My Friends
for Doug Lang
They came here first in a car shaped like a heart
and now they depart as brilliant jazz musicians.
They arrived in full costume, rolling north
through a winter of neon.
Now I watch them leaving me
in a moonlight of falsettos.
They are singing goodbye to me in the echo chamber
and I am smiling at them from my king-size window.
You get the idea.
I was always making way for the others.
Now, like an intake of breath, I am beside myself.
They tell me that God is inside us and I tell them
our fathers' teeth were white with fear. The streets
that I used to see from my window have faded away.
The birds I used to hear in the trees have fallen
on evil days. The beautiful girls who used to wear skintight
silver foil now dress in ugly shoes with big square tongues.
And the immaculate boys in their red velour are old men
who rock their bodies back and forth in grief.
But I take comfort in a dreamlike kind of consciousness
in which every breath is like my last breath
and all my friends are quiet as brides
skirting along on sheets of ice.
[from The Great Indoors, Story Line Press, 1995]
http://www.terencewinch.com
poem by Terence Winch
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Related quotes
Mysteries
All last night I kept speaking in this
archaic language, because I had been reading
Poe and thinking about him. I read 'The Murders
in the Rue Morgue' which is supposedly the first
detective story. Who dun it? I wondered.
It turns out an orangutan was the murderer.
It looks to me like the detective story genre got off
to a pretty ridiculous start. I used to visit
Poe's house in the Bronx. I used to think,
God, Poe must have been a midget. Everything
is so small. Poe died in Baltimore and I can see why.
In Baltimore, all the people are very big and sincere.
During dinner last night, I told Doug and Susan
about 'Murders in the Rue Morgue.' I said I hadn't
finished it yet, but it looked like the murderer
was going to turn out to be an orangutan, unless
the plot took a surprising new twist. Then Doug
suggested that he and I collaborate
on a series of detective stories in which
the murderer is always an orangutan.
[from The Great Indoors, Story Line Press, 1995]
http://www.terencewinch.com
poem by Terence Winch
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The first Snow for M 'lady Tara
Now almost imperceptibly the snow is falling steadily.
Unruffled by the slightest breeze to coat the branches of the trees
with layers of the purest white which sparkle in the pale moonlight.
A sight that’s pleasing to my eyes. Beneath the trees a blanket lies
as yet a flimsy covering but it is slowly thickening.
As falling snow relentlessly, continues drifting quietly.
The world reverts to black and white. It is a bitter winter’s night
I sit and watch from my window backlit by the firelights glow.
I’m thankful that I need not go outdoors amidst the falling snow.
I am content to stay inside I much prefer my fireside.
Although it’s beautiful to see the snow descending steadily.
I am too old to brave the cold I leave that to the young and bold.
Tomorrow with the morning sun the children will be having fun.
With cries of glee they’ll greet the snow and I will watch from my window.
The antics of small girls and boys as they engage in childish ploys.
Just as I did so long ago when I could enjoy the snow.
One benefit of being old I stay inside when it is cold.
My aching bones will not permit me to do much more than sit
and watch the children as they play and remember my young days.
18/08/2009
http: // blog.myspace.com.poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
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Where Does The Wind Go
Where does the wind go on cold, cold nights
Out of the sight of the bright sunlight,
Under the gaze of the glowing moon,
When all the world is tired and sleeping;
Moaning and carrying on something fierce
Could it be that the wind is weeping?
Where does the wind hide it's broken heart,
Out on the lake, around the boat
And even when no one’s there to hear,
Does the wind ever look for an alibi
When it's so quiet, you can hear your breath,
But the wind only heaves one threadbare sigh?
Where is the place wind could stay it's breeze;
So fidgety, flighty and full of glee
Holding it's breath till the doors fell in;
The windows all cracking their window jams,
Saving it all for a winter's storm
When the trees bend as low as they can.
poem by Patti Masterman
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Tis Breath, Then.... (Part Two)
tis breath, then...
(and still spirits dormant in the night,
leaf, stone, branch, river...
forgotten ants, snails, and crickets,
spiders with infinite webs.
the wolf's howl in waiting,
the owl perfectly still.
worms working silence,
the wings of small birds...
waiting, waiting, waiting...)
tis breath, then...
carrying the plague of war,
deep into the ignorance.
walls built of fear,
and the hunger that devours.
draining color, caged, and panting...
breath crying out for breath,
sorrow unto sorrow...
but tis breath, then...
that forming tongues of soul and spirit,
that falling like passion scented rain,
binds darkness unto darkness,
holding sound in echo's palm.
that rises to the fall,
and falls to the rising.
swallows distance with intimate longing...
calling forth stars and moonlight!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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At The Window
My choking breath, silent run between the window
Frames of wild chestnuts' trees.
Murmurs of warm sheets cast away my body.
Balcony, sprout seeds of transparent fluid.
Mute you show me the world, so that I can make the tree sing.
And the birds' blow by the wind.
It exalted my desire, which cannot be neither confined nor not die.
Like shining night, reflected on cats' eyes.
Every time the moon shine.
Voices of flame, blow by the wind
Against the window spiffier, last fire soon death adores.
Of my breath, last sigh.
I shall disappear from the reflection of a sterile glass.
Contemplate with my sight the blue sky, and let it die.
poem by Luca Menin
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Sleep Waltz
for MCW
Get old enough so you won't have much to fear.
By then, the music plays inside your head
and everything beautiful must be learned by ear.
In the bathroom mirror I behold my wear and tear.
In our bedroom I try to levitate in bed.
Get old enough so you won't have much to fear.
Meanwhile, my son at six wants to keep me near
and we sing together every night head to head.
So everything beautiful must be learned by ear.
His father's tunes, though, will one day disappear
beyond today's routines and daily bread.
But get old enough so you won't have much to fear.
Remembering my mother was my first career
and the songs surrounding her on which I fed,
knowing everything beautiful must be learned by ear.
We may waltz in the kitchen now, my dear,
or dance out of time in our sleep instead.
Get old enough so you have nothing left to fear.
Everything beautiful must be learned by ear.
[from The Drift of Things, The Figures Press, 2001]
http://www.terencewinch.com
poem by Terence Winch
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At My Window
Birds fly up
And down spinnin round
Flyin all around
From my window
A little brown sparraw came
Flutterin down
Le moineau est venu
Se poser ma fenjtre
He came to my window
And as I watched him
I found myself reelin and turnin around
And the faster I ran
I ran out of breath and I fell to the ground
(poof)
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh
He came to my window
He came to my window
He came to my window
From their eyes
The people must look like miniature toys
Do do do do do
Do do do do do do
Fly away
Fly away
Fly away
song performed by by Beach Boys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Guns of Winter'' by David Hart
''Guns of Winter'' by David Hart
Now the powdered chimney's breath
Exhales canescent puffs
Cruel wiley winter blasts harsh
Pummelling all in it's icy sights
Houses grimace grotesquely and eaves groan moanfully
Donning a new set of crystalline teeth
Anon, shivering birds seem hesitant
Swathed in winter's slicing binds
Icily gothic chandelier trees
Their crackly boughs must cleave
Obedient to the will of winter's
might
The crucible cold holds all to
it's sniping tribulations
Pelican trucks gooble up white streets
People hug themselves more these days,
While crunchshuffling along, teeth blurred
clattering in a symphony of spasm grunting cars.
2002DavidHartUSA
poem by David Hart
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Boys In The Trees
(carly simon)
Im home again in my old narrow bed
Where I grew tall and my feet hung over the end
The low beam room with the window looking out
On the soft summer garden
Where the boys grew in the trees
Here I grew guilty
And no one was at fault
Frightened by the power in every innocent thought
And the silent understanding passing down
>from daughter to daughter
Let the boys grow in the trees
Do you go to them or do you let them come to you
Do you stand in back afraid that youll intrude
Deny yourself and hope someone will see
And live like a flower
While the boys grew in the trees
Last night I slept in sheets the colour of fire
Tonight I lie alone again and curse my own desires
Sentenced first to burn and then to freeze
And watch by the window
Where the boys grew in the trees
song performed by by Carly Simon
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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From My Window
from my glass window
at the second floor overlooking the sea
i see big waves arriving on the sandy shore
murky sea waters striking each rock
like teeth gnashing and tongues lashing
the strong winds from the Pacific Ocean
have arrived at the earlier time
Cold and strong and threatening
the trees sway, the leaves fall, the children
are kept at bay inside their houses by their mothers
there is going to be a big typhoon tonight as predicted
i close the window and remember many sad things in my life.
i tell myself, i assure my senses, i am safe now, i am strong now.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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Come & Buy My Toys
Smiling girls and rosy boys
Come and buy my little toys
Monkeys made of gingerbread
And sugar horses painted red
Rich mens children running past
Their fathers dressed in hose
Golden hair and mud of many acres on their shoes
Gazing eyes and running wild
Past the stocks and over stiles
Kiss the window merry child
But come and buy my toys
Youve watched your father plough the fields with a rams horn
Sowed it wide with peppercorn and furrowed with a bramble thorn
Reaped it with a sharpened scyth, threashed it with a quill
The miller told your father that hed work it with the greatest will
Now your watchings over you must play with girls and boys
Leave the parsley on the stalls
Come and buy my toys
You shall own a cambric shirt
You shall work your fathers land
But now you shall play in the market square
Till youll be a man
Smiling girls and rosy boys
Come and buy my little toys
Monkeys made of gingerbread
And sugar horses painted red
song performed by by David Bowie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Moon Howling
Streets quiet
Smoking chimneys
Families prepare
For evening meals
She missed her lift
Alone, walking home
Someone following
Eerie giggles
Fear gripping
Footsteps echoing
Stopped to hear
Looking over shoulder
Only darkness behind
Full moon tonight
Imagination running wild
Stray cat meowing
Hastening steps
Must hurry
To warm safety of home
Passing dark alley
Scuffling figures
Wolf howling
Near forest edge
Tap on shoulder
Sharp intake of breath
Female screaming
Raw fear in throat
Fists clenched
All muscles stiffened
Screams were her own
Stranger standing beside her
Dark piercing eyes staring
Amused at fear on her face
Sharp features
Straight lines of his jaw
Evil in the air
Heart racing in throat
Then he smiled
Showing teeth
Run! Run!
Like statue
Limbs won't move
His long finger sensually tracing
Soft skin of neck
Dank smell of sewers
Bats in trees
Tramp peering over whisky
A scene seen before
Next victim
Still holding breath
Dizzying
Collapsed in arms
Looking up at moon
Fierce ravenous need
Mouth opened wide
To feast on soft neck
Sticky sweetness
Coursing through
Empty existence
Mumbles
Hunter's howls
Teeth dripping
With blood
Feasting complete
Body limp
Few coins thrown
Tramp to discard of corpse
Same scene played every night
23: 09: 12
poem by Persian Khushi
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You Took My Breath Away
You took my breath away
I want it back again
Look at the mess Im in
I dont know what to say
I dont know how to feel
You dont care anyway
All I can do is wait
You took my breath away
You took this song of mine
And changed the middle bit
It used to sound alright
But now the words dont fit
Its getting hard to rhyme
Impossible to play
Ive tried it many times
You took my breath away
One day when the sun is shining
There will be that silver lining
You knocked my headlights out
So turn them on again
I cant see where Im going
I cant tell where Ive been
I dont know how to feel
This hasnt been my day
Seems like Ive lost a wheel
You took my breath away
You took my breath away
You took my breath away
You took my breath away
song performed by by George Harrison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Indulge Me
My latest little mood
A darker shade of blue
Still I draw closer to you
My pretty little dress
Begins to look a mess
Infatuation come through
Enlighten me with you
Look at things the way you do
Indulge me please
Ill take the breath you breathe
Take heart Im telling you
My life has come too soon
But somewhere Ill find some time
In every other way
Youve told me what to say
These final words now are mine
Enlighten me with you
Look at things the way you do
Indulge me please
Ill take the breath you breathe
Make the dream come true
Show me how to comfort you
Indulge me please
Ill take the breath you breathe
You may have walked away
But were still as close
As when I gazed
Deep in your gentle eyes
Enlighten me with you
Look at things the way you do
Indulge me please
Ill take the breath you breathe
Make the dream come true
Show me how to comfort you
Indulge me please
Ill take the breath you breathe
Enlighten me with you
Look at things the way you do
Indulge me please
Ill take the breath you breathe
Make the dream come true
Show me how to comfort you
Indulge me please
Ill take the breath you breathe
Enlighten me with you
Look at things the way you do
Indulge me please
Ill take the breath you breathe
Make the dream come true
Show me how to comfort you
Indulge me please
Ill take the breath you breathe
song performed by by Olive
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Winter Romance
The air cold, crisp to the lung
Breath circles skyward bound
Days fall short, shadowed by the night
Nature climbing into hibernation
Trees standing bare, flowers wilt away
A world still beautiful to the eye
Yet emptied of all its colour
Still my heart it does rejoice
Warmed by another’s kind grace
A muse of such beauty to the soul
Playing out this winter romance
Early evening the moon stands proud
Casting its light through windows
The streets line solitary in shadows
There is not a care but for love
But for love there is not a care
All the beauty of a romantic thought
Is shared amongst friends
A winter romance begins
The beauty of the season
poem by Matthew Holloway
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Under Your Breath
Hangin' in the underground
Before a train back out of town
Away from you
All the lights that disappear
In the tunnels way down here
It's quite a view
Sometimes I wish I were deaf
Then I wouldn't hear the words you say
Under your breath
Under your breath
Locked away in your room
On the phone with someone who
She thinks out loud
Thought she found the right to leave
Think of the things you used to need
And I'd run out
Sometimes I wish I were deaf
But I hear the words you say
Under your breath
Under your breath
Anything that you put on me
All the things your head needs, You believe
Read my mind 'Cause I can't say anything
The sick heart potion
Two parts pain
One part true again
Sometimes I wish I were deaf
But I hear the words you say
Under your breath
Under your breath
song performed by by Whiskeytown
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Under Your Breath
Hangin' in the underground
Before a train back out of town
Away from you
All the lights that disappear
In the tunnels way down here
It's quite a view
Sometimes I wish I were deaf
Then I wouldn't hear the words you say
Under your breath
Under your breath
Locked away in your room
On the phone with someone who
She thinks out loud
Thought she found the right to leave
Think of the things you used to need
And I'd run out
Sometimes I wish I were deaf
But I hear the words you say
Under your breath
Under your breath
Anything that you put on me
All the things your head needs, You believe
Read my mind 'Cause I can't say anything
The sick heart potion
Two parts pain
One part true again
Sometimes I wish I were deaf
But I hear the words you say
Under your breath
Under your breath
song performed by by Whiskeytown
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Breath That Said Goodbye
The breath that said Goodbye
Drooped eyelids a pale face the final breath of Goodbye
The moment did come as the little one hugged a sobbingly cry
Leaving the night so quiet and the coldness stealing the heart
With a surge of sadness emptiness and the dawn to part
The strong face the smile the days the so many shared
The times spent confusion, conflict, worries always spared
Priceless memories everywhere, as tears keep rushing in
Fragrance of love the laughter everything that once was seen
Left with pain inside that can’t be seen can’t be heard nor felt
Time alone will help not, to God with the little one hopefully knelt
Tomorrow brings one never knows the future being a mystery
Life meets many an emotional battles till the end of the journey
poem by Shirani Ibrahim
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In The Winter Garden
Winter has visited our garden my love
Trees have been stripped bare and flowers wilt
A frost has been laid upon the ground
Even the birds have taken to flight, away
Amid the silence of the morning I walk
Through our garden which we nurtured
How solemn it now looks without colour
The summer seems but a distant memory
How beautiful it looked back then
How beautiful it will look once more
But now in the mornings drab light
With barren trees and wilted flowers
I walk upon the hardened earth
Which feels like stone beneath my feet
We talked of planting a fruit tree
For flavour and shade in years to come
Now that is an idea in waiting
Till winter has passed, and spring returns
Winter is here in our garden my love
As I watch the vapour of my breath rise
I say your name, a love for all time
poem by Matthew Holloway
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I Want a Wind
I want a wind
To start in the far-off mountain
To rush down in a raging fury
And fill this dull and silent valley.
I want a wind
To wrap around the gray tree trunks
To rattle the leaves and grass
To whistle by the window’s glass.
I want a wind
To make the pine trees clack together
To tangle the hair of the Barbie girls
To make the dust on the roads to swirl.
I want a wind
To take the litter on the sidewalk away
To blow the mist from the falls my way
To echo throughout this listless day.
I want a wind
To burst through the window and into here
To scatter the papers from their neat piles
To steal my breath and give me smile.
poem by Sophia White
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