Favourite Poems

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Another one of mine. I wrote this about my father and his experiences in the Spanish Civil War -


SONG FOR MY FATHER

My father walked backwards slowly with a gun in his hand
Fighting a war for the Spanish people that today no-one understands
Moved to defend the socialist government that the people elected in Spain
They retreated through La Mancha, over ten thousand died on that plain
Walking from Madrid tae Calpe they lost their blood, their hopes and their lives
Only some six hundred survived it to go home to their wives

Living in another country fighting someome else's war
But they knew what they believed in, they knew what they were fighting for

When Spain called they came a'runnin', to bring the Spanish people aid
Fighting for a cause they did believe in, they joined the International Brigade
From the whole world in their thousands - the Scots, the Irish, English too
Americans, Canadians, Australians - Christians, Hindus and the Jews
But on Franco's side was Hitler, practising Blitzkrieg down in Spain
Guernica's only one example of how he brought the Spanish people pain

Living in another country, under another name
Fighting what what they believed in, fighting for the folks in Spain

My father always told me that if the world had backed the Spanish people then
The World War would not have happened, Hitler's forces would have broken in Spain
And I surely do remember that night in 'seventy five
How we partied and celebrated the night that General Franco died!
Then we left for Alicante so he could look up his old friends
And drink vino with the locals, happy to be back in Spain

Living in another country, fighting in a poor man's war
Fighting Franco's fascist army, fighting Hitler's awesome power

Living in another country, under another name
Fighting for what they believed in, fighting for the folks in Spain

Living in another country
Fighting someone else's war
But they knew what they believed in
They knew what they were fighting for


I'm very proud of my father, a Templar Knight.

He killed forty seven men in a just war.

BTW The refence 'under another name' refers to the fact that they were advised to sign on under false names in order to avoid reprisals - and (fact) thousands of Michael Mouse's died in the Spanish Civel War (1936-38)

Spanish Civil War

International Brigades

Long days and pleasant nights

[staropeace]

absolutely wonderful....like you John

[Patricia A]

absolutely wonderful....like you John

I agree. Well done!

[MadamMack]

This was written by a close friend of mine... it brings to mind Leland Gaunt... I guess we have all known a Leland Gaunt or two in our time

Be wary of the gentle man
Whose deeds belie his task
Whose withered face is well concealed
Behind his weathered masque
He’ll smile at you through yellow teeth
That hide the gloom within
And comfort you in times of dark
With the silence of his sin

I like this Wolf it describes Leland perfectly. I've met a few Lelands in my life too.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Another one of my own. I wrote this during last year's UK elections when I was asked 'Why is politix so boring?'. BTW I spell politix with an 'x' because I think it's the REAL X-rated subject.


WHY POLITIX IS BORING!

Politix is boring cause politicians make it so
They do this so you don't find out what they don't want you to know
Politix is boring cause politicians want it that way
Cause if you knew what they were doing they'd pretend you had a say

Politix is boring, they want to keep it just that way
Cause if you cared about it then they'd really rue the day
All politicians are bastards, it's in the genes, so Plato said
The world would be a better place if they'd all been born dead

Politix is boring so they can steal all your money
Buy a pint, have a ***, robbery's not funny
Politix is boring so you don't question what they do
With all the money that they're stealing just from you

Politix is boring so they can live right off your backs
Switch on the TV, pay the license, that's another tax!
How're you doing? How's your health? I hope you're very well
Cause if you need a hip replacement then you can go to hell

Do you like your Cruise missiles? Do you enjoy your war?
Can somebody please explain what we are fighting for?
Cheap petrol, the cynics say, well, IS it cheap for you?
Are you proud of your country? Do you approve of all they do?

Do you enjoy your strike aircraft? Do you love your submarines?
Is slaughtering civilians not cruel and obscene?
Do you like the newsreels of young folk in a box?
Does putting a flag over it make it easier for their folks?


Long days and pleasant nights

[The Raven]

We need a poetry thread. A writers haven, a nest for our minds. Those who can write can do it here without congesting the forum with threads.


I'll start off with a poem called Ridge of Dreams

As the poet sat alone in bed
she watched the ridge of dreams
alone and in the realm of dead
held by thought and seam.

The blood of her very mind
poured along the ridge of dreams
alone, away from love and kind
held by illusion and dream.

But as she stood to beseech the new day
in a half-forgotten notion
she sat back in bed, where forever she'll lay
without a single motion.

Preserved thoughts in pickle jars
who once were thought to fester
sit on shelves, row on row
awaiting their only master.

The poet awoke much later that day
her thoughts a broken seam
but knowing not, she continued that way
as she awaited the ridge of dreams.

[brownmouse]

I was telling stories about my grandmas the other day because my oldest daughter has a family history project due for Theology class. This poem is so right on about how they both were and how much I miss them. My maternal grandma was one of the hardest working women I ever knew. She raised 9 kids during the depression while married to my alcoholic fun-loving grandpa who ran moonshine to get drinking money. My paternal grandma got on a boat with her two brothers at the age of 17 to escape the communist movement that was taking over their part of Italy - this would have been around 1917 I think. They had only the clothes they were wearing, and a letter to give to an uncle in NYC as a way of introduction. I didn't get to know who as well because she passed aways when I was just a baby.

LINEAGE by Margaret Walker

My grandmothers were strong.
They followed plows and bent to toil.
They moved through fields sowing seed.
The touched earth and grain grew.
They were full of sturdiness and singing.
My grandmothers were strong.

My grandmothers are full of memories
Smelling of soap and onions and wet clay
With veins rolling roughly over quick hands
They have many clean words to day.
My grandmothers were strong.
Why am I not like they???

That is wonderful and your Grandmother sounds great too. My Busha(grandma)-was 1st generation American. She was 100% Polish:-oldest daughter of 7 -Her mother never spoke English and they lived through some rough times. Busha definitely had strength, and she never lost her Polish accent which always mystified my husband as she was born in America. I guess she got it from living in the Polish neighborhood near Cleveland. She married a man of polish descent-my Grandpa-who is still so dear to my heart though he passed around @20 years ago. She and my grandpa were awesome and I miss them dearly. Thanks for sharing that poem and bringing up fond memories. Man I miss them!

[EmeraldSails]

I like many poems, and some already listed, but I think my most favorite was one by Emily Dickinson...A Bird came down the Walk--

A Bird came down the Walk--
He did not know I saw--
He bit an Angleworm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw,

And then he drank a Dew
From a convenient Grass--
And then hopped sidewise to the Wall
To let a Beetle pass--

He glanced with rapid eyes
That hurried all around--
They looked like frightened Beads, I thought--
He stirred his Velvet Head

Like one in danger; Cautious,
I offerred him a Crumb
And he unrolled his feathers
And rowed him softer home--

Than Oars divide the Ocean,
Too silver for a seam--
Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon
Leap, plashless as they swim.

( Taken from EMILY DICKINSON: SELECTED POEMS, Sweet Water Press, 2006)

[pepino]

I don't exactly have a favorite poem, but I am partial to Emily Dickinson's works. Here's a few.

Forbidden fruit
a flavor has
that lawful orchards mock
How luscious lies the pea within
The pod that duty locks.


In this life
That lasts but an hour
How much
How little
Is within our power.



I MEASURE every grief I meet
With analytic eyes;
I wonder if it weighs like mine,
Or has an easier size.

I wonder if they bore it long, 5
Or did it just begin?
I could not tell the date of mine,
It feels so old a pain.

I wonder if it hurts to live,
And if they have to try, 10
And whether, could they choose between,
They would not rather die.

I wonder if when years have piled—
Some thousands—on the cause
Of early hurt, if such a lapse 15
Could give them any pause;

Or would they go on aching still
Through centuries above,
Enlightened to a larger pain
By contrast with the love. 20

The grieved are many, I am told;
The reason deeper lies,—
Death is but one and comes but once,
And only nails the eyes.

There ’s grief of want, and grief of cold,— 25
A sort they call “despair”;
There ’s banishment from native eyes,
In sight of native air.

And though I may not guess the kind
Correctly, yet to me 30
A piercing comfort it affords
In passing Calvary,

To note the fashions of the cross,
Of those that stand alone,
Still fascinated to presume 35
That some are like my own.

[pepino]

Yeah John, I hate politics too. It's just a bunch of impotent, old men and post-menopausal women lying, scheming, and doing all types of unsrupulous things. I've elected to opt out of the whole process. Why vote at all? You may think the person you vote for represents your interests, but they are all panderers. They do and say whatever just to get the vote and then do whatever suits their political aspirations. I'm done with it. "The government that governs least, governs best."