Citatepedia^®.com

Roddenberry had created quite a complex and at times mysterious character. Guarded, cautious, careful in showing his feelings in expressing his ideas about many things - I found that very interesting.

quote by Patrick Stewart
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A Map Of Culture

Culture

Contents

What is Culture?

The Importance of Culture

Culture Varies

Culture is Critical

The Sociobiology Debate

Values, Norms, and Social Control

Signs and Symbols

Language

Terms and Definitions

Approaches to the Study of Culture

Are We Prisoners of Our Culture?

What is Culture?

I prefer the definition used by Ian Robertson: 'all the shared products of society: material and nonmaterial' (Our text defines it in somewhat more ponderous terms- 'The totality of learned, socially transmitted behavior. It includes ideas, values, and customs (as well as the sailboats, comic books, and birth control devices) of groups of people' (p.32) .

Back to Contents

[...] Read more

poem by Nyein Way
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Eternal Creation

The Parent’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to the child; but to irrefutably ensure that the infant was nourished with their breath and blood till the time it could unflinchingly fend for its symbiotic survival; was what the Almighty Creator had eternally created them for,

The Sun’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to light; but to irrefutably ensure that the rays optimistically enlightened even the most infinitesimally lugubrious cranny of remorsefully cloistered earth; was what the Almighty Creator had eternally created it for,

The Rose’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to fragrance; but to irrefutably ensure that the majestic resplendence ebulliently blossomed into the lives of countless haplessly beleaguered and bereaved; was what the Almighty Creator had eternally created it for,

The Peak’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to victory; but to irrefutably ensure that the royal triumph peerlessly massacred even the most ethereal iota of devilishness form this Universe; was what the Almighty Creator had eternally created it for,

Nature’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to newness; but to irrefutably ensure that the evolution metamorphosed every bit of egregiously stagnating ghoulishness into a sky of rhapsodic freshness; was what the Almighty Creator had eternally created it for,

The Cloud’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to rain; but to irrefutably ensure that the water stupendously ignited vivaciously iridescent life in every ingredient of hopelessly dying soil; was what the Almighty Creator had eternally created it for,

The Conscience’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to truth; but to irrefutably ensure that the righteousness insuperably conquered every trace of diabolical lies on earth and the atmosphere; was what the Almighty Creator had eternally created it for,

The Ocean’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to salt; but to irrefutably ensure that the tanginess wonderfully illuminated every treacherously spiceles and deliriously lackadaisical moment of life; was what the Almighty Creator had eternally created it for,

The Poet’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to fantasy; but to irrefutably ensure that the dream spellbindingly impregnates the winds of Omnipotent romance into monotonously monstrous robots; was what the Almighty Creator had eternally created him for,

The Lip’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to smiles; but to irrefutably ensure that the happiness altruistically perpetually perpetuates into every dwelling incarcerated in chains of murderous gloom; was what the Almighty Creator had eternally created it for,

The Rainbow’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to vividness; but to irrefutably ensure that the color timelessly enshrouded every gruesomely befriended orphan; miserably deteriorating on the globe; was what the Almighty Creator had eternally created it for,

The Shadow’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to tranquility; but to irrefutably ensure that the peacefulness granted celestial reprieve to every bizarrely estranged soul squandering on this Universe; was what the Almighty Creator had eternally created it for,

The philanthropist’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to unity; but to irrefutably ensure that the oneness miraculously coalesced every spuriously staggering and cold-bloodedly fighting caste; creed and tribe into the unassailable religion of humanity; was what the Almighty Creator had eternally created him for,

The wind’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to freedom; but to irrefutably ensure that the liberation unequivocally freed every element of torturously enslaved earth till times immemorial; was what the Almighty Creator had created it for,

The night’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to sensuality; but to irrefutably ensure that the passion brilliantly transformed every speck of infertility into the chapters of everlastingly Omniscient procreation; was what the Almighty Creator had created it for,

The eyelash’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to flirtation; but to irrefutably ensure that the mischief serenely catapulted every fretfully frenetic organism into realms of impeccable childhood; was what the Almighty Creator had created it for,

The soldiers job just doesn’t end at giving birth to martyrdom; but to irrefutably ensure that the valor to timelessly serve the mothersoil; throbbed fearlessly in every chest; even centuries after his veritable death; was what the Almighty Creator had created him for,

The breath’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to life; but to irrefutably ensure that the exultation inexhaustibly transcended over; even the most inane anecdote of baseless corruption and demeaning death; was what the Almighty Creator had created it for,

And the heart’s job just doesn’t end at giving birth to Love; but to irrefutably ensure that the compassionate togetherness tirelessly bonded the entire planet into a paradise of Omnipresently unshakable strength; was what the Almighty Creator had created it for…

©copyright-2004, by nikhil parekh. All rights reserved.

poem by Nikhil Parekh
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Careful What You Wish For

Just lately I've had a go
To find me a new world and candy home
All I needed was a little affection for my soul
Hey, maybe it's time to go
I should have told you a couple of years ago
And I know what's gonna play on my mind
So I'll meet you on the floor
Are you ready for some more?
Just be careful what you wish for
Just be careful what you hope for
Just be careful what you wish for
Just be careful what you hope for
Tell me who do you think you see?
Am I still the girl that you thought I'd be?
Do you care that I might be for real?
Hey, maybe it's time to go
I should have told you a couple of years ago
And I know what's gonna play on my mind
So I'll meet you on the floor
Are you ready for some more?
Just be careful what you wish for
Just be careful what you hope for
Just be careful what you wish for
Just be careful what you hope for
INSTRUMENTAL
Just be careful what you wish for
Just be careful what you hope for
Just be careful what you wish for
Just be careful what you hope for
Just be careful what you wish for
Just be careful what you hope for
You're wish, it may come true!
You're wish, it may come true!
You're wish, it may come true!
You're wish, it may come true!

song performed by Texas
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Careful What You Wish For

Just lately I've had a go
To find me a new world and candy home
All I needed was a little affection for my soul
Hey, maybe it's time to go
I should have told you a couple of years ago
And I know what's gonna play on my mind
So I'll meet you on the floor
Are you ready for some more?
Just be careful what you wish for
Just be careful what you hope for
Just be careful what you wish for
Just be careful what you hope for
Tell me who do you think you see?
Am I still the girl that you thought I'd be?
Do you care that I might be for real?
Hey, maybe it's time to go
I should have told you a couple of years ago
And I know what's gonna play on my mind
So I'll meet you on the floor
Are you ready for some more?
Just be careful what you wish for
Just be careful what you hope for
Just be careful what you wish for
Just be careful what you hope for
INSTRUMENTAL
Just be careful what you wish for
Just be careful what you hope for
Just be careful what you wish for
Just be careful what you hope for
Just be careful what you wish for
Just be careful what you hope for
You're wish, it may come true!
You're wish, it may come true!
You're wish, it may come true!
You're wish, it may come true!

song performed by Texas
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Careful With That Melletron, Eugene

Be careful with that melletron, eugene
Careful with that melletron, eugene
Careful with that melletron, eugene
Be careful with that melletron, you dont know where its been
Careful with the melletron, eugene
Careful with the melletron, eugene
Careful with the melletron, eugene
Be careful with the melletron, you dont know where its been
Play I am the walrus, eugene
Play I am the walrus, eugene
Its I am the walrus, eugene
Play I am the walrus, you dont know where its been
Careful with the melletron, eugene
Careful with the melletron, eugene
Careful with the melletron, eugene
Be careful with the melletron, you dont know where its been
Be careful with the melletron, you dont know where its been
Be careful with the melletron, you dont know where its been

song performed by Waterboys
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No No No (Can't Come Back)

Last night woke in bed
In a cold cold sweat so sweaty so funky
Dreamin of bad things to be or not to be
Haunting things like homelessness all the lonely people
Without a job car or food to eat
Leaves you a little bit paranoid well well
Can you spare a dime
But it reminds me how easily
We let our fears affect who we are
No no no cant come back
No bad feelings no no no
No sad feelings no no no
No jealous feelings no no no
No insecure feelings
No no no cant come back
No ill feelings no no no
No jealous feelings no no no
No ego trippin no no no
No insecure feelings
No no no cant come back
Had a friend in desperate need
Of a little attention compassion you see
Did I mention that friend was me nope
Whod just broken up from a love affair well well well well
I must admit I was truly hurt
And I couldnt change the facts and thats a fact
He loves her more than he loves me
And its truly just as simple as that
No no no cant come back
No bad feelings no no no
No sad feelings no no no
No jealous feelings no no no
No insecure feelings
No no no cant come back
No ill feelings no no no
No jealous feelings no no no
No ego trippin no no no
No insecure feelings
No no no cant come back
Dont care what other people say
Dont listen to them anyway
Cant let the evil get its way
Dont let bad feelings make you pay
Dont care what other people say
Dont listen to them anyway
Cant let the evil get its way
Dont let bad feelings make you pay
No bad feelings no no no
No sad feelings no no no
No jealous feelings no no no

[...] Read more

song performed by En Vogue
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No, No, No,

Last night woke in bed
In a cold cold sweat so sweaty so funky
Dreamin' of bad things to be or not to be
Haunting things like homelessness all the lonely people
Without a job car or food to eat
Leaves you a little bit paranoid well well
Can you spare a dime
But it reminds me how easily
We let our fears affect who we are
No no no can't come back
No bad feelings no no no
No sad feelings no no no
No jealous feelings no no no
No insecure feelings
No no no can't come back
No ill feelings no no no
No jealous feelings no no no
No ego trippin' no no no
No insecure feelings
No no no can't come back
Had a friend in desperate need
Of a little attention compassion you see
Did i mention that friend was me nope
Who'd just broken up from a love affair well well well well
I must admit i was truly hurt
And i couldn't change the facts and that's a fact
He loves her more than he loves me
And it's truly just as simple as that
No no no can't come back
No bad feelings no no no
No sad feelings no no no
No jealous feelings no no no
No insecure feelings
No no no can't come back
No ill feelings no no no
No jealous feelings no no no
No ego trippin' no no no
No insecure feelings
No no no can't come back
Don't care what other people say
Don't listen to them anyway
Can't let the evil get it's way
Don't let bad feelings make you pay
Don't care what other people say
Don't listen to them anyway
Can't let the evil get it's way
Don't let bad feelings make you pay
No bad feelings no no no
No sad feelings no no no
No jealous feelings no no no

[...] Read more

song performed by En Vogue
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Ideas For Walls

So many things in my head, Ive always had them before
No reason to be upset, theyre just ideas for walls
Now Im standing inside, outside, which is the right side
Im standing, demanding that the nightlife be called the right life
Like putting paint on my feet & walking sideways in rows
My walls could be so complete, complete with patterns of toes
Now Im standing inside, outside, which is the right side
Im standing the left side, right side, which is the right side
Now-ideas
Ideas for walls
Ideas for walls
Ideas for walls
A little m for the mirror, a double u for the wall
To make things perfectly clear, a great big h in the hall
Now Im standing inside, outside, which is the right side
Im standing, demanding that the nightlife be called the right life
Is everybody confused? (no) Im making no sense at all
You want a room with a view you need ideas for walls
Now Im standing inside, outside, which is the right side
Im standing inside, outside, outside, right side
Inside, outside, which is the right side
Now -- ideas
Ideas for walls
Ideas for walls
Ideas for walls
Ideas
Theyre just ideas for walls
Ideas for walls
Ideas for walls
Ideas for walls
Ideas for walls

song performed by Men Without Hats
Added by Lucian Velea
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Looking At The Many People

Looking at the many people.
Looking at the many people,
Waiting to live a life they like.
The many people...
In a luxurized hype.

Looking at the people,
Waiting for a life they like.
The many people.
Looking at the many people.

Embittered and lamenting.
Looking at the many people.
Living venting and resenting.
Looking at the many people.

Condescending and offending.
Looking at the many people.
Expressing their sad sentiments...
And in their minds they're losing sense.

Looking at the many people.
Looking at the many people.
Waiting for a life they like.
The many people.
Looking at the many people.

Looking at the many people.
Waiting for a life they like.
The many people.
Looking at the many people.

Embittered and lamenting.
Looking at the many people.
Living venting and resenting.
Looking at the many people.

Condescending and offending.
Looking at the many people.
Expressing their sad sentiments...
And in their minds they're losing sense.

Looking at the many people.
Looking at the many people.
Expressing their sad sentiments...
And in their minds they're losing sense.

Looking at the many people.
Looking at the many people.
Expressing their sad sentiments...

[...] Read more

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Don't Relapse To Recap

Get out of bed and stop retreading...
Chases loved created.
Get out of bed and stop retreading...
Chases loved created.

Don't relapse to recap them.
Chases loved created.

That which is 'not',
Leave it.
That which is 'not',
Leave it be.

Get out of bed and stop retreading...
Chases loved created.
Get out of bed and stop retreading...
Chases loved created.

Don't relapse to recap them.
Chases loved created.

That which is 'not',
Leave it.
That which is 'not',
Leave it be.

Eliminate don't calculate.
Choose another way to face...
A path to take to speed your pace.

Don't relapse to recap them.
Chases loved created.
Don't relapse to recap them.
Chases loved created.

That which is 'not',
Leave it.
That which is 'not',
Leave it be.

Get out of bed and stop retreading...
Chases loved created.
Get out of bed and stop retreading...
Chases loved created.

Don't relapse to recap them.
Chases loved created.

That which is 'not',
Leave it.

[...] Read more

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Hard Feelings

Written by billy burnette and jeff silbar.
Now Im supposed to understand
Dont you think youre asking too much
What kind of fool do you think I am
Dont you think youve hurt me enough
Still you want to be friends
But I dont want to be just friends
So before you start with your sympathy
Just turn around and go
And if he breaks your heart, dont come crying to me
I wont be there anymore
Go ahead and cry your tears
cause Im not gonna dry your tears
Ive got hard feelings
When it comes to you and me
And these hard feelings
Just wont let me be
These hard feelings run deep
These hard feelings run deep
Ill be alright, dont you worry about me
Ill take care of myself
The first thing I need is you out of my life
The last thing I need is your help
Sorry I met you
Sorry I met you
I will forget you, someday
Ive got hard feelings
When it comes to you and me
And these hard feelings
Just wont let me be
These hard feelings run deep
These hard feelings run deep
Ive got hard feelings
When it comes to you and me
And these hard feelings
Just wont let me be
These hard feelings run deep
These hard feelings
Hard feelings
When it comes to you and me
And these hard feelings
Just wont let me be
These hard feelings run deep
These hard feelings run deep
Hard feelings
Just wont let me be
Hard feelings
Hard feelings

song performed by Fleetwood Mac
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Mysterious

Key:-a - anita r - ray
A: no way of controlling my body; mysterious
You touch me that way, my souls of above
When we say goodbye
Theres now turning back for love
R: now I think its time to make the floor burn!
A: no way of controlling my body; mysterious
You touch me that way, my souls of above
When we say goodbye
Theres now turning back for love
R: cant you see now what I am saying
The beat is rough and I aint playing
Mysterious things we like to know
Secret things that you never showed
A vision of something youre driving for
You gave me the key and I opened the door
Theres something between us, you and me
cause your love is like a unsolved mystery
A: a mystery is what you are to me
R: you keep me guessing, I feel like stressing
All the time yeah you blow my mind
I dont know what I am searching for
Everytime youre around, youre asking for more
Im interested to know what you are all about
Youre the only on without a doubt
Youve got me acting so delirious
Everything about you girl; mysterious
R: something you want to figure out but you dont know how? mysterious
R: you move mysterious
You look mysterious
You are mysterious
So mysterious
A: no way of controlling my body; mysterious
You touch me that way, my souls of above
When we say goodbye
Theres now turning back for
No way of controlling my body; mysterious
You touch me that way, my souls of above
When we say goodbye
Theres now turning back for
R: love

song performed by 2 Unlimited
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Tread Careful

Tread careful
Because youre treading on my dreams.
Tread careful
Because Ive just one heart
Tread careful
Let me down slowly
Or Ill forget how to dream.
Chorus:
I wont forget anything
(I love you)
I wont forgive anyone
(do you love me? )
Tread careful
You hear the sound of my breathing
Tread careful
Because I feel this sound
Tread careful
Im falling in a glasshouse
Im trying hard to begin
Because I want it to get harder
Tread careful
Before I change my mind
Tread careful
I could surprise you
I know something you want to do.
(repeat chorus)
Tread careful
Im sure you dont care but
Tread careful
I could change your mind
Tread careful
Ive been waiting for you
There is no comfort in here.
(repeat chorus)

song performed by Gary Numan
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Stream Line Consciousness

Big brother voyeur blimps unidentified spies
uncle sam peeping toms patrolling skies
bird brain police intelligence
remote viewing homeland pest control
pentagon private eye monitoring the public's every move
mass produced micro chips intercepting prayers patrolling citizens from heaven
Bentham's Panopticon NSA
super computer surveillance cameras
world police spying Manhattan streets

'Athens plummets Euro death spiral
suicide rates soar deepening into despair'

haaretz..the post.. the times
blogs tribunes dailies all in a mad gab
headlong headline attention grabbing scramble

'Yugoslavia - Iraq - Egypt - Yemen - Iran - Syria - United States'
bilderberg building blocks New American Century post apocalyptic prophecy

'foreign mercenaries …national guard...DOD
homeland security to amass covert munitions stockpile
Americans on guard anxieties mounting surrounding
the stripping of amendments 1st if you swing to your left
2nd if you stand on the right
whispers of martial law circulate Anarchical reverberations
emanate from internet Alt culture epicenters
bottle necking global tensions'

'common feeling of deepening disappointment...
heightened expectations...
people expecting an explosive situation over the
next few weeks'

...riot police respond 'to preserve public order'
public roads barricaded to 'protect security of citizens'

'blatant act of censorship
western mainstream media staying away
from Myanmar massacres of Mohammedan Angels
further showing strong anti Muslim bias'

'Media blackout Burmese army
seeking coverage under propaganda blankets'

from the middle east throughout the western world
planet consciousness blurring lines between conspiracy/reality
conflicting global network narratives multiply violent scenarios daily
Victims in a world wide scramble
Government Banking Military

[...] Read more

poem by Gregory Allen Uhan
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Hard Times

(jimmy dean/lyrics by myles goodwyn)
Published by acuff rose music, inc. - bmi
Hard times, hard times, hard times, hard times
When the college professor has no class
And the quarterback would rather pass
And the pump jockey complains of gas
Its hard times, hard times
When the taxi driver he cant hack it
And the tennis player cant stand the racket
When allies refuse to pack it, its hard times
Hard times, hard times, real hard times
When the elevator cant find the floor
And the doorman he cant find the door
When they give to the rich what they take from the poor, its hard times
Seems your moneys gone before its spent
If youre not busted then youre badly bent
To give it away doesnt make any sense, its hard times
Hard times, hard times, real hard times, hard times
Now grandma forgets how to knit
And the wise man has lost his wit
And my tailor feels unfit, its hard times, hard times
When the fashion models lost her poise
And santa clause smashes all the toys
When boys could be girls, and girls could be boys, its hard times
Hard times, hard times, real hard times, hard times
When the clock on the walls got no time for jokes
And kreskin says its all a hoax
When the surgeon general chain smokes, its hard times
When the truck driver dont wanna truck
And the hockey player wont touch the puck
And the rock musician dont wanna fool around, its hard times
Hard times, hard times, real hard times
Harder times, hard times
I was talking to this lady the other day and she was telling me..........

song performed by April Wine
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And God Created Woman

In a deep sleep I fell
And the music starts 2 swell
One of my ribs he took and it shall be
Bone of my bones (bone of my bones)
And God created woman
And we were naked and did not care
Theres a time 2 take and a time 2 share
2 in love, all around and all aware
Flesh of my flesh (flesh of my flesh)
And God created woman
Temptation sweet and so much (sweet and so much)
Surely die if neither one of us shall ye touch (shall ye touch)
Then again we could die from the rush (rush)
Heart of my heart (heart of my heart)
And God created woman (woman)
Woman
My-my-my-my-my-my woman
In my darkest hour I find
Many serpents who have lied (lied)
Given half the chance still Id run 2 your side (run 2 your side)
Love of my love (love of my love)
And God created woman (woman)
And if I never see u again
Its alright 4 I am guilty of no sin
They can have u, Ill have your love in the end
Soul of my soul (soul of my soul)
And God created woman
(God created woman)
(God created woman) (woman)
Flesh of my flesh
(God created woman) (soul)
(God created, God created woman)
(God created, God created woman)
(God created woman)

song performed by Prince
Added by Lucian Velea
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Yes Yes

when God created love he didn't help most
when God created dogs He didn't help dogs
when God created plants that was average
when God created hate we had a standard utility
when God created me He created me
when God created the monkey He was asleep
when He created the giraffe He was drunk
when He created narcotics He was high
and when He created suicide He was low

when He created you lying in bed
He knew what He was doing
He was drunk and He was high
and He created the mountians and the sea and fire at the same time

He made some mistakes
but when He created you lying in bed
He came all over His Blessed Universe.

Submitted by .eve.

poem by Charles Bukowski
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Loving You's A Dirty Job But Somebody's Gotta Do It

(jim steinman)
Producer for bonnie: jim steinman
Girl:
When the sky is falling and you're looking round for somewhere to hide
Did you ever call out to someone
Did you ever call out to me, i've never been gone-
I've been right here by your side
There ain't nothin' but clouds
There ain't nothin' but clouds in your eyes
Why don't you believe it when you finally found the truth
Youve been drinking poison water from the fountain of youth
Why don't you stop tearing up everyone you need the most
You're so busy trying to get even
You never even try to get close
I can't explain it away
It doesn't make any sense
To know what it's like
I guess you gotta go through it
It doesn't matter baby
Loving you's a dirty job
But somebody's gotta do it
Boy:
There were times when we'd never fake it
There were times when we'd always make it
There were times when we'd take it to the limit
And we'd never, never, ever leave each other alone
We were flesh and blood and bone
There were times we had it all
There were times we had it all
(alt/ same)
Both:
There were times when we took our chances
There were times we were damn good dancers
There were times when we heard all the answers
In the beating of the drummer and the riches of the rock and the roll
I can see right through your soul
There were times we had it all
There were times we had it all
Boy:
If your fears could only be forgotten
We could pull all of the barriers down
Would you follow your dreams' desire
Would you follow your secret dreams and forbidden fire
Let's just peel out of this town
Both:
It's been nothing but dreams
It's been nothing but dreams until now
Boy:
You're never gonna see it
Both:

[...] Read more

song performed by Bonnie Tyler
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Essay on Psychiatrists

I. Invocation

It‘s crazy to think one could describe them—
Calling on reason, fantasy, memory, eves and ears—
As though they were all alike any more

Than sweeps, opticians, poets or masseurs.
Moreover, they are for more than one reason
Difficult to speak of seriously and freely,

And I have never (even this is difficult to say
Plainly, without foolishness or irony)
Consulted one for professional help, though it happens

Many or most of my friends have—and that,
Perhaps, is why it seems urgent to try to speak
Sensibly about them, about the psychiatrists.

II. Some Terms

“Shrink” is a misnomer. The religious
Analogy is all wrong, too, and the old,
Half-forgotten jokes about Viennese accents

And beards hardly apply to the good-looking woman
In boots and a knit dress, or the man
Seen buying the Sunday Times in mutton-chop

Whiskers and expensive running shoes.
In a way I suspect that even the terms “doctor”
And “therapist” are misnomers; the patient

Is not necessarily “sick.” And one assumes
That no small part of the psychiatrist’s
Role is just that: to point out misnomers.

III. Proposition

These are the first citizens of contingency.
Far from the doctrinaire past of the old ones,
They think in their prudent meditations

Not about ecstasy (the soul leaving the body)
Nor enthusiasm (the god entering one’s person)
Nor even about sanity (which means

Health, an impossible perfection)
But ponder instead relative truth and the warm

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poem by Robert Pinsky
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The Rosciad

Unknowing and unknown, the hardy Muse
Boldly defies all mean and partial views;
With honest freedom plays the critic's part,
And praises, as she censures, from the heart.

Roscius deceased, each high aspiring player
Push'd all his interest for the vacant chair.
The buskin'd heroes of the mimic stage
No longer whine in love, and rant in rage;
The monarch quits his throne, and condescends
Humbly to court the favour of his friends;
For pity's sake tells undeserved mishaps,
And, their applause to gain, recounts his claps.
Thus the victorious chiefs of ancient Rome,
To win the mob, a suppliant's form assume;
In pompous strain fight o'er the extinguish'd war,
And show where honour bled in every scar.
But though bare merit might in Rome appear
The strongest plea for favour, 'tis not here;
We form our judgment in another way;
And they will best succeed, who best can pay:
Those who would gain the votes of British tribes,
Must add to force of merit, force of bribes.
What can an actor give? In every age
Cash hath been rudely banish'd from the stage;
Monarchs themselves, to grief of every player,
Appear as often as their image there:
They can't, like candidate for other seat,
Pour seas of wine, and mountains raise of meat.
Wine! they could bribe you with the world as soon,
And of 'Roast Beef,' they only know the tune:
But what they have they give; could Clive do more,
Though for each million he had brought home four?
Shuter keeps open house at Southwark fair,
And hopes the friends of humour will be there;
In Smithfield, Yates prepares the rival treat
For those who laughter love, instead of meat;
Foote, at Old House,--for even Foote will be,
In self-conceit, an actor,--bribes with tea;
Which Wilkinson at second-hand receives,
And at the New, pours water on the leaves.
The town divided, each runs several ways,
As passion, humour, interest, party sways.
Things of no moment, colour of the hair,
Shape of a leg, complexion brown or fair,
A dress well chosen, or a patch misplaced,
Conciliate favour, or create distaste.
From galleries loud peals of laughter roll,
And thunder Shuter's praises; he's so droll.
Embox'd, the ladies must have something smart,

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poem by Charles Churchill
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