Because I can't keep quiet in the face of stupidity...heh, no matter who listens....

First, why is it we continually seem to look towards Beauty Pageant contestants for leaders? Ignoring my own professed beliefs...I think the past couple have been compelling reasons not to bother!

That could go into many other beautiful arguments and theories but for another day.

The other thing that pisses me off - two idiots (I do not use this lightly) on Revelife decided to make the claim that Christians were a "hated" group. News flash - just because someone doesn't agree with you, doesn't make you a hated group.

Ever been to a white supremacy website (check out Jew Watch if you're direly interested)? Their entire argument is that they believe in the freedom of others - but God forbid those minority groups work in the system and happen to come out on top of the majority. "The majority people in each nation deserve better." Essentially - you can live, so long as I get representation and what I say is considered right - only me.

Hmm, so that's what makes a hate group. It couldn't possibly be that people find the ideas utter ludicrous.

Forgive, this might totally be out of place for me here, but I'm bisexual and half Haitian. I honestly don't know how I got the idea in my head, but somehow I thought I had a better idea of hate and discrimination.

Let's look at the hate crime statistics recorded by the FBI for 2007.

52.2 percent were motivated by a racial bias
16.4 percent resulted from religious bias
16.2 percent resulted from sexual-orientational bias

Well, seems the religious beat us. Of course, it's not exactly mandatory for local law enforcement agencies to record hate crime information (http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/Articles/000,004.htm). You don't possibly think that some states could give a damn less about what queers get killed, do you? Without hate crime punishments within a good deal of states still? No, not at all possible.

Well, now, let's break this down, shall we? According to the FBI, of those committed in anti-religious bias,

68.4 percent were anti-Jewish
9.5 percent were anti-other religion
9.0 percent were anti-Islamic
4.4 percent were anti-Catholic
4.3 percent were anti-multiple religions, group
4.0 percent were anti-Protestant
0.4 percent were anti-Atheism/Agnosticism/etc

Hmm...so, combining the Catholics and Protestants...that's 8.4% anti-Christian hate crimes. (you know, versus the 68.4% anti-Jewish ones).

Now, breaking down the sexual-orientation in a similar fashion,

59.2 percent were classified as anti-male homosexual bias
24.8 percent were reported as anti-homosexual bias
12.6 percent were prompted by an anti-female homosexual bias
1.8 percent were the result of an anti-heterosexual bias
1.6 percent were classified as anti-bisexual bias

So, even will our less than accurate numbers (for those who have gone unreported who were gay, etc.), considering there was a .2 percent difference between the religious and sexual-orientation people victim to hate crimes, there was about 89.8% more people victim of a hate crime with anti-sexuality bias than those victim of hate crimes with a anti-Christian bias.

Wait, wait - Christians are a hate group?

Heh, forgive me if I'm a little confused - who has the right to marry at the moment? Better yet - who has legal benefits given by the State that I don't have?? Want to talk about housing situations? How they're fucked as a result of anti-racial discrimination that we're still feeling the affects for? Or how about that if my name were Jamal, I would have 50% less of a chance of being hired (http://books.google.com/books?id=9I7ExPk-920C&pg=PA226&lpg=PA226&dq=Black+names+job+employment&source=bl&ots=r6Wsam1HvT&sig=eNcRkSPD3dnOAAA6kAP2jhQuvgE&hl=en&ei=L2T3SfeAD6WsNaOLoLYP&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8#PPA226,M1) than if I submitted an application with my actual name?

Hate group? Are you kidding me? I'm floored! No, I'm insulted. I'm flabbergasted. In this country, you have the audacity to complain that just because your ideas are opposed, you feel you're hated? Perhaps you should recheck your ideas.

I believe in free speech; I believe in it because only in open dialogue can we further in progress. This is the perpetuation of idiocy.

 

 

 

 

 

In other news, gay Iraqis are dying by torture: http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2009/04/26/10950#comments
In Uganda, people still push for jail-time for life for being found to be gay: http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2009/04/24/10921#comments
Antisemitism is on the rise again in Europe: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/883342.html
I'm still able to find pictures like this online:
 (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://patdollard.com/wp-content/uploads/nigger-make-up.jpg&imgrefurl=http://patdollard.com/2008/07/theyll-call-me-a-nigger-mccain-and-hussein-have-begun-nastiest-presidential-battle-in-decades/&usg=__0olbGA313rc2GpCXQ49eW0QRcU0=&h=290&w=400&sz=29&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=tcQhMM3UuJfgtM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnigger%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1)
Many still don't understand sexism when faced with it.
And for way too "comfortable" an amount of people, I'm still a nigger - and I'm still a faggot

What's that other negative word people call me for being Christian? Oh, right - there is none

It was a good day, up to the end where all visible lines smeared. "Why can't life be easy?" Free will and luck. Yet even I could say that's a pretty crap-ass answer. There is an afterlife, there is an afterlife, there is an afterlife.... (that's my brand of humor, btw)

I had a ton I wanted to say in this entry and now I can't think of anything. Oh well.

You know, I honestly think Tommy is very smart and incredibly insightful. But he makes so many rash and not smart decisions way too often. Gotta love the kid anyway, though.

I was talking to this pretty cool today when I went to see my friend. We were discussing parenting (which was actually intensely amusing) and she mentioned that she wouldn't be ready because it means living for someone else and not just yourself, something she was not at all ready for yet. And I responded, "Well, yes, but aren't you already living for others?" And I already knew the distinction before saying it, though. It's your viewpoint on life - are you thinking about how you ought to be justly treated or are you thinking how you should justly act towards each person? I wouldn't be ready for a kid at this point - it's physically impossible to keep after the child when I'm struggling to take after myself at the moment.

I attended Mass today because Father Caster will be gone tomorrow. And the times for St. Patrick's are far too early for me to even hope to wake up on time Sunday. It was really nice. I was watching the alter servers, because (having done it for God knows how many years and having had to often be the one to instruct the younger kids on how to do it (more than often my brother and sister)) I like to see how they do, whether they seem to be enjoying the job. It's honestly one of the only things I can really say my mother did right, making me join alter serving. I love it. It has something to do with the Catholic church as well but when you're walking down that aisle it just becomes you're in control. One of those few places where, yeah, there're probably a ton of eyes on me and yet I'm in my own place, just feeling in myself, "I'm home."

You're lucky, Tommy. You know what you want, clearly - even know how to go about it, relatively.

Dark weekends in the sun
     out on Chelsea rode
Descending the stairs
     Ah, Frankie, my world
Check your makeup in the mirror
     C'mon, babe, let's go
We'll dance 'round this dirty town
     'til the night is all done

Let all the finer things sleep alone tonight
Let all the minor kings lose their thrones tonight
Don't worry 'bout us baby,
     we'll be alright...
-Bruce Springsteen

I'll have to show you Gurnee sometimes. Gages Lake, the Woodland schools, Grays Lake - Hell, even Warren Township. Oh, and library. Geez, that library could be a bibliophile's dream (alright, maybe it's just satisfactory, but I'm nostalgic at the moment...).

I don't exactly know why but it was always like even the most frequented of places had so much nature maintained. There're just fields next to that library. And the park, next to the youth center, was always fun to just bike ride out to. There's trails and trails of confusing and unknown neighborhoods to ride through. Occasionally you'd get to just a pile of dirt to ride all over from some construction. Or you'd just get to a nature preserve, tranquil and quiet. And the Gurnee mall, of course. Not nearly as utterly satisfying to trail around all day with a friend in as the mall in Evanston (I've gotta take you there someday as well. Northwestern, the park, just the neighborhoods...).

I dunno. There was something about Gurnee that was just capturing. A peace that only nature could give you yet is unending in its empty parking lots and empty buildings. Just gotta see it.

Well, it's been roughly 5 months that I've been single now. My younger self would never believe it possible, but I don't think I've done that since before Freshman year. Actually, I think the most time would probably be 3 months, generally (quite often), 2. And I didn't even start the interest for more than half the girls I've dated. I'll never understand why anyone would meet me and suddenly take interest in me. Yet that's happened...and yes, they generally end out bad (though who am I kidding, nearly all of my relationships end out bad).

So, to remember this depressing dry spell (honestly, when I try not to date, someone comes along; when I could care less, no one sticks out (or stays in contact with me long enough!)) - I'm gonna do a survey. I have never realized how hard these are to find without stealing from a friend. For once, a search engine failed me.

Quick note before, though - Dr. Rick Carter does have an emoticon - D. See the mustache?? This is officially the only one I will ever use.

::FIRST, A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF::
Name - PBJ

Gender - gender's perfomative, but socially accepted as male

Age - 18

Birthday - Nov. 22nd

Sign - no clue

Sexual orientation - bisexual

Height - 5'6"

Weight - 156, last I checked. probably has went up since then

Body Type - Umm?

Ethnic Background - Haitian, German, French, Spanish, Scottish, English, Polish
Languages you speak - English, bit of spanish (though I can read it far better than I can write or speak it). My own languages are still taking some time to learn

Religious persuasion - what is that even? Um, Catholic, if I'm guessing right the question

Relationship Status - single, hence why I'm filling you out

If single, are you looking? Or do you not care? What's the dealio? - it's complicated

::OPPOSITE SEX PHYSICAL PREFERENCES:: - you ask orientation, then limit this to the opp. gender??
Hair color - no preference

Hair Style - actually wouldn't care. just about anything has looked fine (then again, I'm not exactly picky). though pigtails have always reminded me of porn; and I've just shattered the hearts of many little children. sorry

Eye Color - doesn't matter. red eyes are cool, though. of course, that also means you have to be albino, but it's a perk, if you ask me

Skin Tone - don't care

Ethnic Background - could care less

Height - doesn't really matter; I've dated girls taller than me, though it seems the shorter one's are always the ones to pursue (with the exception of curly)

Weight - just how shallow do you think I am?

Body Type - beauty is a false face

Fashion Style - generally plain. I'm dreadfully boring, I know, but I think the most attractive outfit is a hoodie and jeans. while I've never dated anyone who needed to constantly wear dresses or anything, wild out there styles are fine as well. it's a good reflection of the personality

Subculture (if you had to choose) - goth, hands down. gothic chicks rule

Do any of these preferences usually apply? not really. they're all very surface level. and not every girl out there is gothic, so that ruins that

::WHAT YOU LOOK FOR PHYSICALLY IN THE OPPOSITE SEX::
Favorite body part to touch? - at the point of a relationship before marriage, hand or back (when holding the individual). I don't have wondering hands, the other does generally (*cough*Emma*cough*)

Favorite body part to look at? - BOOBS. definitely. in fact, if I'm talking to you and you're a girl, I'm probably not even paying attention; just staring at the twins (that was sarcasm, if you couldn't catch it)

Any physical characteristics you find most attractive? - I have this odd thing with hands. and a smile can be a killer. But the hand thing is still superficial and a smile lies a little more on personality.

Any physical characteristics you find unattractive? - not really. people are wonderful, all in all

Are there any accents you like? Dislike? - no, I wouldn't say so, though I'd most prefer a Chicago accent. I like ours the best, I found, when once comparing

Do you like it when they wear nail polish? - no

Do you like it when they wear make up of any kind? - definitely not. people look best naturally; make up does nothing, if you ask me

How do you like them to carry themselves? - however they damn well please

Any mannerism you find attractive or unattractive? - non that I can think of at the moment

::NON-PHYSICAL PREFERENCES:: - finally!
Personality traits you find attractive - gotta have a sense of humor. outgoing can be good, sometimes, but so can being shy and quiet. I confess I'm first pulled to shy people. is intelligence a personality trait? it does influence how someone is a lot. that's deathly important. gotta be smart (as I massacre this with awful grammar). attentive. I like attention - I admit.

Personality traits you find unattractive - lying, rude, back-stabber, hypocritical, ignorant, stubborn, high matenance, uncompromising, ignores, avoids, self-righteous, pretentious, uncaring, vain, self-centered

How important are morals to you? - quite, though that can boil down to care about others. you hurt someone (and don't care), forget me giving you the time of day

Do political views affect how you see them? - not really, considering more than half the girls I've dated were conservative (I'm a liberal bisexual - why were they interested again? Okay, technically Lindsay didn't know beforehand...). your views, in general, will affect me, but unless you're a psycho variety from either the liberal (you know, advocate for repeal of age consent laws or some shit like that) or conservative (think you're a prophet, want to make gays second class citizens, want to conserve old laws like seperate but equal, shit like that) side, we ought to be fine. Honestly, an intelligent and well-leveled conservative will disagree with me most on economic issues - and if we can't talk civilly about that, we may need to worry about our relationship moreso than our politics. Politics is mostly dumb culture war and that's all people know of it - there's really no actual reason to fight

Do you like it or dislike it when they curse frequently? - cursing reminds me that you can still think and don't allow society's views affect your judgement in life. while I will need you to realize saying, "Fuck," around a five-year-old is unacceptable, words are words and should be treated as such

Do they have to share your religious views to be compatible with you? - not at all, though every single one so far has, oddly enough (or relatively enough, at least). Though I might find some qualm if you're a Calvinist. just maybe

[This -or- That]
Good girl/boy -or- Bad girl/boy? - can I pick moderate?

Rocker -or- Hip Hopper? - I'd love someone who's into hip hop, just because I find so little, but I love rock with a passion as well, so that's fine. however, if they're into rock, they better be cool with metal. the only metal I can excuse would be death metal (just because you can't understand a word of it anyway and it's way to sporadic)

Dog person -or- Cat person? - either is cool. I love both

Liberal -or- Conservative? - preferably liberal, but economically conservative is fine as well. libertarians rock

Disciplined -or- Free spirited? - mix of both. there's a time for everything

Safe -or- Dangerous? - I value my life (heh, well, usually...)

Completely laid back and calm -or- Hyper and flamboyant? - oy. I do have a history of hyper ex's. though I suppose I'd need both. I opperate in extremes, which means either insanely out there (and taking nothing I say seriously) to quite serious, sober, and melancholy. eh, 'tis me

Virgin -or- Experienced? - I really wouldn't care how many they've had sex with in the past, but they'd have to understand I plan on staying a virgin until marriage. however, if they are quite experienced, getting tested may be required

Rational -or- Emotional? - rational, please

Very shy -or- Very outgoing? - answered above

Introverted -or- Extroverted? - introverted in that they ought to be reflective. people are the most complex of things - know yourself. extroverted in that I hate being shut out. keep in connection with me, let me in. I don't want to feel like I'm up against this wall peering through a hole

A creature of habit -or- Unpredictable? - probably habit. it would depend, I suppose.

A hopless romantic -or- A horndog? - what the Hell's a horndog? romantic, please. otherwise it'll be weird when I'm rediculous with the gifts and whatnot... D

Simple and boring -or- Complicated yet intriguing? - isn't that phrased a bit biasedly? complicated. I need someone complex

Innocent and naive -or- Wise and knowledgable? - they ought to be knowledgable in what they know. Know lots and tons. Knowledge has never hurt anyone - only the lack of it has. however, they should probably be innocent and naïve in what they've done in their life

Hot -or- Cute? - cute. based more on personality

Ugly and totally compatible -or- Gorgeous and completely obnoxious? - Can I get an Ugly for a Success Relationship?

Proper and polite -or- Rough around the edges? - depends. Fighting Sorina over the cheesecake and stuffing our faces was total fun and definitely a turn on on her part, even though it was totally not etiquette. however, you've gotta be polite to people and give them curtiosy.

Intense and passionate -or- Sweet and reserved? - um, geez, gotta be passionate somewhere, I guess. the intense though is a little frightening, while the sweet definitely catches the eye. Sweet and passionate?

Outspoken and highly opinionated -or- Happy-go-lucky pacifist? - I guess the first one

Smooth and sexy -or- Adorable and awkward? - adorable and awkward. awkward girls are so cute, plus they make you feel more comfortable about being yourself around them. and it's different because usually people say be normal, you'll fit in, etc. So it's like defying the status quo by being yourself

::YOUR VIEWS ON DATING/RELATIONSHIPS::
What is dating by your defintion? - a mutual agreement of entering a relationship higher than friendship by two (or I guess more, for those "breaking boundaries" types) people

What is a relationship by your defintion? - I dunno. a statement that defines a connection between two people. acquantances, friends, family, partners, even fuck buddies - all relationships

Can you date more than one person at a time? - others may choose to. me, I'm monogamous and will expect from the gf/bf the same as well

Can you have a relationship with more than one person at a time? - according to my definition, we all are

What constitutes cheating? - while I don't approve of looking at (or checking out) other people during a relationship, I suppose I still wouldn't consider it cheating. however, flirting, making out, starting another relationship at the same time - all no

Is cheating ever justifiable? - not really. I probably won't hate you forever, so long as you apoligize. but it might be harder to trust you

Would you get back with someone who cheated on you? - depends. see above

Would you expect to be taken back if you cheated on someone? - not at all

Kissing on the first date: Acceptable? - considering I kissed both Allison and Emma before the first date, I'd say so. not to mention, I kissed Chelsea before we even started dating

How about sex on the first date? - if you want to go home and masterbate to the wonderful memories I've given you that night, go right ahead. But abstinance for me (I think that's the first funny thing I've said this whole thing. what a shame)

One night stands? - HA (and no, that doesn't stand for Acid)

Sex outside of marriage in general: Acceptable or Not? - again, don't care about your past. but during the relationship, nope

Would you sleep with a gf/bf? - you haven't gotten this one yet, have you?

Would you sleep with just a friend? - no. that'd make things so awkward, because, as much as sex is utterly unrelated to love, people still put attachment to it (we have society to blame for that)

Would you kiss just a friend? - it wouldn't mean anything if I did, but no. I have not had problems with other friends kissing me, though (however, if you do it on the lips, I'm gonna have to wonder if you're coming on to me)

Would you do anything sexual at all with just a friend? - wasn't this asked before? well, if you consider making out sexual, then I guess yes, but that probably means I like them and want to go out with them (you'd think that'd be obvious)

What are your sexual boundaries? - nothing past first base

What do you consider a perfect first date? - I dunno. the date has to be there. but otherwise, we could do just about anything, I'd be fine. movie, walk. I still have yet to do that cook something together idea, so that'd probably be the next date I do with someone

What could your crush/bf/gf do to make you jealous? - heh, not much, probably. I actually get jealous really easily, but usually over small rediculous things. and I know they're rediculous. but yeah, just me

Guys: Would you always call her first? - eh. heh, any of my ex's can attest I don't make the first move often, unless I know by some means I can and things won't get weird or you won't mind it. but I generally suck at keeping up conversations, unless in person (and even then sometimes...), so better be ready to talk a lot. with Lindsay and jess, I'd just listen to them talk to themselves; I'm not at all hard to please, clearly. okay, maybe a bit

Girls: Would you get upset if he rarely/never called? - This and the last question are so sexist

What could a gf/bf do to make you feel insecure about your relationship? - avoid me, be unresponsive to stuff I do (like, I make a joke and you look like you weren't even paying attention; I do hope I'm not that boring). but I panik over little things too (granted, largely because my 1st to 5th gfs thought it wise, for whatever reason, to dance around anything rather than be straightforward with it. missed a date? break up's on the way)

Would you let your bf/gf be as free as they wanted to be? - what does that mean?

What would you do if you became/got your gf pregnant? - wouldn't ever happen

Relationships are 50/50: True or False? - absolutely

Once a cheater always a cheater: True or False? - naw

How do you know you like someone? - I dunno, you just know. generally you can't stop thinking about them, a lot. and you kinda jump when you hear their name (or think you do) or see them or their screen name comes up (sounds corny, but, hey, we really do live in the online age)

How do you know you LOVE someone? - geez...you just know, really. I mean, I only have one example, and I dunno. I just knew with her. with jess - I dunno. just knew

What is romantic love by your definition? - um...I dunno. romance. I dunno

Do you like people easily? - like? if crush qualifies, yes. if like as in long period of time, I'd say no, I guess. moderate there

Do you fall in love easily? - HA. I'm much too picky

How do you know your feelings are no longer there? - there's just nothing. you don't feel like seeing them, don't get excited anymore. it's a depressing point. stop making me think of it

What's the hardest part about a break up? - the other person's reactions. granted, the two times I've had to do it (heh, yes, I suck that much at dating), they were both kinda rediculous and the situations they were in just made me feel like an ass

Do you stop liking/fall out of love easily? - liking, as in crushes, yes. long term liking, not so much. depends on the person, really

Is there a difference between liking and crushing on someone? - yes. crush is kinda, "They might be interesting. I like the personality so far". Liking can consist of crushing but also you know them better and want to go out with them more strongly (or are just flat out interested in them)

How do you differenciate between liking and crushing? - see above

::CURRENTLY::
Like someone? - it's complicated

Crushing on someone? - not at the moment. there were some brief ones at the begining of the year

In love with someone? - not anymore. heh, feels so long ago

Dating around? - psh, I wish

Looking for someone? - it's fucking complicated

How relevant dating/relationships are to your life right now: ehh

And that took me an hour. Wow. D (okay, I just wanted to use it once more)

It got dark by 5 today. Winter is coming. Already November. There's a special day in that month...right?

I have to say, first (and probably last) time I've heard Twilight and Interview With the Vampire brought up in Sunday Mass. I have to wonder sometimes if I'm a Christian just because I've never known a better group of people to make the biggest deal about nothing; it's like a hotbed for controversy (and I just can't stay away...).

I finished my paper this morning, which I really enjoyed writing. I may post it here. If not, you can of course ask to see it, if it so interests you. The topic is quite intriguing, in my opinion. Let's hope the grade is just as much....

I really like my bosses. Tad random, but I don't think everyone can say that. They're really cool, in a totally ironic sense. And quite friendly (in a non-child-molesting sense).

Need to write again soon. But I'll get to that eventually. Putting off Chem. but I have time tomorrow. I just need sleep tonight, so I don't sleep through class again like last week.

I just rediscovered American McGee's Alice. I actually remember seeing it in some computer store (shut up, whatever quip you may have) with my dad when I was younger. At the time, I thought it was twisting the Alice In Wonderland story and didn't like it. Now, I so want it. Haven't heard of it? Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG_-3T1Tljw. Looks so good.

I have some ideas for verses I want to try out when I have the time. It always takes forever for me to be ready to do a verse, yet once I start writing, it just seems to come forth. Then again, most of the stuff I've written in the past I'm tearing apart, tossing away some, using the rest. I've noticed how much I've grown as lyricist over the past year - bad side? You realize how much you need to improve your future writing and how poor your past stuff was. But eh. Can only go up.

Yes, at this point you must be worrying at me. Several positive entries in a row? Jon, are you sick? I'd hate to invoke the calm before the storm image (largely because it doesn't make sense; before every catastrophe there doesn't have to be a calm; how can you make so general an assumption as that?), but who knows? Every up has it's down. I suppose I've just become used to. Heh, oh, yes, this is life; you know you're out there when a sarcastic and cynical statement like that makes you laugh and cheer up (that was a joke, despite the truth in it; c'mon, laugh...).

Madonna's new tour is called the Sticky and Sweet Tour.

I swear, if I could catch and read into liturature, ideas, and symbolism like I do sexual innuendos, I'd be a fantastic reader.

 

Not a bad weekend. Went to a party Friday and was a total wallflower, though that was expected. Went to Six Flags on Sat. and went on two roller coasters (though one was a moderate for kids, and mostly is significant because I got K. B. to ride a coaster. The one before it my brother probably would have killed to have been the one to get me on). I got no hw done, despite my plans. Today was hw. Missed breakfast and lunch. Ended up being one of the eucharistic ministers because, it seemed, the scheduled ones didn't show. Was unexpected but cool to help out at church. Work after that. Not too bad. And hw again.

I am going to do an album review of Reasonable Doubt. Just taking a while to get to. But I will.

 

 

The sea is calm to-night.
The tide is full, the moon lies fair
Upon the straits; on the French coast the light
Gleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand;
Glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay.
Come to the window, sweet is the night-air!
Only, from the long line of spray
Where the sea meets the moon-blanched land,
Listen! you hear the grating roar
Of pebbles which the waves draw back, and fling,
At their return, up the high strand,
Begin, and cease, and then again begin,
With tremulous cadence slow, and bring
The eternal note of sadness in.

Sophocles long ago
Heard it on the A gaean, and it brought
Into his mind the turbid ebb and flow
Of human misery; we
Find also in the sound a thought,
Hearing it by this distant northern sea.

The Sea of Faith
Was once, too, at the full, and round earth's shore
Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled.
But now I only hear
Its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar,
Retreating, to the breath
Of the night-wind, down the vast edges drear
And naked shingles of the world.

Ah, love, let us be true
To one another! for the world, which seems
To lie before us like a land of dreams,
So various, so beautiful, so new,
Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,
Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain;
And we are here as on a darkling plain
Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight,
Where ignorant armies clash by night.
-Matthew Arnold