5. Pension in a State
Has anybody seen it
Through wages it was paid
To be there for retirement
Each payment duly made
Told I would be quite cosy
With a pension from the state
And when I got to sixty-five
I’d get the going rate
They took a little extra
Called SERPS to put on top
Then told us all we could opt out
And SERPS would have to stop
Each time they’ve tried to change it
We end up getting less
And now they try to tell us all
Our pensions in a mess
They just have one solution
We must now work forever
They’ve squandered all our pensions
By trying to be clever
poem by David Threadgold (2008)
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
One state retiree, 49 years old, paid, over the course of his entire career, a total of $124,000 towards his retirement pension and health benefits. What will we pay him? $3.3 million in pension payments over his life and nearly $500,000 for health care benefits - a total of $3.8m on a $120,000 investment.
quote by Chris Christie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A World Too Wide for His Shrunk Shank after William Shakespeare Jacques Seven Ages of Man
Alas! What hope remains? The Welfare State,
Wrought through the years of blood, sweat, toil and tears,
Of suffering and strife, to some appears
Refuted by ‘f[r]ee' enterprise whose weight
Leaves little budget elbow room. We wait.
Death bides its time an extra span. Each nears
The century where ‘threescore' once brought fears
Of death. Yet western world's extended date,
Or lease on life means at a triple rate
We claim or pay for benefits. Few cheers
In underemployment's rise. One hears
Demands for health-care, pensions, but, too late
Empty promises most hollow find,
too few for bluff fall, most fear future blind.
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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I Told You.
I told you I’m stepping up,
I told you I’m stepping up,
And you still scream ‘order, order’,
I told you I’m stepping up,
I told you I’ve had enough,
And you still scream.
In the recollection of,
What you told me, I told her,
I bandage the wounds,
Cause I still see you hold her,
And I cry in chocolate,
But it’s not nearly so bad,
Tasteful sympathy,
So sweet and yet so sad.
I told you I’ve had enough,
I told you I’ve had enough,
And you still scream ‘Murder, murder’,
I told you I’m stepping up,
I told you I’ve had enough,
And you still scream.
Pointing fingers in my face,
Desperate solution,
Be sure to make your case,
Even with no evidence,
But be prepared to fight,
Judges orders,
Kiss your kids goodnight,
Stain them with the same lies,
I told you I’ve given up,
I told you I’ve given up,
But you still seem beaten, beaten,
I told you I’m giving up,
But you’ve been called on you bluff,
Now you scream.
Do You Feel That You Are Quite Powerless
Do you feel that you are quite powerless for I often do feel that way
Your opinions not seen as important few pay heed when you have your say
Perhaps for you that's not a bad thing look at the state of the World we live in
Where the greatest spreaders of paranoia the most admirers do seem to win
George W Bush can retire on his fat pension with Laura his devoted wife
The man who won many admirers but who has destroyed many a life
He has followed his staunchest allies John Howard and Tony Blair into retirement and many too their praises do sing
They have started wars where a million have died and thousands of horrific injuries have suffered can one say that this is a good thing?
So why worry if your words do not hold weight if what you say to nothing does amount
Feel happy you are not like Bush and his allies their war dead too many to count
They enjoy life on their huge pensions but for their time what have they to show
Save they have caused so many to suffer and the numbers of their war dead does grow
Like mine your words may not hold much weight but for as long as to the spirit of the fair go you are true
Then you are an honourable person and credit in heaps you are due.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bible in Poetry: Gospel of St. Matthew (Chapter 20)
Heaven is like a landowner,
Who left by dawn from his vineyard,
To hire laborers to work;
He fixed their daily wages and
And made them work in his vine-land.
He met others at nine o’clock,
In market-place, standing idle;
He promised to pay what was just,
And send them off to his vineyard.
He left again at noon likewise,
And around three o’clock also;
At five o’clock, he found some more,
And asked them why they stood idle.
They told him none had hired them;
He sent them to vineyard to work.
When evening came, the owner told
His foreman to summon workers;
He ordered him to pay them all,
Starting from last, ending with first.
The ones who came by five o’clock,
Received their daily wages first;
But when the first ones came at last,
They thought they would receive extra;
They got just wages as spoken,
And grumbled at the landowner.
They said, ‘For one hour’s work, the last
Were paid equal to us although
We bore the day’s burden and heat.’
The landowner then said to one,
‘Do you feel I have cheated you?
Didn’t you agree on what I spoke?
Take what is yours and kindly leave.
What if I pay the last as you? ’
‘Am I not free to keep my word
And pay my money as I wish?
Do you envy my kind nature? ’
‘Therefore the last shall become first,
And first shall become last also.’
To Jerusalem, Jesus went
And told his twelve disciples there,
‘Behold, the Son of Man shall be
Soon handed o’er to chief priests, scribes;
And they will condemn Him to death;
And hand Him to the Gentiles then,
For being mocked and scourged before,
They crucify Him upon cross;
But He’ll be raised on the third day! ’
Zebedee’s mother with her sons,
Paid homage and wished for something;
Then Jesus asked, ‘What do you wish?
She answered Him, ‘Command my sons
Are made to sit with you along,
One at your right, other at left,
In your kingdom, when it happens.’
Jesus replied, ‘You do not know
The nature of the thing you ask;
Can you drink from my cup like me?
They answered back, ‘Yes, Lord, we can! ’
Then Jesus told, ‘Indeed you can
Drink from the cup I’m going to drink;
To sit at my right and my left,
Is not the privilege, I can give,
But happens as my Father tells.’
The ten who heard this got angry,
At the two brothers and mother;
Jesus said. ‘You know how Gentile
Rulers lord it ov’r them, to make
Their authority, felt by them? ’
So, shall it be amongst you too;
The one who wishes to be great,
Shall be your servant in that case;
The one who wishes to be first,
Shall be your slave to so become;
The Son of Man came to give life,
As ransom for many of you,
But never came to be served then.’
On leaving Jericho, a crowd
Had followed Him wherev’r, He went; ;
Two blind men sitting by roadside,
Cried out, ‘Lord, have on us, pity.
You Son of David, show mercy.’
So, Jesus stopped and asked of them,
‘Tell me what you want me to do.’
They answered back, ‘Give us our sight.’
Then Jesus touched their eyes at once,
As He felt pity on the two,
And they, could see from that moment.
poem by John Celes
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Listless and Mundane
Waves of heat flow horizontally
Across the screened kitchen door
The twirling fan moves a plastc breeze
Of odors diluted and un fresh
Little comfort in this
The ceiling propeller makes noise
Planning to take off
Days pass slowly
In retirement
Having little control
As time ticks away
We worry
Suffer the banal
And wonder
Why we hurried
For pensions and social security
poem by Shimon Weinroth
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Bipolar Syndrome
You told me to fly
But you break the wings
Do you want me to fall
So that you can win
You told me to smile
But you raise the fear
Do you want me to lie
To hide all those tears
You told me to let
But you bring back again
Don't you want me forget
Those desperate games
You told me to change
But you keep calling my name
Don't you want me ruin
The peace I finally gain
You told me be strong
But you dropp me sorrow
Do you want me be drown
Never see tomorrow
You told me be brave
But you seem not to care
Do you want me be flare
So you can not stop to stare
You told me be the best
But you never understand
Do you want me restrain
To do what I desire
You told me to dream
But you crush my hope
Do you want me be bound
By your beautiful lies
poem by Maria Sudibyo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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State Of The Heart
I know your name
I told you mine
Weve stopped and passed the time of day
You work in town
I work at night
That gives us six until seven to work this out
If I seem a little strange
Its just the state of the heart
Im waiting here for you
In the state Im in
You are the moon
I am the sea
You pull me in and gaze on down at me
I was alone
I thought I was immune
Its good to know
The door can still be open wide
If I feel a little strange
Its just the state of the heart
Im waiting here for you
In the state Im in
Its just the state of the heart
I wait in the dark
I the state Im in
We get closer and closer
To falling out or falling in
I go over and over
But I cant change the state
This heart is in
If I seem a little strange
Its just the state of the heart
Im waiting here for you
In the state Im in
Its just the state of the heart
You know I wait in the dark
In the state Im in
It s the state of the heart
The state of the heart
The state of the heart
The state of the heart
song performed by by Rick Springfield
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I respect the state workers and I respect their unions, but we simply can't afford to pay benefits and pensions that are out of line with economic reality.
quote by Andrew Cuomo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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You Told Me
By michael nesmith
You told me youd always stay, you told me!
You told me youd never stray, you told me!
All these things you said you said sincerely.
Still I am leaving you in spite of what you told me.
Ive heard things that did not match what you told me.
And of your love that would not last as you told me.
Forwarned is forearmed, it hurts, Im leaving.
I may be wrong I cant love what Im just hearing.
Times have made me shy
Of all the things youre saying
Time have made me shy
Of girls and all the games they are playing.
Someday I may see the truth of what you told me.
I may find I left too soon and that you told me.
Only things that you were honestly feeling.
I must have more to love than what you told me.
Yes, I must have more to love than what you told me.
Yes, I must have more to love than what you told me.
song performed by by Monkees
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Teenage Pregnancy
Giving birth at a tender age was not my intention,
How did this happen to me is still a confusion.
'Pregnant', me ha! never!
But his charming looks and boy was he clever.
The naive girl that I was, believed his lies and how he loved me so much,
I could not resist his charm but he convinced me wit his soothing and caressing touch.
The first time I saw Danny, he looked so handsome, strong and fun,
But coming to the end he turned out to be a real bum.
He wooed me with words and won me over,
I was shocked we would actually exchange our numbers.
When he first called, I could not believe it is really Danny.
We talked and talked for more than three hours,
Days and weeks had past; just before you know it we became closer.
Danny called me during the midday and told me to come home by him to lime and to have a bit of one on one time together.
I agreed to his idea but what did i know?
I thought all the girlfriends were doing it.
As soon as I entered his house, he started kissing me everywhere and all about.
He told me to relax and do not be afraid,
I pleaded with him to stop that I was not ready for that kind of thing.
Danny said, 'girl why are you so uptight? '
But i could not care, I screamed with all might.
Stop! Please! Stop!
He gave me a slap and told me to shut up.
I was humiliated, embarrassed and afraid.
And no one came to my aid.
When he was done he sent me home,
I called 999 on my telephone.
We, my parents took him to court and won the case.
I thought my sorrows had gone,
But little did I know my troubles had just begun.
Danny is gone in the wind but where does that leave me?
A baby and I am only fifteen.
poem by Anita Khelawan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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I Told You So
Verse 1
Suppose I called you up tonight
And told you that I love you
And suppose I said I want to come back home
And suppose I cried and said I think I finally learned my lesson
And Im tired of spending all my time alone
If I told you that I realized youre all I ever wanted
And its killing me to be so far away
Would you tell my that you love me too
And would we cry together
Or would you simply laugh at me and say...
Chorus
I told you so, I told you so
I told you some day youd come crawling back
And asking me to take you in
I told you so, but you had to go
Now Ive found somebody new
And you will never break my heart in two again
Verse 2
If I got down on my knees
And told you I was yours forever
Would you get down on yours too and take my hand
Would we get that old-time feeling
Would we laugh and talk for hours
The way we did when our love first began
Would you tell me that youve missed me too
And that youve been so lonely
And youve waited for the day that I returned
And wed live and love forever
And that Im your one and only
Or would you say the tables finally turned
And would you say...
(chorus)
song performed by by Randy Travis
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Electric Nights
I Close my eyes
And forever that's the time
When we were broken
Hey you!
Why don't we hypnotise
Ourselves and all the good friends we don't like?
I know you
Having all the kind
Situation's when you had a smile inside
You would cry
I'll stop till you know better in a mezzo
I break away from home and turn to Mexico
This bullet knows to get through it all
This is the night the stars fell down
Told me
We have turned the card
My electric night, yeah
Told me
We were lucky
Just one electric night, yeah
Hey you!
No need to terrify
Ourselves from all the good plans we denied
And aren't you
The one who left my side
Cavity's calling for changes in life
Stop the stuff the diver crossed and let's go
See the path is opened up to Mexico
We have to get away from people
This is the night the stars fell down
Told me
We have turned the card
My electric night, yeah
Told me
We were lucky
Just one electric night, yeah
Told me
They have nothing onto
Electric nights, yeah
Told me
We have turned the card
My electric night, yeah
Your life is naked
Your dreams have to fight
You walk just laid-back
And never satisfied
Where are the classical pieces of jewel
You wanna know
You wanna know
Yeah, you wanna really know
They are on in here tonight
These nights have gone
Forever is the time
When we were broken
Nights have gone
Forever is the time
I think we're broken
Nights have gone
Forever is the time
When we were broken
Nights have gone
Forever is the time
I think we're broken
Told me
We have turned the card
My electric night, yeah
Told me
We were lucky
Just one electric night, yeah
Told me
They have nothing onto
Electric nights, yeah
Told me
song performed by by Guano Apes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Shallow Crystals
(ian hunter)
Her life gets smaller in his eyes
And he wonders if he thinks he should cry
Oh mother the colours gone and left your hair
And he wonders if he thinks he should care
She told him how to play a guitar
She told him how to be a star
But mother were you really there
My friend dont speak hes such a mixed up boy
I wonder if she sold him his toys
A kiss on the cheek a conversation decoy
In his cute little corduroys
Oh she taught him how to win the game
She taught him everything is your name
Oh mother did you have to destroy
Mother if you really cared
Youd talk to him cry for him
All you every did was dream
All you ever said was be cool be cool be cool
And I think you made a mess of his life
And I think he made a mess of your life
And I think it made a mess of my life
Mother if you really cared
Youd talk to him cry for him
All you every did was dream
All you ever said was be cool be cool be cool
And I think you made a mess of her life
And I think she made a mess of your life
And I think it made a mess of my life
I think you made a mess of my life
I think you made a mess of my life
song performed by by Ian Hunter
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I Told You So - Carrie Underwood
Suppose I called you up tonight,
And told you that I love you,
And suppose I said I wanna come back home.
And suppose I cried and said I think
I finally learned my lesson, and I'm
Tired of spendin' all my time alone.
If I told you that I realized
You're all I ever wanted,
And it's killin' me to be so far away.
Would you tell me that you love me, too,
And would we cry together,
Or would you simply laugh at me and say...
(Chorus)
I told you so, oh, I told you so,
I told you someday you'd come
Crawlin' back and askin' me to take you in.
I told you so, but you had to go.
Now, I've found somebody new,
And you will never break
My heart in two again.
If I got down on my knees, and told you I was yours forever,
Would you get down on yours, too,
And take my hand?
Would we get that old-time feelin',
Would we laugh and talk for hours,
The way we did when our love first began?
Would you tell me that you've missed me, too,
And that you've been so lonely,
And you've waited for the day that I returned?
And we'd live and love forever,
And that I'm your one and only,
Or would you say the table's finally turned?
And would you say...
(Chorus)
Now, I've found somebody new,
And you will never break
My heart in two again.
poem by Rebecca Ryan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Lipstick On Your Collar
When you left me all alone at the record hop
Told me you were goin out for a soda pop
You were gone for quite a while -- half-an-hour more
You came back and man, oh, man, this is what I saw:
Lipstick on your collar told a tale on you
Lipstick on your collar said you were untrue
Bet your bottom dollar you and I are through
cause lipstick on your collar told a tale on you! yeah!
You said it belonged to me, made me stop and think
And then I noticed yours was red; mine was baby pink
Who walked in but mary jane, lipstick all a mess?
Were you smoochin my best friend? guess the answers yes
Lipstick on your collar told a tale on you
Lipstick on your collar said you were untrue
Bet your bottom dollar you and I are through
cause lipstick on your collar told a tale on you! boy!
Told a tale on you! man!
Told a tale on you! yeah! (fade)
song performed by by Cyndi Lauper
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Divebomb
Do you see what you wanna see?
When you reset sixty-three?
I can't even believe it, I'm waking, chip protected
Divebomb! Time's gone!
Divebomb! Time's gone!
Checking, checking the statements
Dreading living on pensions
I don't wanna believe it, I'm drinking, just to forget it
Divebomb! Time's gone!
Divebomb! Timebomb!
Divebomb! Timebomb!
Divebomb! Time's gone!
Divebomb! Timebomb!
Divebomb! Time's gone
song performed by by Feeder
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Person Like You
You were there from the start,
You always was there to help,
Even after what I told you,
You held my hand to help me through,
Everything I told you,
Made you blue,
But, you were still helping me through,
You seemed to always know what to do,
In a time I was so confuse,
You told me what we can do,
You been my support,
Whenever I would hurt,
Told me things that I didn't want to hear,
But, it was a way I felt you care,
I always seen where you were coming from,
But, it was something I didn't want to accept,
That maybe you are right,
Maybe I do need that change,
To be that role model once again,
And be the person
My mom knew I can be.
Before I do something i'll regret,
And hurt the people I care about,
With you by my side,
I know I can change.
Copyright © 2009
1-22-09
poem by Mona Martinez
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Should Have Never Told Me
You should have never told me
That you love me
You should have never told me, told me, told me
That you care
Ever since that day I saw your lovely face
You were on my mind
I knew that one day I would make you love me
It was just a matter of time
Every night and every day, girl
Im thinking of you
Girl, I cant believe youre mine
Way you kiss, youre right on time
Should have never told me
That you love me
You should have never told me, told me, told me
That you care
If by chance I owned the whole world
Id give it to you
All Im trying to say
Love you through and through
Girl, lets stay together for life
cause you are my sugar and spice
Should have never told me
That you love me
You should have never told me, told me, told me
That you care
Naw, baby
Oh, baby
Should have never told me
That you love me
Should have never told me, told me, told me
That you care
Should have never told me
That you love me
Should have never told me, told me, told me
That you care
Should have never told me
That you love me
song performed by by New Edition
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Should Never Have Told Me
You should have never told me
That you love me
You should have never told me, told me, told me
That you care
Ever since that day I saw your lovely face
You were on my mind
I knew that one day I would make you love me
It was just a matter of time
Every night and every day, girl
Im thinking of you
Girl, I cant believe youre mine
Way you kiss, youre right on time
Should have never told me
That you love me
You should have never told me, told me, told me
That you care
If by chance I owned the whole world
Id give it to you
All im trying to say
Love you through and through
Girl, lets stay together for life
cause you are my sugar and spice
Should have never told me
That you love me
You should have never told me, told me, told me
That you care
Naw, baby
Oh, baby
Should have never told me
That you love me
Should have never told me, told me, told me
That you care
Should have never told me
That you love me
Should have never told me, told me, told me
That you care
Should have never told me
That you love me
song performed by by New Edition
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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