fears:
These we have won for our guerdon—
Pity and tears—women's tears!
You with your conquests unending
Dwell from a woman apart;
Only the humble and bending
Learn the low door to her heart.
We that lie dumb in your scorning
Made you the heroes you are,
Built you a road to the morning,
Taught you to reach for a star:
We have had sight of the glory,
Pointed it clear to the blind;
Yours is the conquerors' story,
Ours is the vision you find.
Here is no dread and no grieving;
Over us hurtles the fray,
Is yours a Heav'n worth achieving,
If it be stormed in a day?
Here is this world we must live in—
Little to lose or to gain;
More is it worth to have striven
Than in the end to attain.
poem by Arthur Henry Adams
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