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I told the Inland Revenue I didn't owe them a penny because I lived near the seaside.

quote by Ken Dodd
Added by Lucian Velea
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You Owe Me

Nas]
Uh, it's real, it's real, it's real
Uh, uh, owe me back, uh shorty
Shorty, what up, huh?
Come on
1 - [ginuwine]
Shorty, say what's your price
Just to back it up
You can hold my ice
Now let's say you owe me something
[nas]
Yeah, owe me back like you owe your tax
Owe me back like forty acres to blacks
Pay me back when you shake it like that girl
2 - [ginuwine]
Shorty, say what's your price
Just to back it up
You can hold my ice
Now let's say you owe, owe, owe
[nas]
Yeah owe me back like you owe your rent
Owe me back like its money i spent
Pay me back when you shake it again
The don, all the time, with all the shine
You small time, i ball with mine
Links, minks, bentley, it's all with mine
My jams bump out to the borderline
Uk hot with it, blew spots with it
Every continent love when i spit it
Corners to blocks, even the cops feel it
Brothas on lockdown on their cock feel it
It's real in the field the last mohegan
Who survived in the streets and did something decent
Now i got plans to buy the whole hood
Legit' now, i ain't gotta lie to no judge
I make hits now, money i flip now
Hood fella every honey wanna kiss now
I lit up my neck, pinkie, and wrist now
So girls everywhere, this is how we get down
Repeat 1
3 - [ginuwine]
Shorty, say what's your price
Just to back it up
You can hold my ice
Now let's say you owe, owe, owe
[nas]
Yeah owe me back like you owe your rent
Owe me back like its money i lent
Pay me back when you shake it again
[nas]

[...] Read more

song performed by Ginuwine
Added by Lucian Velea
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Penny & Me

Cigars in the summertime
Under the sky by the light
I can feel you read my mind
I can see it in your eyes
Under the moon as it plays
Like music every line
There's a rug with a bleeding dye
Under the fan in the room
With passions burning high
By the chair with the leaopard skin
Under the light
It's always Penny & Me tonight
On the plane step with both my feet
Riding in seat number three
On a flight to NYC
Got my bean in a coffee cup next to my seat
Catch the view and another good book to read
Sitting at home on the friendly skies missing her eyes
It's always Penny & Me tonight
'Cause Penny & Me like to roll the windows down
Turn the radio up and push the pedal to the ground
And Penny & Me like to gaze at starry skies
Close our eyes pretend to fly
It's always Penny & Me tonight
Said Whoa Oh
Penny & Me tonight
Oh no no no no
Staring at a million city lights
But still Penny & I are alone beneath the sky
Can feel the wind brushing slowly by
But I can still try to take these wings and fly
Away to where the leaves turn red
But no matter where I am instead
Singing along to "feelin' alright"
We're making it by under pink moonlight
It's always... Penny & Me tonight
'Cause Penny & Me like to roll the windows down
Turn the radio up and push the pedal to the ground
And Penny & Me like to gaze at starry skies
Close our eyes pretend to fly
I said whoa oh
Close our eyes pretend to fly
It's always Penny & Me tonight
Well Penny likes to get away
And drown her pain, In lemonade
And Penny dreams of rainy days
And nights up late by the fireplace
And aimless conversations 'bout the better days
Yeah, Oh no no no no
Singing along to "feelin' alright" Yeah

[...] Read more

song performed by Hanson
Added by Lucian Velea
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Penny & Me

Cigars in the summertime under the sky by the light
I can feel you read my mind
I can see it in your eyes under the moon as it plays
like music every line
There's a rug with bleeding dye under the fan in the room
Where the passions burning high by the chair
with the leopard skin under the light
It's always Penny and me tonight
On the plane step up with both my feet
Riding in seat number 3 on a flight to NYC
Got my bean in a coffee cup next to my seat
Catch the view and another good book to read
Sending me home on the friendly skies
Missing her eyes
It's always Penny and me tonight
Cause Penny and me like to roll the windows down
Turn the radio up, push the pedal to the ground
And Penny and me like to gaze at starry skies
Close our eyes, pretend to fly
It's always Penny and me tonight
Staring at a million city lights
But it's still Penny and I all alone beneath the sky
Feel the wind brushing slowly by
If I could soar I'd try to take these wings and fly
Away to where the leaves turn red
But no matter where I am instead
Singing along to feeling alright
We'll make it by in the pink moonlight
It's always Penny and me tonight
Cause Penny and me like to roll the windows down
Turn the radio up, push the pedal to the ground
And Penny and me like to gaze at starry skies
Close our eyes, pretend to fly
close our eyes pretend to fly
It's always Penny and me tonight
Penny likes to get away and drown her pain in lemonade
Penny dreams of rainy days and nights up late by the fireplace
And aimless conversations about the better days
Singing along to feeling alright, yeah
We'll make it by in the pink moonlight
It's always Penny and me tonight
Cause Penny and me like to roll the windows down
Turn the radio up, push the pedal to the ground
And Penny and me like to gaze at starry skies
Close our eyes pretend to fly
close our eyes pretend to fly
It's always Penny and me tonight
Penny and me tonight
Penny and me tonight
Penny and me tonight

song performed by Hanson
Added by Lucian Velea
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Peter Gunn's Gun

by Michael Leonard, Bobby Weinstein & Jon Stroll
Throw a penny from the window, watch an old man play a song
On a twenty-dollar violin he bought before the war,
Though he screeches and he scratches and the notes are always wrong,
But he plays like he's in concert on the street outside my door.
Tunes to suit your fancy,
Are there any requests?
I'll play them for a penny,
(Play them penny music, play them for a penny)
And not a penny less.
He's the local virtuoso, it's his only way of life,
Plays ninety-seven overtures and goes home to his wife,
In the quiet of the evening while his frozen fingers bleed,
He counts pennies on a blanket to supply his meager need.
Tunes to suit your fancy,
Are there any requests?
I'll play them for a penny,
(Play them penny music, play them for a penny)
And not a penny less.
When there's frost upon the pumpkin in the weakness of the sun,
People stand there in the cold until his symphony is done,
In the early gray of morning, he's sure to come around,
You can hear him through the window when the pennies hit the ground.
Tunes to suit your fancy,
Are there any requests?
I'll play them for a penny,
(Play them penny music, play them for a penny)
And not a penny less.
They're playing penny music,
Playing penny music,
They're playing penny music,
Playing penny music,
Playing penny music.
fade out...

song performed by Monkees
Added by Lucian Velea
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Penny Lover

Penny lover
(lionel richie, brenda harvey-richie)
The first time I saw you
Oh, you looked so fine
And I had a feeling
One day youd be mine
Honey you came along and captured my heart
Now my love is somewhere lost in your kiss
When Im all alone its you that I miss
Girl a love like yours is hard to resist
Oh, oh, ooh, ooh, oh
Penny lover, my loves on fire
Penny lover, youre my one desire
Tell me baby could this be true
That I could need someone, like I need you
Nights warm and tender
Lying next to you
Girl I surrender
Oh, what more can I do
Ive spent all of my life in search of your love
Now theres one more thing Id like to say
Dont you ever take your sweet love away
Girl Ill do anything, just please stay
Oh, oh
(bridge)
I dont understand it, oh whats come over me
But Im not gonna worry, no not anymore
cause when a mans in love, hes only got one story
Thats why my love is somewhere lost in your kiss
When Im lost and alone its you that I miss
With a love like yours, its hard to resist
Ooh, ooh, oh
(begin fade)
Penny lover, dont you walk on by (dont you walk on by)
Penny lover, dont you make me cry (dont you make me cry baby)
Penny lover, dont you walk on by (dont you walk on by)
Penny lover, dont you make me cry (oh penny baby)
Penny lover, dont you walk on by (dont you walk on by)
I remember the first time I saw you baby
Penny lover, dont you make me cry
You had the look in your eye, you had the look in your eye, yeah, yeah
Ooh pretty baby
I just wanted to reachout and touch you baby
I just want to reach out and hold ya, I want to reach out and say ooh, ooh
Dont make me cry
I wanna talk about you everyday (penny lover)
Need you, need you baby ...

song performed by Lionel Richie
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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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I'll Stick Around

I thought I knew all it took to bother you
Every word I said was true; that you'll see
How could it be I'm the only one who sees
Your rehearsed insanity Yeah

I still refused all the methods you've abused
Its alright if you're confused; let me be
I've been around all the pawns you've gagged and bound
They'll come back and knock you down
And I'll be free

I've taken all and I've endured
One day it all will fade I'm sure

I don't owe you anything
I don't owe you anything
I don't owe you anything
I don't owe you anything

I had no hand in your ever desperate plan
It will turn and when it lands words are due
I should have known we were better off alone
I looked in and i was shown you were too

I've taken all and I've endured
One day it all will fade I'm sure

I don't owe you anything
I don't owe you anything
I don't owe you anything
I don't owe you anything
I don't owe you anything
I don't owe you anything
I don't owe you anything
I don't owe you anything

I'll stick around
I'll stick around and learn from all that came from it

song performed by Foo Fighters from Foo Fighters
Added by Lucian Velea
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Virginia's Story

Elizabeth Gates-Wooten is my Grand mom.

She was born in Canada with her father and brothers.
They owned a Barber Shoppe.
I don't remember exactly where in Canada.
I believe it was right over the border like Windsor or Toronto.
I never knew exactly where it was.

When she was old enough she got married.

First, she married a man by the name of Frank Gates.
He was from Madagascar.
He fathered my mom and her brother and sister.
The boy's name was Frank Gates, Jr.
Two girls name were Anna and Agnes.

Agnes was my mother.

Frank Gates went crazy after the war
He drank a lot and died
Then grandma Elizabeth married a man by the name of Mr. Wooten.
He had a German name, but I don't think he was German.
She took his last name after they got married.

Then they moved to West Virginia in the United States.

Their son, Frank Gates Jr. Became a delegate in the democratic party.
He use to get into a lot of trouble because he liked to fight.
He was a delegate from the 1940's to 1970's.
He died of gout in the 1970's.

Anna was a maid and cook.

She baked cakes and stuff for people as a side line.
She had a hump on her back (scoliosis) .
She had to walk with a cane.
She could cook good though.
She did this kind of work all of her life, just like her mom, Elizabeth

They were both good cooks

They had a lot of money because they had these skills
Especially when people had parties.
Because they would make all of this food and then they would have left-overs.
We got to eat a lot of stuff we normally wouldn't get because of that.
When they cooked, they didn't use no measuring stuff, they would just use there hand.

My moms name was Agnes Barrie Gates.

She married James Wright and moved to Cleveland.

[...] Read more

poem by Talile Ali
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Kittie’s Toys

A CHILD'S SONG
[WRITTEN FOR KATHLEEN]
I wish I had a soldier, a soldier, a soldier,
I wish I had a soldier to fight for love of me
Marie has a soldier, a soldier, a soldier,
Marie has a soldier, a gallant man is he.
I wish I had a bright flag, a gay flag, a dear flag,
I would love a fair flag to fly in liberty,
Gretchen has a big flag, a brave flag, a strong flag,
Gretchen has a fine flag that floats all high and free.
I wish I had a small ship, a strong ship, a good ship,
I would love a trim ship to sail upon the sea.

Johnny has a big ship, a grey ship, a grand ship,
Johnny took my small ship with all his big navie.
I wish I had a penny, a penny, a penny,
I wish I had a penny that all belonged to me,
I would build a fair house, a great house, a strong house,
I would make one grand house for all the world to see.
But Johnny stole my penny, my penny, my penny,
And Johnny took my bright flag that floated fair and free,
Then Johnny had my small ship, my trim ship, my good ship,
And Johnny broke my soldier that fought for liberty.
Now John would be my soldier, my soldier, my soldier,
But John he is a greedy boy, a selfish boy is he;

And Johnny beats the wee ones, the small ones, the weak ones,
He takes their playthings from them in the name of liberty.
When Johnny gets a whacking, a whacking, a whacking,
When Johnny gets a whacking, I think he'll let me be,
And I shall have my penny, my penny, my penny,
And I shall buy a bright flag to wave in victory.

poem by Dora Sigerson Shorter
Added by Poetry Lover
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Penny Music

Throw a penny from the window
Watch an old man play a song
On a twenty dollar violin he bought before the war
Though he screeches and he scratches
And the notes are always wrong
But he plays like hes in concert
On the street outside my door
Choose to suit your fancy
Are there any requests?
Ill play them for a pennyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
(play them for a penny)
And not a penny less
Hes the local vertuoso
Its his only way of life
Plays 97 overtures
And goes on home to his wife
In the quiet of the evening
While his frozen fingers bleed
He counts pennies
On the blanket to supply his meeger(sp? ) needs
Choose to suit your fancy
Are there any requests?
Ill play them for a pennyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
(play them for a penny)
And not a penny less
When theres frost upon the pumpkin
In the weakness of the sun
People stand there in the cold
Until his symphony is done
In the early gray of morning
Hes sure to come around
You can hear him thru the window
When the pennies hit the ground
Choose to suit your fancy
Are there any requests?
Ill play them for a pennyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
(play them for a penny)
And not a penny less
Theyre playing penny music
(aaahhhhaaahhhh)
Playing penny music
(aaahhhhaaahhhh)
(last two lines repeat a few more times)

song performed by Monkees
Added by Lucian Velea
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Penny Music (stereo)

Throw a penny from the window
Watch an old man play a song
On a twenty dollar violin he bought before the war
Though he screeches and he scratches
And the notes are always wrong
But he plays like hes in concert
On the street outside my door
Choose to suit your fancy
Are there any requests?
Ill play them for a pennyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
(play them for a penny)
And not a penny less
Hes the local vertuoso
Its his only way of life
Plays 97 overtures
And goes on home to his wife
In the quiet of the evening
While his frozen fingers bleed
He counts pennies
On the blanket to supply his meeger(sp? ) needs
Choose to suit your fancy
Are there any requests?
Ill play them for a pennyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
(play them for a penny)
And not a penny less
When theres frost upon the pumpkin
In the weakness of the sun
People stand there in the cold
Until his symphony is done
In the early gray of morning
Hes sure to come around
You can hear him thru the window
When the pennies hit the ground
Choose to suit your fancy
Are there any requests?
Ill play them for a pennyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
(play them for a penny)
And not a penny less
Theyre playing penny music
(aaahhhhaaahhhh)
Playing penny music
(aaahhhhaaahhhh)
(last two lines repeat a few more times)

song performed by Monkees
Added by Lucian Velea
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What I Owe You

This is a list
Of what to expect
From me to you
With love and respect
I owe you an ear
Cuz u would always pay attention
I owe you a shoulder
Cuz on yours lies my affection
I owe u a hand
You always helped out
I owe u advice
Of that there’s no doubt
I owe u respect
Of that your full
I owe trust
With my secrets you were cool
I owe you knowledge
You taught me so much
I owe you love
Deep in my heart, you touched
I owe you a friend
Who is honest and true
I owe you my life
Because of what you still do
by james

poem by James Prince
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A List Of What To Expect

This is a list
Of what to expect
From me to you
With love and respect

I owe you an ear
Because you always pay attention
I owe you a shoulder
Because on yours lies my affection
I owe you a hand
You always help me out
I owe you advice
Of that there’s no doubt

I owe you respect
Of that you’re full
I owe you trust
With my secrets you are cool
I owe you knowledge
You have taught me so much
I owe you love
Deep in my heart, you’ve touched

I owe you a friend
Who is honest and true
I owe you my life
Because of what you still do

poem by Ashleigh Gaffney
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Penny Brings Melodie To Life

Penny with her sewing flair,
sews Melodie doll and yarns her hair.
Penny makes Melodie into a small doll,
once Melodie's alive the two have a ball.
Melodie writes Penny once in awhile,
she even visited her in the hospital.
Melodie had to make sure Penny was alright,
in fact Penny told the nurse, where is Suzy tonight?
Right then Melodie, Razel and me soon arrived,
to sit by friend Penny's dear old side.
Now Penny gets healthy and recovers real soon,
she enjoys her grandchildren and her new life too.
Thank you Penny for all your generosity,
if it wasn't for you, the world would not have Melodie.
Written by Suzae Chevalier on February 14,2012

poem by Christina Sunrise
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He asked me if I'd take a penny for my thoughts.

A penny for your thoughts he asked,
and I told him the things on my mind.
A penny for your thoughts he asked,
I had thought then I'd be paid in kind.

A penny for your thoughts he asked,
and the closest friends we came to be.
A penny for your thoughts he asked,
I thought then the one he cared for, was me.

A penny for your thoughts he asked,
now rich with my thoughts he was.
A penny for your thoughts he asked,
I thought his reason was more than 'just because'.

A penny for your thoughts he asked,
he's made me rich with a broken heart.
A penny for your thoughts he asked,
now my life has a broken start.

poem by Mandy Lee
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Penny Brings Melodie To Life

Penny with her sewing flair,
sews Melodie doll and yarns her hair.
Penny makes Melodie into a small doll,
once Melodie's alive the two have a ball.
Melodie writes Penny once in awhile,
she even visited her in the hospital.
Melodie had to make sure Penny was alright,
in fact Penny told the nurse, where is Suzy tonight?
Right then Melodie, Razel and me soon arrived,
to sit by friend Penny's dear old side.
Now Penny gets healthy and recovers real soon,
she enjoys her grandchildren and her new life too.
Thank you Penny for all your generosity,
if it wasn't for you, the world would not have Melodie.
Written by Suzae Chevalier on February 14,2012

poem by Suzae Chevalier
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Penny Lane

(LennonMcCartney)
In Penny Lane there is a barber showing photographs
Of every head he's had the pleasure to know
And all the people that come and go
Stop and say hello
On the corner is a banker with a motorcar
The little children laugh at him behind his back
And the banker never wears a mack
In the pouring rain, very strange
Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes
There beneath the blue suburban skies
I sit, and meanwhile back
In Penny Lane there is a fireman with an hourglass
And in his pocket is a portrait of the queen
He likes to keep his fire engine clean
It's a clean machine
Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes
A four of fish and finger pies
In summer, meanwhile back
Behind the shelter in the middle of a roundabout
The pretty nurse is selling poppies from a tray
And though she feels as if she's in a play
She is anyway
In Penny Lane the barber shaves another customer
We see the banker sitting waiting for a trim
And then the fireman rushes in
From the pouring rain, very strange
Penny lane is in my ears and in my eyes
There beneath the blue suburban skies
I sit, and meanwhile back
Penny lane is in my ears and in my eyes
There beneath the blue suburban skies
Penny Lane

song performed by Paul McCartney
Added by Lucian Velea
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Half-penny, Two-penny

Written by james young
Lead vocals by james young
Half penny, two penny, gold krugerrand
He was exceedingly rich for such a young man
Sad story, old story
Bring out the band
Another divorce just a few hundred grand
Half penny, two penny, back of the queue
Yes mister poor man this means you
Justice for money what can you say
We all know its the american way
Yes, Im gonna shake myself loose
Back home across the sea
Where I know that I will be free
Half penny, two penny, back in the states
You just couldnt take that african pace
Yes, mrs. cleaver your sons home to stay
We all know its the american way
Yes, Im gonna shake myself loose
Back home across the sea
Where I know that I will be free
Come here - hey angelo... whats happenin?
Hey, stosh, good to see ya
What the hell you doin?
Were tearing this old building down here
Oh youre kiddin me. remember when we were kids, and we used to come here every saturday afternoon to see a cartoon?
Yeah, I remember
Well whats she lost to?
Who knows- politicians, taxes...its a disgrace
Im not surprised, they make me sick. they dont make theaters like this any more.
Half penny, two penny, ashes to dust
The almighty dollar says in God we trust
Justice for money how much more can I pay
We all know its the american way
Yes, Im gonna shake myself loose
Back home across the sea
Where I know that I will be free
(I want to be free)
Yes, Im gonna shake myself loose
Back home across the sea
Where I know that I will be free
(we all want to be free)

song performed by Styx
Added by Lucian Velea
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Oh I Do Like To Die Beside The Seaside

Oh, i would like to die beside the seaside
In dreams that set me free
My spirit blowing out to sea
Body ceasing to be in this wild deep cemetery.
Wonders cast will fill my soul
While my past on tide will roll.
To breathe the one clean air
To find her in dreams somewhere
One foot on Heaven's stair
-But then i wake up in a chair.
Oh i would like to die beside the seaside
Sunlit diamonds scatter the ocean
As seabirds, freebirds, chatter in motion
And schools of whales teach love and devotion
The haunted songs that they bring
Across deepest waters ring.
As i climb to nimbus height
Flying like a roguish kite, embracing blue moonlight
Chasing dancing stardust sprite
On fiery journey burning bright
Alas- with reality i am woken, as my reverie is broken.
Oh i do like to die beside the seaside
Tossed and blown to warmer climes
The wind whispers unwritten lines.
A soothing promise of love's mystique
Eternal dancing cheek to cheek.
Then gliding galleon rides the sea
On pillowed cloud just sent for me
This injured dove now flaps its wings
To bathe in sunset as angel sings
In fleeting beauty as my heart clings.
Yes i did like to die beside the seaside
Beside the seaside-fate called to me.

poem by Kevin East
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V. Count Guido Franceschini

Thanks, Sir, but, should it please the reverend Court,
I feel I can stand somehow, half sit down
Without help, make shift to even speak, you see,
Fortified by the sip of … why, 't is wine,
Velletri,—and not vinegar and gall,
So changed and good the times grow! Thanks, kind Sir!
Oh, but one sip's enough! I want my head
To save my neck, there's work awaits me still.
How cautious and considerate … aie, aie, aie,
Nor your fault, sweet Sir! Come, you take to heart
An ordinary matter. Law is law.
Noblemen were exempt, the vulgar thought,
From racking; but, since law thinks otherwise,
I have been put to the rack: all's over now,
And neither wrist—what men style, out of joint:
If any harm be, 't is the shoulder-blade,
The left one, that seems wrong i' the socket,—Sirs,
Much could not happen, I was quick to faint,
Being past my prime of life, and out of health.
In short, I thank you,—yes, and mean the word.
Needs must the Court be slow to understand
How this quite novel form of taking pain,
This getting tortured merely in the flesh,
Amounts to almost an agreeable change
In my case, me fastidious, plied too much
With opposite treatment, used (forgive the joke)
To the rasp-tooth toying with this brain of mine,
And, in and out my heart, the play o' the probe.
Four years have I been operated on
I' the soul, do you see—its tense or tremulous part—
My self-respect, my care for a good name,
Pride in an old one, love of kindred—just
A mother, brothers, sisters, and the like,
That looked up to my face when days were dim,
And fancied they found light there—no one spot,
Foppishly sensitive, but has paid its pang.
That, and not this you now oblige me with,
That was the Vigil-torment, if you please!
The poor old noble House that drew the rags
O' the Franceschini's once superb array
Close round her, hoped to slink unchallenged by,—
Pluck off these! Turn the drapery inside out
And teach the tittering town how scarlet wears!
Show men the lucklessness, the improvidence
Of the easy-natured Count before this Count,
The father I have some slight feeling for,
Who let the world slide, nor foresaw that friends
Then proud to cap and kiss their patron's shoe,
Would, when the purse he left held spider-webs,
Properly push his child to wall one day!

[...] Read more

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