We all – adults and children, writers and readers – have an obligation to daydream. We have an obligation to imagine. It is easy to pretend that nobody can change anything, that we are in a world in which society is huge and the individual is less than nothing: an atom in a wall, a grain of rice in a rice field. But the truth is, individuals change their world over and over, individuals make the future, and they do it by imagining that things can be different.
quote by Neil Gaiman
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All writers … have an obligation to our readers: it's the obligation to write true things, especially important when we are creating tales of people who do not exist in places that never were — to understand that truth is not in what happens but what it tells us about who we are. Fiction is the lie that tells the truth, after all.
quote by Neil Gaiman
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Inspired by Issa - your rice field, my rice field
your rice field, my rice field
the road between that leads
to our dreams in tokyo
your rice field, my rice field
the road between that leads
to our sons in tokyo
inspired
your rice field
my rice field
the same green
-Issa,1815
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo
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I believe that individuals can make a difference in society. Since periods of change such as the present one come so rarely in human history, it is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help create a happier world.
Dalai Lama in Speech (1992)
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Back To The Future
(diana ross/bill wray/jim wray)
Every days a new beginning
Thats what I stand for
Since our possibilities
In a world out of control
Youre looking for a miracle
To spray the air feel the rain
Since youre out of control
Married to pain
Which way forever
Which way will I go
Which way forever
Theres no heroes
Take me back, take me out
Back to the future
Back to the future
Change your thinking
Change your mind
Back to the future
Close your eyes and pretend
That youre a bird in the sky
Turn your face to the wind
I know you can learn to fly
Which way forever
Which way will I go
Which way forever
Theres no heroes
Take me back, take me out
Back to the future
Back to the future
Change your thinking
Change your mind
Back to the future
Back to the future
Take me back, take me out
Back to the future
Back to the future
Change your thinking
Change your mind
Back to the future
Back to the future
Believe you can be
Believe that you can
You can make a stay
We can change the world
I know we can
You gotta take me back, take me out
Back to the future
Back to the future
Change your thinking
Change your mind
Back to the future
Back to the future
Take me back, take me out
Back to the future
Back to the future
Change your thinking
Change your mind
Back to the future
Back to the future
song performed by by Diana Ross
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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If you don't like the way the world is, you change it. You have an obligation to change it. You just do it one step at a time.
quote by Marian Wright Edelman
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He has the obligation to society that any human being has. I don't think a satirist has any greater obligation to society than a bricklayer or anybody else.
quote by Shel Silverstein
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A Change Dream of All!
Education does not end schools and colleges;
It continues in life and work in the world ever!
Real education begins outside education portals,
When one comes out of educational institutions
To Nature, arts, sciences, literature and poetry!
It’s not enough to spend time in mundane things,
Day today activities which will produce monotony,
Frustration, depression and make world too much!
Each one should make use of special power within
To explore nature of things and explore truth and
Helplessness of man can be overcome by change!
A lot of drawbacks are there in everything here
Affecting society unaware without giving hope,
New thoughts, ideas and change for the better!
Innovation, novelties are needed to breathe fresh air;
Poets have important job to bring about change!
To change society individual’s attitude needs change.
Nature, arts and literature are there to give solace,
Comfort, ideas and hope to realize freedom in life!
Poetry inspires and encourages to attain freedom
And live a life of fulfilment to the full in the world!
poem by Ramesh T A
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Change in Me
Why I need change?
for better or for the worst?
Any choices to change or not?
I need change when
There is an opportunity to grow and mature
Things being done the wrong way
Dealing with a world of change
I rediscover change
Change is the law of life
Those who look only
to the past or the present
Are certain to miss the future
I may change anything I want or don't want
But I can't change everything I want
My dilemma is
I hate change and
love it at the same time
Best of all
What I want is
For things to remain the same
but get better.
Lastly,
I need strong courage to change,
To master change;
Be the master of change.
Always I want change,
To get where I want to be,
Be the change I want to have.
poem by Lawrence Hiung
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When Will Things Change
the world is unworthy and things countine to be dirty when will things change. when the world is full of mess and people just countine to strees, when will things change. when the streets are some of our homes never knowing why were alone, when will the world change. people cry at night just to give up a fight, when will things change. when you need to cry and you need someone 'why' when will things change.
when the world is sour and people have way to much power, when will things change. crying about the past, the things that never last. when will things change. when the world around you is cold, and shared feelings never seem to bold when will things change. when the world comes at you fast and ever part of your stress continues to last. when will things change.
poem by Katie Patterson
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Who is obligated?
Obligated to take care,
Obligated to spare,
Obligated to be awake,
Obligated to sacrifice,
Obligated to worry,
Obligated to keep smile,
Obligated for life,
Obligated for the name,
Obligated for giving birth,
Obligated for the initial,
Obligated with responsibilities.
What obligation do they have,
When they disown them?
What obligation do they have,
when they abandon them?
What obligation do they have,
when they torture them?
What obligation do they have,
when they walk over them?
What obligation do human have,
when they are alone?
poem by Veeraiyah Subbulakshmi
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Even the most wretched individual of our present society could not exist and develop without the cumulative social efforts of countless generations. Thus the individual, his freedom and reason, are the products of society, and not vice versa: society is not the product of individuals comprising it; and the higher, the more fully the individual is developed, the greater his freedom — and the more he is the product of society, the more does he receive from society and the greater his debt to it.
quote by Mikhail Bakunin
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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We Are Here To Change The World
(from captain eo)
Were on a mission
In the everlasting light that shines
A revelation
Of the truth in chapters of our minds
So long, bad times
Were gonna shake it up and break it up
Were sharing light brighter than the sun
Hello , good times
Were here to simulate, eliminate
An congregate, illuminate
(we are here to change the world)
Gonna change the world, hee
(we are here to change the world)
Gonna change the world, ooo
So do surrender
cause the powers deep inside my soul
Sing it
(we are here to change the world)
Gonna change the world, sing it
(we are here to change the world)
Hee, gonna change the world, ooo
(we are here to change the world)
Were gonna change the world, girl
(we are here to change the world)
My brothers my brother na
Were gonna change the world
(we are here to change the world)
Hee, deep down in my body,
Deep down in my soul, baby
(we are here to change the world)
Hee, were gonna change the world,
Ooo
song performed by by Michael Jackson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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In the New Year, Let’s Change …
Change is something that must come;
Change is good for everyone.
Change is something that will come;
Change is one we must welcome!
Change is good if one’s better;
Change is better to be best;
Change is nice if life’s better;
Change is the key to all success!
Let’s change our attitudes in life;
Let’s change our outlooks, behavior;
Let’s change if it can help us fare;
Let’s change the way, we see the world!
But change, we must anticipate in life;
We must be ready to take up change;
We ought to change if change we must;
But let us first believe in change!
Let change not remove identity;
Let change not weaken traditions;
Let change not ‘shake the tree by roots! ’
Let change bring effects desired by us.
Let changes come in the New Year;
Let changes make a man better;
Let changes better humanity;
Let changes not undo our gains!
Rein in the changes, advantageous;
Bring in the changes essential;
Take up the changes, we must make;
Let changes bolster life’s purpose!
Let New Year change the heart of man;
Let New Year change the mind and thoughts;
Let New Year change our living styles;
Let New Year change our sinful soul.
Let’s change and change the world around;
Let’s change our inner world and home;
Let’s change the things, we need to change;
Let’s change our lack of trust in God.
The more we change, ’tis good for us;
The less, we change, our life stagnates;
Changes are a part of life;
By changing, culture keeps alive!
No change can question definitions;
No change must threaten foundations;
No change shall endanger our lives;
All changes must remain ‘pro-life’!
Change shouldn’t alienate us from God;
Change should not be unnatural;
Change should not increase vice in man;
Change should not derail our right tracks.
Let change bring change in ways we think;
Let change bring success in all fields;
Let change foster more love for life;
Let change take pride and hatred off!
Let changes be for good of man;
Let changes reduce stress and strife;
Let changes make a virtuous man;
Let changes take us closer to God!
Let changes improve air and soil;
Let changes better lives for all;
Let changes never destroy life;
Let changes make earth paradise.
Let change in world give lasting peace;
Let change in heart, more charity;
Let change in rules afford security;
Let change in mankind, integrity!
Let’s change the world for progeny;
Let’s fine-tune changes children need;
Let change the world and make it safe;
Let’s change the landscape if we must!
Let’s change the laws if need be;
Let’s change the rules for more safety;
Let’s change the ways, we view others;
Let’s change the way, we treat brothers!
Let changes come, if they must come;
Let changes reform society;
Let changes lessen anxiety;
Let changes foster love of life!
Dedicated to American Prez. Barrack Obama
the man who hopes to change most things in the world;
Let’s pray his heart must change to bring just those changes
that God would expect him to change,
and not what the world prefers him to change!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 01-01-‘10
poem by John Celes
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Is The Battle Worth Fighting?
some individuals fight battles
with other individuals needlessly
some individuals are never long
content with getting their own way
some individuals fight ferociously
to dominate all those around about
some individuals who cannot safe vent dominate
their own desires seek to next dominate all others
some individuals who cannot control own emotions
seek to control all within range sphere of influence
poem by Terence George Craddock
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A Request To The Dead
I offer this water to you,
my father, grandfather and great grandfather,
and to you, soldiers and generals
who fought for us and who fought against us
and who were killed by this war.
I stand here, on this battlefield,
and give this water and this rice to you—
you must be hungry and thirsty.
Ask for nothing
other than water and rice,
don't add to the long list
of things I was not able to give;
be content with this water and this rice
and return
to wherever you came from.
Consider this: the years
I have spent with you were many;
and this: it will not be long
before I join you wherever you sojourn.
Had I possessed things
other than this water and this rice,
would I have denied them to you
and asked you to return ?
Whatever I have
other than this water and this rice
are surely not appropriate offerings
for departed souls.
True, I traverse everyday of my life
with this baggage of witheld things,
but whenever I look at them
I disintegrate and cry out
with a voice that rends
the heavens
and the underworld.
Tears fill my eyes
when I make this offering
of water and rice.
I know, when my turn comes,
I shall have neither.
Look, the sun has almost set.
Now, go back to wherever you came from
with the little water and the little rice I gave you.
Look, I myself do not have
either any water or any rice.
Look, I have nothing except the few things
I didn't give
and kept with myself.
[Translated by the poet]
poem by Ramakanta Rath
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All initiation of force is a violation of someone else's rights, whether initiated by an individual or the state, for the benefit of an individual or group of individuals, even if it's supposed to be for the benefit of another individual or group of individuals.
Across The Universe
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither wildly as they slip away
Across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me
Nothings gonna change my world
Nothings gonna change my world
Nothings gonna change my world
Nothings gonna change my world
Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes
They call me on and on
Across the universe
Thoughts meander like the restless wind inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universe
Nothings gonna change my world
Nothings gonna change my world
Nothings gonna change my world
Nothings gonna change my world
Sounds of laughter, shades of life are ringing through my open ears
Inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love, which shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on and on
Across the universe
Nothings gonna change my world
Nothings gonna change my world
Nothings gonna change my world
Nothings gonna change my world
Nothings gonna change my world
Nothings gonna change my world
Nothing
Nothing
Nothing
Nothings gonna
Nothings gonna change my world
Nothing
Nothing
Nothing
Nothings gonna
Noth, nothings gonna change my world
Nothings gonna change it
Nothings gonna change it
Hey yeah, nothings gonna change it
Nothings gonna change it
Nothings gonna change it
Nothings gonna change it
Nothings gonna change my world
Nothings gonna change it (nothings gonna change it)
Nothings gonna change it (no no no no no)
Nothings gonna change my world (nothings gonna change my world)
song performed by by David Bowie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Change Myself
Half of me wants to knock you out
Half of me wants to tell you that Im sorry, so sorry
Meanwhile, half of the world wants to scream and
Shout at half of the world
Just like you and i
Just another fact of life
We plan and we scheme
til theres nothing left of our little dream
But half of the time I cant decide and
Half of the time Im petrified
I want to change the world
I want to make it well
How can I change the world
When I cant change myself
Try again tomorrow
Id love to change your mind
Capture your citadel
How could I change your mind
If I cant change myself
Try again tomorrow
Both of us want to win this fight
Both of us think the other is mistaken, so mistaken
Meanwhile, everyone wants to take up sides
So everyone helps us to fall apart
Just another fact of life
Its hard to play fair
And its so easy to pretend to care
But if nobody wants to share the blame
Then everyone gets more of the same
If I want more peace in the world
Then I must make peace with myself
If I want more trust in the world
Then Ive got to trust in myself
If I want more love in the world
I must show more love to myself
song performed by by Todd Rundgren
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The right of self defense never ceases. It is among the most sacred, and alike necessary to nations and to individuals, and whether the attack be made by Spain herself or by those who abuse her power, its obligation is not the less strong.
quote by James Monroe
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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If we must all agree, all work together, we're no better than a machine. If an individual can't work in solidarity with his fellows, it's his duty to work alone. His duty and his right. We have been denying people that right. We've been saying, more and more often, you must work with the others, you must accept the rule of the majority. But any rule is tyranny. The duty of the individual is to accept no rule, to be the initiator of his own acts, to be responsible. Only if he does so will the society live, and change, and adapt, and survive. We are not subjects of a State founded upon law, but members of a society founded upon revolution. Revolution is our obligation: our hope of evolution.
quote by Ursula K. Le Guin
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