The Tyre
Just how it came to rest where it rested,
miles out, miles from the last farmhouse even,
was a fair question. Dropped by hurricane
or aeroplane perhaps for some reason,
put down as a cairn or marker, then lost.
Tractor-size, six or seven feet across,
it was sloughed, unconscious, warm to the touch,
its gashed, rhinoceros, sea-lion skin
nursing a gallon of rain in its gut.
Lashed to the planet with grasses and roots,
it had to be cut. Stood up it was drunk
or slugged, wanted nothing more than to slump,
to spiral back to its circle of sleep,
dream another year in its nest of peat.
We bullied it over the moor, drove it,
pushed from the back or turned it from the side,
unspooling a thread in the shape and form
of its tread, in its length, and in its line,
rolled its weight through broken walls, felt the shock
when it met with stones, guided its sleepwalk
down to meadows, fields, onto level ground.
There and then we were one connected thing,
five of us, all hands steering a tall ship
or one hand fingering a coin or ring.
Once on the road it picked up pace, free-wheeled,
then moved up through the gears, and wouldn't give
to shoulder-charges, kicks; resisted force
until to tangle with it would have been
to test bone against engine or machine,
to be dragged in, broken, thrown out again
minus a limb. So we let the thing go,
leaning into the bends and corners,
balanced and centred, riding the camber,
carried away with its own momentum.
We pictured an incident up ahead:
life carved open, gardens in half, parted,
a man on a motorbike taken down,
a phone-box upended, children erased,
police and an ambulance in attendance,
scuff-marks and the smell of broken rubber,
the tyre itself embedded in a house
or lying in a gutter, playing dead.
But down in the village the tyre was gone,
and not just gone but unseen and unheard of,
not curled like a cat in the graveyard, not
cornered in the playground like a reptile,
or found and kept like a giant fossil.
Not there or anywhere. No trace. Thin air.
Being more in tune with the feel of things
than science and facts, we knew that the tyre
had travelled too fast for its size and mass,
and broken through some barrier of speed,
outrun the act of being driven, steered,
and at that moment gone beyond itself
towards some other sphere, and disappeared.
poem by Simon Armitage
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
An Old Tyre (Fun Poem 79)
Someone had discarded an old tyre.
It was all battered and worn.
As I stared at it, I wondered
of what journeys it had been on.
How far had it gone,
and if it had seen
some interesting places on its travels around?
That old tyre discarded on the ground.
When I think of the travels
we make in our car each day,
I bet that old tyre would have a lot to say.
However, it is abandoned,
no use to anyone.
When I looked the next day and the tyre was gone.
Overnight it must have stood up
and rolled along on more travels I presume.
Therefore, this ends the tale of an old tyre,
which was discarded on the ground.
14 May 2008
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
How a Heartless Machine Can Feel?
No culture,
No compassion,
No one is with me when I fight for hunger,
No to understand and love,
When we are machines,
Simply machines,
Toys and puppets,
Playing with fate and destiny,
Heartless tiny creatures,
Thinking we are Lord of our own,
Where are my father and mother,
Where are my brothers,
Where are my sisters,
For this money printing machine,
Teller machine to wife and children,
Cook or servant to husband and kids,
Robot for my boss
where is my heart to feel,
When mind thinks of only deals,
Where is that
softness left?
When tyre has to roll on rough terrain,
Any time tyre may puncture or tube may rupture,
What machine can feel,
What heartless machine can feel?
How a machine produced,
In same factory, with different size and purpose,
Different shape and size,
Different manufacture date,
Machines without heart,
If heart is confined to only pump blood,
Know not,
father and mother,
How can call one another,
'Brothers and
sisters? '
poem by Ramdas Bhandarkar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste
If you listen, to the night
You can hear the darkness call
I can barely stand to wait
I can barely stand at all
Cmon closer to me now
Its like were sharing the same skin
We gotta get out of this jail
We gotta let the future in
So many things in your life
That your bound to regret
Why didnt I do that?
Why didnt I do this?
So many chances you lost
That youll never forget
Why didnt I make it?
Why didnt I take it right there?
The loneliest words youll ever know
If only-if only it was so
The emptiest words that therell ever be:
It could have been me. it could have been me
The loneliest words youll ever know
If only-if only it was so
The emptiest words that therell ever be:
It could have been me. it could have been me
Youll have to pay for it later
If you dont get it when its going for free
Believe me -! believe me -!
A kiss is a terrible thing to waste
A kiss is a terrible thing to waste
Its something thats always been so
A kiss is a terrible thing to waste
A kiss is a terrible thing to waste
And one of these nights
Youre gonna show me that you already know
Theres a feast waiting for you
And youve never even gotten a taste
Its later than you think and
A kiss is a terrible thing to waste!
You shouldnt tremble when we touch
Theres no reason for these fears
Its a promise that was made
Weve been promised this for years
I wanna show you it all
What to do and where and how!
Cause well never be as young as we are right now
Well never be as young as we are right now!
So many cries in the night
That you try to ignore
Why didnt I do this?
Why didnt I do that?
So many unanswered prayers
So many unopened doors
Why didnt I take it?
Why didnt I make it come true?
The loneliest words youll ever know:
If only - if only it was so
The emptiest words that therell ever be:
It could have been me
It could have been me
The loneliest words youll ever- know:
If only - if only it was so
The emptiest words that therell ever be:
It could have been me
It could have been me
Youll have to pay for it later:
If you dont get it when its going for free!
Believe me! believe me, believe me!
A kiss is a terrible thing to waste
A kiss is a terrible thing to waste
Its something that has always been so
A kiss is a terrible thing to waste
A kiss is a terrible thing to waste
And one of these nights
Im gonna show you that you already know...
Theres a feast waiting for you
And youve never even gotten a taste
Its later than, you think and
A kiss is a terrible thing to waste!
Theres a feast waiting for you
And youve never even gotten a taste
Its later than you think and
A kiss is a terrible thing to waste!
Tyre tracks and broken hearts
Thats all were leaving behind!
It doesnt matter what were losing
It only matters what were going to find!
Tyre tracks and broken hearts
Thats all were leaving behind!
It doesnt matter what were losing
It only matters what were going to find!
Tyre tracks and broken hearts
Thats all were leaving behind!
It doesnt matter what were losing
It only matters what were going to find!
Tyre tracks and broken hearts
Thats all were leaving behind!
It doesnt matter what were losing
It only matters what were going to find!
Theres a feast waiting for you
And youve never even gotten a taste
Its later than you think and
A kiss is a terrible thing to waste
A kiss is a terrible thing to waste
song performed by by Meat Loaf
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Dead And Broken
Too many things I've never spoken
I'm not feeling fine
I never told you what to do
I never made you a promise that you could hold me to
That'll be the day you see me crying
Everyday, I still say you're dead and broken
Everyday, I still say you're dead and broken
You're dead and broken
How many different faces can you show me?
How many times can you be right?
Another world of fantasy
Another reason for dramatizing everything
Taking it all in just one more time
I'm dying
Everyday, I still say you're dead and broken
Everyday, I still say you're dead and broken
You're dead and broken
Sorry to see that you're underestimated lately
I'd rather be dead and broken than living in your grace
Everyday, I still say you're dead and broken
Everyday, I still say you're dead and broken
You're dead and broken
You're dead and broken
You're dead and broken
You're dead and broken
You're dead and broken
You're dead and broken
You're dead and broken
song performed by by Godsmack
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Camouflage
Beside the bare and beaten track of travelling flocks and herds
The woodpecker went tapping on, the postman of the birds,
"I've got a letter here," he said, "that no one's understood,
Addressed as follows: 'To the bird that's like a piece of wood.'
"The soldier bird got very cross -- it wasn't meant for her;
The spurwing plover had a try to stab me with a spur:
The jackass laughed, and said the thing was written for a lark.
I think I'll chuck this postman job and take to stripping bark."
Then all the birds for miles around came in to lend a hand;
They perched upon a broken limb as thick as they could stand,
And just as old man eaglehawk prepared to have his say
A portion of the broken limb got up and flew away.
Then, casting grammar to the winds, the postman said, "That's him!
The boobook owl -- he squats himself along a broken limb,
And pokes his beak up like a stick; there's not a bird, I vow,
Can tell you which is boobook owl and which is broken bough.
"And that's the thing he calls his nest -- that jerry-built affair --
A bunch of sticks across a fork; I'll leave his letter there.
A cuckoo wouldn't use his nest, but what's the odds to him --
A bird that tries to imitate a piece of leaning limb!"
poem by Andrew Barton Paterson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Of A Broken Heart
If only I die
Just once in my life
If only to try
To take a guess, to be the best
A feeling I hide
That runs this world, that keeps us alive
I want you to climb with me
Until I die of a broken heart
A broken heart
Until I die of a broken heart
A broken heart
Until I die
The heart of a child
Is in your hands now
So lets see you smile
cause Im not impressed with your loneliness
And its been a while
Since you forgave all your changes made
So lets count the miles together
Until I die of a broken heart
A broken heart
Until I die of a broken heart
A broken heart
Until I die of a broken heart
A broken heart
Until I die
If only I die
Just once in my life
If only to try together
Until I die of a broken heart
A broken heart
Until I die of a broken heart
A broken heart
Until I die of a broken heart
A broken heart
Until I die
song performed by by Zwan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Wheel Deal
Looks like we're home
but chances are gone
as long as we keep on trying
it goes just on and on
baby let's share a toast
cueueing for a fake toilet
hear your dictionsir spell wizard
miles are over open season
ridin'the road mind the gas
cause it's such a marvellous place
try to go there
cross the water
and if the directions were right
you'll find yourself by my side
legs were broken
so i sold them
lost in my lane
driven insane
deep in the mouth of science
well if i could rewrite as on a level-flight
the words that i used to told her
hear your dictionsir spell wizard
miles are over open season
plenty of caps to collect
posters and cans in the back
clouds were broken
when i saw them
i payed the room for the night
had something money can't buy
worth a token
left unspoken
song performed by by Yuppie Flu
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Everything Is Broken
Broken lines, broken strings, broken threads, broken springs
Broken idols, broken heads, people sleeping in broken beds
Aint no use jivin, aint no use jokin
Everything is broken
Broken bottles, broken plates, broken switches, broken gates
Broken dishes, broken parts, streets are filled with broken hearts
Broken words never meant to be spoken
Everything is broken
Seems like every time you stop and turn around
Someone else has just hit the ground
Broken cutters, broken saws, broken buckles, broken laws
Broken bodies, broken bones, broken voices on broken phones
Take a deep breath, feel like youre chokin
Everything is broken
Every time you leave and go off some place
Things fall to pieces in my face
Broken hands on broken plows, broken treaties, broken vows
Broken pipes, broken tools, people bending broken rules
Hound dog howlin, bullfrog croakin
Everything is broken
song performed by by Bob Dylan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Dead & Broken
Too many things Ive never spoken
Im not feeling fine
I never told you what to do
I never made you a promise that you could hold me to
Thatll be the day you see me crying
Everyday, I still say youre dead and broken
Everyday, I still say youre dead and broken
Youre dead and broken
How many faces can you show me?
How many times can you be right?
Another world of fantasy
Another reason for dramatizing everything
Taking it all in just one more time
Im dying
Everyday, I still say youre dead and broken
Everyday, I still say youre dead and broken
Youre dead and broken
Sorry to see that youre underestimated lately
Id rather be dead and broken than living in your grace
Everyday, I still say youre dead and broken
Everyday, I still say youre dead and broken
Youre dead and broken
Youre dead and broken
Youre dead and broken
Youre dead and broken
Youre dead and broken
Youre dead and broken
Youre dead and broken
song performed by by Godsmack
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Everything Is Broken
Broken lines, broken strings
Broken threads, broken springs,
Broken idols, broken heads,
People sleeping in broken beds.
Aint no use jiving,
Aint no use joking,
Everything is broken.
Broken bottles, broken plates,
Broken switches, broken gates,
Broken dishes, broken parts,
Streets are filled with broken hearts.
Broken words never meant to be spoken,
Everything is broken.
Seems like every time you stop and turn around
Something else just hit the ground
Broken cutters, broken saws,
Broken buckles, broken laws,
Broken bodies, broken bones,
Broken voices on broken phones
Take a deep breath, feel like youre chokin,
Everything is broken.
Every time you leave and go off someplace
Thangs fall to pieces in my face
Broken hands on broken ploughs,
Broken treaties, broken vows,
Broken pipes, broken tools,
People bending broken rules.
Hound dog howling, bull frog croaking,
Everything is broken.
song performed by by Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
I'd Sure Hate To Break Down Here
Mile marker 2003
The gas gauge leaning on the edge of 'E'
And i'll be danged if the rain aint pourin' down
Somethings smokin' underneath the hood
Theres a bangin' and a clangin' and it cant be good
And it's another 50 miles to the nearest town
Everything I own's in the back in a Hefty bag
Imm out of cigarettes and Im down to my last drag
Chorus:
I'd sure hate to break down here
Nothin' up ahead or in the rearview mirror
Out in the middle of nowhere knowin'
So God help me keep me movin' somewhere
Dont let me start wishin' I was with her now
Ive made it this far without cyin' a single tear
And i'd sure hate to break down here
A hundred fifty thousand miles ago
Before the bad blood and busted radio
You said I was all you'd ever need
But love is blind and little did i know
That you were just another dead-end road
Paved with pretty lies and broken dreams
Baby, leaving you was easier than being gone
Don't know what i'll do if one more thing goes wrong
(repeat chorus twice)
Its too late to turn around
I'd sure hate to break down here
Mile marker 215
song performed by by Trace Adkins
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
This Life Of Mine
Thought about it all day long
Wanted to so bad but couldn't get the courage or the strength
To pick up that knife to mark on me one more time
But I didn't I haven't seen scars from a knife in a long while
Felt like something was holding me back
All my courage just went away
And all my strength just turned into weakness
How I wanted to and needed too just to feel alive
Spending most my days wondering my life away
Wishing to be whole when all I ever wanted was a dream come true
Behind my eyes lye broken dreams
Dreams that I know I won't ever fix
But that's over and done or is it
I'm lost and confused about everything
Trying to figure out where I stand
And I'm on a emotional roller coaster and can't get off
So alone and filled with pain from head to toe
Deep down my soul is screaming
And my heart is bruised
My whole body is broken everywhere
Sometimes I wish I could go to the land of no return
Maybe then I wouldn't hurt near as bad
Maybe then I wouldn't be filled with pain or broken all over the place
Wish I knew where to begin with this life but I can't even find the starting line
March 9,2008
poem by Espn Chick
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Old Relevant Stuff
Flip up an old garage door:
Senses awaken
With the smell of unspent gas
And the sight of oil stains
Upon the floor.
Memories return;
Yea, the paint is a bit thin, (like me) worn and weary,
But, under that old hood
Is still plenty of strength and fury.
Grab an ancient thumb-latch handle on the door
Turn a key in the dash
Bring to life this sleeping dinasour;
Time for a fast blast into the past,
Up through the gears
And back through the years
Life's thrill comes by way of this beast,
On gas, tires and oil it will heartily feast.
-To the driver side
It's like a perfect old friend
Come to visit
Now and then,
Fond old times to recall
When both stood so young
Unfettered and tall.
-To the mechanic side
It was always perfect joy
Spending many a night wrenching
On this overgrown toy.
And for both the only thought it all brought
Was the pure pleasure behind the wheel
To be sought:
The perfect-simple plan
Of machine and man.
A mechanical mellifluous milieu,
Before everything went to hell after 1972.
It was back when Pontiac was alive
And made their own engine,
And the letters G.T.O.
Were truly a legend........
But time and age
All have their wicked ways,
So even the fabled muscle-car
Could not out run its fate
At the hands of pejorative politicians
And ruthless insurance rates;
Those nights of way back when
Shall never return again,
Sadly missed,
But fondly reminisced
Each time, that wild old engine whines.
It's loud, it's quick, and well yes, ... obnoxious,
But always it is proudly made and drove on the backroads
Of the good ol' U.S.
-Thank God, there is no fuel injection
Nor computer to aggravate,
Just a simple carb on a simple V-8.
It's real American steel
With plenty of heft and power you can feel,
Tires to turn
And rubber to burn,
Keeping it all straight on the road
Is the real challenge
Moving along at 10-miles a gallon!
Yet, it's pure passionate pleasure of power
Running down the road at 100 miles per hour!
- And now everytime it rumbles and roars
It all returns
To live once more;
So here again
I'll take it for a spin
And recall the ride
That so simply makes it feel good
Just to be alive.
Yea, it's only a mere thing,
A bit old - a bit rough,
But to a few (such as me)
Who through different eyes do see,
It truly is still some very relevant, beautiful stuff.
poem by Smoky Hoss
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
When Broken, Nothing Can Be Made Anew!
A broken door can"t be made like one new;
A broken fence needs to be mended well;
A broken wall has to be rebuilt much;
A broken branch cannot be fixed again!
A broken mirror cannot be made whole;
A broken toy cannot be glued like new;
A broken home cannot be back reset;
A broken marriage can't blossom once more!
A broken heart remains anguished for long;
A broken friendship stays estranged for sure;
A broken bone may heal but weakened stays;
A broken soul struggles for want of grace!
All things when newly made look simply great!
You cannot mend life's broken slate at all!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 17-08-12
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Broken Heart Road
Well-its down the road of broken dreams-
Ima' travelin' on my way...
Goin' down the backroads of emptiness...
Past the street corners of yesterday;
Memberin' your sweet smile...
And your oh so gentle touch...
Missin' all of you and words once true-
Missin' you-oh so much;
Its down the road of broken dreams -
Ima' travelin' on my way...
Goin' down the back roads of emptiness...
Past the street corners of yesterday;
Lost and so alone ima' travelin'...
On a journey longer than forever-
Memberin' you and i and wonderin' why...
Our together ended in stormy weather;
Nothin' but stormy words and tears...
Just a blowin' and pourin' down...
Our world it came a' crashin'...
Landin' in a broken heap on the ground;
It was down the road of broken dreams-
I traveled my own way...
I went down the back roads of emptiness...
And past the street corners of yesterday;
Today ima' leavin' with a knowin'...
That Broken Dream road is a dead end...
Its the cul de sac of all shattered dreams...
You can find it 'round Shattered Hopes Bend;
Song Lyrics
May16,2010
poem by Theodora Onken
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Edge Of A Broken Heart
And there I stood, just like a soldier
I was tough, until I saw her
I said hello, but she just turned away
Hey romeo, whatcha doin with my girl,
Who are you using now, well I turn and walk away (turn and walk away)
Im gonna please her, now you can believe it
Ill be there to catch her when she falls
Oooo, here I am (on the edge of a broken heart)
Im a man (on the edge of a broken heart)
Here we stand (on the edge of a broken heart)
So run if you can cause you know
Im a man on the edge (on the edge of a broken heart)
Im on the edge (on the edge of a broken heart)
Im on the outside, looking inside
Youre with him, whos on the wrong side now
Do you still think of me
Ive tried to call, but no one answers
Two silhouettes, a private dancer
Lights go dim, as the music starts to fade, away (turn and walk away)
Im the one who needs you, now you can believe it
Ill be there to catch you when you fall
Ooo you better believe Im the man (on the edge of a broken heart)
Here I am (on the edge of a broken heart)
And we stand (on the edge of a broken heart)
So run if you can cause you know
Im a man on the edge (on the edge of a broken heart)
Im on the edge (on the edge of a broken heart)
Solo
Ooohh
And when I hold out my hands Ill be reaching for you
I give it all that Ive got, thats all I can do
When youre waiting for love
Ill be waiting for you (on the edge of a broken heart)
Only for you (on the edge of a broken heart)
Oh baby for you (on the edge of a broken heart)
So run if you can, you know
Im a man on the edge (on the edge of a broken heart)
Im on the edge (on the edge of a broken heart)
Im on the edge (on the edge of a broken heart)
Im on the edge (of a broken, broken, broken broken, broken, broken, broken)
song performed by by Bon Jovi
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Broken Dreams
I don’t see a long road ahead of me
And my coffee cup, instead of been half full
It’s always half empty
I got no home
I’m on the streets
An in the cold lonely morning
I’m awaken by somebodys cries an screams
All I’ve got left is my broken dreams
My past's erased from my memory
Anyone I knew before
Never cared enough to contact me
I’ve lost my friends
I’ve lost my family
My life’s falling apart
It’s coming loose at the seems
All I’ve got left is my broken dreams
The dreams I used to dream
When I was a kid
Never left my heart
But I never did them, I never lived
So now I cry into my glass
To try an make it full
I’m crying lost rivers an lost streams
All I’ve got left is my broken dreams
poem by Lucy Vernezze
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Crash Bang
Speed!
Weathered
Slippery roads
High speed
Popped a wheel
Tyre burst
Screech driver shocked
Trying to stabilize the car
Breaks screech
Screams from side-walk
Collision
Pile up crash-crash
Glass shattered scattered
Screams squashed fleas
Running feet
Police sirens
Ambulance
Cars stopping
Check out this metal mess
1,2,3 car pile-up crash
Painful moans
Face bashed
In smashed windscreen
Nose broken
Blood oozing
H-e-l-p!
Petrol running
Race against time
Bystanders praying
Rescue workers
Jaws of life!
poem by Persian Khushi
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Irresponsible
Speed!
Weathered
Slippery roads
High speed
Popped a wheel
Tyre burst
Screech driver shocked
Trying to stabilize the car
Breaks screech
Screams from side-walk
Collision
Pile up crash-crash
Glass shattered scattered
Screams squashed fleas
Running feet
Police sirens
Ambulance
Cars stopping
Check out this metal mess
1,2,3 car pile-up crash
Painful moans
Face bashed
In smashed windscreen
Nose broken
Blood oozing
H-e-l-p!
Petrol running
Race against time
Bystanders praying
Rescue workers
Jaws of life!
poem by Persian Khushi
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Police intimidation
Today while in Springs
walking on the sidewalk
on my way to home
there was a police roadblock
put up right over the main road
just at Werda School
where you leave the shopping area
where eight armed policemen were standing
and when I got a call
from a wrong number
the one in the middle of the road
rushes to me; saying that I have taken a photograph of him
and the whole lot of them close around me,
I am even grabbed
with a hand into the back of my pants
that holds onto my belt,
I am searched
with hands being put
into my pockets
and my two cellular phones are taken
whereupon I say to them
that I have broken no law
and I am taking record of police intimidation
and a black police captain
(if military ranks are the same)
grab onto my arms holding them
and say that he is going to lock me up
and he stands so near to my face
that I am able to smell his sour breathe.
Whereupon I say to him
that I have broken no law,
that he has no grounds for arrest
and that touching me
is as good as assault
and then a white policeman
with two stars (a military lieutenant’s rank) walks nearer
and the captain let go of my arms,
some of the group gathered around me stands back
but the one at my back
is still holding on to me
with his hand on my belt
into the back of my pants
while another one
is busy going into the data
of my cellular phones
and the white one threaten
to assault me,
to hit me into a hospital
and I say to him
that surely in his eyes
it is illegal to tape
this conversation that they must let me go
as I have not broken any law.
Then he says if I again
spit him in the face while I talk
he will hit my teeth out of my mouth
and I say that the one holding me
is already assault
and that I will let them lock him up
in his own jail, if he touches me
and he says that he will not
touch me even with gloves
and that man stands so near to me
trying to intimidate, that I can smell him
and it smells as if for a whole week
he did not bath
as he is stinking of rotting sweat.
Then they want to know my name
and address from me
which I refuse
to give to them.
Then the white lieutenant says
that it is illegal
not to give my particulars
and I to him
that they do not have the right to it
as I have broken no law
as I am wondering
if the lot of them
want to come and assault me
in the middle of the night or something?
Then he says: “you that have swallowed
a whole law book, you know
that you have to give
your name and address.”
Then I say again
that I have broken no law
were just passing
and I am tacking record of police intimidation.
Then the white lieutenant says
that I do not even know what my name is
also in what street I am walking
and exactly in what town,
at what place
I am in the world.
The black policemen
stand laughing
as if it’s the joke
of all jokes
and I say that I want my cellular phones back,
that they cannot come
and steal them from me
and he threatens again to hit me.
When they can get no photograph of them
on my cellular phones
they give my cellular phones back
and the white man that they call adjutant threatens
again to assault me
and says away with you
that I must be on my way
and says record this now
and I will hit you like thunder!
Then I say that this type of thing
only happens in a police state
and that they are Gestapo
busy with police intimidation
and that I am going to publish this incident
and they laugh at me.
l’Envoi
Now I wonder as a citizen,
who pays my taxes
when and where I have a job,
what rights does the law representatives claim
to themselves
and how good, are they at their jobs?
The two cars that had being stolen from me
have after three years
not been found back
and this lot is fast
to stand and threaten with assault
and I scoff at them and know my rights,
but three thousand farmers have been killed
and where are their killers?
Surely walking around freely?
Surely one can only expect an incident like this
in the new South Africa
where things are only going
from bad to worse.
[This incident happened on Saturday 11 December 2010 at 09h15.]
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!