fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
whispers in the wind
By: Colin Waite
Tags: Writing, Poetry On Medium, Musings, Lyrics, Poetry

the winds bring pleas

from west to east

they come

barreling down the slopes

on a gust they’re rushing towards me

the voices of the air

their words calling out to me

they tell me don’t despair

moving mountains rock by rock

clutching fists of earth

working from dusk til dawn

trying to shift away the hurt

tons of dirty deeds

stoke flames of indignation

the embers burning hot

until doused by retaliation

the fire’s out and life is gone

but they’re not done for long

grasping with tendrils that

constrict and pull with wrath

dragged beneath the rats and granite

under groves, not far from Hamlet

now they can no longer hear

their mothers prayers that plead

their words are nothing more

than blowing through the trees

the sound is gone

the woods are silent

hope is fleeting

and I’m left with things I can’t rescind

these are the thoughts that haunt me

the whispers in the wind

their words are nothing more

than blowing through the trees

the sound is gone

the woods are silent

hope is fleeting

and I’m left with things I can’t rescind

these are the thoughts that haunt me

the whispers in the wind
GVBLXN
By: Almighty Sonoxo
Tags: Creative Poetry, Almighty Sonoxo, Lyrics, Poetry, Spoken Word

You too deep in

I lost so many people I don’t know where to begin

My grandma always said 'dont wear your heart on your skin'

I broke all the rules revealed my flaws I start to cleanse

Aligned myself with the light I saw a snake shed skin

Evolution

My kundalini rises

I eat one meal a day and meditate in silence

Rebuilding my life with truths of roots my ancestors were buried inside of

Pyramids

Some people lose their awareness and third eye the inner kid

Storing sacred knowledge for my little man

Things that can’t be taught by the veil you hide behind only learned through an experience

Emotional battles humans mentally sick

I drink water to hydrate my neurons to get rid of it

Toxicity

Stems from generation to generation like a punnet square that cupid missed

http://twitter.com/AlmightySonoxo
Red Bean《紅豆》
By: Troubadour Bot
Tags: Poem, Chanson, Lyrics, English, Chinois

Original Chinese lyrics composed by Albert Leung | 作詞：林夕

English Translation by Troubadour Bot

Red Bean (Singer: Faye Wong)

Yet to feel the blossom of snow

還沒好好的感受 雪花綻放的氣候

chattering teeth together in the cold, then we’d understand better what is tender

我們一起顫抖 會更明白 甚麼是溫柔

Yet to traverse, hand in hand with you, the bleak sand dunes

還沒跟你牽著手 走過荒蕪的沙丘

Maybe then, we learned to cherish each other day by day

可能從此以後 學會珍惜 天長和地久

Sometimes of some time

有時候 有時候

I’d believe everything is doomed to end,

我會相信一切有盡頭

either meet or leave is rehearsing,

相聚離開 都有時候

neither is truly lasting.

沒有甚麼會永垂不朽

Yet I… for some time…

可是我 有時候

would rather cling, not forego

寧願選擇留戀不放手

till every scenery has been in my memory

等到風景都看透

maybe you’d enjoy with me, the symphony of brooks flowing slowly slowly

也許你會陪我 看細水長流

Taken from movie Sweet Bean (An), directed by Naomi Kawase

Yet to simmer the red beans into a languish wound of you

還沒為你把紅豆 熬成纏綿的傷口

then share the bowl, so that we understand better the poignance of ‘missing you’

然後一起分享 會更明白 相思的哀愁

Yet to feel in sober the tenderness of kissing

還沒好好的感受 醒著親吻的溫柔

maybe only when clung by me, you’d pursue the lonely liberty

可能在我左右 你才追求 孤獨的自由

Sometimes of some time

有時候 有時候

I’d believe everything is doomed to end

我會相信一切有盡頭

either meet or leave is rehearsing

相聚離開 都有時候

neither is truly lasting

沒有甚麼會永垂不朽…
“There’s beauty in the struggle, ugliness in the success.” — J. Cole The Grammy award winning artist, J. Cole, not only understands how to create hit records. He is also recognized for his…
By: Devin Arrigo
Tags: Success, Money, Life Lessons, Lyrics, Life

“There’s beauty in the struggle, ugliness in the success.” — J. Cole

The Grammy award winning artist, J. Cole, not only understands how to create hit records. He is also recognized for his thoughtful, keen sense of awareness that he draws upon when writing songs.

It’s such a tough concept to fully embrace and one that I constantly have to remind myself of. Society today is so success driven that people chase money as a means of finding happiness or fulfillment.

There’s an inherent disconnect between money and happiness though. While money can certainly bring a certain level of happiness, after a specific point, it’s all diminishing returns and more money doesn’t equal more happiness.

When you find beauty in the process — en route to achieving your goals — happiness will come as a result.
A song I’m working on
By: Abigail Siegel
Tags: Poem, Songwriting, Songs, Lyrics, Poetry

So I had an idea for a song. I have most of the lyrics, which you will find down below. I am working on a melody at the same time, which seems to want to come out as a mix of ‘Always a Woman’ by Billy Joel, ‘Learn Me Right’ from ‘Brave’, and ‘If I’m Being Honest’ by Dodie. We’ll see how it turns out, but for now enjoy the lyrics!

~~~~~~~~~

I’ll tell you a story

I found by myself

An old dusty thing I found high on the shelf

I’m not very tall

And I know I might fall

But if I didn’t try you would hear just nothing at all

Oh listen to my journey

Listen to the ways I took to find you

Oh listen to my story

Listen to me and I’ll tell you the ways that I love you

I’ve found you a story

All on my own

But you are now in it and I can see now that I’ve grown

You finished the story

You wrote me the end

And then you began it anew with you as my best friend

And now

I can tell you a tale

Of adventures so far and the ships we’re ready to sail

But where

Oh where will it go

If I had my way I’d make it that we’d never know

Oh we’d never know

We’ll just have to flow

Oh listen to my journey

Listen to the ways I took to find you

Oh listen to my story

Listen to me and I’ll tell you the ways that I love you

~~~~~~~~~~
The Things You Stole
By: Josh Bills
Tags: Poem, Depression, Mental Health, Lyrics, Poetry

The Things You Stole

Ecstasy Cover Art

I seem to have broken all my bones, I seem at all

These dreams are woken with the sound of pain contained

Follow down the hole

Hide the things you stole

Don’t think I don’t know the rules

Try not to obstruct the useless mission for a plan

On the way to missing contact, seems I’ve missed an open hand

The leaves are falling all around, believe to see

What’s hidden beneath the ground, be, concede

Follow down the hole

Hide the things you stole

Don’t think I don’t know the rules

See below the brow

Think and then ask how

What springs now is untrue

Watch the figures pass while staring before them

An empty space of nothing is where nothing cannot stand

What to say for the broken faith?

Have you a heart, have you a soul?

Have you a neck by which to throttle you?

Damn you eternally, oh god

We’ve been to the golden circle above

We’ve been to the golden

We’ve been to the golden circle above

We’ve been to the golden
Let It Rain
By: Robert Trakofler
Tags: Presence, Music, Lyrics, Art, Life

Let It Rain

Photo by Robert Trakofler

Stroll this sphere

Of souls

Strides unclear

-ly shown

strain and fear

Take toll

Atmosphere

Gets cold

Scattered tears

Take hold

Stealing years

Untold

But

I…

Can see

The art

Run free

cry …

the plea’s

of hearts

decree

spy…

the scenes

impart

of dreams

fly

set free

rain art

on me

let it

rain

© 2020 Robert Trakofler

I came across this music quite by (A very happy)accident, Constant had sent me a link to a playlist that I thoroughly enjoyed listening to! My curiosity led me to search for more of his music and this song so resonated with me I wrote lyrics to it! This doesn't happen to me very often, usually i write from song fragments from a musician and weave them together in a melody but every once in a while a song just hits me like electricity directly into my core.

The song lyrics are about the grace of presence of mind to see the beauty and art that surrounds us everywhere that sometimes gets obscured by the trials of life. I thought this was an especially poignant message to share right now given the difficulties we are all facing in these times of pandemic strife.

Constant Goddard is a composer from Luxembourg his music ranges from jazzy electronic to new age fusion to more classic compositions. (I have never been a big fan of labels) they never really capture nor define an artists voice but if you asked me my definition of his work I would say his music is much like a poem in so far as it’s sense of channeling… I have befriended many musicians over the years and one common thread I have found is (and I always ask them eventually) is the question do you feel your work is a manifestation of the self or of something outside of themselves invariably they all answer from the outside. He also produces music under the moniker Aloboi here are some links to his music please give it a listen I promise you will not be disappointed:)

As always, thank you for reading and or listening to my scrawls a poem and a song are nothing without a witness and for yours I am eternally grateful!
If it’s magic that you’re hoping for
By: Amy Knight
Tags: Pandemic, Lyrics, Poetry, Christmas, 2020

If it’s magic that you’re hoping for

What would I give?

What would you really like from me?

If I could fly there

I would hide there

underneath your tree.

I would love to watch you open something

big and sparkly

but if its kisses that you’re wishing for

I’ll blow them at the screen.

I made a wish for you

upon a shooting star.

I wished for snow

and mistletoe

and to be where you are.

I would you love to hold your hand

and watch the fire on Christmas Eve,

but if it’s magic that you’re hoping for

you know I still believe.

We are miles apart this Christmas,

it wouldn’t do to break the rules.

I’ll still be here for you this Christmas

just call me up, I’ll be your fool.

I’ll drink to me and you this Christmas

I’m never giving up on love

and though it might not snow

and there’s nowhere to go

our star is rising up above.

Words and music by Amy Knight

© Amy Knight 2020

Watch the video on IGTV
MY translation of the classic Pangasinan love song Malinak la’y Labi with its original lyrics in…
By: Santiago Villafania
Tags: Villafania, Folk Song, Pangasinan, Lyrics, Philippines

MY translation of the classic Pangasinan love song Malinak la’y Labi with its original lyrics in Pangasinan language.

Calm is the Night

Intro:

I shall not forget you

Till I am laid to rest…

I.

The night is calm my love

And time is fleeting still

The wind is breathing low

Kissed by the evening dew

How sweet it is to dream

That I have to wake for you

Your fair attemper face

I shall always caress

II.

O when the night is come

And you my love I see

The sadness all is gone

Buried deeply in my soul

Whenever I recall

Loving ways you are wont to

I shall not forget you

Till I am laid to rest

(Repeat II & Intro.)

Malinak la’y Labi

Gapo:

Ag ta ka nalingoanan

Angga’d kauyos na bilay

I.

Malinak la’y labi

Oras la’y mareen

Mapalpalna’y dagem

Katekep to’y linaew

Samit da’y kugip kon

Binangonan kon tampol

Lapu’d say limgas mo

Sikan sika’y amamayoen

II.

Lalo la bilay

No sika la’y nanengneng

Napunas lan amin

So ermen ya agbibiten

No nanunotan

ko la’y samit da’y ugalim

Ag ta ka nalingoanan

Angga’d kauyos na bilay

(Uliten so II & Gapo)
Why I Write Lyrics
By: Matt Gray
Tags: Music, Journey, Lyrics, Writing Life, Life

When I was at Watsonville High School, I used to study songs. I would study Lyrics. It’s all I really cared about other than being on the Boys Tennis team. I was interested in singing, for a long time, but the craft that brought me to loving singing was the writing. I loved looking at who wrote what for years, starting probably from the early years of my music consuming. Some of those early classic rock & roll bands I listened to were Kiss, Styx, Boston and Led Zeppelin. This was thanks to my oldest brother, Russ — who had quite a record collection in his room. My parents had already primed me with poetry books and looking back, I was always that child who was inquisitive, who wanted to create something new. I was a reader and connected to stories and the storytellers.

I felt a little different from the rest of the kids of my class. I grew up for the first 10 years of my life in Santa Cruz, CA on Calvin Place. My older brothers were into baseball, biking and running around but I just liked staying home. I know that we had a pretty barren house on Calvin Place. The one thing we loved to do is listen to records and we had all kinds. The Jackson 5 was a band we loved to play and we also had KTEL records with novelty songs on them. For example, one of the songs that caught my ear was “Life is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me),” a pastiche of song titles and bands and all kinds of music, with the chorus that championed all the songs of the day. I listen to it now, and still get goosebumps.

My Grandfather Gray was a banjo & guitar player and I have fond memories of him sharing songs at our campfires up in the front yard, which was the forest in La Porte, California. I connected with those early Western songs and I really did love gathering like that as a family. That was the best feeling as a kid, watching Gramps play and just singing along with everyone. “Red River Valley” was always one of our favorite songs to sing but there was a specific song that Gramps liked singing called “Jack Ass Blues,” which we thought he wrote but it turns out he didn’t. I guess I might have thought I could learn how to write eventually. He had a stack of old Sheet Music under his bed and I would check them out. I took to those songs like a duck to water. I wanted to know who wrote them, what the stories were and man, those pictures were so great. I realized these were songs that he had learned for his trip to Singapore with his combo group on the Big Dollar Lines.
LYRICS TO MYSELF
By: Mrz Bernal
Tags: Awareness, Talking To Myself, Expression, Lyrics, Self Love

ME ALL IN ONE

I let my brain rain on a page so my thoughts can be replayed, right hand dance the led away between these lines i feel no pain, whiteout no pink erase, sharpie tongue lyrics engraved, lies paint a pretty picture when the truth ain’t on display, the volume ain’t too honest when the bass gets in the way the speakers keep on knocking while the music’s pumping veins, how a song can last forever but the mood is still the same?, How can you change the player but the rules never unchanged?, Real life can be so ugly bloody tears fall from a face, Guilty conscious still be with you even though you changed your name, Ain’t no second tomorrow just another route that you can take, Laying in bed wishing that sober never came, Eyes closed but you aren’t dreaming cuz the brain is still awake, To you I am a stranger cuz u can’t decode expressions on my face, I’m feeling like I knew you through yo eyes fuk your name, I got x-ray vision so all my haters look the same, I was born to text a message that made a hater crack a smile, feeling some type of way, Paste my message with no copy, evidence without the ink could never be a case, They hear my voice on the scanner, but can never see my face, America’s most wanted, my profiles a blank page, My vocals cant even find me, as i whisper in the shade, My shadow be so bright, cuz I was born where its grey get my verbs from my temple, and my breath from the bay, My mouth be my pistol , if my lungs cock back, my tongue is blowin brains.
Rhythm
By: David Rudder
Tags: Rhythm, Lyrics, Singing, Poetry, Guitar

Rhythm

My sister and I playing, singing and composing

The beat is strong and regular

I feel it my bones

I cannot live without

the cadence and its tones.

I feel it in my heart and soul

my feet move to the beat

the beauty of the rhythm

the excitement and the heat.

I can feel it up the street

and down the avenue

the swing pulse throb and tempo

a cadence tried and true.

Give me a little latitude

put on my dancing shoes

play some twelve-string guitar

and more rhythm and blues.

Hear the words that resonate

and flow in verse and prose

from the tip of my head

right down to my toes.

The music moves and resonates

the words smoother than honey

patterns and arrangements

that’s funny where’s the money.

When the rhythm reoccurs

smooth groovy and symphonic

please and ease each other

both mnemonic and harmonic.

©

David Rudder

22nd November 2020

Thanks for reading.
Sometimes I Pretend
By: Jesse Jet
Tags: Poem, Lyrics, Funny, Children, Poetry

And when I’m done

I fill the tub

And embark on a whole new trip
Golden Road by Gareth Wilson
By: Flannery Wilson
Tags: Music, Creativity, Lyrics, Art, Spotify

G olden Road by Gareth Wilson

Toronto 2015. Artist’s own image.

Starved of everything you needed,

The sacrificial lamb was in your bed.

Those sounds I hear from your apartment,

You can tune it out but you can’t replace your head.

I did not forget the name I lost the number.

But you wrote it out into the ledge.

You thought it was something sacred,

Something to pray to at your shrine.

You can’t keep what you don’t own.

You spit it out but you cannot cleanse your mind.

I did not forget…

She just jumped straight into the future.

From the fire to the infirmary.

Hold out!

You’ll find a better life if you don’t want to.

Hold on!

Down the golden road beyond your daydream.
Why Mommy Has Been Cursing At The Evening News: An Explanation By Schoolhouse Rock!
By: Marriya Schwarz
Tags: Satire, Election 2020, Lyrics, Humor, News

SUBJECT: Obviously, times have changed.

Dear Parents of America,

We get it: You can’t even build up the courage to tell your kids that Santa isn’t real; how are you going to explain to little Betty and Bobby that the core institutions they have been taught to accept are corrupt? Well, from the makers of “Conjunction Junction: What’s ANYONE’s Function?,” “Do the Twist and Don’t Be a Racist,” and “6 Feet Away, Grandma’s Okay,” Schoolhouse Rock! has your back to explain all things 2020. Things have definitely changed since 1998 and we’re back with a new VHS recording (hopefully you still have that old VHS player; it’s our medium of choice!) and a set of lyrics so that your little Antifa child can sing along!

Happy family friendly activism,

The Schoolhouse Rock! Team

“Presidential Minute (UPDATED)”

It has been four long years

(But it feels like eight)

Mommy’s been drinking lots of beer

And Daddy moved out of the States!

Last we met, we told you that the people choose the president

After they spend time campaigning and being on news segments

(Or some skip ’cause they don’t like health being made a guarantee

And though they do pitch a fit, they still get time on NBC)

But sometimes the president gets picked

Against our wishes, even if our states turn blue

They’ll call it unfair — call it rigged

Hey, kids, can you spell “coup”?

The states to look at are the big ones with huge populations

Those used to be the ones with the power to win the elections

You’d think right? That this would at all matter with Biden’s lead gaping?

But not the case at the Four Seasons — well the one for landscaping

Even though it’s “We the People,” the vote will go off to the courts

It’s 2020; who’s still lending democracy their support?

The Press Sec’ll say Mommy and Daddy’s ballots don’t matter

Between where he’s winning and losing, we should stop counting the former and keep counting the latter

There’s no valid evidence

Even Fox News is not convinced

Dora the Explorer’s been drinking a lot of wine

Hey, can YOU find Mitch’s missing spine?

For the other races, the results they will surely take

But though it’s on the same page, the presidential one is fake

It’s America second, Donald first; Georgia, please come through

Kids, everywhere, say it with me now: It’s C-O-U-P. Coup!
Can’t Buy a Hat
By: Douglas Pilarski
Tags: Poem, Music, Lyrics, Blues, Life

-blues lyric

my baby left me she up and went my baby left me took my money and spent im so broke I cant buy a hat

so broke

so broke

so broke

i can’t buy a hat

got up this morning i was all alone aint see nobody aint nobody home

she up and went

my baby gone

took my money and spent

im so broke i cant buy a hat

gonna get up gonna go to town look for my baby gonna look around

gonna go to town

gonna look for you

thats im gonna do

gonna look for you

what im gonna do i dont know where im gonna go i dont know my baby went took my money and spent

what im gonna do

i dont know

im so broke

i cant buy a hat

so broke so broke so broke i can’t buy no hat

-blues lyric

*** *** ***

Douglas Pilarski is a writer/journalist living in Portland. He covers luxury goods, lifestyle, exotic cars, CJ-CX, workplace issues, food, horology, and tech. He is a regular contributor to medium.com

sawyertms.com \\ dp1@sawyertms.com \\ medium.com/@dpilarski

IG: sawyertms1 \\ @realsawyertms \\ @dpatlarge

Copyright © 2020 AstonBell Media

All rights reserved.

*** *** ***
Very Much
By: Matt Gray
Tags: Sappy Love Lyrics, Young Lovers, Lyrics, Poetic, Romance

I’m very much into your eyes

How they sparkle in the moonlight

I’m very much into your hair

It’s glowing and flowing tonight

I’m very much into your smile

and your teeth so pearly white

and I’m very much into your style

You could end up being my Miss Right



I’m very much into your hands

The touch of them soothes my soul

I’m very much into the way

you can keep it all under control

I’m very much into your laughter

as we take an afternoon stroll

I wonder if we’ll spend ever after

loving each other and feeling whole



But enough of what I feel

I want to know your inner you

Are you ready to take a chance?

Do you feel the same way I do?

Is this in vain, or is this fate?

Is it the start of a dream come true?

In our case, was love not too late?

Could you see what we could be, too?



I’m very much into this courtship

and seeing where this thing goes

I’m very much into your spirit

Your scent is the essence of a rose

I’m very much into all you are

and everything you’ll ever be

but if, and only if, my dear,

You’re very much into me



Yes, if, and only if, my dear,

You’re very much into me
Monsters
By: Kristenbarney Kristendagmarsdottir
Tags: Chalkboard, Free Verse Poetry, Lyrics, Addiction Recovery

Monsters

Submitted to Chalkboard as free-verse, part of the Write or Die Project

This poem was originally intended as lyrics for a song.

Photo from the web, signed. Thank you!

Temp or ary in san it y

Will not get the best of me

Now I know

The monsters I see

Are REAL!

REAL!

REAL! REAL! REAL!

I’m not seeking madness;

Like so many people are.

At least not with drugs or drinking;

These are not part of my thinking

This is not a pipe dream.

I’m in real distress

I am stone-cold sober.

And still I’m such a mess.

I’m on the edge of madness,

Adrenaline surging through my veins.

It saves me from the sightless Dark.

I have been there before;

The deep dark pit.

With sides slippery and smooth,

It was hard to climb out.

Not within my power.

I needed a miracle.

Of course

There was a price.

I had to give up

My children; my sons.

Hoping they would forgive.

My heart was broken,

Then I was nothing.

Stripped to my core.

To gain my sanity,

I had to have sobriety.

Something now

So dear to me,

Important as my heart

Beating.

Important as my lungs

Breathing.

I was no good for them

Or me.

Those many years ago.

If you hate

Your self

You can not love.

You’re a ghost.

Nothing more.

I may still

Sink into depressions,

Followed by the highest of

Highs.

Going

Round and

Round,

And back again

All in the blink of an eye.

I’m in a state of

Perpetual war;

Currently under a truce.

I must be ever vigilant

To keep the

Monsters from getting loose.
Late Flight to Texas
By: Almighty Sonoxo
Tags: 777 Hz, Poetry Sunday, Almighty Sonoxo, Lyrics, Virginia

Champagne glass to erase the pain of your past

Holding onto memories you the best thing that I had

Remember all the times we had , peace love and good laughs

Google photos of you that over pile my trash

I don’t know why you only see right in wrongs

The times I want you most you spend late nights on the phone

The times I want you most you afraid to get out on your own

I’m wanting the best for you but you make me feel that I’m wrong

But these days I have goals commitments I can’t break

Building an empire , generational estates

We live in a day and age where you’re only worth what you make

Where people take you for granted just to tell you to stay

I don’t do mind games , I let go of my pride you think that I don’t care I’m only speaking my mind

You said “Go” so stand by it

Now look whose a liar ?

It’s funny how things change when your actions backfire
Phoebe Bridgers’ Air BnB Listings
By: Oscar Lopez Aguirre
Tags: Airbnb, Music, Phoebe Bridgers, Lyrics, Humor

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If I Sleep Tonight
By: Matt Gray
Tags: Heartbreak, Dysfunction Love, Lyrics, Alone And Worried, Lyrical Storytelling

Photo Credit: Matthew Kenneth Gray

I’ve been emptyin’ my pens inside notebooks

This cabin’s fireplace barely has a flame inside

I’ve been watchin’ out the front door window

There’s nobody else in whom I can confide

None of these songs are good enough

My imagination isn’t hitting me quite right

I’m hoping I don’t dream of you, dear

If I sleep tonight, oh, sweetheart if I sleep tonight

Oh, why was I addicted to you my darlin’

You vanished when I thought you were a shining light

I’m just prayin’ tomorrow I won’t look pasty white

If I sleep tonight, oh, sweetheart if I sleep tonight

I don’t drink whiskey when I’m songwritin’

It won’t keep my tears from flowin’ down

I regret everythin’ between us that happened

Last time I was there with you in your town

No words can describe my heartbreak

And I can’t stop thinkin’ you’ll visit or call

I shoulda seen earlier what’s comin’

I shoulda read the writing on the wall

Oh, why was I addicted to you, darlin’

You vanished when I thought you were a shining light

I’m just prayin’ tomorrow I won’t look pasty white

If I sleep tonight, oh, sweetheart if I sleep tonight

Last I noticed, the good knives were stolen

And I know you must’ve found my hidden gun

if there’s a will, there’s a way ‘n they’ll find you

’Cause it would be worse if you kill anyone

I’m wonderin’ if you will come back to fight

If you shoot me in cold blood only I’ll know why

Hope cops don’t find my corpse in the mornin’

And I pray to God I can get some sleep tonight

Oh, why was I addicted to you, darlin’

You vanished when I thought you were a shining light

I’m just prayin’ tomorrow I won’t look pasty white

If I sleep tonight, oh, sweetheart if I sleep tonight

Sweet baby Jesus, let me sleep tonight

November 9, 2020
João Gilberto on Suffering
By: Stowe Boyd
Tags: Lyrics, Saudade, João Gilberto, Quotations

A vida é uma escola, em que a gente precisa aprender,

a ciência de vivir pra não sufrer.

(Life is a school in which we must learn

a way to live without suffering.)
Not Just a Front.
By: Pranay Palvadi
Tags: Poetry On Medium, Songs, Lyrics, Poetry, Art

Not Just a Front.

By Pranay Palvadi

I was born to be a rapper but I was scared to say it

I was scared of being judged and I was scared of being basic.

Like that kid, we all knew that swore he would make it,

but he lacked true passion he wanted to be famous.

See, I dream of fame but it's not my true motive,

I’m wary of fame it might make me lose focus.

I’m on a mission I can’t stop to smell the roses.

I wanna be an escape for all those who feel hopeless.

My lyrics provide me with a diagnosis,

Because I always find the truth once they start flowing

They force me to acknowledge all my thoughts that go unnoticed

Why are my rhymes so potent when I’m at my lowest?

Well because — my pen disperses my anxieties.

I know what doing now is not what they want from me,

Cuz I’m old enough to know the norms of society.

I know who I will be so I’m going to live it like a prophecy.

They don’t know me and they think I’ll fall short

I’m just a poser tryna act tough and play a part

I’m just a brown boy who can’t even go to bars.

I’ll lie about where I’m from and wear fake scars —

But if I’m being honest I’m not doing this to front,

I’m just doing what I love,

I'm just doing want I want,

Writing all day and pacing all night and then I do it all again until I get my

verse right.

I don’t interpret this as any time wasted, even if my future doesn’t use any of

these pages.

Cuz I’m learning every day from every song that I created,

every melody I hated,

And the constant agitation.

The only pressure that I feel is pressure from myself cuz I’m not supposed to

be good nevertheless great I think they’re a little misguided I guess they

haven’t been persuaded.
Everybody Dies in October (Lyrics I Wrote during Recording Sessions)
By: October Evans
Tags: Writing, Music, Grief And Loss, Lyrics, Healing From Trauma

Notes: this was written in honor, in loving memory and dedicated to my grandmother, P. Humphrey (who died recently on October 15th, 2020) and to my late wife, Sam (who died on October 26th, 2009), all my friends who died via hate crimes, drug overdoses, tragic accidents, etc. in the month of October over the last 10–20 years, and to my daughter (who didn’t die in October, but actually died on August 5th, 2009) — thank you for everything, for being there for me and I miss all of you.

Lyrics Written by October Rain Evans

(music coming soon)

Deaf Grrrl Music/Trans Soul Rebel Lyrics/sadistsateme.songwriting [ASCAP]

© 2020 October Evans, Chiaroscuro Music Studios. All Rights Reserved.

[Verse 1]:

The days turn into cold nights

Not okay in my post traumatic state of mind

The dead memories are all that’s left of them tonight

Occasional reminders of being alone as life passes me by

[Chorus]:

I guess everybody dies in October

No way for me to get through this sober

The grief and loss is on repeat from now to forever

I guess everybody dies in October

Wondering where they’ve gone away to as I grow older

The hole in my soul is the aftermath of those I remember

Everybody dies in October

Everybody dies in October

[Verse 2]:

The love of my life and my daughter is gone

All the friends I’ve lost in tragedies gone wrong

I stand here missing my grandmother

I hope it doesn’t rain forever as I try to pull myself together

[Chorus]

[Bridge]:

Time goes on, feeling though as if hope is gone

Rather be anywhere but here — where did I go wrong?

My face’s turning old and hair’s turning grey

Going beyond my years, wasting half my life in disarray

Why does everybody die in October?

Why does everybody say goodbye on our last days together?

I feel like I don’t belong anywhere without them with all the shit I’m going through

If you’re out there somewhere, I hope you know this is for you

As I keep holding on and rising above all the shit life’s thrown at me

I keep waking up every morning hoping that I will finally breathe

I miss all of you — GONE FOREVER

I love all of you — FORGOTTEN NEVER

And most of all, I forgive you — thank you for our infinite forevers in a limited amount of days

So I weep once again another year older, move on trying to be okay

And now I stand before you all tonight…

An annual reminder to let you know I’m still healing before I can finally say goodbye…

Until then… I have to ask this question:

WHY DOES EVERYBODY DIE IN OCTOBER??!!??!!

[Chorus — Altered]:

Even though everybody dies in October

I’ll find a way to get through this sober

Imperfectly human but it’ll get better

Even though everybody dies in October

I will keep healing as I grow older

The hole in my soul will be filled as I sew myself back together

Not everybody will die in October

Not everybody will die in October

Because I know I’m not cursed

And I’ll find a way to live with the hurt

I promise you, you’ll see me smile again

In the meantime, I’ll keep healing until then.

[ENDS]
Winter Mindfulness Mantras From Big Sean’s Detroit 2 Album
By: Sid Khaitan
Tags: Mindfulness, Rap, Lyrics, Self Development, Motivation

Winter Mindfulness Mantras From Big Sean’s Detroit 2 Album

This is trash!

Who else is sick of shuffling on Spotify only to be greeted by objectively horrible rap music? No beat, unnecessary lyrics, devoid of any meaning.

Big Sean’s latest album is the silver surfer of hope amidst a garbage-infested ocean. A sequel to the original Detroit mixtape, it packs a tribute to the city, lessons in mindfulness, and a rapper autobiography all into one.

After blasting for hours on repeat, much to my girlfriend and neighbor’s dismay, I arrived at a few lyrics to use as mindfulness mantras this winter.

Photo by Vova Krasilnikov from Pexels

1. Balance emotions with habits

“Remember my feelings don’t mean ____ to none of my goals, so I gotta stay focused”

Motivation is fleeting. Some days you have it, and some days you just don’t.

That’s because it can be affected by a variety of factors, including your feelings. When goals are linked to emotion, they suffer from inconsistency. How do you control for this variable?

Motivation is a spark that ignites from time to time, but habits keep the gas tank running.

Short answer is, we can’t. So instead, we must harness the power of habits.

These invisible chains make or break us everyday. Not only do they become automatic over time, they can reduce the most grandiose of goals into bite-sized mini-games.
Give a little
By: Almighty Sonoxo
Tags: Sponsored Post, Rva, Almighty Sonoxo, Lyrics, Richmond Va

Just give a little

Life beautiful yet you so simple

You make life a maze like you in a riddle

My life is like Malcom always in the middle… of some bullshit gotta x you out

I just want the freedom with a cool breeze

Cameras flashing round me like they know me

Lifting in the gym you cant hold me

Said you’d give me better gotta show me

Building up a kingdom for my little man

She folded up like a chair Im on the other hand

But after me Im sure they’ll be another man

So there you go again

Cant sweat the shit I swear

I gave you everything that you asked for

You gotta hella greedy eating out more

It cost to be a Boss , Ante up more

They hate it when you up , So want more
I’m the bee to your honey my sweet puella
By: Almighty Sonoxo
Tags: Writing, Honey, Almightysonoxo, Lyrics, Poetry

I’m the bee to your honey my sweet puella

Time could never replace the company you give me to feel better

I cast it all out in public I love it you gold like sun rays

Its hard when you put in effort but they still try to resist change

“ Having Nothing” is better than having that someone who never chooses you

You come up with simple reasons to led me to false conclusions

You listen to everybody to make up a false illusion

My life is full of love and energy around me I’m never loosing

If you ain’t building up your empire , what are you doing ?

Some people live vicariously in time they’re never moving

I met a lot of people , and none of them were for me

But I met this flower of life that saved her honey for me

🐝

http://twitter.com/almightysonoxo
When the poet ceases singing
By: John Edward Marks, Jem
Tags: Voices, Ends, Lyrics, Poetry, Beginning

Photo by Josh Hild on Unsplash

When the poet ceases singing

There’s an end to everything:

Birds in the trees, music,

Tones and timbre, plangent and deep,

Tempests flare in the mind of man

Foreshadow that terrible realisation

That you too have followed this same cliff path

On nights of luminosity and in the darkness-drear

Of night. Mother, father, lover, friend

Swoon towards the moon in triumph

Or despair. Or when those steps we climbed

In childhood, into the loneliness of a dream,

Creak and crack like the echoes of a scream.

And nothing is as nothing seems

And all retains the insubstantiality of dream.
The Great Pretender
By: Gippolito Ndp
Tags: Election 2020, Music, Politics, Lyrics

Photo by Mason Hassoun on Unsplash

Sometimes — not very often — the lyrics of a song just fire on all cylinders, and almost magically reflect something going on or even a specific person. We don’t even have to stretch to see the applicability. Here’s one of the few song lyrics that strikes me that way right now. Bolding is mine.

[Words and music by Buck Ram: the manager of The Platters, which was the first act to record it. It was released in November 1955. There is a great YouTube video of the original footage of the performance].

Oh-oh, yes I’m the great pretender

Pretending that I’m doing well

My need is such I pretend too much

I’m lonely but no one can tell

Oh-oh, yes I’m the great pretender

Adrift in a world of my own

I’ve played the game but to my real shame

You’ve left me to grieve all alone

Too real is this feeling of make-believe

Too real when I feel what my heart can’t conceal

Yes, I’m the great pretender

Just laughin’ and gay like a clown

I seem to be what I’m not, you see

I’m wearing my heart like a crown

Pretending that you’re still around

Too real is this feeling of make-believe

Too real when I feel what my heart can’t conceal

Yes, I’m the great pretender

Just laughin’ and gay like a clown

I seem to be what I’m not, you see

I’m wearing my heart like a crown

Pretending that you’re still around

Yep. If you don’t get it, maybe you’re also pretending.
Come Dance With Me
Tags: Romance, Lyrics, Seasoned Romance, Song Lyrics

Lyrics to a ballad celebrating seasoned romance.

Photo by Maksym Kaharlytskyi on Unsplash

Come Dance with Me

Come dance with me, laugh and sing.

Share my life, my everything.

Take my hand, my heart, my soul,

Two halves become whole.

Too long we walked alone,

With no hope, no stars.

A happiness never known,

Today is now ours.

Take my hand, my heart, my soul.

Celebrate our joy.

Together a miracle.

Sadness we’ll destroy.

Come dance with me, laugh and sing.

Share my life, my everything.

Take my hand, my heart, my soul,

Two halves become whole.

We’ve whispered our pain,

Hid our loneliness.

No more darkness, no more rain,

Only happiness.

Let me know your heart,

Come dance with me.

We’ve made a new start,

Come dance with me.

Come dance with me, laugh and sing,

Share my life, my everything.

Take my hand, my heart, my soul.

Two halves become whole.
Thieves For Children
By: Josh Bills
Tags: Poem, Lyrics, Poetry, Greed, Selfishness

Thieves For Children

Ecstasy Cover Art

There goes your lifeline

You owe it to yourself

Stepped past the white line

All the money comes out

System has a fault line

All deaf from the shout

Greedy voice, a pigs whine

Go in with no doubts

So many eggs

In one basket

You get a big head

Get thrown in the rat pit

Sawed wing on the side

It’s pierced to the bone

Wallet feels a bit dry

All your cover is blown

The breed for greed as one might say

Fall off the wheel lose yourself today

Use a mans hand for a suitable greet

No idle back lax can you feel the heat

There goes your lifeline

You owe it to yourself

Stepped past the white line

All the money comes out
Kentucky Bourbon Eyes
By: Matt Gray
Tags: Songwriting, Songs For Adults, Writers On Medium, Lyrics, Lyrical Storytelling

Oh, you were a California girl

with Kentucky bourbon eyes

Your love was all I needed

It was such a sweet surprise

When you opened your heart

And said you wanted me too

If only for that one steamy summer night

Lookin’ into those Kentucky bourbon eyes

And drinkin’ ev’ry delicious drop of you

You came into my crazy but lonely life

When nobody else was there for me

The night we met at that ol’ dive bar

We ended up in a taxi at three

You softly whispered in my ear

“I wanna take you back to my place

So I can give you what you need

And put that smile back on your face”

Oh, you were a California girl

with Kentucky bourbon eyes

Your love was all I needed

It was such a sweet surprise

When you opened your heart

And said you wanted me too

If only for that one steamy summer night

Lookin’ into those Kentucky bourbon eyes

And drinkin’ ev’ry delicious drop of you

I think of you and how you rocked my world

You brought me back to who I’ll always be

Oh, I feel it deep down in my hillbilly soul

That passionate evenin’ forever changed me

Oh, you were a California girl

with Kentucky bourbon eyes

Your love was all I needed

It was such a sweet surprise

When you opened your heart

And said you wanted me too

I still cherish that steamy summer night

Lookin’ into those Kentucky bourbon eyes

And drinkin’ ev’ry delicious drop of you

I still cherish that steamy summer night

Lookin’ into those Kentucky bourbon eyes

And drinkin’ ev’ry delicious drop of you

October 24, 2020
Enlightenment
By: Amy Marley
Tags: Meaning Of Life, Enlightenment, Spiritual Growth, Lyrics, Led Zeppelin

WEEKLY PROMPT | IT GETS WEIRD

Enlightenment

So — Enlightenment.

Heavy topic. Or is it?

What does enlightenment mean? To me, to you, to us.

In this moment, or the next, or the next.

Is it accessible for all of us, or just those that sit in silent meditation for twenty years?

Who has all the answers?

I just have questions.

Are the questions the answers?

The answers already waiting for me to shine my light on.

As I responded to 𝘋𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘊.’s prompt for this week, I told her I pictured the feature image at times when I read her words.

Obviously, not the exact person depicted, but her. Holding the light for us all as we walk on our own steps to enlightenment.

Are those shining the torch for others en-light-ened?

Is Diana enlightened?

To me, she is.

As are you.

Each of us has the ability to shine a light on some else’s path.

Offer up a slice of clarity, perspective or experience to help others along their way.

Is that all there is to it?

Most definitely not. Well, I don’t know.

Sourcing the picture for Diana, I came across the lyrics to the related song.

I read vs listened to the lyrics to Stairway to Heaven for the first time since I was a teenager.

Read them with the tone of “enlightenment” fresh in my mind from the prompt.

I thought — Geez — Page and Plant have summed it all up.

“Your stairway lies on the whispering wind…if you listen very hard, the tune will come to you at last

When all are one and one is all”— Page/Plant

Confusing hey?! Well, it is if you have never listened hard to the tune of “you”.

Clarity of your own mind — is that enlightenment? Or just gathering intel towards enlightenment?

No idea.

And still, I am smiling.

Smiling. Amused to be confused.

The enlightenment I seek shows and grows as I show and grow.

No beginning. No end.

A give and take cycle — cups of enlightenment flowing and filling other cups until we become one. One cup filled with all the answers? The source or the vessel. The vessel or the source.

Does anyone TRULY know the answer beyond a shadow of a doubt?

Or do we just have to have the faith we will know one day?

I will stick with the faith of knowing one day for now.

I really don’t have the patience to sit in silence for twenty years — but then again, I don’t have to. I just have to be me.
Nightly Emotion — My Ashes — Porcupine Tree
By: Jesse Britten
Tags: Porcupine Tree, Lyrics, Progressive Rock

This is one of those songs that you’ll probably understand better once you’ve lived a little. There are some old souls out there that will get it regardless. As for myself, I didn’t really understand it until I went through my psychotic break and lost my fiance.

This is a rather nihilistic outing by the band and, I know, it really isn’t metal. This was one of those songs that took me out of my mostly metal funk on an album that I feel deserves more praise and attention. Steven Wilson is brilliant as a writer. While this song isn’t metal it’s depressive in tone and thus, I feel, has metal sensibilities.

The voice sounds sad about falling in line with a world that never brought him any happiness. In the end, it really won’t matter I suppose. Isolation is the medicine that the downtrodden consume to innoculate themselves from their disillusionment.

Honestly, it’s very hard for me to interpret any lyrics. I’m schizotypal and the figurative is usually just out of my mind’s grasp. I’ll do my best. My favorite bit is the following:

I will stay in my own world

Under the covers

I will feel safe inside



The kiss that will burn me

Cure me of dreaming

I was always returning



And my ashes find a way beyond the fog

And return to save the child that I forgot

It’s really easy to keep coming back to the things that make you temporarily happy. I relate to this because I tend to hide away from the world. It only makes things worse because I become less and less in touch with the world that everyone else lives in. Though I might die not having fully experienced my life the way others have actions will carry on and impact other lives despite that.

I could be way off here, but that’s what think about when I hear this song. The song is darkly reminiscent and looks at the better years of the past mournfully. It’s one of those things that people do when they take their current situation for granted. Either way, when you become ashes you’re spread back in amongst all the places and memories of your life.

Personally, I toil with what happens after death as I’m sure we all do. I worry that I’m just going to be lost in the static. Once my family is gone, and I’m gone what’s left of me besides my calcium in the mud? It is usually what drives most people. At this point, there’s no way to make yourself timeless other than to do and make as much as you can so that those that come after you will look upon your work gratefully. The more people that love you the more you carry on through them.

Image retrieved from (Fear Of A Blank Planet, 2012) on burningshed.com
Just Because.
By: Pranay Palvadi
Tags: Poem, Songs, Lyrics, Poetry, Introspection

Just because I haven’t ever seen a body drop,

Just because I haven’t worked back to back jobs,

Just because I didn’t grow up with a single mom,

Doesn’t mean I don’t work nonstop.

Now I’m not saying I lived the same as people who overcame things I’ve never even seen.

People who dodge gunshots as part of their routine,

People who love the night cuz they’re safe in their dreams,

People who live life with no guarantees.

All I’m trying to say is that looks may deceive,

Cuz my life has always been really far from a dream,

It hurts to keep my head up because I lack the self- esteem.

I want to admit defeat but I have to succeed,

I’m supposed to show the world everything I can achieve.

But that’s not how life works because it’s filled with deceit.

You think you’re on top but you’re really just naive,

Soon life will pull you down and have you begging on your knees.

Words provide relief for all my wounds that can’t be seen,

They always seem to make my mind feel whole and more complete,

They help to ease my mind,

when my thoughts are obscene,

when I have no relief,

They help me feel free.

They’ve helped me come to terms with my situation.

One of my downfalls is my lack of patience

I expect perfection before I learn the basics.

Ever since I was young I’ve craved admiration.

It was the fuel to my fire It was my motivation.

In my mind, it was disguised as my salvation.

Now I’m drowning in all the expectations,

I have to think before I act I move with hesitation.

Just because I haven’t been scared to go outside

Just because I haven’t had to see my parents high

Just because I haven’t wondered how to move a month’s supply

Doesn’t mean it's easy all the time.

Just because I haven’t ever seen a body drop

Just because I haven’t worked back to back jobs

Just because I didn’t grow up with a single mom

Doesn’t mean I don’t work nonstop.
Time Worm
Tags: Writing, Dreams, Journalism, Lyrics, Poetry

[girl on swing]

I always wondered whatever happened to you

god it was so long ago

how many lifetimes ago

I don’t think I’ll ever know

I always used to write about you

and then I went away in my mind

and you didn’t come up that often

sometimes I still write about you

Super strange how I saw you in the mirror

I thought I was done with you

good riddance to bad rubbish

that’s what I always say

I always wondered well maybe if we

you know like these days how they are

I don’t know really, just seems like

if I said yes, you’d say yes