Casualty
As with varnish red and glistening
Dripped his hair; his feet looked rigid;
Raised, he settled stiffly sideways:
You could see his hurts were spinal.
He had fallen from an engine,
And been dragged along the metals.
It was hopeless, and they knew it;
So they covered him, and left him.
As he lay, by fits half sentient,
Inarticulately moaning,
With his stockinged soles protruded
Stark and awkward from the blankets,
To his bed there came a woman,
Stood and looked and sighed a little,
And departed without speaking,
As himself a few hours after.
I was told it was his sweetheart.
They were on the eve of marriage.
She was quiet as a statue,
But her lip was grey and writhen.
poem by William Ernest Henley
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Scarry moment..
The serpent was in front of me,
But a real king Cobra, so slim,
Sparkling with bluish tint,
Scales glittered with no attempts,
The eyes, piecing as the arrows,
Lifted the head for a foot, narrow,
Tail holds the ground in anger,
Shaking tongue protruded in despair,
The orange mouth opened wider,
The hissing whistle sounds higher,
My trembling hand took the hand phone,
Called the City Hall for assistance,
They told me to ‘snake sit' for a while,
If run away, inform them at once,
I looked at the snake,
The snake looked at me,
My tied dogs looked at us,
They were angry with me,
For I prevented them,
From doing their duty,
I told the snake,
"If I let you go, you will be caught,
Someone may finish you,
Go with our officers,
They will leave you in the jungle,
And you can live happily"
As if it heard what I said,
The snake put down the head,
My dogs and the serpent were quiet,
That moment was so unique,
I stood just ten feet away,
when it was taken away.
poem by Veeraiyah Subbulakshmi
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Going Grey
I woke up late this morning
And looked into the mirror
But the woman looking back at me
Had a grey streak in her hair
Where did this grey streak come from?
It wasn’t there last night
How did it get into my hair?
My god I looked a sight
I washed and I washed my hair 3 times
And washed my hair some more
But the grey it would not come out
And I was getting stressed for sure
I grabbed the phone to ring my friend
And said get your arse round here
I have a big problem that you need to fix
And bring all your hairdressing gear
Half an hour seemed like a life time
Before my friend was here
She said what’s all the fuss about
I sobbed and wept oh dear
I removed the towel from round my head
Well I didn’t want anyone to see
Look I’ve got greyness in my hair
And I’m only thirty three
She sat me down to have a look
And said don’t worry dear
We can soon cover all that up
With hair dye, so don’t fear
She put this dye upon my head
And then made me a brew
He had to wait for ages
Until the colour did come threw
So now I feel much better
And don’t need to get irate
I don’t have any grey streaks now
And my hair looks really great
poem by Lynn Cowman
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Disappear
dragged my feet across a seat
Jumped out the passenger side
The only thing worth looking for
Is what you find inside
But that had not yet appeared
Lost invisible here.
Tel Aviv and Agadir
Tone deaf for almost
Before I learned to see
The vanishing point appeared.
I looked for you everywhere
I looked for you everywhere.
There is a calm I haven't come to yet
I spent half my life figuring what comes next
I telescoped in I finally win
I finally win the prize
That now eyes see comets perfect timing squeeze
Head first fighting everything
The crushing force of memory
Erasing all I've been
The vanishing point appeared.
I looked for you everywhere.
I looked for you everywhere.
Tell me why you're here.
I came to disappear.
Look at this face
Can you believe it?
Am I living in the beautiful vacuum?
Because I can't see it
The vanishing point appears.
I looked for you everywhere.
I looked for you everywhere.
Tell me why you're here.
I came to disappear.
Tell me why you're here.
I came to disappear.
I came to disappear.
song performed by by R.E.M. from Reveal
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Tall Story
There was a knock on my front door, an angel stood outside!
I looked in shock, dropped to the floor, the door still opened wide.
The angel sighed and then flew in and put the kettle on,
Aware our talk would soon begin when fainting spells had gone.
The tea was ready there for me, he pointed to the cup.
So I drank my hot tea slowly, until that time was up.
He pointed to the living room, where both of us sat down,
My mind still felt a sense of doom and gloom sure makes you frown.
The angel told me, 'Get a pen and get some paper, too! '
So I stood up, right there and then, this very thing to do.
'Write down the words that I recite, when done, I'll have to leave.'
When I began, my face was white and I could hardly breathe.
He took his time and so did I, for twenty pages long,
When done, I heaved a quiet sigh... Were my words right or wrong?
He read it all and was impressed, 'Well done, I'll leave it here.
Please get it published. Do your best. The meaning's crystal clear.'
Then he stood up, walked to the door and so I let him go.
He said, 'God bless! ' and then no more, what more was there to know?
He flew away, past roofs and trees and reached the nearby hill
And soared up higher with such ease, yes, higher, higher still.
When my scanner scanned the pages, it left me quite perplexed,
As it must have taken ages to recognise the text.
I emailed every single word, my publisher replied,
He said he'd never been so stirred, I must've been inspired.
Of course, I couldn't tell him then! He'd get me locked away!
'I met this angel, ten foot ten, at home, this very day! '
So I kept quiet, private like... The published work sold well.
I bought a laptop and a bike, but one day, off I fell.
No guardian angel raised alarm that ice was on the road,
When I fell off, I broke my arm and said, 'Well, I'll be blowed.'
When I got home, I made the tea, got fish and chips that night
And got in bed quite carefully, then prayed with all my might!
The angel knocked upon my door, I sighed then let him in.
This time, because I knew the score, I chose not to begin.
'I'll use the laptop, type it out, then save the text that way.'
The angel looked at me so proud, God's wisdom to relay.
'Well done, please get it published soon! ' I walked him to the door,
He healed my arm, flew past the moon, I waved to him with awe.
That angel's words were good as gold, he certainly had skill.
It's only now my story's told... Make of it what you will...
Denis Martindale, copyright, September 2012.
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Disappear
I dragged my feet across the seat
Jumped out the passenger side
The only thing worth looking for
Is what you find inside
But that had not yet appeared
Lost invisible here.
Tel aviv and agadir
Taroudant or olomouc
Before I learned to see
The vanishing point appeared.
I looked for you everywhere.
I looked for you everywhere.
There is a calm I havent come to yet
I spent half my life figuring what comes next
I telescoped in I finally win
I finally win the prize.
That now my eyes see
A comics perfect timing squeezed.
Head first fighting everything
The crushing force of memory
Erasing all Ive been
The vanishing point appeared.
I looked for you everywhere.
I looked for you everywhere.
Tell me why youre here
I came to disappear.
Look at this face
Can you believe it?
Am I living in the beautiful vacuum?
Because I cant see it
The vanishing point appears.
I looked for you everywhere.
I looked for you everywhere.
Tell me why youre here.
I came to disappear
Tell me why youre here
I came to disappear
I came to disappear
song performed by by REM
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Untended
Stone dead she looked.
Only the flicker of an eye lid
Quick as the flash of a butterfly wing
Belied the fact.
Tears rolled,
Trickled slowly
As if in slow motion
down pale cheek;
A ghastly white,
Stark in the ethereal light.
Her hair turned to snow,
And she only twenty.
Lips moved in silent prayer,
A requiem for lost innocence?
From child to woman in a heart beat.
Here is bloody war, destruction.
But she is blind to the suffering
Deaf to the moans of the dying,
The shriek of bombs
And the sobs of the living.
She cannot tend to those broken bodies,
Nor comfort those lost souls.
For she is frozen,
Rigid.
And stone dead she looked.
poem by Paul Brookes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Three Fishers
1 Three fishers went sailing away to the west,
2 Away to the west as the sun went down;
3 Each thought on the woman who loved him the best,
4 And the children stood watching them out of the town;
5 For men must work, and women must weep,
6 And there's little to earn, and many to keep,
7 Though the harbour bar be moaning.
8 Three wives sat up in the lighthouse tower,
9 And they trimmed the lamps as the sun went down;
10 They looked at the squall, and they looked at the shower,
11 And the night-rack came rolling up ragged and brown.
12 But men must work, and women must weep,
13 Though storms be sudden, and waters deep,
14 And the harbour bar be moaning.
15 Three corpses lay out on the shining sands
16 In the morning gleam as the tide went down,
17 And the women are weeping and wringing their hands
18 For those who will never come home to the town;
19 For men must work, and women must weep,
20 And the sooner it's over, the sooner to sleep;
21 And good-bye to the bar and its moaning.
poem by Charles Kingsley
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sweetheart Like You
Well the pressure's down,
the boss ain't here
he's gone North for a while
They said that vanity
Got the best of him
But he sure left here after sundown.
By the way, that's a cute hat that you're wearing
And that smile so hard to resist
What's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?
You know I once knew a woman who looked like you
She wanted a whole man, not just a half
She used to call me Sweet Daddy, when I was a child
You kind of remind me of her when you laugh
To deal in this game, you must make the queen disappear
It's done with a flick of the wrist
What's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?
You know a woman like you should be at home
It's where you truly belong
Watching out for someone who loves you true
Who would never never do you no wrong
Just how much abuse you can take? - Well,
There's no way to tell by that first lonely kiss
What's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?
You know you could make a name of yourself
You can hear those tyres squeal
You can be known as the most beautiful woman
Whoever crawled across cut glass to make a deal ...
You know the news of you has come down the line
Even before you came in the door
They say in your father's house there's many mansions
Each one of them got a fire-proof floor
Snap out of it Baby, people are jealous of you
They smile in your face, but behind your back they hiss
What's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?
Got to be an important person to come in here honey
Got to have done some evil deed
Got to have your own harm when you come in the door
Got to play your harp until your lips bleed ...
They say patriotism is the last refuge
To which a scoundrel claime
Steal a little, and they'll throw you in jail
Steal a lot, and they'll make you a king
There's only one step down from here Baby
It's the land of the permanent bliss -
So what's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?
song performed by by Rod Stewart
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sweetheart
If I was to stand in a general election
Would you tell me about your close inspection
And how I never stood for detection
Or would you take another man?
If I told you I had the solution to starvation
All the nations would be their own salvation
And those that lead us lead us not into temptation
Or they pick another man?
Sweetheart
Its affecting me
Sweetheart
Its so effective
Sweetheart
Do you detect in me
A sacred sweetheart
If I told you about my plan would you believe me?
This is my body, my blood, would you receive me?
Or would you be the first to deceive me
And take another man
If I told you that Im not the man to worry
Would you believe me when I said I was really sorry?
Or would you rush off in a hurry to take another man?
Sweetheart
Disconnect from me
Sweetheart
You have got no respect for me
Sweetheart
Its affecting me
My sacred sweetheart
And when youre troubled and when youre ill
You know Ill help, I always will
And when youre troubled and really down
You know Ill always be around
And when youre troubled and really broke
There is hope, theres hope, theres hope
Sweetheart
Its affecting me
Sweetheart
Youve got no respect for me
Sweetheart
Its so effective
My sacred sweetheart
Sweetheart
Disconnect
Sweetheart
Its so effective
Sweetheart
Its affecting me
My sacred sweetheart
Sweetheart
Sweetheart
Sweetheart
song performed by by Thin Lizzy
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Lookout Post
The meerkats stood on tippy toes,
For danger was afoot!
Where it would strike, nobody knows
And yet they must stay put!
So one looked left and one looked right
And one looked up and down!
To some, the meerkats looked a sight,
With each one, Nature's clown!
But times were hard and foes were fast!
So fast, they were a blur!
While unwarned victims were aghast,
The wise were quick to stir!
They didn't hang around and say,
'Ooh, look! That's not so good! '
They scarpered quick, got clean away
And left the neighbourhood!
Forewarned, forearmed, four feet, then gone...
To snigger underground!
To safely hide from light that shone,
No longer to be found!
The game went on to their delight,
For hours at a time...
It's very hard for foes to bite
A meerkat in his prime!
United they stand! Together!
Survivors to the end!
Yes, meerkats are very clever!
Just try to catch one, friend!
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Lookout Post'.
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Day The Sun Stood Still
We were young and bound for glory
Itchin' for a fight like you
Bringin' hell and purgatory
To the boys who wore the blue
And I thought I'd seen it all
Till the day night wouldn't fall
Oh, how the sun did blaze
Wouldn't go down for days
I got shot and lost my rifle
When the first wave hit the rise
And the guns rolled out like thunder
And the black smoke burned my eyes
And I watched it all unfold
Just the way the Bible told
Joshua's endless day
Keepin' the night at bay
And the soldiers kept a comin'
Til the ground looked like a sea
Of blue and grey
And I watched it from a distance
Wonderin' if I would've fought or run away
The day the sun stood still
How they beat the bloody drums
And the seconds moved like hours
But the sunset never comes
And the cannons shake the ground
And the bullets test your will
Even shadows found no cover
On that Godforsaken hill
The day the sun stood still
And I watched them lean their shoulders
To the fearful hail of lead
And I prayed for night to save us
And I cried and bowed my head
Bt the sun just kept a-creepin'
'Cross a cold indifferent sky
Castin' a deadly glow
On all the men below
All the hours in a lifetime
Don't add up to one while minute in that sun
And the heroes and the cowards
Look the same when they have fallen by the gun
The day the sun stood still
And the north and south looked west
But the evening star was sleeping
And the daylight wouldn't rest
Out on the killing floor
The red sun on the the hill
Shinin' down on all the dead men
With a strange and eerie chill
The day the sun stood still
-a
song performed by by Travis Tritt
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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the Touch**********************1979
i looked up into the deep blue sky
little white clouds were floating by
i looked upon this young girls face
she held it down in disgrace.
i looked upon her cheeks so fair
she looked up to me to see if i care
i looked at her with content
and she knew right there it was heaven sent.
she smiled at me, and our eyes then touched
we knew then, it was much to much.
our hearts entwined and her lips met mine
we felt right there it was a love divine.
poem by Louis Rams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Smile
At a cafe in Liverpool I sat eating bacon butty
washed down with milky tea, wife had left me
and I was feeling glum. A woman at a far table
looked at me and smiled. An overcast day, felt
as the sun had come out. I didn’t know what to
say or do so I looked out of the window rain.
Her boyfriend came, they left, but she sent me
another smiling glance
Knew I would be OK.
poem by Oskar Hansen
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Everybodys Sweetheart
When I told my baby
Do what you wanna do
Well I had no idea
Just what shed put me through
Every night shes runnin round
Singin songs in your hometown
There aint no one to love me
When the sun goes down
Chorus:
Well, shes everybodys sweetheart
Everybodys sweetheart but mine
I shoulda kept her barefoot
Barefoot and pregnant all the time
I used to be the first in line
Now Ive fallen way behind
Shes everybodys sweetheart
Everybodys sweetheart but mine
All that country club money
Lord it sure looked good to me... yeah it did
Playin golf with those fat cats
How much better could life be
They all think Ive got it made
They see your face on every page
Of every magazine
Across the usa
Chorus
If you see her tell her hi
And everything will be all right
Tell her that I love her
til the day I die
Chorus
Come on home
song performed by by Vince Gill
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sweetheart Like You
Well, the pressures down, the boss aint here,
He gone north, he aint around,
They say that vanity got the best of him
But he sure left here after sundown.
By the way, thats a cute hat,
And that smiles so hard to resist
But whats a sweetheart like you doin in a dump like this?
You know, I once knew a woman who looked like you,
She wanted a whole man, not just a half,
She used to call me sweet daddy when I was only a child,
You kind of remind me of her when you laugh.
In order to deal in this game, got to make the queen disappear,
Its done with a flick of the wrist.
Whats a sweetheart like you doin in a dump like this?
You know, a woman like you should be at home,
Thats where you belong,
Watching out for someone who loves you true
Who would never do you wrong.
Just how much abuse will you be able to take?
Well, theres no way to tell by that first kiss.
Whats a sweetheart like you doin in a dump like this?
You know you can make a name for yourself,
You can hear them tires squeal,
You can be known as the most beautiful woman
Who ever crawled across cut glass to make a deal.
You know, news of you has come down the line
Even before ya came in the door.
They say in your fathers house, theres many mansions
Each one of them got a fireproof floor.
Snap out of it, baby, people are jealous of you,
They smile to your face, but behind your back they hiss.
Whats a sweetheart like you doin in a dump like this?
Got to be an important person to be in here, honey,
Got to have done some evil deed,
Got to have your own harem when you come in the door,
Got to play your harp until your lips bleed.
They say that patriotism is the last refuge
To which a scoundrel clings.
Steal a little and they throw you in jail,
Steal a lot and they make you king.
Theres only one step down from here, baby,
Its called the land of permanent bliss.
Whats a sweetheart like you doin in a dump like this?
song performed by by Bob Dylan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sideways
Step inside the reason why we look together then we find
Come inside the worlds a ball we rise above it as we fall
Everybodys open air so love me love me -- love me where?
A million things and one to fly (say) lifes a witch and then you smile
Took a trip inside
Your heart has seen much better days
Before we hit the high heres to you
Sideways
The moon is warm the rivers high and love, forever never dies
Check inside yourself and see that life is what you want to be
Took a ride inside
Your heart has seen much better days
And before we hit the right one heres to you, sideways
Heres looking at you sideways
Sideways
Dreaming of you sideways
Sideways
Had a dream where everybody looked like someone else
The farthest I could get from was the closest to myself
Tonite Ill dream tomorrows going to be that better day
And in the morning Ill remember you, sideways
Sideways
Sideways
Heres looking at you sideways
Sideways
Im dreaming of you sideways
Gonna give it to you sideways
song performed by by Men Without Hats
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Feet First
i came into this world feet first
they told my mother
out of her three sons, i would be the one
always on the run.
i'd go through life without a care
the thoughts i had, i would not share.
i never stood around long enough for
anyone to get close to me
for too much pain i did see.
i joined the army, so i would not be
close to any family.
little did i know that my thoughts would change
and from here on, i would never be the same.
i played the field with all the girls
and told them whatever they wanted to hear.
but i also made it quite clear
that i was a man on the run
and not be put under the gun.
i was like the wind, here one minute and
gone the next, and i would not be a sacrificial test.
til the day that i went to the company dance
and glanced across the floor.
there she stood proud as can be
just as if she was waiting for me.
i walked across the floor like a fox
waiting for its prey.
she looked at me, and told me to go away.
astounded, dumbfounded, i could not believe.
i did this to others, not them to me.
i sucked in the air and put out my chest
of me she would not get the best.
i walked over to her again and asked her to dance
she looked at me and said 'not a chance'
my friends tell me that you're always on the run
but with me, you will have no fun.
i was born feet first just like you
but at least i knew what to do.
i know when to slow down and make it last
i don't dwindle on the past.
you're getting older and it's time
to settle down
but not one, with whom you've found.
because you have seen a lot of pain
does'nt mean that everyones the same.
open your heart so that you could see
all the beauty thats within me.
i apologized and asked if we could
start from scratch
for my ways i had to patch.
we started it off very slow
and i knew i had a long way to go.
but if i had her by my side
everything would turn out fine.
i told my family what i found.
and that i was settling down.
then i said to my family:
this is a comical, egotistical story
there is no fame, there is no glory.
i came out on the run, and now i'm
enjoying life, and having fun.
poem by Louis Rams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Grownup
(carly simon)
I stood in the doorway in my white nightgown
Red roses on cotton, I stood three feet from the ground
The grownups inside used words I didnt know
But still I enjoyed the show
They looked so lovely, they looked so self-assured
And I just like them would know it all when I matured
And I wouldnt be afraid of the darkness or the bears
Or the cracks in the ceiling upstairs
Now Ive just gotten older, Ive just gotten taller
And the little ones, they call me a grownup
Lat night at a friends house a little girl was there
She stood in the doorway playing with her hair
She looked up to me as if I could do no wrong
As I got up to sing my song
I sang it with a shiver in my throat and in my knees
Feeling just as small as a thistle in a breeze
But the childs imagination carried me along
And saw me through my song
Now Ive just gotten older, Ive just gotten taller
And the little ones call me a grownup
song performed by by Carly Simon
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Deep Freeze
As the snow was going nowhere,
The tiger settled still...
Content that he saw nothing there,
He rested on the hill.
He looked to both the left and right,
From his high point of view
And all he saw was white, white, white!
And so, what could he do?
He yawned at so much tedium...
With nothing there to eat...
And coldness filled him to the brim
And gone all trace of heat!
Somehow, he felt he couldn't win!
'Why can't I fly like birds? '
'Why me? ' he asked, with such chagrin!
In short-clipped angry words...
Of course, we know, life isn't fair!
For some, it's way too cold.
Yet starving was so hard to bear...
And he was getting old!
He wasn't like he used to be,
So fast upon his feet.
'I'm getting on, that's plain to see...
Now things are not so sweet! '
And so he moaned, like old folks do,
About his aches and pains...
Stuck to that hill as if with glue...
Then suddenly, it rains...
'For pity sake! ' he groaned again...
'This really's not my day! '
And so he stood, right there and then...
And sighed... and walked away...
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Fire-sky
The sunset was like a fire-sky
That truly lit up my world
Clouds were orange and yellow
Like a paintbrush making swirls
The beauty was overwhelming
But a little bit frightening as well
It raged as though with fury
As it all began to swell
The colors were also reflected
In the lake where trees surround
It was quiet as I stood mesmerized
There was barely a single sound
I saw some fellows out fishing
Their bodies in semi-dark
Nothing looked quite real
The lake looked cold and stark
I doubt that I will ever see
A sunset just like this again
The entire sky so unimaginable
In a shocking kind of blend!
poem by Marilyn Lott
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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