The Rear-Guard
Groping along the tunnel, step by step,
He winked his prying torch with patching glare
From side to side, and sniffed the unwholesome air.
Tins, boxes, bottles, shapes too vague to know,
A mirror smashed, the mattress from a bed;
And he, exploring fifty feet below
The rosy gloom of battle overhead.
Tripping, he grapped the wall; saw someone lie
Humped at his feet, half-hidden by a rug,
And stooped to give the sleeper's arm a tug.
'I'm looking for headquarters.' No reply.
'God blast your neck!' (For days he'd had no sleep.)
'Get up and guide me through this stinking place.'
Savage, he kicked a soft, unanswering heap,
And flashed his beam across the livid face
Terribly glaring up, whose eyes yet wore
Agony dying hard ten days before;
And fists of fingers clutched a blackening wound.
Alone he staggered on until he found
Dawn's ghost that filtered down a shafted stair
To the dazed, muttering creatures underground
Who hear the boom of shells in muffled sound.
At last, with sweat of horror in his hair,
He climbed through darkness to the twilight air,
Unloading hell behind him step by step.
poem by Siegfried Sassoon
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
The Rear-Guard
Groping along the tunnel, step by step,
He winked his prying torch with patching glare
From side to side, and sniffed the unwholesome air.
Tins, boxes, bottles, shapes too vague to know,
A mirror smashed, the mattress from a bed;
And he, exploring fifty feet below
The rosy gloom of battle overhead.
Tripping, he grapped the wall; saw someone lie
Humped at his feet, half-hidden by a rug,
And stooped to give the sleeper's arm a tug.
"I'm looking for headquarters." No reply.
"God blast your neck!" (For days he'd had no sleep.)
"Get up and guide me through this stinking place."
Savage, he kicked a soft, unanswering heap,
And flashed his beam across the livid face
Terribly glaring up, whose eyes yet wore
Agony dying hard ten days before;
And fists of fingers clutched a blackening wound.
Alone he staggered on until he found
Dawn's ghost that filtered down a shafted stair
To the dazed, muttering creatures underground
Who hear the boom of shells in muffled sound.
At last, with sweat of horror in his hair,
He climbed through darkness to the twilight air,
Unloading hell behind him step by step.
poem by Siegfried Sassoon
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Romeo
A cross between a movie star
And a hero in a book
Romeo comes struttin in
And everybody looks
cause hes just got that special thang
That everybody needs
And everybody wants him
But not as bad as me
Hey, romeo, where art thou
Get out here on the floor
I want to dance you darlin
til you forget wherefore
Lets two step to a new step
Well keep it all in line
And well call this the romeo
cause youre so mighty fine
Chorus:
Romeo, romeo, romeo come dance with me
That sexy little body
Beats all Ive ever seen
I aint never seen a cowboy
Look that good in jeans
My temperature keeps risin
Every time we meet
I may not be in love
But let me tell you
Im in heat
Chorus:
Romeo, romeo, I just know Ill get you yet
Romeo, romeo, I want to be your juliet
So step it high, step it low
Step it out and in
Step to the side and let it slide
Then steppin up again
Step on toes, it all goes
Steppin as you please
But Im one step away from love
So dont step out on me
Chorus:
Romeo, romeo, romeo with the magic feet
So step it high, step it low
Step it out and in
Step to the side and let it slide
Then steppin up again
Step on toes, it all goes
Steppin as you please
But Im one step away from love
So dont step out on me
Tag:
Romeo, romeo
I just know Ill get you yet
Romeo, romeo
Wont you be my juliet
Romeo, romeo
Romeo, romeo
Fade & repeat
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Step Inside
(clarke / hicks / nash)
Side, step inside.
You can knock on my door anytime youre passing by
You dont need an invitation, step inside.
Well have tea and crumpets toasted by the fireside.
You dont need an invitation, step inside.
Step inside my doorway. theres no admission fee at all.
If youre in the neighborhood, you only have to call.
Ill be glad to see you, it just cannot be denied.
Its been a long time since I held you, step inside.
Dont tell your mother about me.
Shell only get angry knowing youve come back.
What her heart cant see cant hurt her.
So take my hand and step inside, take my hand and step inside.
Dont tell your mother about me.
You know shell only get angry knowing youve come back.
What her heart cant see cant hurt her.
So take my hand and step inside, take my hand and step inside.
If it gets too late, I have a bed that you can use.
You dont need an invitation
If you feel the inclination
You just call on speculation.
Step inside.
Side, step inside.
Step inside.
Step inside.
Step inside.
song performed by by Hollies
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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No Step
I looked out of my window, saw a stencil black,
No step. no step.
There were nervous mothers with children crying in the back.
No step. no step.
Someone bought me my ticket, now Im on the wing.
Hope my angels are watching me, do I hear them sing?
No step. no step.
Those afterburners cut in and kicked us high.
No step. no step.
The thin air shimmered, the sun cut through and burned my eye.
No step. no step.
Someone bought me my ticket, now Im on the wing.
Hope my angels are watching me, do I hear them sing?
No step.
No step no step.
No step no step.
No step no step.
Give me a jet stream schooner or a crew-legged goose.
No step. no step.
Im a clear-air jockey when they turn me loose
No step. no step.
Someone bought me my ticket to the captains seat.
Will the shakes soon leave me, will I find my feet?
No step. no step.
No step. no step.
No step.
song performed by by Jethro Tull
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Jacobs Ladder
I met a fan dancer
Down in south side birmingham
She was running from a fat man
Selling salvation in his hand
Now hes trying to save me
Well Im doing alright the best that I can
Just another fallen angel
Trying to get through the night
Step by step, one by one, higher and higher
Step by step, rung by rung climbing jacobs ladder
Coming over the airwaves
The man says Im overdue
Sing along, send some money
Join the chosen few
Well mister Im not in a hurry
And I dont want to be like you
And all I want from tomorrow
Is to get it better than today
Step by step, one by one, higher and higher
Step by step, rung by rung climbing jacobs ladder
song performed by by Huey Lewis And The News
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Practice Every Step
Practice every step.
Do not second guess what it takes.
Practice every step.
Practice every step.
There's no sleeping for someone who has a place to go,
So...
Practice every step.
Practice every step.
Focus on that goal,
And tighten on your hold,
And...
Practice every step.
Practice every step.
Practice every step.
Do not second guess what it takes.
Practice every step.
Practice every step.
Every journey taken,
Must be thought of as a race...
And,
Practice every step.
Practice every step.
There's no other way to straighten out a crooked road,
So...
Practice every step.
Practice every step.
No matter what you're told,
There will be some doubts and woes...
But you,
Practice every step.
Yes you,
Practice every step.
Woes you hold will eventually go,
So...
Practice every step.
Practice every step.
Practice every step.
Practice every step.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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One Step Over The Line (feat. Roseanne Cash And John Hiatt)
When I look into your eyes
See the world cut down to size
Baby don't apologize
Takin' me one step over the line
When I touch your secret skin
Babe I know it ain't no sin
I feel you startin' to give in
Now let's go one step over the line
I know it's just your daddy's car
Your daddy never went this far
Baby we know who we are
Let's go one step over the line
I can be your drivin' wheel
We could make those tires squeal
Ooo I like the way it feels
Takin' it one step over the line
One step forward and two steps back
It's for the first time baby
I'm talkin' cake walkin' into the black
A crossin' red line and I don't mean maybe
I hear they buried lover's lane
In a sea of tears and blame
It's you and me go up in flames
Baby, one step over the line
They're drawin' boxes on the ground
Just to make us look on down
All we gotta do is look around
And take it one step over the line
A one step over the line
Come on baby, one step over the line
song performed by by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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One Step To Fate
Now its time to break the spell
Futures written down
Is it tears or happiness
Whats your fate - time will tell
Is it left or is it right
Elect the road youll take
Will you see the other side
Take a ride - take a ride to see
Theres no excuses if its badness
So many ways it can go wrong
And if it happens to be gladness
Then you can say that you have won
That you have won
One step to fate - why dont you follow me
One step to fate - I know its near
One step to fate - no powers over me
One step to fate - it only takes one step to fate
The time is now its make or break
The turning of the tide
This is the way it has to be
Live your life to the edge
Could be bad you know it might
The missions under way
Now youve reached the other side
Open up - open up your eyes
No more excuses if its badness
So many ways that have gone wrong
Not always happens to be gladness
Which ever way you know youve won
You know youve won
One step to fate, ...
With a touch of sadness
Dreams can fade away
Laughter is my passion
Never cried away
One step to fate, ...
song performed by by U. D. O.
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Watch Your Step
You better take it easy baby
Before you go away
You did me dirty
Youll get yours one day
Chorus:
You better
Watch your step...
Talkin about you
Watch your step...
You better
Watch your step...
Keep your eyes open wide
cause youll be hurtin down inside
You better leave me all your money
Before you go away
Dont think Im funny honey
All Ive got to say
Chorus
cause when you took your love
From me
You left me full of misery
Im gonna be all right
Chorus
When you need me by your side
Im gonna say go somewhere and hide
Watch your step...
You better watch out baby
Everything you do
Im gonna keep my eyes focused,
Right on you
You better walk right baby
Theres just one thing I know
You better watch your step...
When you need me by your side
Im gonna say go somewhere and hide
song performed by by Santana
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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One Step Over The Line
When I look into your eyes I see the world cut down to size
Baby don't apologize for taking me one step over the line
When I touch your sacred skin Babe I know it ain't no sin
I feel you starting to give in. Now let's go one step over the line
I know it's just your daddy's car Your daddy never went this far
Baby we know who we are
Let's go one step over the live
I could feel your driving wheels
We could make those tires squeal
Oo I like the way it feels Taking it one step over the line
Bridge
One step forward and two steps back Is for the birds
I'm talking cake walking into the black
I've crossed the little line and I don't mean maybe
I hear they've buried lover's lane In a sea of tears and pain
Let's you and me go up in flames
Baby one step over the line
They're drawing boxes on the ground (on the ground)
Just to make us lookin down (Don't look down)
All we got to do is look around (Look around)
And take it one step over
One step over the line
One step over the line
song performed by by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Shadow Of A Man
Mirror mirror upon the wall Im asking you,
Who is the most confused of them all?
Mirror mirror subservient twin screams back
At me you.
You sick flawless mime, I want to break you
Yeah, youre a clever one...
Is this a tool, can I step through, to find
Another plane,
Or just a shadow of a man
A superficial tool, to support the vanity,
Of weak, when you dont love yourself
If lifes as painful on your side, Ill break your
Existence and cut through mine
Youre a clever one
Is this a tool, can I step through, to find
Another plane,
Or just a shadow of a man
Are you my brother, you look like me,
Trapped inside another world my lost twin
A superficial tool, to support the vanity,
Of weak, when you dont love yourself
Mirror upon the wall, am I the reflection
Of you,
Mirror upon the wall, are you staring back
Through
Understanding has no place within my world
On your side
Is this a tool, can I step through, to find
Another plane,
Or just a shadow of a man
Are you my brother, you look like me,
Trapped inside another world my lost twin
Are you a tool, can I step through, to find
Another plane,
Im just a shadow of a man
Just a superficial tool, to support the vanity,
Of weak, when you dont love yourself
song performed by by Mudvayne
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Because Of You
I was so hypnotized
By the smile in your eyes today
Flying free as a bird
Caught inside every word you say
I want everyone to see...
This is big time
This is larger than life
See the sparks fly
When you're standing by my side
Every step, every move, everything I do
Life is beautiful because of you
Every breath that you give
You're my sweet oxygen my friend
You made me follow it fast
So my dreams could get past the end
I want everyone to feel...
This is big time
This is larger than life
See the sparks fly
When you're standing by my side
Every step, every move, everything I do
Life is beautiful because of you
How did I survive before you came into my life?
Now I'd do anything at all, anything at all
For you
This is big time
This is larger than life
See the sparks fly
When you're standing by my side
Every step, every move, everything I do
Life is beautiful because of you
Oh all because of you
Because of you
Bacause of you
Everything I do
Life is beautiful because of you
This is big time
This is larger than life
See the sparks fly
When you're standing by my side
Every step, every move, everything I do
Life is beautiful because of you
Because of you
song performed by by Meat Loaf
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Baby Step Back
Now it looks to me like the same old place
In the sky it looks like rain
The same old town with the same old streets
The address has not change
You can find me there
With the door shut tight
And the one wish that remains
Baby step back baby step back
Either step up or step back
No you know I dont write no bad checks
I have no wish to repent
Ive seen a few
But whatever I do
I dont cause no accidents
Whiskey and wine help me pass the time
I dont leave no evidence
Baby step back baby step back
Either step up or step back
Baby step back baby step back
Either step up or step back
Still I dont kneel down
I was born to fight
So youd best leave me alone
Maybe Ill get much more than I need
Or much less than I should own
Last of all let me say it again
Either step up or step on
Baby step back baby step back
Either step up or step back
Baby step back baby step back
Either step up or step back
Baby walk back baby walk back
Either walk on or walk back
Baby step back ...
song performed by by Gordon Lightfoot
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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On The Other Side of The Mirror
Girl the girl on the other side
On the other side of the mirror
I can always become you
No you will never be me
Never ever be me
Yes only you can hide behind
On the other side of the mirror
And you will never be around
When I am not here
You could never smile if I frown
Your eyes wont dance
When mine are wet
You could never hide
Never hide from me
But only you can hide behind
On the other side of the mirror
Girl the girl on the other side
On the other side of the mirror
I can always become you
No you will never be me
Never ever be me
[This is 81 and it is for you Dilzz, the girl on the other side of the mirror]
poem by Rowving Smith
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Depicting Reflection
I gaze at the looking glass one final time
As I hope for some veritable truth to find
But the cracks run along my face in jagged lines
As the mirror cracks from side to side
Peering into the cold, dark faceted eyes
A broken poppet stares back from inside
And I catch a reflection of that I despise
As the mirror cracks from side to side
The scarred reflection is now forsaken
And many are the times my heart has died
But now it is my soul that is breakin'
As the mirror cracks from side to side
I gaze at the looking glass one final time
As the mirror cracks from side to side
poem by Sheri Hockman
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Next Step
I wanna go up where something matters
I wanna blow up where matter scatters
I wanna live into the future
I want to give... more girl
Next step
No side stepping this time
Cross over life on the line
One thing to talk big
Go to follow thru
All set
Got to get past the present too
Dont want to reach out for yesterday
Dont want to block the shock of the new
I wanna see what new love will bring
Im gonna give all that love to you
Whats the next step
My mind is open wide
Next step
Whatll be the next step baby
Whats the next step
Im finished with the past
Next step
Wont be the last step baby
You wanna wake up with me beside you
You wanna shake off bad thoughts inside you
Were gonna walk on into tomorrow
Were gonna have more fun now
Dont look around for yesterday
No blocking out the shock of the new
Do you wanna see what new love can bring
Im gonna give all that love to you
Whats the next step
My mind is open wide
Next step
Whatll be the next step baby
Whats the next step
I havent got a clue
Next step
Wanna make the next step with you
Whats the next step
Gonna take it gonna take it
Next step
Gonna step right
Wont step back
Whats the next step
No bad songs
No bad songs
Next step
Say hey
Dont you want to take the next step
Ring out the old
Ring in the new
Never know til I do what Im gonna do
Say hey
I want to take the next step
Say hey
Whats the next step
My mind is open wide
Whatll be the next step baby
Next step
Whats the next step
Aint gonna be the last
Next step
Forget about the past
Whats the next step
Weve got to open up
When the next step comes along
Ive got to follow thru
Take the next step with you
I wanna ring out the old and ring in the new
Come out of the cold
Take a step with you
song performed by by Hall & Oates
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Step By Step
Step by step
Gonna get to you girl
Chorus:
Step by step ooh baby
Gonna get to you girl
Step by step ooh baby
Really want you in my world
Hey girl in your eyes
I see a picture of me all the time
And girl when you smile
You got to know that you drive me wild
Step by step
Ooh baby
Youre always on my mind
Step by step
Ooh girl
I really think its just a matter of time
Chorus
Hey girl cant you see
Ive got to have you all just for me
And girl yes its true
No one else will ever do
Chorus
Step one
We can have lots of fun
Step two
Theres so much we can do
Step three
Its just you and me
Step four
I can give you more
Step five
Dont you know the time has arrived
song performed by by New Kids On The Block
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Exhale in the Morning
Exhale!
We go dark and deep together
To a place of healing and together
We see the sun, the moon, the rain
And we feel each other’s hugs.
No one says a word
We all know this silence.
It is a place of healing—
Side by side, step by step
As we allow the tears to fall.
We know this brief comfort.
In the morning
We climb the tree house together.
© 2005 Vorkink
poem by Nancy Vorkink
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Eighteen steps
I took a note of her. First step.
I let her know it. Second step.
Not turned down. Third step.
I hinted my love. Fourth step.
It was approved of. Fifth step.
I wrote indirect comments and then
Direct. Sixth and seventh steps.
Gifts taken. Eighth step.
I elicited a few nods. Ninth step.
No further steps has she laid down
For me to climb on.
I stay put, hoping enthusing...
00.11.99
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Steps Toward Freedom
on the first step towards freedom
i found i had to name my chains...
and looking closely, found they were
all of my making... they carried
my name... they even smelled
like me...
on the second step towards freedom
i took ownership of the prison
that i'd created for myself....
on the third step, i took out my knife,
and killed the man in the mirror.
on the fourth step i let go
of everything i thought i had to have,
took a deep breath, spread my wings,
and flew naked into the night!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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