The Price we pay (A trilogy)

The Journalist

A husband a son

A mortar a gun

A landscape that cannot forgive

A hidden life taker

A cruel widow maker

A death for our right to live

A mother a daughter

Face down in the water

Whose crime was to stand in the way

And from deep in a hole

Some war hungry mole

Decided it’s a small price to pay
A man with a book

And a twisted outlook

Sent the code out to our distant lands

This woke up the sleepers

Indiscriminate death keepers

And then he washed his hands

This cold Tuesday morning

Without conscience or warning

A plume took its hold on the sky

A blast mangled station

Acute devastation

The relatives break down and cry

The Cynic

An old sergeant major

A hero I’ll wager

Decides that it’s time we dug in

He gives the command

Points to some other land

Says now push off and bring me a win
A general with stars

And armoured staff cars

Watches dots on computerised skies

With one flick of the wrist

Ten more men don’t exist

But he's sure they were wonderful guys

Somewhere out east

A tyrannical beast

Uses scripture to strike up the band

They don’t read our writing

Get out there start fighting

And get back my once sacred land

The Warrior

I’ll stand up and fight

I’ve a true sense of right

Your future is safe in my hands

I’m fit and I’m able

And mentally stable

To strike down the foe down where he stands

I’m ready for orders

For fanatic marauders

And keen to restore status quo

I’m loaded with pride

As I wait for my ride

To employ all the skills that I know

A skewed view of the night

Through an infrared sight

Using method all trusted and tried

A cafe a school

No hard and fast rule

All places for snipers to hide

I park up the armour

Watch Mac the charmer

As he tries to establish rapport

He gleans information

A local train station

Could house who we’re all looking for

A perimeter laid

A gunshot grenade!

A barrage of fire from the tracks

All frenzy and rush

A god damn ambush

Find cover before th -

With the greatest of respect Lee
Remember those who gave and those yet to give

Tingle

lascivious lips ambrosia to tongue
scintillating skin rising falling
heady perfume
invading essence
breath upon breath
resounding mindsong
become one become one
entwined defined
moon etched shadow
diaphanous silk
yeilding unveiling
tangled limbs meld

screaming receptors
tingle

25 reggae classics a bluffers guide

TWENTY FIVE REGGAE CLASSICS A BLUFFERS GUIDE

1 DANDY LIVINGSTONE - BIG CITY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_TOUsdkFLY

2 TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS - SIT RIGHT DOWN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIRb31nvfE8

3 TIGER - GUILTY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moRNILuCUM0

4 ERIC BARNETT - THE HORSE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZZCQJvLdP0

5 THE UPSETTERS - CLINT EASTWOOD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emtOqF5_gD0

6 LOUISA MARKS - CAUGHT YOU IN A LIE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86cFvep12GY

7 LORNA BENNETT - CHAPEL OF LOVE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng4Dth-Ytlo

8 WINSTON GROOVY - PLEASE DONT MAKE ME CRY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWBNLNXD4B8

9 HARRY J ALLSTARS - LIQUIDATOR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZqjFd99CPg

10 VALENTINES - BLAM BLAM FEVER

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSgtUYGjX_w

11 DAVE AND ANSELL COLLINS - MONKEY SPANNER

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcfaplTCYyk

12 ZAP POW - THIS IS REGGAE MUSIC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE6VWD5bwD8

13 TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS - FUNKY KINGSTON

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERiTX9Pa23c

14 THE VULCANS - STAR TREK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgEJpjsoXdM

15 MONTEGO MELON - SWAN LAKE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ9X5dgaQ_s

16 WINSTON GROOVY - FUNKY CHICKEN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGBlAYOXpxY

17 PLUTO - DAT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FYTL8ydERw

18 RUPIE EDWARDS - IRIE FEELINGS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZZlQqG7hEg

19 DESMOND DEKKER - IT MEK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-V9Y752OYs

20 PRINCE BUSTER - TOO HOT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmNkSzGH7uQ

21 GEORGE DEKKER - TIME HARD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta7uNdSZ2EU

22 PYRAMIDS - GERONIMO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTOnpk6CJ0Q

23 U ROY & JOHN HOLT - WEAR YOU TO THE BALL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh1mZnKff38

24 HOPETON LEWIS - GROOVIN OUT ON LIFE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FePUQwxaQU

25 HORACE FAITH - BLACK PEARL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z870c1MnFXo

Look at her A Poem

She was all i had
you feckless angels of fate
look into my soul
see all this stuff
trade with it what you will
for ill have no countenance
with you and your ilk
look at her
is this a days work done
is this to be her swansong
and these onlookers her ovation
look at her
shatterd and framed in her own waining dignity
her lifeblood on show for all to see
you winged harbingers of doom
look at her
is this what the end her life ammouted to
twisted steel and tyreworn tar
make not your move she is not yours yet
and what of chiors, pyres and bell screaming spiers
are these for the chosen few.
minions of your cruel domain
she gave me life and forged me thus
look at her
were you affraid she'd become your nemisis
you know not of fear
fear is the grey that fuels my anger
stand there and be judged you pious thieves
look at her
your victorious spoil
well know this your victory is as hollow as your promise
and i will counter your heartless deed
and justify her existance.
enough
your righteous gait offends me
be gone and leave me look at her

(The Man In The tower)

A few more words of wisdom

There are so many people who know what the lord says but so few who know what the lord does (The Man In The Tower)

If you see the light revel in it but be careful not to get blinded by it (The Man In The Tower)

Faith is a humbling meeting with the lord not a suit of armour to be worn in his name (The Man In The Tower)

You can take away anothers dignity and revel in your superiority but you cannot use that dignity to bolster your own (The Man In The Tower)

50 Soul songs from the 70s a bluffers guide

Ok so thats enough of the sayings and religious stuff
im going to move on to a section i call
50 Soul songs from the seventies A Bluffers guide
(In no particular order)

1,DETROIT EMERALDS - I THINK OF YOU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x4fRTqouSY

2,JIMMY RUFFIN - TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w3jqFEOC-c

3,WISON PICKETT - MR MAGIC MAN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOptHbkRHMg

4,CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD - EVERYTHING IS TUESDAY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK9imijEZ1U

5,BULLDOG - NO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIw2OW4T6bs

6,O'JAYS - TIME TO GET DOWN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e13KXuIJPWc

7,DONNIE ELBERT - WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IL4aIn0YKY

8,CHI-LITES - STONED OUT OF MY MIND
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4pYXBbylAU

9,LEE GARRETT - YOU'RE MY EVERYTHING
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTcLrLUKR9Q

10,DON DOWNING - LONELY DAYS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2Z00-oXcMU

11,AL GREEN - CALL ME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTpIHph07Mo

12,ANN PEEBLES - KEEP ME HANGIN ON
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsPvCx0BNK8

13,DRAMATICS - IN THE RAIN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RACIhmZuilA

14,ROSE ROYCE - WISHING ON A STAR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMmrvB3VkCA

15,HOLLAND DOZIER - WHY CANT WE BE LOVERS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egs7vH5alSg

16,MOMENTS - JACK IN THE BOX
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCH5DE1fEIE

17,ELGINS - STAY IN MY LONELY ARMS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1sAHRKi_H4

18,SYLVIA - PILLOW TALK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjqYAqR6eZg

19,BILLY PAUL - YOUR SONG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_i9l16yVug

20,THE WHISPERS - A MOTHER FOR MY CHILDREN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFwPj0usDIQ

21,BROTHERS JOHNSON - STRAWBERRY LETTER 23
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDNvGVp5o3A

22, DIANA ROSS & MARVIN GAYE - MY MISTAKE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He1ZNKojRkQ

23,HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES - I MISS YOU 1&2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REdEUoLYBQw

24 DENICE WILLIAMS - FREE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9GnkEF_on0

25,STAPLE SINGERS - I'LL TAKE YOU THERE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXvKRZRofDE

26,WILLIAM DEVAUGHN - BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU GOT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDTXljIqxRE

27,YVONNE FAIR - IT SHOULD'VE BEEN ME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q64jDvTnm8

25,JOHNNY BRISTOL - HANG ON IN THERE BABY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKsAgXH9ci4

26,ISLEY BROTHERS - HIGHWAYS OF MY LIFE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygAKlgB-8Ys

27,BLOODSTONE - NATURAL HIGH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbB5m4D6_Q0

28,EDDIE HOLMAN - HEY THERE LONELY GIRL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEmubT9NkN8

29,GLADY'S KNIGHT AND THE PIPS - MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGIA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV_aBeF2dXk

30,THE FOUR TOPS - ITS ALL IN THE GAME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB48ZvBHmxQ

31,MAIN INGREDIENT - EVERYBODY PLAYS THE FOOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3jg3af1aV4

32,MILLIE JACKSON - HURTS SO GOOD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq4U_ZE2usk

33,STYLISTICS - YOU ARE EVERYTHING
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cTOIPZw_t0

34,FREDA PAYNE - THE EASIEST WAY TO FALL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ammfmwRLdrI

35,THE FLAMING EMBER - WESTBOUND No9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvp-LOrW86k

36,THE INTUDERS - ILL ALWAYS LOVE MY MAMA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GjxlguPYo0

37,SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE - FAMILY AFFAIR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RmKBFND9SY

38,STRETCH - WHY DID YOU DO IT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0wLS4mQ2qU

39,BOBBY WOMACK - ACROSS 110th STREET
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOg_8hCC4u4

40,ROBERTA FLACK - FEEL LIKE MAKIN LOVE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzeTYJbe-98

41,BROTHER TO BROTHER - IN THE BOTTLE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnTzicgbX1c

42,ETTA JAMES - OUT ON THE STREETS AGAIN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms2QScl3iTQ

43,TAMS - HEY GIRL DONT BOTHER ME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EpiypN1DKI

44,SYL JOHNSON - COULD I BE FALLING IN LOVE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy6OVlXriR8

45DAVID RUFFIN - WALK AWAY FROM LOVE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gCemjR5jNs

46,YVONNE ELLIMAN - LOVE ME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9Leo4GRCjI

47,TIMMY THOMAS - WHY CANT WE LIVE TOGETHER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAvuxLf80Jo

48,JOE SIMON - STEP BY STEP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHQSYEQhu-Q

49DELFONICS - DID'NT I BLOW YOUR MIND THIS TIME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm2g-Q17Q6I

50,FAT LARRY'S BAND - ZOOM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=570_eo9HHD8

A Couple more quotes

The coat of self importance is gossamic and prone to holes (The Man In The Tower)

Are all the bits in the bible about humility , charity and helping the fallen written in a different language or do they just get in the way of all that vengency glory smitey stuff, surley if you only read about these you're destined to lose the plot. (The Man In The Tower)

A narrow mind can only hold an argument that is at best thin. (The Man In The Tower)

The first thing i am going to do when i inherit the earth is forgive those who would see me suffer , oh and get one of those t-shirts with my name on the front (The Man In The Tower)

Another Poem

JULIET


JULIET IF YOU CAN HEAR ME
OR EVEN UNDERSTAND
PLEASE GIVE ME A SIGN
JUST TRY AND SQUEEZE MY HAND
I KNOW I WASN'T THERE FOR YOU
AS YOUR WORLD JUST FELL APART
I'M THE REASON FOR YOUR HABIT
AND YOUR STILL AND LIFELESS HEART
BUT I'M HERE NOW
SO VERY NEAR NOW
WONT YOU OPEN UP YOUR EYES
AND TELL ME EVERYTHINGS OK
BUT IM HERE NOW
SO VERY NEAR NOW
WONT YOU DO THAT THING YOU DO
THAT MAKES MY SADNESS MELT AWAY

JULIET I AM SO SORRY
FOR THE TEAR STAINS ON YOUR SKIN
FOR THE PIN HOLES IN YOUR ARMS
WHERE YOU PUSHED YOUR NEW LIFE IN
FOR THE TIMES I LEFT YOU CRYING
IN A STATE OF SUCH DESPAIR
HOW I CAST ASIDE YOUR QUESTIONS
WHEN YOU ASKED ME WHY I DONT CARE
BUT I'M HERE NOW
SO VERY NEAR NOW
WONT YOU OPEN UP YOUR EYES
AND TELL ME EVERYTHINGS OK
BUT IM HERE NOW
SO VERY NEAR NOW
WONT YOU DO THAT THING YOU DO
THAT MAKES MY SADNESS MELT AWAY

JULIET THE SUNLIGHT
CASTS SHADOWS ON YOUR BED
MY HEAD IS OVERLOADED
WITH THE THINGS I SHOULD'VE SAID
JULIET I AM SO FRIGHTEND
AND IVE GOT NOWHERE TO HIDE
AND MY MIND CANT COMPREHEND
THE FACT THAT JULIET YOU HAVE DIED
STILL I'M HERE NOW
SO VERY NEAR NOW
WONT YOU OPEN UP YOUR EYES
AND TELL ME EVERYTHINGS OK
BUT I'M HERE NOW
SO VERY NEAR NOW
CANT YOU HAVE A WORD WITH GOD
AND ASK TO GIVE ME ONE MORE DAY
JULIET..........

(The Man In The Tower)

A Poem

GOD FOUND ME

I FOUND LIFE
IN THE DARKEST FACES
I FOUND FREEDOM IN THE MOST
RESTRICTIVE PLACES
I FOUND TRUTH IN THE
ARMS OF LIES
I FOUND SUNLIGHT SHINING
THROUGH THE DARKEST SKIES
I DIDN'T FIND GOD
HE FOUND ME

I FOUND PEACE
TO FEED MY SENSES
I FOUND CONCRETE WALLS
TO HELP BREAK DOWN MY FENCES
I FOUND DOORS
OF THE COLDEST STEEL
AND SOMEONE ELSE'S
VISION OF WHAT'S REAL
I DIDN'T FIND GOD
HE FOUND ME

EIGHT BY TEN
IS ROOM ENOUGHT TO CHANGE A MANS MIND
EIGHT BY TEN
IS BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD A MANS WORLD
EIGHT BY TEN
IS ALL YOU NEED TO GET PERSPECTIVE
EIGHT BY TEN
TO REDEFINE YOUR TRUE OBJECTIVE

I FOUND SIGHT
IN A MOMENT OF PURE BLIDNESS
IN CRUEL AND SELFISH WORLD
I FOUND TRUE KINDNESS
I FOUND WISDOM
IN THE WORDS OF RANDOM FOOLS
I FOUND ORDER
IN AMONGST THE BROKEN RULES
I DIDN'T FIND GOD
HE FOUND ME

GOD FOUND ME
HE FOUND ME NEEDING
HE FOUND ME HOLDING OUT MY WRISTS
TO WATCH THEM BLEEDING
GOD FOUND ME
HE FOUND ME PRAYING
HE DIDN'T HEAR A SINGLE WORD
BUT KNEW WHAT I WAS SAYING
GOD FOUND ME
HE HEARD ME CALLING
HE SLOWLY REACHED OUT OF THE DARK
AND HE STOPPED ME FALLING

HE SAID TAKE MY HAND
AND WE'LL MOVE ON
HE SAID TAKE MY HAND
AND WE'LL MOVE ON

(The Man In The Tower)

Qoutes and observations

These are a few qoutes that are running around my head after a recent affront on my sensibilities.
This blog is to be a storehouse of my thoughts, observations and oppinions on a whole range of stuff. Please feel free to use any of this stuff .( but please give me credit)........ here goes

An argument is like a patch of rust it matters not where it manifests itself. its point of origin is almost always some distance hence . but be sure of this it would have lain waste to all it touched on its journey. (The Man In The Tower)

See the whole picture not just that which pleases the eye every picture no matter how abhorrent needs perspective to be convincing . (The Man In The Tower)

The greatest work of fiction only entertains those who are not in possesion of the facts. (The Man In The Tower)

Anyone who claims to have found god and then fights in his name . have only justified themselves to their concience . and found someone to blame for the consequenses . (The Man In The Tower)

If you choose to destroy an old friend do so with moderation . their defences may still be down from the last time they had to stand by your side . and besides you may need all the energy you have to quell you concience . (The Man In The Tower)

If you choose to occupy the moral high ground all you can see is other peoples failings (The Man In The Tower)