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"shilling" poems
Little Birds are dining Warily and well, Hid in mossy cell: Hid, I say, by waiters Gorgeous in their gaiters - I've a Tale to tell. Little Birds are feeding Justices with jam, Rich in frizzled ham: Rich, I say, in oysters Haunting shady cloisters - That is what I am. Little Birds are teaching Tigresses to smile, Innocent of guile: Smile, I say, not smirkle - Mouth a semicircle, That's the proper style! Little Birds are sleeping All among the pins, Where the loser wins: Where, I say, he sneezes When and how he pleases - So the Tale begins. Little Birds are writing Interesting books, To be read by cooks: Read, I say, not roasted - Letterpress, when toasted, Loses its good looks. Little Birds are playing Bagpipes on the shore, Where the tourists snore: "Thanks!" they cry. "'Tis thrilling! Take, oh take this shilling! Let us have no more!" Little Birds are bathing Crocodiles in cream, Like a happy dream: Like, but not so lasting - Crocodiles, when fasting, Are not all they seem! Little Birds are choking Baronets with bun, Taught to fire a gun: Taught, I say, to splinter Salmon in the winter - Merely for the fun. Little Birds are hiding Crimes in carpet-bags, Blessed by happy stags: Blessed, I say, though beaten - Since our friends are eaten When the memory flags. Little Birds are tasting Gratitude and gold, Pale with sudden cold: Pale, I say, and wrinkled - When the bells have tinkled, And the Tale is told.
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Little Birds
the fountain of poetry e'er threatens to dry up yet the inspirational words of Beryl Dov Lew re-supplied my dwindling cup with his advice duly given my expression's reservoir fills to capacity in a most generous flow of endless verbosity had he of not encouraged me to keep the pen's ink spilling my Hello Poetry pages would be empty of shilling with a mentor of Beryl's calibre positively re-invigorating my oft dry fountain   I am ever assured of a verse brimming unto the highest mountain
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Dec 21, 2014
Dec 21, 2014 at 7:50 PM UTC
Mentor
I The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea green boat, They took some honey, and plenty of money, Wrapped up in a five pound note. The Owl looked up to the stars above, And sang to a small guitar, 'O lovely ***** O ***** my love, What a beautiful ***** you are, You are, You are! What a beautiful ***** you are!' II ***** said to the Owl, 'You elegant fowl! How charmingly sweet you sing! O let us be married! too long we have tarried: But what shall we do for a ring?' They sailed away, for a year and a day, To the land where the Bong-tree grows And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood With a ring at the end of his nose, His nose, His nose, With a ring at the end of his nose. III 'Dear pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling Your ring?'Said the Piggy,'I will.' So they took it away, and were married next day By the Turkey who lives on the hill. They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon; And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, They danced by the light of the moon, The moon, The moon, They danced by the light of the moon.
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The Owl And The Pussy-Cat
"You are old, Father william," the young man said, "And your hair has become very white; And yet you incessantly stand on your head-- Do you think, at your age, it is right? "In my youth," Father William replied to his son, "I feared it might injure the brain; But now that I'm perfectly sure I have none, Why, I do it again and again." "You are old," said the youth, "as I mentioned before, And you have grown must uncommonly fat; Yet you turned back a somersault in at the door-- Pray, what is the reason of that?" "In my youth," said the sage, as he shook his gray locks, "I kep all my limbs very supple By the use of this ointment--one shilling a box-- Allow me to sell you a couple." "You are old," said the youth, "and your jaws are too weak For anything tougher than suet; Yet you finished the goose, with the bones and the beak-- Pray, how did you manage to do it?" "In my youth," said his father, "I took to the law, And argued each case with my wife; And the muscular strength, which it gave to my jaw, Has lasted the rest of my life." "You are old," said the youth, "one would hardly suppose That your eyes was as steady as ever; Yet you balanced an eel on the end of your nose-- What made you so awfully clever?" "I have answered three questions, and that is enough," Said his father; "don't give yourself airs! Do you think I can listen all day to such stuff? Be off, or I'll kick you downstairs!"
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You Are Old, Father William
We gather in Old London town, the time is getting late. The fog is slowly coming down, the year is eighteen eighty eight. The Leather Apron stalks this eve ladies of the night beware. Such things he does you wont believe and for your welfare he’ll not care. Hello Mister have a heart, a girl has got to earn a crust. A shilling for this fine old **** for you look like a gent to trust. In her hand the coin doth shine. Does she lead this toff astray? Here’s a quiet place that’s fine, as she walks up the alley-way. Face to face and eye to eye. The victim happy to be plied with vigour she lifts up her skirt but now her hands are occupied. Seizing strongly at her throat he strangles her till unaware. Unconscious although not yet broke he lowers her by head and hair. Now insentient on the ground the Ripper sets about his work. In the dark without a sound there is no detail he will shirk. He keeps the body to his left, her throat is sliced from side to side. The woman’s family now bereft, whilst she lies here without her pride. Left to the nights illumination Jack executes his deadly art. Performing such skilled mutilation. and leaving plus one body part. Daylight opens up commotion, "Whitechapel Murderer", strikes once more. The peelers haven’t got a notion who it is that killed this ***** Scotland Yard are in despair as they try to Investigate their credibility beyond repair for they cant find this reprobate. Eventually the death toll, five, the murders now come to an end. Folk are free to live their lives but could you trust even a friend. Over an hundred years or more professional research is far to late. Jack, can we ever know the score? "No... All you can do is speculate."
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Aug 27, 2014
Aug 27, 2014 at 4:26 PM UTC
The Leather Apron
We gather in Old London town, the time is getting late. The fog is slowly coming down, the year is eighteen eighty eight. The Leather Apron stalks this eve ladies of the night beware. Such things he does you wont believe and for your welfare he’ll not care. Hello Mister have a heart, a girl has got to earn a crust. A shilling for this fine old **** for you look like a gent to trust. In her hand the coin doth shine. Does she lead this toff astray? Here’s a quiet place that’s fine, as she walks up the alley-way. Face to face and eye to eye. The victim happy to be plied with vigour she lifts up her skirt but now her hands are occupied. Seizing strongly at her throat he strangles her till unaware. Unconscious although not yet broke he lowers her by head and hair. Now insentient on the ground the Ripper sets about his work. In the dark without a sound there is no detail he will shirk. He keeps the body to his left, her throat is sliced from side to side. The woman’s family now bereft, whilst she lies here without her pride. Left to the nights illumination Jack executes his deadly art. Performing such skilled mutilation. and leaving plus one body part. Daylight opens up commotion, "Whitechapel Murderer", strikes once more. The peelers haven’t got a notion who it is that killed this ***** Scotland Yard are in despair as they try to Investigate their credibility beyond repair for they cant find this reprobate. Eventually the death toll, five, the murders now come to an end. Folk are free to live their lives but could you trust even a friend. Over an hundred years or more professional research is far to late. Jack, can we ever know the score? "No... All you can do is speculate."
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52
I Happy are men who yet before they are killed Can let their veins run cold. Whom no compassion fleers Or makes their feet Sore on the alleys cobbled with their brothers. The front line withers. But they are troops who fade, not flowers, For poets' tearful fooling: Men, gaps for filling: Losses, who might have fought Longer; but no one bothers. II And some cease feeling Even themselves or for themselves. Dullness best solves The tease and doubt of shelling, And Chance's strange arithmetic Comes simpler than the reckoning of their shilling. They keep no check on armies' decimation. III Happy are these who lose imagination: They have enough to carry with ammunition. Their spirit drags no pack. Their old wounds, save with cold, can not more ache. Having seen all things red, Their eyes are rid Of the hurt of the colour of blood for ever. And terror's first constriction over, Their hearts remain small-drawn. Their senses in some scorching cautery of battle Now long since ironed, Can laugh among the dying, unconcerned. IV Happy the soldier home, with not a notion How somewhere, every dawn, some men attack, And many sighs are drained. Happy the lad whose mind was never trained: His days are worth forgetting more than not. He sings along the march Which we march taciturn, because of dusk, The long, forlorn, relentless trend From larger day to huger night. V We wise, who with a thought besmirch Blood over all our soul, How should we see our task But through his blunt and lashless eyes? Alive, he is not vital overmuch; Dying, not mortal overmuch; Nor sad, nor proud, Nor curious at all. He cannot tell Old men's placidity from his. VI But cursed are dullards whom no cannon stuns, That they should be as stones. Wretched are they, and mean With paucity that never was simplicity. By choice they made themselves immune To pity and whatever mourns in man Before the last sea and the hapless stars; Whatever mourns when many leave these shores; Whatever shares The eternal reciprocity of tears
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Insensibility
I Happy are men who yet before they are killed Can let their veins run cold. Whom no compassion fleers Or makes their feet Sore on the alleys cobbled with their brothers. The front line withers. But they are troops who fade, not flowers, For poets' tearful fooling: Men, gaps for filling: Losses, who might have fought Longer; but no one bothers. II And some cease feeling Even themselves or for themselves. Dullness best solves The tease and doubt of shelling, And Chance's strange arithmetic Comes simpler than the reckoning of their shilling. They keep no check on armies' decimation. III Happy are these who lose imagination: They have enough to carry with ammunition. Their spirit drags no pack. Their old wounds, save with cold, can not more ache. Having seen all things red, Their eyes are rid Of the hurt of the colour of blood for ever. And terror's first constriction over, Their hearts remain small-drawn. Their senses in some scorching cautery of battle Now long since ironed, Can laugh among the dying, unconcerned. IV Happy the soldier home, with not a notion How somewhere, every dawn, some men attack, And many sighs are drained. Happy the lad whose mind was never trained: His days are worth forgetting more than not. He sings along the march Which we march taciturn, because of dusk, The long, forlorn, relentless trend From larger day to huger night. V We wise, who with a thought besmirch Blood over all our soul, How should we see our task But through his blunt and lashless eyes? Alive, he is not vital overmuch; Dying, not mortal overmuch; Nor sad, nor proud, Nor curious at all. He cannot tell Old men's placidity from his. VI But cursed are dullards whom no cannon stuns, That they should be as stones. Wretched are they, and mean With paucity that never was simplicity. By choice they made themselves immune To pity and whatever mourns in man Before the last sea and the hapless stars; Whatever mourns when many leave these shores; Whatever shares The eternal reciprocity of tears
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65
New York Sun Editor John B. Bogart once said When a dog bites a man, that is not news because it happens so often. But if a man bites a dog, now that's news. I think the same could be said of life, at least, mine anyway. Don't worry, I'm not going around biting dogs, but I am living it up as if my life were a story, because it is, otherwise, I'd be bored. But, if it were up to my parents, I'd be working some dead-end desk job at some marketing firm shilling packaged bread so I could pay off my student loans, own a home, get a wife & make enough dinero to march to retirement, just like everyone else. Same 'ol story. Dog bites man. Isn't it more exciting to read about a roving poet skipping around the world from Cairo to Toronto occasionally stopping to smoke on beaches all the while meeting people who seem like they're from a different dimension? I'm not saying I want a book written about me, but... if one should be in the works, I know it'd be a real page turner. Although, most in my generation has been told we're all unique and special; getting participation trophies in baseball & ribbons for being in the spelling-bee, yet we're all also told, or rather it's highly suggested we follow suit & get in line like our parents & grandparents did, continuing their stories of countless wars and conformity. Same 'ol story. Dog bites man. But nobody will read all these identical stories. That's part of the problem with people, only a few are living like they have a story to tell while most fade away in some gray apathy hell. Well, my brothers and sisters, I can only frame it to you this way, if you had a choice between reading the headlines: Person Does What they're Told Until Death or **Person Dies in a Skydiving Sound Circle **** & Bake Sale** which story are you going to read? Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to make some magic brownies because I'm late to my skydiving ****** education lesson.
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May 7, 2014
May 7, 2014 at 12:33 PM UTC
A Story to Tell
New York Sun Editor John B. Bogart once said When a dog bites a man, that is not news because it happens so often. But if a man bites a dog, now that's news. I think the same could be said of life, at least, mine anyway. Don't worry, I'm not going around biting dogs, but I am living it up as if my life were a story, because it is, otherwise, I'd be bored. But, if it were up to my parents, I'd be working some dead-end desk job at some marketing firm shilling packaged bread so I could pay off my student loans, own a home, get a wife & make enough dinero to march to retirement, just like everyone else. Same 'ol story. Dog bites man. Isn't it more exciting to read about a roving poet skipping around the world from Cairo to Toronto occasionally stopping to smoke on beaches all the while meeting people who seem like they're from a different dimension? I'm not saying I want a book written about me, but... if one should be in the works, I know it'd be a real page turner. Although, most in my generation has been told we're all unique and special; getting participation trophies in baseball & ribbons for being in the spelling-bee, yet we're all also told, or rather it's highly suggested we follow suit & get in line like our parents & grandparents did, continuing their stories of countless wars and conformity. Same 'ol story. Dog bites man. But nobody will read all these identical stories. That's part of the problem with people, only a few are living like they have a story to tell while most fade away in some gray apathy hell. Well, my brothers and sisters, I can only frame it to you this way, if you had a choice between reading the headlines: Person Does What they're Told Until Death or **Person Dies in a Skydiving Sound Circle **** & Bake Sale** which story are you going to read? Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to make some magic brownies because I'm late to my skydiving ****** education lesson.
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47
A shilling life will give you all the facts: How Father beat him, how he ran away, What were the struggles of his youth, what acts Made him the greatest figure of his day; Of how he fought, fished, hunted, worked all night, Though giddy, climbed new mountains; named a sea; Some of the last researchers even write Love made him weep his pints like you and me. With all his honours on, he sighed for one Who, say astonished critics, lived at home; Did little jobs about the house with skill And nothing else; could whistle; would sit still Or potter round the garden; answered some Of his long marvellous letters but kept none.
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Who's Who
Come join the British Army; And take the Queens Shilling; You won't have any problems; We'll take care of all your billing; We'll make a man out of you; Or a woman as the case may be; In the Army of the nineties; With ****** equality We are a modern army; With modern management systems; Such as TQM and H & S; And lots more bursts of wisdom; But in this modern world of ours; Don't forget what an army does, And training and development; Is to give us all a buzz. Yes we are a modern army; But we still serve Queen and Country; And it's getting more and more difficult; With ideas from the gentry. We don't ask for much in life; Just to earn an honest bob. So cut down on your ideas; And let us do our job.
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Sep 25, 2010
Sep 25, 2010 at 11:34 AM UTC
A Modern Army
I , yes I the traveller have long seeked the moon , the stars and the sun , often they have slipped my gaze , now only a blanket covers my eyes ( blinded by the sun ) Have you met the story teller of the great ‘ I am ‘ ? of his tales should I tremble , in his halls the lost do not seek , the sick and poor enter his halls with praise . For even this Gods patience will one day like sand fall from his blood stained hands onto beaches castles were built  . Now begone with you for even I must sleep , and find comforts no man should wish . For the monsters of the deep have found me , Lust ,pride , bitterness and fear . Look my jailer comes with chains you can hear that drag down the passage on this dark satanic night . Sage if you see him tell him what might have been , and sorrows only purpose is love . Are you still there ? Dam what’s wrong with my eyes ? I used to visit the fairground , Preachers like Wolves used to say ‘ come this way ‘ ‘ come that for a shilling , for a crown ‘. The musics stopped , I can’t hear the music and what of the great hall ? The story teller I must find on this blessed night . Now a chain mail of Norman men rise in my sea of despair , they like skeleton snakes rattle like memories in my head . Surrender or capture the light ? Holy Spirit my demons confront me and darken my night , for this must end in heaven or hell I bid it the light .
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Sep 11, 2018
Sep 11, 2018 at 1:42 PM UTC
A story tellers night ( somewhere suspended between heaven and hell ) ll
stone ground mustard Venus burns. She's not concerned that constant falling and orbits, elliptical - are the same thing. Her eyes are deaf. My eyes adapt to the pattern that rattles the chain of events. my Spartan theories dangle in dubiousness. I find a trap, and call it Seattle... for i see cattle - grazing a state of mind; north, north west of what God meant. washing tons of pocket lint by hand. chewing their cud in the dark. meanwhile - outside the ranch... My eyes refract. ***** and un-twink in the black lacquer that came - with the oblique miracle. they sustain things that would sunder a doll-eyed bovine to ever breach The Fence. my hardened arteries jangle like numinous. I pine and snap ruinous barbs from Death's prattle... for i see battle, razing the Grace of Time more at war, than at our best. more - bereft of what Reason defends. tossing guns at bullets by telekinesis. [ undefined ] i come from where i've never been. you were there. and ewe were there; fleeced and bleating in the snow that fell as soon as shearing ceased. i recall, you were never there. but remember passing you by... shilling an ocean roar you swore you'd plucked from a Seashell - salvaged from the divine dry sockets of Poseidon's skull. you were hawking your unawares. i played a flute made of question marks and glass drum skins. i went where my stride was inclined, and never where i went to. i never arrived by approaching the destination. only by always being somewhere else till i got there. i came from where i'd never been and - ain't been Nowhere since. but i'm sure i pass through There ever since.
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Aug 6, 2013
Aug 6, 2013 at 3:12 PM UTC
I Come From Where I've Never Been
stone ground mustard Venus burns. She's not concerned that constant falling and orbits, elliptical - are the same thing. Her eyes are deaf. My eyes adapt to the pattern that rattles the chain of events. my Spartan theories dangle in dubiousness. I find a trap, and call it Seattle... for i see cattle - grazing a state of mind; north, north west of what God meant. washing tons of pocket lint by hand. chewing their cud in the dark. meanwhile - outside the ranch... My eyes refract. ***** and un-twink in the black lacquer that came - with the oblique miracle. they sustain things that would sunder a doll-eyed bovine to ever breach The Fence. my hardened arteries jangle like numinous. I pine and snap ruinous barbs from Death's prattle... for i see battle, razing the Grace of Time more at war, than at our best. more - bereft of what Reason defends. tossing guns at bullets by telekinesis. [ undefined ] i come from where i've never been. you were there. and ewe were there; fleeced and bleating in the snow that fell as soon as shearing ceased. i recall, you were never there. but remember passing you by... shilling an ocean roar you swore you'd plucked from a Seashell - salvaged from the divine dry sockets of Poseidon's skull. you were hawking your unawares. i played a flute made of question marks and glass drum skins. i went where my stride was inclined, and never where i went to. i never arrived by approaching the destination. only by always being somewhere else till i got there. i came from where i'd never been and - ain't been Nowhere since. but i'm sure i pass through There ever since.
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32
Theme: "Laughter for Breakfast" A Duet by: Bard Oluwateniola Adeniyi (Faderera) Fuad Opeyemi (Gemini) A free Verse Poetry 🚹🚺🚹🚺🚹🚺🚹🚺🚹🚺 Quite a yore, when the snail crawl in the open The birds fly, oblivious of the stone The heart so calm, Not threatening to break out of the rib cage Yore, when we have peace as the housewife And laughter for breakfast 💪Gemini💪 Days are gone, when we arise at the hissing of the vulture, When we patiently wait for the owl to hunt silently at night, Or joyfully await the folktales of the aged, And enjoy the moment of moonlight chit chatting while playing 'ayo' 👊Faderera👊 The thunder might clash Storm may roar, But the breeze of tranquil, Still find its way to soothe the raging heart Indeed, laughter for breakfast 💪Gemini💪 When we assemble at the manor to celebrate our unity, Wine and dine without fear of being poisoned, When we dangle our waist to the rhythmic beats and get autem, Or twerk our butts to the sound of the music and not get ***** 👊Faderera👊 Days, when the crop rose, To kiss the morning light Plants welcome the dew with joy Felicity is brought to us on a platter And the heaven smile its grace down 💪Gemini💪 Gone is the time, when we fall to our knees or one's face to greet, When we have eros love to opposite gender not same gender.. When we honour the church and respect it's doctrine, When giving wasn't a problem and kindness wasn't scarce 👊Faderera👊 Time so long, when smiles glint through the eye Danger not friends with darkness The chain of slavery, Not tied to our neck, living fully In a house not haunted 💪Gemini💪 Long gone are the days, when the richest man is one with a shilling, and a pence could earn quality education and utilities, When feeding wasn't a life taking occupation Or shelter a life threatening need 👊Faderera👊 Now, lost to the feeling of nostalgia Giving knife to demon of today On knees, begging to be euthanized Oh, long gone are this days When we had Laughter for breakfast 💪Gemini💪 Now,a shilling amount to nothing; even a pence is worthless, The leaders now dish out war and serve themselves peace, Corruption is now added to the list on our menu, Our food isn't complete without massacre, Favour is now amounted to cruelty or being diabolical... Alas! gone are the days when laughter was for breakfast 👊Faderera👊 ©Oluwateniola Adeniyi™ ©Pen of A true Gemini™ Do Rate this piece of Art 🎭 🎭
0
Jun 19, 2020
Jun 19, 2020 at 4:21 PM UTC
Laughter for breakfast
Theme: "Laughter for Breakfast" A Duet by: Bard Oluwateniola Adeniyi (Faderera) Fuad Opeyemi (Gemini) A free Verse Poetry 🚹🚺🚹🚺🚹🚺🚹🚺🚹🚺 Quite a yore, when the snail crawl in the open The birds fly, oblivious of the stone The heart so calm, Not threatening to break out of the rib cage Yore, when we have peace as the housewife And laughter for breakfast 💪Gemini💪 Days are gone, when we arise at the hissing of the vulture, When we patiently wait for the owl to hunt silently at night, Or joyfully await the folktales of the aged, And enjoy the moment of moonlight chit chatting while playing 'ayo' 👊Faderera👊 The thunder might clash Storm may roar, But the breeze of tranquil, Still find its way to soothe the raging heart Indeed, laughter for breakfast 💪Gemini💪 When we assemble at the manor to celebrate our unity, Wine and dine without fear of being poisoned, When we dangle our waist to the rhythmic beats and get autem, Or twerk our butts to the sound of the music and not get ***** 👊Faderera👊 Days, when the crop rose, To kiss the morning light Plants welcome the dew with joy Felicity is brought to us on a platter And the heaven smile its grace down 💪Gemini💪 Gone is the time, when we fall to our knees or one's face to greet, When we have eros love to opposite gender not same gender.. When we honour the church and respect it's doctrine, When giving wasn't a problem and kindness wasn't scarce 👊Faderera👊 Time so long, when smiles glint through the eye Danger not friends with darkness The chain of slavery, Not tied to our neck, living fully In a house not haunted 💪Gemini💪 Long gone are the days, when the richest man is one with a shilling, and a pence could earn quality education and utilities, When feeding wasn't a life taking occupation Or shelter a life threatening need 👊Faderera👊 Now, lost to the feeling of nostalgia Giving knife to demon of today On knees, begging to be euthanized Oh, long gone are this days When we had Laughter for breakfast 💪Gemini💪 Now,a shilling amount to nothing; even a pence is worthless, The leaders now dish out war and serve themselves peace, Corruption is now added to the list on our menu, Our food isn't complete without massacre, Favour is now amounted to cruelty or being diabolical... Alas! gone are the days when laughter was for breakfast 👊Faderera👊 ©Oluwateniola Adeniyi™ ©Pen of A true Gemini™ Do Rate this piece of Art 🎭 🎭
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67
He comes knocking your door Buys things you need no more Weighs and pays for discarded load Then goes off to another road. For your pound he pays pence Makes it seem in perfect sense The deal is only if you're willing To barter the old for new shilling. You feel he adds some happiness Clears the dirt creates the space Your home was long a messy lot With no place for new things brought. Not all old things are like that dirt A few are ever new are your part He never asks them to be sold Knowing you wouldn't for price of gold.
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May 25, 2016
May 25, 2016 at 1:53 AM UTC
Old Stuff
Johnny had a golden head Like a golden mop in blow, Right and left his curls would spread In a glory and a glow, And they framed his honest face Like stray sunbeams out of place. Long and thick, they half could hide How threadbare his patched jacket hung; They used to be his Mother's pride; She praised them with a tender tongue, And stroked them with a loving finger That smoothed and stroked and loved to linger. On a doorstep Johnny sat, Up and down the street looked he; Johnny did not own a hat, Hot or cold tho' days might be; Johnny did not own a boot To cover up his muddy foot. Johnny's face was pale and thin, Pale with hunger and with crying; For his Mother lay within, Talked and tossed and seemed a-dying, While Johnny racked his brains to think How to get her help and drink, Get her physic, get her tea, Get her bread and something nice; Not a penny piece had he, And scarce a shilling might suffice; No wonder that his soul was sad, When not one penny piece he had. As he sat there thinking, moping, Because his Mother's wants were many, Wishing much but scarcely hoping To earn a shilling or a penny, A friendly neighbor passed him by And questioned him: Why did he cry? Alas! his trouble soon was told: He did not cry for cold or hunger, Though he was hungry both and cold; He only felt more weak and younger, Because he wished so to be old And apt at earning pence or gold. Kindly that neighbor was, but poor, Scant coin had he to give or lend; And well he guessed there needed more Than pence or shillings to befriend The helpless woman in her strait, So much loved, yet so desolate. One way he saw, and only one: He would--he could not--give the advice, And yet he must: the widow's son Had curls of gold would fetch their price; Long curls which might be clipped, and sold For silver, or perhaps for gold. Our Johnny, when he understood Which shop it was that purchased hair, Ran off as briskly as he could, And in a trice stood cropped and bare, Too short of hair to fill a locket, But jingling money in his pocket. Precious money--tea and bread, Physic, ease, for Mother dear, Better than a golden head: Yet our hero dropped one tear When he spied himself close shorn, Barer much than lamb new born. His Mother throve upon the money, Ate and revived and kissed her son: But oh! when she perceived her Johnny, And understood what he had done All and only for her sake, She sobbed as if her heart must break.
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Johnny, Founded On An Anecdote Of The First French Revolution
Johnny had a golden head Like a golden mop in blow, Right and left his curls would spread In a glory and a glow, And they framed his honest face Like stray sunbeams out of place. Long and thick, they half could hide How threadbare his patched jacket hung; They used to be his Mother's pride; She praised them with a tender tongue, And stroked them with a loving finger That smoothed and stroked and loved to linger. On a doorstep Johnny sat, Up and down the street looked he; Johnny did not own a hat, Hot or cold tho' days might be; Johnny did not own a boot To cover up his muddy foot. Johnny's face was pale and thin, Pale with hunger and with crying; For his Mother lay within, Talked and tossed and seemed a-dying, While Johnny racked his brains to think How to get her help and drink, Get her physic, get her tea, Get her bread and something nice; Not a penny piece had he, And scarce a shilling might suffice; No wonder that his soul was sad, When not one penny piece he had. As he sat there thinking, moping, Because his Mother's wants were many, Wishing much but scarcely hoping To earn a shilling or a penny, A friendly neighbor passed him by And questioned him: Why did he cry? Alas! his trouble soon was told: He did not cry for cold or hunger, Though he was hungry both and cold; He only felt more weak and younger, Because he wished so to be old And apt at earning pence or gold. Kindly that neighbor was, but poor, Scant coin had he to give or lend; And well he guessed there needed more Than pence or shillings to befriend The helpless woman in her strait, So much loved, yet so desolate. One way he saw, and only one: He would--he could not--give the advice, And yet he must: the widow's son Had curls of gold would fetch their price; Long curls which might be clipped, and sold For silver, or perhaps for gold. Our Johnny, when he understood Which shop it was that purchased hair, Ran off as briskly as he could, And in a trice stood cropped and bare, Too short of hair to fill a locket, But jingling money in his pocket. Precious money--tea and bread, Physic, ease, for Mother dear, Better than a golden head: Yet our hero dropped one tear When he spied himself close shorn, Barer much than lamb new born. His Mother throve upon the money, Ate and revived and kissed her son: But oh! when she perceived her Johnny, And understood what he had done All and only for her sake, She sobbed as if her heart must break.
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72
The owl and the pussycat came home from sea, Their boat had finished its course. The cat took the honey, and most of the money, Then filed a suit for divorce. The owl had a hard time finding a brief, But the pussycat had it made. For you see the poor owl was a ripped-off old fowl, But the cat got feline aid. They argued away, for a year and a day, In court, where they made a fine show. Till the owl, said he, would better off be In the land where the **** trees grow. He was asked, “Are you willing to sell for a shilling Your share of the boat and guitar?” Then after long wrangles and tough legal tangles, The owl and his brief said, “We are.” So the owl and the pussycat went their own ways, The cat left dancing a jig. She hopped on a plane and got married again, And the owl went to live with the pig.
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Jul 26, 2020
Jul 26, 2020 at 12:12 PM UTC
The Owl Versus The Pussycat
I am not not selling my soul to the devil tonight, not for a 10 bob shilling note or a ***** hoody with your deep scent of pain lined within its seams. I am not selling my nature, for my nature has roots as big as the old oak tree that grows in the deepest forest and shelters those that seek. I am not forgetting my place, it's right here, next to you, by your side; it's right here, in front of my son, holding his world in my arms, and his love in my heart; it's right here, projecting from my heart, arms that encompass the world. I am not drilling for oil, I seek no riches from ill gotten gain,. I am not your past journey, I walked my own road to get here, i laid those bricks down piece by piece. I am not who is knocking at your door, for i am not the fear your heart dreads at that sound of that knock. I am not here for you to sum up, I am not a number, an equation or problem you have to solve. I am not my emotions, as they are an extension of me as my words are my mouth, and my actions from my hands. I am not a box of wonder, I am a clearly written masterpiece of wonder and intrigue, and i love the very soul of me. I am not your head, my arms lay weary at my side for the troubles you carry within your mind are too heavy for me to hold. I am not a carnival horse, that swings around and around, for applause, for the fame and the glory. I am not a catch, a fish, a lock to a door, a bubble to burst. I am not a master, a magician, a hooligan or a carpet burn ***** I am here, open, here, honest, here, just here. I am not, I am not, I am not, you.
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Jan 27, 2013
Jan 27, 2013 at 5:58 PM UTC
I am not...
I am not not selling my soul to the devil tonight, not for a 10 bob shilling note or a ***** hoody with your deep scent of pain lined within its seams. I am not selling my nature, for my nature has roots as big as the old oak tree that grows in the deepest forest and shelters those that seek. I am not forgetting my place, it's right here, next to you, by your side; it's right here, in front of my son, holding his world in my arms, and his love in my heart; it's right here, projecting from my heart, arms that encompass the world. I am not drilling for oil, I seek no riches from ill gotten gain,. I am not your past journey, I walked my own road to get here, i laid those bricks down piece by piece. I am not who is knocking at your door, for i am not the fear your heart dreads at that sound of that knock. I am not here for you to sum up, I am not a number, an equation or problem you have to solve. I am not my emotions, as they are an extension of me as my words are my mouth, and my actions from my hands. I am not a box of wonder, I am a clearly written masterpiece of wonder and intrigue, and i love the very soul of me. I am not your head, my arms lay weary at my side for the troubles you carry within your mind are too heavy for me to hold. I am not a carnival horse, that swings around and around, for applause, for the fame and the glory. I am not a catch, a fish, a lock to a door, a bubble to burst. I am not a master, a magician, a hooligan or a carpet burn ***** I am here, open, here, honest, here, just here. I am not, I am not, I am not, you.
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Wind torn sails and old wives tales both tell a certain truth like sailors forlorn 'round the cape horn drowned or frozen to death The waves and the wind punish for sins that frequently go untold dare to begin that voyage to win bring in the most liquid gold Whaling was the name of this sailors game learned from my pappy before when the tall ships call you'll answer for all the misgivings that you ever did Swabbing the decks like a beer hall ***** sickly from waves and decay this is the life for months at a time from New England to the ports of Biscay First sign of a blow shouts to below from where the watch sits above The decks come alive thar be the prize the deadly game awaits Set sails to the wind and get that boat in harpoons and crew await haul on the ropes or abandon all hopes the behemoth will get away Hearts pound like the oars sending us forth Oh, how our quarry evades better keep your eyes peeled or your fate is sealed if she comes up underneath With a mighty hurrah the striker lets fly the harpoon sinks deep in the whale it plunges below taking us under tow blood staining the deep blue waves I cry for this sin as we haul the whale in and cut up all it had been trade a shilling in the purse for a life long curse never to sleep again When I shut my eyes I can still hear the cry up from it's blowhole it came shivers my spine,every time I bolt upright wide awake
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Feb 21, 2013
Feb 21, 2013 at 9:32 PM UTC
Red Waves
will you pass the shilling test? your life is the slamming of typewriter keys to paint with crafted words the world you would dream the world she would love you in your life is the desperate holding at bay the hours evaporating into a future you cannot comprehend into a land as foreign as another world into a mist of unknowns my leather bound case and trench coat bible and cookware a shilling for the ferryman but fret over like the wringing of sweaty hands pacing the hall small bald fat men with neatly pressed brooks brothers suits but fret over like the well greased plans and carefully laid designs of another mans futures past misgivings will you pass the shilling test another day and far away from such musings i find myself at odds with myself over the course i should follow on this days misadventure i have known deep seasons of love and iv known vast feilds of emptyness and fear these days are a mystry to me i cannot see my way
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May 15, 2013
May 15, 2013 at 10:05 PM UTC
the ferryman....Schilling test
Early this morning, not quite the shilling, my hair rustled like a recent killing of something black and once alive, big black Lucifer dived at my head. We tussled for five in the warmth of my bed, he pawed my hand like a prize and his yellow eyes were electric and light. He likes to fight. His tail beats black against my navel. He plays under the sheets like an excitable angel.
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Sep 8, 2013
Sep 8, 2013 at 12:08 PM UTC
The many faces of Lucifer : No.1 - Excited
Sitting in the high grass, praying as the sky turns grey. Waiting for the cargo, nervous eyes upon the waves. Everything invested, every shilling, every crown. His heart is in his salty mouth. On the cliff as he looks down. His eyes look to the lighthouse. It's beam they follow out to sea. He holds her locket in his hands, prays again, "just let it be." But this time, prayers aren't answered. The whistling wind, begins to rise. He opens up the locket, stares and cries into her eyes. Alas, it is all over now. He knows that he cannot return. The ebb and flow is angry, and he wonders will he ever learn? The bodies on the rocks below, signal the sad end. As lights appear upon the shore, his dreams start to descend. Into the rain. Into the gales, that blow on Bantry Bay. He throws the locket to the wind. Once more now, upon his way.
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Aug 10, 2015
Aug 10, 2015 at 7:54 PM UTC
Rain and Gales in Bantry Bay.
Electrodes to nodes and nothing bodes well electrickery and it trickles into me revolting and jolting and Frankensteinlike bolting me to the bed. The head this head will no longer be as free as the thought imagining in me while hot electrotomoty burns me to anonymity and it's a pity I can't be a less condusive entity but the powers that be seem to have it in for me and I am strapped to non lucidity in the name of all humanity don't put a shilling in the meter Later I meet myself in a shell of who I used to be in a picture painted hastily on a background which I cannot see and what was once no longer is or was it ever and did I once was clever too or were the words electricked through the nodes that boded ill? Will it stay or will it go somewhere out there do you know or are you waiting for the leads that lead you to electric feeds? Can someone bring me bread and water call my Mother call my daughter or like the lamb led to the slaughter will I bleed to death?
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Jun 12, 2013
Jun 12, 2013 at 4:38 PM UTC
Prescriptive remedy
Sign there son You will be paid Take the shilling Europe awaits! Grab your rifle Grab your sack Tell your mum you'll be back Meet new friends Palls together All aboard and off to The Somme They were just kids together alone First the smell Then the noise Far from what you left at home Then the shells begin to fall Like nothing you had seen before You're wet and cold and in a hole Shaking with fear not the cold Your friend just passed in a puff of smoke His head was first, then his ***** His legs are spread across the floor Then another explodes next to you The smoke clears and the Sarge smiles at you Like a statue painted red He doesn't know he's already dead Mother Mother! Others scream But cries and wails no one hears None of this can be real You're just a boy and soiled with fear Fifty years past then more At night you still hear the screams and cannons roar Like yesterday but years before It didn't end all the wars They made a sequel a bigger cast Not your turn now to carry the flag With one arm you can't do that And your lungs still burn from the gas Once again the generals cried "Come on lads, we need you now, come and sign the Sgts form" But was Tommy on the top once more? Or did they use anothers name, to sign your precious lives away. When oh when will all the madness end For The Somme took away your friends Only poppys now remain Over fields where Britains youth lies slain
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Jan 29, 2014
Jan 29, 2014 at 10:20 AM UTC
Tommy Atkins
the folly of chasing an impossible dream drained the fellow's limited money stream invoices stacked high in a towering pile the paying killing his lopsided smile a snow queen sending *unending requests for powder ***** an addiction dependent on the cash cow's stuff the ledger outgoings to the province of York extracted more than a few rashers of prime pork in time they'd wipe out every shilling he had which was an expense of a destiny so sad there he sat grappling with the long years of loss all fanciful ideas smothered by moss
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Oct 27, 2017
Oct 27, 2017 at 11:55 PM UTC
The Folly