A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again.
Alexander Pope in An essay on Criticism
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Related quotes
A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.
quote by Alexander Pope
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Poetic Standard
Poetic Standard
Poetic inspiration must supply
Open sourced resourcefulness, may not
Exist in half-light, cuts the gordian knot
That holds back harmony from inner eye.
Insidious compromise can't satisfy
Creative impulse that rejects as blot
Secondary lot where, half forgot,
Tired lines block, lock life's vista, dreams deny.
All hesitation acts out living lie
None should accept to temper daily rot,
Dread time-trap snapped shut once one bolt is shot.
Aloft soar, draw from intuitions, fly!
Read much, hunch heed, rise from rant's rubbish vent,
Dare to revise, creative dance invent.
Skein poetic weaves life's leaves. Flash wink
Turns think through ink to stage fulfilling page
As insight mixes music, words wild, sage.
No Tao is tainted that cues tone-true link
Descriptive and instructive, scanned in sync.
Although some self-styled poets feel form's cage,
Review Stravinsky's words, all doubts assuage.
Deny blank prose poetic rose crown. Drink
Pierian deep, sip not lip-service brink,
Or compensate for feelings trapped to wage
Ego war against injustice guaged,
To ease maimed spirit's claims of unfair stink.
Inside poetic process progress make,
Craft well, rewrite, reword from second take.
6 September 2009 robi3_1908_robi3_0845 ASX_IXX
Acrostic Sonnet POETIC STANDARD STANDARD POETIC
See notes and related poems below
__________________
Pierian Spring
The Pierian Spring from greek mythology is held the metaphorical source of knowledge about the arts and science. Pieria, ancient Macedonia, was the location of Mount Olympus, the seat of worship of Orpheus and the Muses. The spring is believed to be a fountain of knowledge that inspires whoever drinks from it.
Alexander Pope - Essay on Criticism
A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring;
There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again.
______________
'The more constraints one imposes, the more one frees oneself of the chains that shackle the spirit... the arbitrariness of the constraint only serves to obtain precision of execution.' Igor Stravinsky
_____________________
Poetic Inspiration
Poetic inspiration must not tarry,
dry up, discouraged, over-analyse.
Expectations entertained help carry
message deep to conquer Time which flies.
There is no cause to dam perceptions, parry
questions put, those jealousy implies
to force reaction where response should marry
all to all, - no need to temporize.
Refute temptation, motives mercenary,
yet neither 'look too good, nor talk too wise’.
Before vague interferences the mind
distorts, today’s perceptions twists, heart tries
to focus clearly, insight redefined
and shares impressions' pulse which never dies
while magic taps into soul’s spring to bind
into emotions each identifies
mundane events transformed, sense underlined
with Jericho's walls fallen, fear defies.
Transcending formal fetters much maligned
inspiration loves to improvise.
Through intuition lucky few may find
such inspiration free verse seldom tries
to pin down, qualify, or predefine.
All limits disappear as 'hows? and whys? '
loose, lose, restrictions, innate truth unwind.
Across dimensions musing spirit flies,
base substance shed, trite trammels left behind,
as gravity dissolves, - no lows, no highs -
as meanings are decoded, intertwined
in ink which links 'I think', 'you feel', 'we rise'.
Exacting standards which sustain no blot,
must overcome doubts day to day supplies,
quit half-life half-light, cut the gordian knot
of form to swarm above what satisfies
secondary lot where those forgot,
who blindly rules obey, life lose. Surprise
lights eyes so seldom as progressive rot
sets in, skin deep or masked by dark disguise,
accepts trip’s time-trap trigger, its bolt shot.
Yet inspiration no rules justifies.
Scorning hesitation’s living lies,
which dew drops gathered from forget-me-not
ignore, or leave untouched, passed by with sighs,
informed awareness reaches out from what
seems insignificance, can recognize
energies innate, taste cold and hot,
to spurn self-satisfaction’s compromise, -
small slots refutes - for most the daily lot -
tendrils intangibles to realize
inner joy tease crosses, eyes may dot.
1 October 2005 revised 4 April 2008 robi3_1310_robi3_0845 XXX_EIJ
for previous version see below
Poetic Inspiration
Poetic inspiration must not tarry,
dry up, discouraged, over-analyse.
Expectations entertained help carry
message deep to conquer Time which flies.
There is no cause to dam perceptions, parry
questions put or those envy implies
to force reaction where response should marry
all to all, no need to temporize.
Refute temptation, motives mercenary,
‘and yet not look too good, nor talk too wise’.
Exacting standards which can stand no blot,
overcome doubts daily life supplies,
won’t live in half-light, cut the gordian knot
of form to swarm above what satisfies
secondary lot where those forgot,
with rules obeyed, convictions fade. Surprise
lights eyes so seldom as progressive rot
sets in, skin deep or masked by dark disguise,
accepts trip’s time-trap trigger, its bolt shot.
Scorning hesitation’s living lies,
dew drops gathered from forget-me-not,
informed awareness reaches out to touch
apparent insignificance, relies
not on self-satisfaction’s compromise, -
open to intangible, mines much,
sustaining promise, spurning formal ties.
Refuse small slot - for most the daily lot. 1 October 2005
____________
Living Lie
Poetic inspiration can’t run dry,
expectations entertains, cannot
live in half-light, cuts the gordian knot
dividing consciousness from inner eye.
No compromises ever satisfy
exacting standards that reject as blot,
secondary lot where, half forgot,
convictions pale are held to not apply.
Hesitation is a living lie
most men accept to ease their daily rot,
time-trap snapped shut once only bolt is shot.
Try who will, few still find wings to fly.
Thus when two meet, see differences dissolve,
empathy Earth’s mysteries may solve.
20 June 1997 revised 26 November 2006 robi3_0845_robi3_0000 SXX_IKX
for previous version see below – previous title Hesitations are a Living Lie
Hesitation is a Living Lie
He whose inspiration won’t run dry
Expectations entertains, cannot
Live in half-light, cuts the gordian knot
Encompassing the spirit’s inner eye.
No compromises here can satisfy
Exacting standards which accept no blot,
Secondary lot where, half forgot,
Convictions fade, men fondest hopes deny.
Hesitations are a living lie
Most men accept to ease their daily rot.
It is a time-trap. Once the bolt is shot
Try who will, few find the wings to fly.
Thus when two meet, see differences dissolve,
Harmony Earth’s mysteries can solve.
20 June 1997
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Forbidden Fruit
There's a game you wanna play
There's a risk you would like to take
But words can't change what you feel inside
There'll be no going back from here
I'm scared it'll lead to tears
Patience, boy, and I will decide
If your kiss is sweet enough
If I wanna feel your touch
You should know I can read your mind
If the deal is worth the pain
If you just won't die of shame
I am tempted to try
If you taste this fruit forbidden to eat
You can drink this wine from a love so deep
I dance for you
Let you come within
If you swear to me that it ain't no sin
There's a world you wanna know
There's a place you wanna go
Take your time and love will delight
There're wonders everywhere
Their mysteries to share
Be gentle, boy, and it will be alright
If you taste this fruit forbidden to eat
You can drink this wine from a love so deep
I dance for you
Let you come within
If you swear to me that it ain't no sin
If you taste this fruit forbidden to eat
You can drink this wine from a love so deep
I dance for you
Let you come within
If you swear to me that it ain't no sin
You wanna taste it
Oh, if you swear to me
If you taste this fruit forbidden to eat
You can drink this wine from a love so deep
Love so deep
I dance for you
Let you come within
If you swear to me that it ain't no sin
If you taste this fruit forbidden to eat
You can drink this wine from a love so deep
Love so deep
I dance for you
Let you come within
If you swear to me that it ain't no sin
Wanna taste it
Love so deep
I wanna dance for you
I wanna taste it
I wanna taste it
I wanna taste it
I wanna taste it
I wanna taste it
song performed by by Jessica Simpson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Toxic
Baby, can't you see
I'm calling
A guy like you
Should wear a warning
It's dangerous
I'm falling
There's no escape
I can't wait
I need a hit
Baby, give me it
You're dangerous
I'm loving it
Too high
Can't come down
Losing my head
Spinning round and round
do you feel me now?
with a taste of your lips
I'm on a ride
You're toxic
I'm slipping under..
With a taste of a poison paradise
I'm addicted to you
Don't you know that you're toxic?
And I love what you do
Don't you know that you're toxic?
It's getting late
To give you up
I took a sip
From a devil's cup
Slowly
It's taking over me
Too high
Can't come down
It's in the air
And it's all around
Can you feel me now?
With a taste of your lips
I'm on a ride
You're toxic
I'm slipping under..
With a taste of a poison paradise
I'm addicted to you
Don't you know that you're toxic?
And I love what you do
Don't you know that you're toxic?
Don't you know that you're toxic?
Taste of your lips, I'm on a ride
You're Toxic
I'm slipping under
With a taste of a poison paradise
I'm addicted to you
Don't you know that you're toxic?
With a taste of your lips
I'm on a ride
You're toxic
I'm slipping under...
With a taste of a poison paradise
I'm addicted to you
Don't you know that you're toxic
Intoxicate me now
With your loving now
I think I'm ready now
(I think I'm ready now)
Intoxicate me now
With your loving now
I think I'm ready now
song performed by by Britney Spears
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Too Much To Drink
I had too much to drink- drinking in your love
Savoring your hips, your lips, your thighs, your eyes
Although you tried to hide it in disguise.
Drinking in your juices of pure ecstasy
This is where I want to be.
This is a drink so unique, and so rare
That with no one will I share.
This drink has body, and taste, like none before
And I want it to last forever more.
it carries me like a leaf in the wind
As sweet as wine, yet as strong as gin.
There is no other drink that can compare
As to the drink that we both share.
Savor the love!
poem by Louis Rams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Drinking Poetry
at first glance
you taste its first sip
it is bitter and had always been
as bitter as grief
and you drink it anyway
everyday
until then when bitterness
does not taste bitter anymore
and then you drink it anyway
everyday
and everyday you drink cup by cup
poetry
your friend do not believe you
doing this
they cannot take it anymore
you drinking this bitter
concoction
everyday
you are true to this calling
drinking poetry
until it has become your habit
your vocation
your mission to write all that you feel
all that you can
what they do not know
is this freedom this blood from poetry
bitter and salty and sometimes bland
has become so sweet as honey
and these sap caused the growth of
your feathers and wings
and then one day you fly away
far away so so far away
to that clouds and mountains to that castle of the gods
and goddesses
and there you drink with them
and there they welcome you as one of them
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A little knowledge is dangerous. Drink deep, or taste not the puritan waters.
Der mann im keller
How cool and fair this cellar where
My throne a dusky cask is;
To do no thing but just to sing
And drown the time my task is.
The cooper he's
Resolved to please,
And, answering to my winking,
He fills me up
Cup after cup
For drinking, drinking, drinking.
Begrudge me not
This cosy spot
In which I am reclining--
Why, who would burst
With envious thirst,
When he can live by wining.
A roseate hue seems to imbue
The world on which I'm blinking;
My fellow-men--I love them when
I'm drinking, drinking, drinking.
And yet I think, the more I drink,
It's more and more I pine for--
Oh, such as I (forever dry)
God made this land of Rhine for;
And there is bliss
In knowing this,
As to the floor I'm sinking:
I've wronged no man
And never can
While drinking, drinking, drinking.
poem by Eugene Field
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Turning Water Into Wine
Poetry can be like turning water into wine
drinkers should sip in contemplated taste
layers of multiple meaning oak cask aged
can be shared with a fine meal in company.
Yet never forget shallow drafts intoxicate
fog brain when empty stomach consumed
in desert climes water best served in purity
prevents stupification by fluid articulate vine.
Wine seasoned too well is sweet melody not engaged.
True elixir manipulates feelings stirs emotions in throat
time melts into shadows skin tissues peeled mind teased.
Medicines can be raw mind game bitter taste believed.
Harsh stick in throat taste perceived judgement cured
body rebels at infusions infection fights incentive lured.
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Insomnia
Reading magazines and counting sheep to pass the time away
Hoping that tomorrows gonna bring a smile home again
Images of palm trees swaying in the wind on south beach
Takes me back to better days, summer days the everglades in june
My brain, my poor brain
My brain, my poor brain
Im drinking myself to sleep again, nightnurse pills to keep me sane
Drinking myself to sleep again, insomnia
Flying high in golden skies, Im flicking channels in my mind
Finding my utopia a different chapter in a book
Thinking back to younger days as I escape in coopers break
It takes me back to 84 the futures knocking at my door
My brain, my poor brain
My brain, my poor brain
Im drinking myself to sleep again, nightnurse pills to keep me sane
Drinking myself to sleep again, insomnia Im drinking myself to sleep again, nightnurse pills to keep me sane
Drinking myself to sleep again, insomnia
Turning off a switch inside me, leaving all the stress behind me
Flying over streams and houses, passing over the wye valley
It takes me back to 84 the futures knocking at my door
My brain, my poor brain
Im drinking myself to sleep again, nightnurse pills to keep me sane
Drinking myself to sleep again, insomnia Im drinking myself to sleep again, nightnurse pills to keep me sane
Drinking myself to sleep again, insomnia Im drinking myself to sleep again, nightnurse pills to keep me sane
Drinking myself to sleep again, insomnia.
song performed by by Feeder
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A little learning, indeed, may be a dangerous thing, but the want of learning is a calamity to any people.
quote by Frederick Douglass
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Shallow Grave
When I fall in endless sleep
I hope that I'll be buried deep
Let me be the one that fortune favours
Even good children got shallow graves
Throw another clown to the lions
Throw another Joan on the blaze
Cast me away on the cruel calm ocean
and leave me for days and days and days and days and days
I won't lie in this poor shallow grave
I won't lie, I won't lie in this poor shallow grave
Dig me down deep where the dead men sleep
I won't lie in this poor shallow grave
Bless the poor 'cos like the rich
They all end up in a ditch
In this world of fools and knaves
Even good children got shallow graves
The tinker, the tailor, the fabulous five
Nobody gets out of this alive
Chorus
Dig me down deep where the dead men sleep
I won't lie in this poor shallow grave
Dig me down deep where the dead men sleep
I won't lie in this poor shallow grave
Dig me down, dig me down, dig me down deep
I won't lie in this poor shallow grave
song performed by by Elvis Costello
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Fundamental of Liar Chapter XXIX: Power of Mass
dumb viewers are more dangerous to destroy good movie than mean critic
numb eaters are more dangerous to waste delicious food than culinary expert
uneducated readers are more dangerous to bury qualified book than shallow reviewer
stubborn fans are more dangerous to kill promising star than greedy producer
cheap imitations are more dangerous to reduce creative product than cheat competitor
violent followers are more dangerous to spread terror than villain dictator
antipathy people are more dangerous to doom the world than mad prophet
poem by Maria Sudibyo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bad Brain
I used to be an A student
I never used to complain
I used to be a truant
But I'm still the same
Bad bad brain
Bad bad brain
I used to go to parties
I used to drink champagne
Now I'm beginning to feel the strain
Bad bad brain
I used to be in show biz
I used to have fortune and fame
I used to have pleasure and pain
I used to have a name
Bad bad brain
Now I'm on the Bowery
I can't remember my name
Bad bad brain
Bad bad brain
Bad bad brain...bad bad brain...
song performed by by Ramones from Road To Ruin
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Hated Juices
To drive a drink is abolishing the practice of good nature,
It is drinking of water and ice, some divine nomenclature.
They jolt the brain and extinguish a fire in the mind,
Dropping, dragging, but paddling it, always behind.
This is hygiene, lovely, beauty and combined with numbers
That sign an audacious move, movement of the blessed still encumbers.
I love blessed dreams waking and nudging,
Both of them hate it, in napping too deep of imaging.
I love drinking hated juices so wild of oil,
As oil drove me dumb as a darling can spoil.
poem by Naveed Akram
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Shallow Graves
When I fall in endless sleep
I hope that Ill be buried deep
Let me be the one that fortune favours
Even good children got shallow graves
Throw another clown to the lions
Throw another joan on the blaze
Cast me away on the cruel calm ocean
And leave me for days and days and days and days and days
I wont lie in this poor shallow grave
I wont lie, I wont lie in this poor shallow grave
Dig me down deep where the dead men sleep
I wont lie in this poor shallow grave
Bless the poor cos like the rich
They all end up in a ditch
In this world of fools and knaves
Even good children got shallow graves
The tinker, the tailor, the fabulous five
Nobody gets out of this alive
Chorus
Dig me down deep where the dead men sleep
I wont lie in this poor shallow grave
Dig me down deep where the dead men sleep
I wont lie in this poor shallow grave
Dig me down, dig me down, dig me down deep
I wont lie in this poor shallow grave
song performed by by Elvis Costello
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Higher Ground
Moon and stars sit way up high
Earth and trees beneath them lie
The wind blows fragrant lullaby
To cool the night for you and i
On the wing the birds fly free
Leviathan tames angry sea
The flower waits for honeybee
The sunrise wakes new life in me.
(chorus)
And every hour of every day Im learning more
The more I learn, the less I know about before
The less I know, the more I want to look around
Digging deep for clues on higher ground...
The fishes swim while rivers run
Thru fields to feast my eyes upon
Intoxicated drinking from
The loving cup of burning sun
In dreams Ill crave familiar taste
Of whispered rain on weary face
Of kisses sweet and warm embrace
Another time another place
(chorus)
And every hour of everyday Im learning more
The more I learn, the less I know about before
The less I know, the more I want to look around
Digging deep for clues on higher ground...
song performed by by Ub40
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Drinking Alone in the Moonlight
Amongst the flowers I
am alone with my pot of wine
drinking by myself; then lifting
my cup I asked the moon
to drink with me, its reflection
and mine in the wine cup, just
the three of us; then I sigh
for the moon cannot drink,
and my shadow goes emptily along
with me never saying a word;
with no other friends here, I can
but use these two for company;
in the time of happiness, I
too must be happy with all
around me; I sit and sing
and it is as if the moon
accompanies me; then if I
dance, it is my shadow that
dances along with me; while
still not drunk, I am glad
to make the moon and my shadow
into friends, but then when
I have drunk too much, we
all part; yet these are
friends I can always count on
these who have no emotion
whatsoever; I hope that one day
we three will meet again,
deep in the Milky Way.
Version 2
Beneath the blossoms with a pot of wine,
No friends at hand, so I poured alone;
I raised my cup to invite the moon,
Turned to my shadow, and we became three.
Now the moon had never learned about drinking,
And my shadow had merely followed my form,
But I quickly made friends with the moon and my shadow;
To find pleasure in life, make the most of the spring.
Whenever I sang, the moon swayed with me;
Whenever I danced, my shadow went wild.
Drinking, we shared our enjoyment together;
Drunk, then each went off on his own.
But forever agreed on dispassionate revels,
We promised to meet in the far Milky Way.
A little learning is a dangerous thing, but a lot of ignorance is just as bad.
quote by Bob Edwards
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Advertising is like learning -- a little is a dangerous thing.
quote by P.T. Barnum
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy! | In Romanian