From Martin Luther King Jr's "Freedom" speech. While not normally described as a poem I feel his words are of the most poetic, inspiring words ever spoken:

(in part)

...I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."²

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.



And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of
Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!³

The text of St. Matthew runs as follows:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land.
Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Weaver - I've never read Martin Luther's speech before. Of course I knew "I have a dream ..." and the context of his words but thanks for printing that. Makes me want to read more.

I also need to watch Four Weddings & A Funeral again. Did you know the short dark haired girl in it (Charlotte?) who is Hugh Grant's flatmate died of a massive asthma attack. She was only about 32.

Can't wait to read this to Mikey (18 months) when a bit older lol

Recipes here - if you dare!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Green Ham & Egg recipes

"Green Eggs And Ham" - Dr. Seuss.

I do not like Green Eggs and Ham
I do not like them
Sam, I am

I do not like them here or there
I do not like them anywhere
I do not like them in a boat
I would not, could not, with a goat

I will not eat them in the rain
I do not like them on a train
I do not like them in a box
I will not eat them with a fox

I do not like them in a house
I would not, could not, with a mouse
I do not like Green Eggs and Ham
I do not like them
Sam, I am

Green Eggs and Ham
Green Eggs and Ham
Don't like Green Eggs and Ham

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Oh thumb!
Mighty thumb!

Struck down
in the prime of thumbhood ...

snapping to the beat
hitching down the street
writing with a flair
flicking quarters in the air

turning pages one by one
poking cakes to test when done

Oh thumb !!
You noble part
you press a tack
you throw a dart

Rest now
in your plaster cast
the pain you feel
will not long last

Soon to be frolicking in the sun

Oh mighty thumb, Oh noble thumb

Your date in history
is yet to come

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I wrote this
to a friend
who'd just had hand surgery


<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Pep <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

LOL... very good <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I wrote this to Mr. Ark for our fifteenth wedding anniversary last month


In a wonderful life George Bailey offers the moom to Mary. I will not give my love the moon for he is not selfish and would not want others to miss its wonder

Through International Star registry you can buy a star and name it.
I will not buy my love a star to name for they have been named by the Universe and it would not be the same to lie on Canadian rocks still warm from the sun and count them if they all had names.

The wise men gave gold, frankincense and myrrh. I don't have these to offer, but I will give my love the other gifts they gave as well.
I will give my love my hope and my time.

According to O'Henry; Jim sold his gold watch and Della sold her hair. I too would sell my possessions for they have little meaning without my love.

In Oscar Wildes the Happy Prince the swallow takes from the prince and gives to those that need.
I would give my love my need.

I would not sing a siren song for I wish only good things for my love.

I would not cut my hair for my love but I may at night cover him with it.

I would not ask my love to follow me because I want him beside me.

I would give my love my pride so that he could wrap it around him like a cloak and know that I cherish him where ever he goes.

I will my thanks to God for such a love.

I will drink wine my love
laugh often
and speak to him of all that he is
So that he may always know.

ark^^

nice.... very nice

Pep

Sometimes you hear a song or poem that captures exactly how you feel. I think its good to listen and think about them and sometimes just enjoy them, even if its not a happy time.

"Don't Ever" - by Missy Higgins
You can hear it here by clicking on select a track
Missy Higgins

Let's take the train to anywhere
I wanna feel the wind in my hair with you.
Let's tell them all, that soon they'll know
How very wrong they were to think we'd never go,

And if you tell me yours I'll tell you mine
And we will clean the cobwebs out of one anothers minds.

Don't ever say you've tried to leave me in this life
Don't ever say you've tried for the last time.

We'll get a house where the trees hang low and pretty little flowers
On our window sill will grow
We'll make friends with the milk man and the butcher Mr. Timms
Will give us discounts when he can,

And if you tell me yours I'll tell you mine,
And we will clean the cobwebs out of one anothers minds.

Don't ever say you've tried to leave me in this life
Don't ever say you've tried for the last time
LA DI DA DI DA...

Don't ever say you've tried to leave me in this life
Don't ever say you've tried to leave me in this life
Don't ever say you've tried for the last time...

[color:"blue"]I think this one is cool <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> [/color]


The Gift that Fits to the “Ts”

Perplexed and bewildered I often just sit…
…and wonder what (husband) might want for a gift…

As we’ve all grown older each year is the same…
…the search for your present becomes a tough game

I go to the malls and begin to explore…
…the many fine things I can give from a store

The gadgets and gizmos are plenty to see…
…but what I should get is a huge mystery

From tools at Home Depot, Ace Hardware or Lowes…
…to Safeway for groceries or Macys for clothes…

From outdoor equipment found at REI
…to fancy ‘lectronics at Fry’s or Best Buy…

From NAPA or AutoZone, Les Schwab or Shucks…
…to find something useful for our car or truck…

But parking lot hassles and crowds by the ton…
…create a huge nightmare of what was once fun!

I could go online to check out cyberspace…
…determined to find “it” while shopping-in-place

From wiring some beautiful flowers or plants…
…to getting some lessons for learning swing dance…

From candlelight dinners and then Maggie Moos…
…to Bally’s or Twenty-four Hour Fitness dues…

From DVD movies, a concert or show…
…to sports event tickets to which we might go

I’ve search high and low for that one perfect thing…
…and try hard to find it with just the right “zing”

This year we committed to make a new start….
…decided to give only gifts “from the heart”….
Our options seem endless, from near to afar
This “heart-gifting” search could become quite bizarre…

…but two new ideas begin to arise
that just might become the right color and size
And no, these two things can’t be bought in a store…
…online or from catalogues bursting galore

You cannot acquire these two things for a fee…
…but someone might say “they are priceless to me”

And here is a hint of what they just might be…
…the name of both items begins with a “T”…

…they’re tasteless, invisible, formless and vague…
…and something that cannot be put in a bag

You’re holding its impact and hearing its voice
I hope you enjoy the results of my choice

So if you give up and you just want to see…
…what these two gifts are that begin with a “T”…

Just open this box and another you’ll find…
…and in it both “T’s of your gift are entwined!
***
The first “T” is TIME spent to write this ‘ole poem…
…and TIME in this personal box of its own

I’ve thought long & hard! Yes, the next “T” is THOUGHTS!
And some of my thoughts can be found in this box!

The next thought was what type of card I should find…
…just open this box and then you’ll see what kind:
***
To add some suspense and a little intrigue…
…my card involves thoughts that are little or big

It costs very little, just TIME and a THOUGHT…
…but this brings BIG wishes that cannot be bought

I hope you receive this the way it was meant….
…you’ll know that my LOVE is the reason I sent……

…this big gift of TIME all wrapped up in a box…..
…..of continuous multiple loving “heart” THOUGHTS!

(the end)

Just ask and I'll share more directions about how I put the boxes together.

Ace_In_Bucker

by ohmy_marie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

No more room for lipstick red,
Masks removed and shattered.
Once frayed heartstrings fuse together,
Strong enough for strumming.
Melancholy love revived,
Dreams of fate rewritten.
Strangled sobs make way for laughter,
Swan song long forgotten.

Have you ever

have you ever heard the old lie?
dulce et decorum est pro patria mori
thats it’s a sweet and seemly thing to die for one's country
have you ever heard a new widow cry?

have you watch in silent pain?
the flag draped coffin among the pines
the wife reach out to touch it as if in denial
have you ever seen his children cry?

have you ever seen the funeral detail?
how they move so slowly, so deliberately.
the rifles raised the shots fired
have you ever seen the widow cringe in time?

have you ever seen that the widows always do?
three times they repeat this, all in solemn time
the silence is deafening the pain is overwhelming
have you ever heard the bugle sound for real?

have you ever asked your husband to hold your hand?
felt in shame the guilt of thanking God
that your husband was not beneath the flowing flag
have you ever watched your husband go to war?

Have you ever watched him pack his kit bag?
looking on from your bedroom door
so much to say but no more time
have you ever said goodbye for one more time?

Have you ever held your man in those last few hours?
felt his heart and tasted his soul
for one last time
Have you ever said goodbye maybe for that last time?

Perhaps a little Shakespeare?

Sonnet29

When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

The girl I used to be

She came tonight as I sat alone,
the girl I used to be...
And she gazed at me with her earnest eyes,
and questioned reproachfully,
Have you forgotten the many plans,
and hopes I had for you?
The great career, the splendid fame,
all the wonderful things to do?
Where is the mansion of stately height,
with all of its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you,
and the shining jewels in your hair?
And as she spoke, I was very sad,
for I wanted her pleased with me...
This slender girl from the shadowy past,
the girl I used to be.
So gently rising, I took her hand
and guided her up the stairs,
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay,
innocent, sweet and fair,
And I told her that these are my only gems,
and precious they are to me,
That silken robe is my motherhood,
of costly simplicity,
And my mansion of stately height is love,
of my soldier boy who fights a war,
That the only career I know,
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls,
for the dear ones who come and go,
And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
she smiled through her tears at me,
And I saw the woman that I am now,
pleased the girl that I used to be!

up

Poetry is everywhere. One that struck me like abolt to my heart is this by Michael Stipe. Quite how a gay man I never met from Athens Ga. could talk directly into my family's situation at the time still beggars my belief. Anyway this still moves me hugely :

Also, it can help to WRITE poetry, even big hairy English blokes.
After d-day I was considering getting a tattoo of a broken heart, that I felt I could have adjusted to be "bound up" if our marrige made it.
I was *that* close to having that ink done.

However I decided against when I was piddling about writing haiku :

"Permanent Marker"

Broken heart tattoo
Inky reminder of pain
prevents love's healing

Our real hearts can heal
but indelible ink heart
is ever broken

My wedding band carves
a groove around my finger
also round my heart

This sacred gold band
marks in my flesh the marriage
so hard fought for and won

No tattoo needed
to remind us that our love
was refined by fire

I look to my ring
our pain is reflected there
along with our joy

Broken heart tattoo
Looks back to only bad times
anchored in the dark

Golden wedding ring
carries joy and pain forward
drives on to the light

I need no ink stain
to remember a heartbreak
when my ring says "hope"

Finally, one of my favourite poems by a truly great contemporary poet, Tom Waits :

9th and Hennepin

Well it's Ninth and Hennepin
All the doughnuts have names that sound like prostitutes
And the moon's teeth marks are on the sky
Like a tarp thrown all over this
And the broken umbrellas like dead birds
And the steam comes out of the grill
Like the whole god[i][/i]damn town's ready to blow...
And the bricks are all scarred with jailhouse tattoos
And everyone is behaving like dogs
And the horses are coming down Violin Road
And Dutch is dead on his feet
And all the rooms they smell like diesel
And you take on the dreams of the ones who have slept here
And I'm lost in the window, and I hide in the stairway
And I hang in the curtain, and I sleep in your hat...
And no one brings anything small into a bar around here
They all started out with bad directions
And the girl behind the counter has a tattooed tear
One for every year he's away, she said
Such a crumbling beauty, ah
There's nothing wrong with her that a hundred dollars won't fix
She has that razor sadness that only gets worse
With the clang and the thunder of the Southern Pacific going by
And the clock ticks out like a dripping faucet
til you're full of rag water and bitters and blue ruin
And you spill out over the side to anyone who will listen...
And I've seen it all, I've seen it all
Through the yellow windows of the evening train...

nice writings bobpure....

very nice

ark