PART VII
but, what's it ever
done to you?
Well, there's
"Black Tuesday"
for starters...
Ok, that's true
but, how about
a little more
recent?
Tuesday was the
name of my class
pet in kindergarten
Oh, that's nice...
And also the name
of the teacher
Well, that's weird
but, Tuesdays
are good days
Why's that?
They aren't Mondays....
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Make it dance and make it reel
Make it say just what you feel
Make the words your plaything
Make each sentence laugh and sing
Infuse your work with the breath
Of Life, rather than that of Death
Not to steal away the passion
But, create it - that's your mission
You're a poet.
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I fell into a burning ring of fire,
and my self-doubt imprisoned me
in a cage of flames,
incinerating all hope
I had for peace.
-----------------------
On your way out of my life
I hope you'll stop outside my door
And pause...
...
Ten seconds
-That's all-
Of your time...
...
And spend them thinking of me
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When I get 'round to it--how long will that be?
When the last wave goes out to meet the sea?
When the stars burn out and become like the night?
When the rains don't come; no clouds hide Sun's light?
When the earth ceases at last to turn and spin?
When mankind discovers that he is lost to sin?
The time when you will claim: I am ready, dear
I will say: Too late, love; the end is almost near
Now it doesn't mean a thing if that door gets hung
So, ladies, please tell me--are we all so very wrong?
There comes a time, if they wait enough, nothing matters more
So, what's the purpose, girls, for us to be sore?
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In any event, Antigone's death was unjust -
For merely covering her brother's frame with dust,
She was sentenced to a most awful fate
To lie in a cave and there, for Death, wait
But, she did what she thought right, in her heart
Gave her brother burial, and did her part
To appease the gods, and look after fam'ly ties
Taking ev'ry promise of this mortal world for lies
She left a sister, uncle, and betrothed, too
A happy life, it's possible; but, she proved true
Had she lived without that deed, it's clear enough to me
There would have been no happiness for dear Antigone
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For, what that mean reptile did; oh, would scare a saint!
Snapped off Hook's hand, and had it for his meal
Gave Hook his name - I tell you this, for real
For all time after, Hook feared but one thing
The "tick" "tock" that said the crock came near again
But, poor Cap'n Hook, knew not what we know now
That the crocodile catches everyone; it doesn't matter how
You try to get away, try escaping it, if you must
But, the crock will have us; he'll turn us all to dust
Time - he is a bitter rival; but one we can't defeat
That even unreal Cap'n Hook, found impossible to beat
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Blind to the last curse of the fair
You see Death in her wake
Yet you pretend that he's not there
Her hair is gold, like a halo on her head
And she looks just like a goddess - it is said
But, her shadow is the Beast
yet has no horns nor hooves
She leads and her shadow moves
So, her evil is covert, and harder to detect
You feel its essence and know its presence
But, it's still easy to reject
That she's anything more than good
---------------------------------------------
Those folks in the fold-up chairs
are able to sit anywhere they please,
because their seats are easily moved...
But, they'll stay where they are
as if they had no choice in the matter--
I think they prefer it that way...
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There's an old man I always catch
Sitting on the doorsteps
Each one in turn--up and down the block
I swear, he does it every day--it's creepy
And if I ever wanted to,
I could set him to a clock
Mr. Hannon's at six-thirty
Mrs. Green's at ten
Mr. Morrow at twelve forty-five...
He goes up and down the block--ev'ry day
And sits a spell upon each doorstep
To catch his breath--or perhaps to dream
Maybe just waiting for some kind heart
To let him in--to talk
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Stars are nothing more than cosmic dust
Waiting for me to die and clean them up, I trust
--------------------------------------------------------
Wishing you were here
Is as useless
As dreaming of you
Each night
But, I can't escape you
And I don't really
Want to
Shut up in darkness
That shining light
Oh! how it still glows
Bright
It's a wonder
I have not
Lost my sight
Gazin' at it
As I do
Each night
When darkness
Threatens to steal
All happiness away
I look to that candle
And know
It's alright
Oh! it's as useless
As telling me not to
Dream
For, that's my right