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It would be absurd if we did not understand both angels and devils, since we invented them.

John Steinbeck in East of Eden
Added by Lucian Velea
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Overnight Angels

(ian hunter)
In the heat of the indian summer
Out along the appalachian way
You can hear the sound of the overnight angels
As they pray
Charged by the light of some mariners lantern
Spitting out a cold but triangular spray
Cant you hear the screams of the overnight angels
As they play
Talking to the spirits through a silver curtain
Reaching out beyond the length of the light
You can catch a glimpse of an overnight angel
As he shines
Dancing through the toys of the dead and the living
Laughing at the poets changing their rhymes
Cant you feel the pulse of the overnight angels
Beating time
Can you hear us can you hear us
Were talking bout the overnight angels
Can you hear us can you hear us
Were talking bout the overnight angels angels angels
Children of the junkies led the revolution
Push yourselves over get yourselves there
Someone throw their arms round the overnight angels
Cause they care
Angels dont need no phony religion
Throw them out along with the ethnic nowheres
They will never speak to the overnight angels
They can only stare
Can you hear us can you hear us
Were talking bout the overnight angels
Can you hear us can you hear us
Were talking bout the overnight angels angels angels angels
Can you hear us can you hear us
Were talking bout the overnight angels
Can you hear us can you hear us
Were talking bout the overnight angels angels angels angels
Can you hear us can you hear us
Were talking bout the overnight angels
Can you hear us can you hear us
Were talking bout the overnight angels angels angels angels
Can you hear us can you hear us
Were talking bout the overnight angels
Can you hear us can you hear us
Were talking bout the overnight angels angels angels angels
Angels angels angels angels
Angels angels angels angels
Angels angels angels angels
Overnight angels
Overnight angels

[...] Read more

song performed by Ian Hunter
Added by Lucian Velea
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Satan Absolved

(In the antechamber of Heaven. Satan walks alone. Angels in groups conversing.)
Satan. To--day is the Lord's ``day.'' Once more on His good pleasure
I, the Heresiarch, wait and pace these halls at leisure
Among the Orthodox, the unfallen Sons of God.
How sweet in truth Heaven is, its floors of sandal wood,
Its old--world furniture, its linen long in press,
Its incense, mummeries, flowers, its scent of holiness!
Each house has its own smell. The smell of Heaven to me
Intoxicates and haunts,--and hurts. Who would not be
God's liveried servant here, the slave of His behest,
Rather than reign outside? I like good things the best,
Fair things, things innocent; and gladly, if He willed,
Would enter His Saints' kingdom--even as a little child.

[Laughs. I have come to make my peace, to crave a full amaun,
Peace, pardon, reconcilement, truce to our daggers--drawn,
Which have so long distraught the fair wise Universe,
An end to my rebellion and the mortal curse
Of always evil--doing. He will mayhap agree
I was less wholly wrong about Humanity
The day I dared to warn His wisdom of that flaw.
It was at least the truth, the whole truth, I foresaw
When He must needs create that simian ``in His own
Image and likeness.'' Faugh! the unseemly carrion!
I claim a new revision and with proofs in hand,
No Job now in my path to foil me and withstand.
Oh, I will serve Him well!
[Certain Angels approach. But who are these that come
With their grieved faces pale and eyes of martyrdom?
Not our good Sons of God? They stop, gesticulate,
Argue apart, some weep,--weep, here within Heaven's gate!
Sob almost in God's sight! ay, real salt human tears,
Such as no Spirit wept these thrice three thousand years.
The last shed were my own, that night of reprobation
When I unsheathed my sword and headed the lost nation.
Since then not one of them has spoken above his breath
Or whispered in these courts one word of life or death
Displeasing to the Lord. No Seraph of them all,
Save I this day each year, has dared to cross Heaven's hall
And give voice to ill news, an unwelcome truth to Him.
Not Michael's self hath dared, prince of the Seraphim.
Yet all now wail aloud.--What ails ye, brethren? Speak!
Are ye too in rebellion? Angels. Satan, no. But weak
With our long earthly toil, the unthankful care of Man.

Satan. Ye have in truth good cause.

Angels. And we would know God's plan,
His true thought for the world, the wherefore and the why
Of His long patience mocked, His name in jeopardy.

[...] Read more

poem by Wilfrid Scawen Blunt
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Devils Dice

Jesus christ was born like me in a stable
His mom and dad did all that they were able
How did they know which way hed turn
Didnt want to get their fingers burned
To take which path from right or wrong
He picked right and I picked wrong
I see myself swinging in the gentle breeze
Remembering girls and the way they teased
Mama and papa saying this I tell
We loved you boy but youre going to hell
Roll the devils dice - no second chance
Roll the devils dice - I did the dead-mans dance
I did the dead-mans dance
Ever since nine I was juvenile
Stealing from pa - did petty crime
Officer said for me no hope
The only good thing for yous a rope
Left me danging high and dry
They picked my bones and the crows took flight
I see myself swinging in the gentle breeze
Remembering girls and the way they teased
Mama and papa saying this I tell
We loved you boy but youre going to hell
Roll the devils dice - my turn to cast
Roll the devils dice - and I got the six
Roll the devils dice - all three of them
Roll the devils dice - roll the devils dice
So here I am on judgement day with angels
The lord jesus is reckoning the tables
He said I know you, didnt take you long
Been bad down there, didnt string along
You know which way the righteous choose
Gonna swing you high from the reapers noose
Roll the devils dice - no second chance
Roll the devils dice - I did the dead-mans dance
Roll the devils dice - my turn to cast
Roll the devils dice - roll the devils dice
I did the dead-mans dance

song performed by U. D. O.
Added by Lucian Velea
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However Absurd

Ears twitch, like a dog, breaking eggs in a dish.
Do not mock me when I say this is not a lie.
Its funny thing, half serious, with our hands on our ears.
Living dreams with mouths ajar, wide awake, we go to sleep.
However absurd, however absurd... it may seem.
However absurd, however absurd... it may seem.
Something special between us, when we mmade love the game was over.
I couldnt say the words, words wouldnt get ny feelings through,
So I keep talking to you...
However absurd, however absurd... it may seem.
However absurd, however absurd... it may seem.
Custom made dinosaurs, too late now, for a change.
Everything is under the sun, but nothing is for keeps...
However absurd, however absurd... it may seem.
However absurd, however absurd... it may seem.

song performed by Paul McCartney
Added by Lucian Velea
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Sending Me Angels

(frankie miller/ jerry lynn williams)
Producer for bonnie: gene capel
I walked down to the river
Stood on the shore
Seems like the devils always
Tryin to get in my door
Just when I thought
I couldnt take anymore
You come again, my friend
He keeps sending me angels
From up on high
He keeps sending me angels
Teach me to fly
He keeps sending me angels
Sweet and true
He keeps sending me angels
Just like you
As I stand on this mountain
Face to the wind
Amazed by the number of times
You go and sin
The countless enemies
That couldve been friends
Oh here he comes again
*he keeps sending me angels
Here they come a flyin
He keeps sending me angels
To keep me from cryin
(he keeps) sending me angels
So Ill never he blue
He keeps sending me angels
Just like you
He keeps sending me angels
From up on high
He keeps sending me angels
Teach me to fly
He keeps sending me angels
So Ill never be blue
He keeps sending me angels
Lust like you
Some say that its comin
Say its already here
But love is among us
Through the joy and the fear
When I look in your eyes
Everything is so clear
My friend, here it comes again
(*repeat)
** he keeps sending me angels
From up on high

[...] Read more

song performed by Bonnie Tyler
Added by Lucian Velea
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Devils Island

The light that fills my lonely cell,
Is blocked out by the key,
That locks the door to this hell,
The place they wanted me.
Times racing like the wind,
Executions near,
Oh lord, I wait for death,
And, yes, I have no fear.
I recall that night, my every breath,
And, step along the way.
Closed my eyes, walking,
As danger paved the way.
The devil, and the darkness
Let her evil wander free
And, here on devils island,
The final stop for me.
Chorus:
Devils island, devils island.
Oh, there is no escape,
The sea is full of sharks.
The tide takes you away, and
Smashes you on the rocks.
The sun is shining,
But feel not today,
Its warmth, its dying,
And fading away.
Chorus (repeat):
Devils island, [here I stay,] devils island.
Oh, hear the call,
From the grave beyond.
Oh, so pernicious,
Her soul it creates song.
As there is no man, that is
Here upon the earth,
Able to terminate our
Noisome will since birth.
The priest that reads the sermons,
Is walking next to me,
To the stake, my last request,
To have her burn with me.
But, so it did, the heavens opened,
Rain began to fall.
The final judgement came, and
Was spread before you all.
Final judgement.
Old, weak, and feeble,
But the lesson taught to me,
To stay away from evil,
She doesnt care for me.
She haunts me in my sleep,

[...] Read more

song performed by Megadeth
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The Vision of Judgment

I

Saint Peter sat by the celestial gate:
His keys were rusty, and the lock was dull,
So little trouble had been given of late;
Not that the place by any means was full,
But since the Gallic era 'eight-eight'
The devils had ta'en a longer, stronger pull,
And 'a pull altogether,' as they say
At sea — which drew most souls another way.

II

The angels all were singing out of tune,
And hoarse with having little else to do,
Excepting to wind up the sun and moon,
Or curb a runaway young star or two,
Or wild colt of a comet, which too soon
Broke out of bounds o'er th' ethereal blue,
Splitting some planet with its playful tail,
As boats are sometimes by a wanton whale.

III

The guardian seraphs had retired on high,
Finding their charges past all care below;
Terrestrial business fill'd nought in the sky
Save the recording angel's black bureau;
Who found, indeed, the facts to multiply
With such rapidity of vice and woe,
That he had stripp'd off both his wings in quills,
And yet was in arrear of human ills.

IV

His business so augmented of late years,
That he was forced, against his will no doubt,
(Just like those cherubs, earthly ministers,)
For some resource to turn himself about,
And claim the help of his celestial peers,
To aid him ere he should be quite worn out
By the increased demand for his remarks:
Six angels and twelve saints were named his clerks.

V

This was a handsome board — at least for heaven;
And yet they had even then enough to do,
So many conqueror's cars were daily driven,
So many kingdoms fitted up anew;

[...] Read more

poem by Byron
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Vision of Judgment, The

I

Saint Peter sat by the celestial gate:
His keys were rusty, and the lock was dull,
So little trouble had been given of late;
Not that the place by any means was full,
But since the Gallic era 'eight-eight'
The devils had ta'en a longer, stronger pull,
And 'a pull altogether,' as they say
At sea — which drew most souls another way.

II

The angels all were singing out of tune,
And hoarse with having little else to do,
Excepting to wind up the sun and moon,
Or curb a runaway young star or two,
Or wild colt of a comet, which too soon
Broke out of bounds o'er th' ethereal blue,
Splitting some planet with its playful tail,
As boats are sometimes by a wanton whale.

III

The guardian seraphs had retired on high,
Finding their charges past all care below;
Terrestrial business fill'd nought in the sky
Save the recording angel's black bureau;
Who found, indeed, the facts to multiply
With such rapidity of vice and woe,
That he had stripp'd off both his wings in quills,
And yet was in arrear of human ills.

IV

His business so augmented of late years,
That he was forced, against his will no doubt,
(Just like those cherubs, earthly ministers,)
For some resource to turn himself about,
And claim the help of his celestial peers,
To aid him ere he should be quite worn out
By the increased demand for his remarks:
Six angels and twelve saints were named his clerks.

V

This was a handsome board — at least for heaven;
And yet they had even then enough to do,
So many conqueror's cars were daily driven,
So many kingdoms fitted up anew;

[...] Read more

poem by George Gordon Byron
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Angels

Take this man to prison, the man heard herod say,
And then four squads of soldiers came and carried him away.
Chained up between two watchmen, peter tried to sleep,
But beyond the walls an endless prayer was lifting for his keep.
Then a light cut through the darkness of a lonely prison cell,
And the chains that bound the man of God just opened up and fell,
And running to his people before the break of day,
There was only one thing on his mind, only one thing to say:
Angels watching over me, every move I make,
Angels watching over me!
Angels watching over me, every step I take,
Angels watching over me!
God only knows the times my life was threatened just today.
A reckless car ran out of gas before it ran my way.
Near misses all around me, accidents unknown,
Though I never see with human eyes the hands that lead me home.
But I know theyre all around me all day and through the night.
When the enemy is closing in, I know sometimes they fight
To keep my fight from falling, Ill never turn away.
If youre asking whats protecting me then youre gonna hear me say:
Got his angels watching over me, every move I make,
Angles watching over me!
Angels watching over me, every step I take,
Angels watching over me....
Angels watching over me....
Angels watching over me.
Got his angels watching over me, every move I make,
Angels watching over me!
Angels watching over me, every step I take,
Angels watching over me!
Angels watching over me,
Angels watching over me,
Angels watching over me,
Angels watching over me!
Though I never see with human eyes the hands that lead me home....

song performed by Amy Grant
Added by Lucian Velea
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Devils Radio

Devils radio
Gossip, gossip
Gossip, gossip
I heard it in the night
Words that thoughtless speak
Like vultures swooping down below
On the devils radio
I hear it through the day
Airwaves gettin filled
With gossip broadcast to and fro
On the devils radio
Oh yeah, gossip
Gossip, oh yeah
Hes in the clubs and bars
And never turns it down
Talking about what he dont know
On the devils radio
Hes in your tv set
Wont give it a rest
That soul betraying so and so
The devils radio
Gossip, gossip
Gossip, gossip
(oh yeah) gossip, (gossip) oh yeah
(gossip) oh yeah, (oh yeah) gossip
Its white and black like industrial waste
Pollution of the highest degree
You wonder why I dont hang out much
I wonder how you cant see
Hes in the films and songs
And on all your magazines
Its everywhere that you may go
The devils radio
Oh yeah, gossip
Gossip, oh yeah
Runs thick and fast, no one really sees
Quite what bad it can do
As it shapes you into something cold
Like an eskimo igloo
Its all across our lives
Like a weed its spread
till nothing else has space to grow
The devils radio
Can creep up in the dark
Make us hide behind shades
And buzzing like a dynamo
The devils radio
(gossip) oh yeah, (gossip) oh yeah
(gossip) gossip, (gossip) gossip
Oh yeah, gossip I heard you on satans wireless

[...] Read more

song performed by George Harrison
Added by Lucian Velea
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When The Angels Fall

So high above the world tonight
The angels watch us sleeping
And underneath a bridge of stars
We dream in safetys keeping
But perhaps the dream
Is dreaming us
Soaring with the seagulls
Perhaps the dream
Is dreaming us
Astride on the backs of eagles
When the angels fall
Shadows on the wall
In the thunders call
Something haunts us all
When the angels fall
When the angels fall
Take your fathers cross
Gently from the wall
A shadow still remaining
See the churches fall
In mighty arcs of sound
And all that theyre containing
Yet all the rugged souls
Looking for their lost homes
Shuffle to the ruins
From the levelled plain
To search among the tombstones
When the angels fall
Shadows on the wall
In the thunders call
Something haunts us all
When the angels fall
When the angels fall
When the angels fall
These are my feet
These are my hands
These are my children
And this is my demand
Bring down the angels
Cast them from my sight
I never want to see
A million suns at midnight
Your hands are empty
The streets are empty
You cant control us
You cant control us anymore
When the angels fall when the angels fall
When the angels fall when the angels fall
When the angels fall when the angels fall

song performed by Sting
Added by Lucian Velea
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Behind The Mask

Written by christine mcvie.
Dont you come too close to me
Youre dangerous, cant you see
You can make the darkness mean more
Then it ever did
Ever did before
Its a devils disguise
Angel in black
And I recognize the face behind the mask
Its a devils disguise
Angel in black
I dont know if I want you back
Youre the cool nights of the desert
And the hot kisses of the sun
Why is it that I dont belive you
When you say Im the only one
I know Im the lonely one
Its a devils disguise
Angel in black
And I recognize the shadows from your past
Its a devils disguise
Angel in black
Dont you know itll never last
The face behind the mask
There will never be a second chance for you
Oh no
Not for you
Its a devils disguise
Angel in black
And I recognize the face behind the mask
Its a devils disguise
Angel in black
Dont you know itll never last
The face behind the mask
Its a devils disguise
Angel in black
And I recognize the shadows from your past
Its a devils disguise
Angel in black
I dont know if I want you back
I dont know if I want you back
Dont you know itll never last
The face behind the mask

song performed by Fleetwood Mac
Added by Lucian Velea
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Devils Daughter

Well I know where you live
I know you live alone
Ill pay a visit in your darkest hour
ve got a treat in store
Wont be the same no more
And I will demonstrate my holy power
Chorus:
I see through
What is it inside you
Ill make you
Breakdown, breakdown
Breakdown and cry
Devils daughter
You dont want a holy war.
Devils daughter
You dont want a holy war
You know what Im about
Ill cast the demons out
And Ill persist until the battles won
Ill feel your creeping flesh
If youre to be possessed
Then I will desecrate what youve become
Chorus
Devils daughter
You dont want a holy war
Devils daughter
The time has come at last
Your future days have past
No use in fighting battles you cant win
The final conflicts lost
You cant afford the cost
Dont try to expiate your fathers sins
Chorus
Breakdown, breakdown
Breakdown and cry
D...d...d...devils daughter (Im watching you watching you)
D...d...d...devils daughter (Im watching you watching you)
D...d...d...devils daughter (Im watching you watching you)
D...d...d...devils daughter aaahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

song performed by Ozzy Osbourne
Added by Lucian Velea
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VI. Giuseppe Caponsacchi

Answer you, Sirs? Do I understand aright?
Have patience! In this sudden smoke from hell,—
So things disguise themselves,—I cannot see
My own hand held thus broad before my face
And know it again. Answer you? Then that means
Tell over twice what I, the first time, told
Six months ago: 't was here, I do believe,
Fronting you same three in this very room,
I stood and told you: yet now no one laughs,
Who then … nay, dear my lords, but laugh you did,
As good as laugh, what in a judge we style
Laughter—no levity, nothing indecorous, lords!
Only,—I think I apprehend the mood:
There was the blameless shrug, permissible smirk,
The pen's pretence at play with the pursed mouth,
The titter stifled in the hollow palm
Which rubbed the eyebrow and caressed the nose,
When I first told my tale: they meant, you know,
"The sly one, all this we are bound believe!
"Well, he can say no other than what he says.
"We have been young, too,—come, there's greater guilt!
"Let him but decently disembroil himself,
"Scramble from out the scrape nor move the mud,—
"We solid ones may risk a finger-stretch!
And now you sit as grave, stare as aghast
As if I were a phantom: now 't is—"Friend,
"Collect yourself!"—no laughing matter more—
"Counsel the Court in this extremity,
"Tell us again!"—tell that, for telling which,
I got the jocular piece of punishment,
Was sent to lounge a little in the place
Whence now of a sudden here you summon me
To take the intelligence from just—your lips!
You, Judge Tommati, who then tittered most,—
That she I helped eight months since to escape
Her husband, was retaken by the same,
Three days ago, if I have seized your sense,—
(I being disallowed to interfere,
Meddle or make in a matter none of mine,
For you and law were guardians quite enough
O' the innocent, without a pert priest's help)—
And that he has butchered her accordingly,
As she foretold and as myself believed,—
And, so foretelling and believing so,
We were punished, both of us, the merry way:
Therefore, tell once again the tale! For what?
Pompilia is only dying while I speak!
Why does the mirth hang fire and miss the smile?
My masters, there's an old book, you should con
For strange adventures, applicable yet,

[...] Read more

poem by Robert Browning from The Ring and the Book
Added by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Sestina: Terminataur

Enveloped by the glow of bedside light,
a small child listens spellbound to a plot.
A parent tells a story quite absurd
of cyborgs, birds and dinosaurs, most mean.
A science fiction tale of keen-edged claw
and culminating fast with time machine.

‘A fearsome shrewd reptilian machine
was lurking ‘mid striated cycad light.
His iridescent scaly skin and claw
advising ‘gainst the trespass of his plot.
A grey bird hovered close; what could it mean?
and conversation flowed; now that's absurd'!

‘Tyrannosaurus said, 'You're quite absurd',
'a cyborg bird with so-called time machine',
'and plans which sound both devilish and mean',
'involving death by catastrophic light'.
'You wish to beg my pardon for the plot',
'and ask respectfully to shake my claw'? ! ? ! ? ! '

‘The cyborg bird said, 'Cousin, take my claw',
'I'm your descendent, though it sounds absurd'.
'Our fourth millennium A.D. course is plot',
'whereby we triumph over man machine'.
'I'm here to guide the bird-made meteor light',
'so we can wing ascent; see what I mean'? '

‘Just then a ratty mammal, snide and mean,
who hid within the cycad's curving claw,
quick swiped the heedless bird in dusky light
and thereby foiled cretaceous scheme absurd.
The meteor missed and dinosaur machine
retained its topmost spot, in spite of plot'.

The father closes zany fiction plot
and though his sharp-toothed grin looks wily mean,
he is a loving dinosaur machine.
The sleepy dino-child lets go his claw
and slips into a dreaming world absurd.
He kisses scaly snout and dims the light.

The moral here is both absurd and light.
I mean by this: Beware the bird machine
which may still plot to claim the upper claw.

poem by Diane Hine
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The Angels

Like God’s body
The angel is cluster of tiniest particles
Clinging together because of gravity
They are like a dot to God’s body in size.
The angels who have two pairs of wings
Are under Sidratul Muntaha Tree in paradise
And are circling around God’s Throne
The angels who have four pairs of wings
Are the Sufra angels and angels of God’s court
All other angels have three pairs of wings
Angels are something like the super-strings
They can take almost any form and size
Angels can eat and drink but they do not do that
Angels have life partner as well but they do not enjoy sex
Angels are so tiny they can use the density of sky to fly
Usually the chief four angels carry God’s Throne
But on doomsday eight angels will carry it.

N.B.: Sidratul Muntaha Tree is a thorny tree of Ferdous Paradise (near God’s Center Point) under which many angels are just bowing and prostrating in awe. Sufra angels are translating text of Laohay Mahfuz (God’s Manuscript)

poem by Asif Andalib
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A Devil's Job

Evil is an occupation best left to the devils,
Their food is quite a craft to the devils.
Save a job that must be saved, according to some,
It is surviving everyone staffed, to the devils.

One must spare a little thought to the anxious few,
A hazard is in those who laughed, to the devils.
Your faith is coming to be solid, an impressive affair,
And kept it intact when attacked, by the devils.

Innocence is a pleasure to behold, especially when,
It commands our future as we watched the devils.
Unhappy are the affairs of men and women,
When you are redundant instead of the devils.

poem by Naveed Akram
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The progress

Cooking invented, I have lost my teeth.
Tools invented, I have lost my hands
Carts invented, I have lost my legs
Electricity invented, I have lost my sight.
Calculator invented, I have lost counting.
Computer invented, I have lost faculty
Internet come, I lost neigbours.
Is mankind on march to stability?
08.05.2007

poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
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Mummy, Mummy Who Invented School?

mummy, mummy,
who invented school?

oh, sweetheart,
what a clever girl you are;
why don’t you tell me first
who you think invented school?

I think, mummy,
school must have been invented
it must be by people
like old grumpy Uncle Grim
next door;
and the grouchy Aunty Scowl
who lives behind our house

oh no, darling,
oh no, not at all:
O darling,
wise men and women
of the past
they invented school

oh, mummy,
they couldn’t
have been wise
not if you went to school
and see what happens in class;
surely those men and women
of the past
couldn’t have been wise
if they created places
where little kids are tested
every three days;
and little John thinks he’s stupid
and little Sue says she’d rather
stay at home and sleep;
and Tua and Helen are always
tense and nervous
and Chandra snores while the teacher talks

oh no -
oh, no darling,
oh no,
it’s not like that at all:

[...] Read more

poem by Raj Arumugam
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The Golden Legend: III. A Street In Strasburg

Night.
PRINCE HENRY _wandering alone, wrapped in a cloak._

_Prince Henry._ Still is the night. The sound of feet
Has died away from the empty street,
And like an artisan, bending down
His head on his anvil, the dark town
Sleeps, with a slumber deep and sweet.
Sleepless and restless, I alone,
In the dusk and damp of these wails of stone,
Wander and weep in my remorse!

_Crier of the dead (ringing a bell)._ Wake! wake!
All ye that sleep!
Pray for the Dead!
Pray for the Dead!

_Prince Henry._ Hark! with what accents loud and hoarse
This warder on the walls of death
Sends forth the challenge of his breath!
I see the dead that sleep in the grave!
They rise up and their garments wave,
Dimly and spectral, as they rise,
With the light of another world in their eyes!

_Crier of the dead._ Wake! wake!
All ye that sleep!
Pray for the Dead!
Pray for the Dead!

_Prince Henry._ Why for the dead, who are at rest?
Pray for the living, in whose breast
The struggle between right and wrong
Is raging terrible and strong,
As when good angels war with devils!
This is the Master of the Revels,
Who, at Life's flowing feast, proposes
The health of absent friends, and pledges,
Not in bright goblets crowned with roses,
And tinkling as we touch their edges,
But with his dismal, tinkling bell,
That mocks and mimics their funeral knell!

_Crier of the dead._ Wake! wake!
All ye that sleep!
Pray for the Dead!
Pray for the Dead!

_Prince Henry._ Wake not, beloved! be thy sleep
Silent as night is, and as deep!

[...] Read more

poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Added by Poetry Lover
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