The Identification
So you think its Stephen?
Then I'd best make sure
Be on the safe side as it were.
Ah, theres been a mistake. The hair
you see, its black, now Stephens fair ...
Whats that? The explosion?
Of course, burnt black. Silly of me.
I should have known. Then lets get on.
The face, is that the face mask?
that mask of charred wood
blistered scarred could
that have been a child's face?
The sweater, where intact, looks
in fact all too familiar.
But one must be sure.
The scoutbelt. Yes thats his.
I recognise the studs he hammered in
not a week ago. At the age
when boys get clothes-conscious
now you know. Its almost
certainly Stephen. But one must
be sure. Remove all trace of doubt.
Pull out every splinter of hope.
Pockets. Empty the pockets.
Handkerchief? Could be any schoolboy's.
Dirty enough. Cigarettes?
Oh this can't be Stephen.
I dont allow him to smoke you see.
He wouldn't disobey me. Not his father.
But that's his penknife. Thats his alright.
And thats his key on the keyring
Gran gave him just the other night.
Then this must be him.
I think I know what happened
... ... ... about the cigarettes
No doubt he was minding them
for one of the older boys.
Yes thats it.
Thats him.
Thats our Stephen.
poem by Roger McGough
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Behind The Mask
Written by christine mcvie.
Dont you come too close to me
Youre dangerous, cant you see
You can make the darkness mean more
Then it ever did
Ever did before
Its a devils disguise
Angel in black
And I recognize the face behind the mask
Its a devils disguise
Angel in black
I dont know if I want you back
Youre the cool nights of the desert
And the hot kisses of the sun
Why is it that I dont belive you
When you say Im the only one
I know Im the lonely one
Its a devils disguise
Angel in black
And I recognize the shadows from your past
Its a devils disguise
Angel in black
Dont you know itll never last
The face behind the mask
There will never be a second chance for you
Oh no
Not for you
Its a devils disguise
Angel in black
And I recognize the face behind the mask
Its a devils disguise
Angel in black
Dont you know itll never last
The face behind the mask
Its a devils disguise
Angel in black
And I recognize the shadows from your past
Its a devils disguise
Angel in black
I dont know if I want you back
I dont know if I want you back
Dont you know itll never last
The face behind the mask
song performed by by Fleetwood Mac
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Martyr Stephen Was By An Angry Mob Killed
Saul actively present when first Christian
martyr Stephen was by an angry mob killed;
assumed responsibility of guarding clothes
of all who zealously to death stoned Stephen.
For is it not written?
'At this they covered their ears
and, yelling at the top of their voices,
they all rushed at him, (Stephen)
dragged him out of the city and began
to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses
laid their clothes at the feet
of a young man named Saul.
While they were stoning him, Stephen
prayed, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'
Then he fell on his knees
and cried out, 'Lord, do not hold this sin
against them.' When he had said this,
he fell asleep. (To death Stephen
was by the mob executed.) Acts 7: 57-60.
Split imaging from the poem ‘Transformation Inquisition Saul Into Paul Of Tarsus'.
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Right Mask
One night a poem came up to a poet
From now on, it said, you must wear a mask.
What kind of mask? asked the poet.
A rose mask, said the poem.
I've used it already, said the poet,
I've exhausted it.
Then wear the mask that's made out of
a nightingale's song, use that mask.
Oh, it's an old mask, said the poet,
it's all used up.
Nonsense, said the poem, it's the perfect mask,
still, try on the god mask,
now that mask illuminates heaven.
It's a tight mask, said the poet,
and the stars crawl about in it like ants.
Then try on the troubador's mask, or the singer's mask,
try on all the popular masks.
I have, said the poet, but they fit so easily.
The poem was getting impatient,
it stamped its feet like a child,
it screamed. Then try on your own face,
try the one mask that terrifies,
the mask only you could possibly use,
the mask only you could wear out.
The poet tore at his face til it bled,
this mask? he yelled, this mask?
Yes, said the poem, yes.
But the poet was tired of masks,
he had lived too long with them,
he snatched at the poem and stuck it in his face.
Its screams were muffled, it wept, it tried to be lyrical,
it wriggled into his eyes and mouth.
Next day his friends were afraid of him,
he looked so distorted.
Now it's the right mask, said the poem, the right mask.
It clung to him lovingly and never let go again.
poem by Brian Patten
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Thirsty Travellers
When zebras migrate plain to plain
They brave the hunters, too,
These travellers have much to gain
As each one sees it through...
Consider running to and fro,
Attacked on either side,
Then panicked, wondering where to go,
When there's no place to hide...
Such are the burdens each must face
The whole day long, no doubt,
In seeking some great resting place,
Like that's what life's about...
Survivors left to tell the tales
Of how, somehow, they lived,
Despite the fact another fails
And loses life's sweet gift...
Thirsty travellers find the shore,
To line up cautiously,
To face the crocodiles and more
Takes utmost bravery...
Each baptised zebra takes his chance,
With courage rarely known...
In hopes, somehow, the odds enhance
When none there swims alone...
Denis Martindale, copyright, December 2012.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Thirsty Travellers'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sing A Song Of Stephen Foster's
Sing a song of Stephen Foster's a song from long ago
Sing 'Jeanie with the light brown hair' or even 'Old black Joe'
Or sing my 'Old Kentucky home' for that would please me so
Or 'old folks at home' or 'Oh Susanna' to the strains of the banjo.
I hate to hurt your feelings sir but to you I must say no
For I've never heard of this Foster and his songs I do not know
It's the first that I've heard tell of him, never heard of him before
Is he some old ballad monger dead one hundred years or more? .
So you've never heard of Stephen Foster then it only goes to show
That you are not a true folk singer when his songs you do not know
He was America's greatest song writer and his is an undying fame
And I find it hard to believe that you've not heard of his name.
So you can't sing a song of Stephen Foster's, then I'll go elsewhere for beer
For to hear one of his oft sung songs the reason I come here
The drinks are dearer here tonight just to cover your fee
And you can't even sing a Stephen Foster song for me.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Because the mask is your face, the face is a mask, so I'm thinking of the face as a mask because of the way I see faces is coming from an African vision of the mask which is the thing that we carry around with us, it is our presentation, it's our front, it's our face.
quote by Faith Ringgold
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Big Black Smoke
She was sick and tired of country life.
A little country home,
A little country folk,
Made her blood run cold.
Now her mother pines her heart away,
Looking for her child in the big black smoke,
In the big black smoke.
Frailest, purest girl the world has seen,
According to her ma, according to her pa,
And everybody said,
That she knew no sin and did no wrong,
Till she walked the streets of the big black smoke,
Of the big black smoke.
Well, she slept in caffs and coffee bars and bowling alleys,
And every penny she had
Was spent on purple hearts and cigarettes.
She took all her pretty coloured clothes,
And ran away from home
And the boy next door,
For a boy named joe.
And he took her money for the rent
And tried to drag her down in the big black smoke,
In the big black smoke.
In the big black smoke.
In the big black smoke.
song performed by by Kinks
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Wearing It Now
People are around
I know I’ll be alright
The mask doesn’t hurt
No tears
Come from the mask
I put my own on
Thinking that’s the only way it should be
Becoming someone not even I can recognize
In the puddle on the ground
Stomping in it knowing this is not me
Then when the people go away
So does mask
This is the scene in the play I don’t know my lines
For I get scared and choke every time
Mine my mask just changes from
White-ish pink to a dark red
Where the mask simply goes from
Oh look at me I don’t do any thing wrong
To black showing it’s true colors
Whoever said black was all the rainbow mixed together
Is wring in this case
There is no other feeling other then black
Like truck tiers black
No sadness no joy just anger and hatred
The mask gets switched around from him to her
All the time I never know who is wearing it or
If the both of them are sharing it at the same time
So walking through that broken old door
That squeaks and carries on when you open it
You never know if this time
Will be the one time that will kill you
Or break your back
But you hope like heck you make it through
‘Cause if you don’t then you know your not
The only one the mask subjects
And the others will not survive without you
poem by Mrs. Cynosure
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Deep In Shadow
The tiger stared ahead with grace,
In his declining years...
Deep in shadow and dark of face,
Devoid of any fears.
His stunning face just said it all...
Majestic, yet at peace.
Spectacular and wonderful,
Serene and so at ease...
If only we, were tranquil, too,
No matter what life brings...
If we could change our point of view,
We'd change from underlings.
Life wouldn't treat us as its slaves,
With fears to send us numb...
Success belongs to he who braves
Each test to overcome.
The tiger stood the test of time,
Survivors always will,
Yet every single day's sublime,
If blessings over spill...
As long as faith can conquer doubt,
Its power none ignores...
Deep in shadow, yet hope shines out,
As long as love endures...
Denis Martindale, copyright, November 2010.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Deep In Shadow'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Indian Jewel
Up close, the tiger looks quite fierce,
He's in your face, just so...
He'll stare at you with eyes that pierce,
That's just to let you know...
He's no pushover, get that straight!
Don't twiddle with his tail!
Don't climb aboard or aggravate
Or he'll make you go pale...
Your blood will fall from brawn and brain,
You'll gulp to clear your throat,
You'll never be the same again...
Be warned and please take note...
A tiger's not a friendly pet
That you pat on the head!
In fact, on this, I'd take a bet,
You'd run away instead...
This Indian jewel like amber shines,
Black diamonds set the tone...
White pearls for teeth and whiskered lines
Tell us, leave him alone...
Majestic though he seems to be,
The tiger's rough and tough!
So right here's where I'll look and see...
My camera zoom's enough...
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Indian Jewel'.
The Stephen Gayford poems can be viewed here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Dead Mans Hill
We were down at dead mans hill
Smoking vines like cigarettes
Looking through the trashy mags
Trying to feel whats coming next
You told me of crashing cars
Older brothers and late night bars
I told you what I feel most
And you kept it like a ghost forever
Dont you write it down
Remember this in your head
Dont take a picture
Remember this in your heart
Dont leave a message
Talk to me face to face
Talk to me face to face
Lying on the bright blue jumping mat
Dinner bell is ringing
Barking dogs and model planes
And the sound of passing trains
We watch for bonfires in the sky
On the beach in july
Spin the bottle steal the kiss
Postcards to the one I miss forever
The one I miss forever
Dont you write it down
Remember this in your head
Dont take a picture
Remember this in your heart
Ill leave a message
When everything comes apart
(talk to me face to face)
[talk to me face to face]
(everything comes apart)
Ill leave a message
When everything comes apart
I remember cats on fire
Gasoline a burning spiral
Standing underneath the night
Fighting back with all my might
Empty cans and charred remains
Find them in the heat of day
On the top of dead mans hill
This is what I know of shame forever
song performed by by Indigo Girls
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Saint Stephen
Saint stephen with a rose, in and out of the garden he goes,
Country garden in the wind and the rain,
Wherever he goes the people all complain.
Stephen prospered in his time, well he may and he may decline.
Did it matter, does it now? stephen would answer if he only knew how.
Wishing well with a golden bell, bucket hanging clear to hell,
Hell halfway twixt now and then,
Stephen fill it up and lower down and lower down again.
Lady finger, dipped in moonlight, writing what for? across the morning sky.
Sunlight splatters, dawn with answer, darkness shrugs and bids the day good-bye.
Speeding arrow, sharp and narrow,
What a lot of fleeting matters you have spurned.
Several seasons with their treasons,
Wrap the babe in scarlet colors, call it your own.
Did he doubt or did he try? answers aplenty in the bye and bye,
Talk about your plenty, talk about your ills,
One man gathers what another man spills.
Saint stephen will remain, all hes lost he shall regain,
Seashore washed by the suds and foam,
Been here so long, hes got to calling it home.
Fortune comes a crawlin, calliope woman, spinnin that curious sense of your own.
Can you answer? yes I can. but what would be the answer to the answer man?
song performed by by Grateful Dead
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Two Boys
Two little boys lay on the beach,
warming their backsides in the sun,
and talked of things
that concern little boys.
poem by John Stephen Reynolds
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Up All Night
Can we talk about automatic satisfaction
Sittin' back relaxin' floored
What's wrong with kickin it
When you're bored and lit
Lets smoke some cigarettes
And catch up on the back porch
Fire up another roach
We don't need a rest this is just a test
Cuz we're alright, we're up all night
To see the sun come up again now
Just one more time no reason why
To see the sun come up again.
The more we try to change
The more we stay the same
We're caught up in the game and now
Just like empty picture frames
So now were to blame
Said we were gettin down, on genesee and fountain
Smelled another mountain now
If you aint gettin down, you'll come around
And were alright, we're up all night
To see the sun come up again now
Just one more time, no reason why
To see the sun come up again.
So lets smoke some cigarettes
And catch up on the back porch
Fire up another roach
We don't need a rest, it's just a test
And as the world spins we'll watch it with a grin
And look in as the day begins
Well now it's on again, it's dawn again. Yeah! Yeah!
And we're alright
We're up all night
To see the sun come up again now
Just one more time, no reason why
To see the sun come up again
Yeah we're alright, yeah we're alright
Yeah we're alright, up all night
Yeah we're alright, yeah we're alright
To see the sun come up again now!
song performed by by Unwritten Law
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Although I know it's unfair I reveal myself one mask at a time.
quote by Stephen Dunn
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Pull The Wool
Dear friend you dont have to lie to me
When I ask you whats going on
Are you doin right or ya doing wrong
If you do right will there not be a lifting up
You misbehave
Sin is crouching by your grave
We can begin to make amends
Fill your sails full with wind
I know youre tossed and tempest turned, but make no mistake
Ill never sleep on you faith
Dont you pull the wool over my eyes
Dont you pull the wool over my eyes
Dont you pull the wool over my eyes
Dont you pull the wool over my eyes
Dont you pull the wool over my eyes
Now your sin, you must mask it
Your face is all riddled with guilt
Cover you like a blanket, but no warmth will it give
Now Im sittin here and cant believe all the measures youve taken
To cheat, lie and decieve me and all your friends
You got a lot a crazy things in life that you want to do in life, thats all right, but
Dont you pull the wool over my eyes
Dont you pull the wool over my eyes
Dont you pull the wool over my eyes
Dont you pull the wool over my eyes
Dont you pull the wool over my eyes
Lies in the nest enver ever let the birds get to rest
I can forgive, but I never can forget and lies in the nest never
Ever gave the birds no rest
Bricks built without straw were so weak they crumbled
To mud, just as your excuse with truth left you easily undone
Dont you run away
song performed by by G. Love & Special Sauce
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Happy Halloween (self composed lyrics)
Hold your blood,
But keep your mask on.
I'll show you the life,
Of a silver beyond.
Apple bobbing,
Just don't feel right.
Farewell to the Sun,
Hey, to the welcoming night.
Doorbells ringing,
off the hook.
hands in your pockets,
Here comes The Cook.
Blood opened wounds,
Eating flesh tonight.
Here comes Satan,
Time for Flight or Fright.
Hold your blood,
But keep your mask on.
I'll show you the life,
Of a silver beyond.
Apple bobbing,
Just don't feel right.
Farewell to the Sun,
Hey, to the welcoming night.
Black haired girl,
Makeup on right.
Costume of death, girl,
You make my heart jump high.
Billowing black robes,
And a shadowed face.
Never seen a killer,
Move with such grace.
Hold your blood,
But keep your mask on.
I'll show you the life,
Of a silver beyond.
Apple bobbing,
Just don't feel right.
Farewell to the Sun,
Hey, to the welcoming night.
Hold your blood,
But keep your mask on.
I'll show you the life,
Of a silver beyond.
Apple bobbing,
Just don't feel right.
Farewell to the Sun,
Hey, to the welcoming night.
Farewell to the Sun,
Hey, to the welcoming night.
Farewell to the Sun,
Hey, to the welcoming night.
poem by Satan's Sibling
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Phantom Of The North!
Behold the Phantom of the North,
The wild, white wolf of old!
His legends nightly going forth
And in hushed tones are told...
Of how he glides across the snow,
Or leaps to touch the sky!
A ghostly figure none should know
And no need asking why...
Behold the Phantom 'twixt the trees,
One second here, then gone!
Of all the forest's fantasies,
There's much to ponder on...
For like a spectre seen at night,
That chills you to the bone,
Be thankful yet, despite the fright,
That he walks on his own!
Behold the Phantom face-to-face!
Stand fast if courage lets,
Or flee far from that awesome place,
As if without regrets...
The Phantom fears no coward soul,
He's seen them run before!
As long as each one knows his role,
He'll howl forevermore!
Denis Martindale, copyright, October 2012.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Phantom Of The North'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Granddad's Candy
Granddad offered candy
from a white paper bag
and you slowly took one
and put in your mouth
and the strong peppermint flavour
exploded on your tongue
as Granddad closed his eyes
and sank back
into his chair by the fire
and he said
if you go outside
to the john
be careful of the mutt
who sleeps there
and the spiders
which hang around
waiting for little boys
and look out
for the fairies
at the bottom of the garden
hidden amongst weeds
and you nodded
as you always did
and tried to swallow the candy
as fast as you could
and Granddad said
look over by the side
and pass me
the cigarettes and lighter
and don’t let
your grandmother see
or she’ll moan about me
and my breathing
and my heart
and you looked over the side
and picked up
his cigarettes and lighter
and brought them to him
and Gran said
from the kitchen
he’s not smoking
those cigarettes again is he?
And you said
looking at Granddad
hiding them behind his back
no Gran he’s just sucking
on a candy and he’s given me
one to suck and one to keep
and Granddad had his eyes
closed still
pretending to be asleep.
poem by Terry Collett
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Robin
The robin rested, looking back
At me, while I looked out.
For there I stood, all dressed in black,
No hope and full of doubt...
Just like a statue, so forlorn,
No focus at that time...
Weak as the day that I was born
With one huge hill to climb...
My loneliness was hard to bear,
No friends, no family...
No sweetheart stood with me to share
The loss, the tragedy...
The robin sang despite the cold
And greyness of the day...
As if with faith as good as gold,
He soothed the pain away...
That tiny creature brought me hope
No heavenly choir could sing...
As if to help my heart to cope,
It waved with just one wing...
As if it knew life wasn't fair,
Yet God grants faith anew...
Today, by faith, I can declare,
Merry Christmas to you...
Denis Martindale, copyright, October 2010.
The poem is based on the magnificent Xmas card
sketch by artist Stephen Gayford called 'Robin'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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