To associate male circumcision with FGM is not wholly appropriate.
The former is a process in medicine intended to avoid the
possibility of infection and related difficulties and as a
non-Jewish circumcised male this was an operation that
was completed when I was an infant. I have never had
any cause to concern myself about any lack of choice
that might now be argued over in these more aware but
often less informed times.
Satire - use of irony, sarcasm, humour to expose folly etc
- surely including the act under discussion since it is
sanctioned by a certain social,religious and sexual section
of human society as somehow acceptable whilst minus any medical
justification in any shape or form.
Not to mention its occurrence is hardly contributing to
ensuring its continued presence in the public consciousness and the likelihood of any change for the
better.
That said, I'll reiterate my belief that the freedom to
give offence should never be subjugated into silent servitude by the fear of giving offence.
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
thanks stu,
i actually performed this one last night with a couple of handy edits applied.
Comment is about strong (02/05/2018) (blog)
Original item by Zach Dafoe
None of which even come close to the savagery inflicted by FGM, with the exception of male circumcision, and even that does not come close to the huge volume of devastating effects.
I don’t often comment on your output, but this is something that most decent compassionate human beings find utterly abhorrent, and you have surprised me with the vehemence of your continued defence of it. Speaks volumes.
As for “What happens if you’re offended? Nothing. Nothing happens”, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations, UNICEF, and many other organisations’ campaigns and legislation against FGM stand as clear evidence of what exactly can and does happen.
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you all for such warm comments. My own heart nearly cracked with love and amazement realizing both the scope and the depth of his thought at eleven years old. It was the last verse that really 'got me', an exact summation of all metaphysical thinking. And he said, 'You look funny.' Not too surprising; I felt 'funny' to the core of my being.
I'm really glad I decided to share, with his permission, of course. The poem was posted on the classroom bulletin board.
And the old folks pass the chalice to the young, always with hope for greater understanding and finer achievements in 'world peace'. Not a phrase to be sneered at.
Comment is about 'My Song of God' by Ewan Thomas Holt, Age 11 (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Laura, I've parodied prostate cancer and circumcision. I've parodied Jeremy Corbyn, Tony Benn and Diane Abbott. I've parodied Theresa May, David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage. I've parodied men and I've parodied women, mysoginists and mysandrists. I've parodied Remainers and Brexiters. I've parodied national treasures and cause celebres. If there's an issue close to your heart I haven't yet parodied, it's because I will. If you're offended, be offended. You won't break out in buboils.
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
There’s a quality to this writing that leaches from each line. One of the better POTW.
Well done!
Comment is about 'Roots and branches' by David T Jones is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Wow, this is amazing, thanks for all of your comments and support?
Comment is about 'Roots and branches' by David T Jones is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Cheers Stu and Pat ?
Stu - I'll email you about lack of light and the FB ban! I love that you hear it now in my voice ? Weirdly, I've almost memorised it already - that's incredibly fast for me!
Comment is about Not Exactly Miss Jean Brodie (blog)
Original item by Laura Taylor
“laboured”, John? It’s not exactly Paradise Lost now, is it?
It’s nothing like your analogy. It is precisely to do with making a joke about the horrific and terrifying mutilation of young girls that ruins the lives of countless women, and leads to infection and death in many cases, as well as denying them any sexual pleasure they might have been able to experience in later life.
Are you scared of losing face? The fact you are defending it as simply ‘poor taste’ and deflecting responsibility for it onto others – well, that’s the only conclusion I can draw.
MCN – this is not satire. Don’t be ridiculous.
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
You’re right, el P. Or is it the timeless attraction of a vagina? (You’ll note even my fiercest critic “laboured” to the last verse before finding something with which to take issue - rather like complaining about the cake on the last mouthful).
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
It does, Stu, it does. And thank you.
Chris
Comment is about Buried in the Sunlight (blog)
Original item by Chris Hubbard
elPintor
Wed 7th Feb 2018 01:46
A real testament to, "bad press is better than no press at all."
Rachel
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Big Sal
Tue 6th Feb 2018 23:44
You are quite right, Ray. The line is in very poor taste, as is the rest of the poem. Of course, I never signed up to be tasteful.
And as Steve Hughes asks “What happens if you’re offended? Nothing. Nothing happens”.
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Too many other commitments, Graham! But thanks.
Comment is about The oak tree (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
excellent ray especially the powerful last verse
Comment is about INERTIA (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Sorry peeps, bit delayed, rushed off my old pins with poetry readings and a music concert back to back. God it was hell in there! I'll come back to this re your valued comments tomorrow (Wednesday), as it needs a clear mind , cheers!
Ray
Comment is about RESTLESS SOULS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
What we need is a "dislike" facility so as not to ruffle too many feathers without incurring the inevitable flak . There is humour but also bad taste may I say John. I've always found a complete lack of romance inherent in the revelation of reproductive organs.
Ray (with respect).
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
<Deleted User> (18118)
Tue 6th Feb 2018 21:20
<Deleted User> (18118)
Tue 6th Feb 2018 21:12
Amazing writing.
All day long doors, where I live it's heavy fire doors.
Sometimes we are outside the door, sometimes in.
Really enjoyed.
Hannah
Comment is about Doors (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
<Deleted User> (18118)
Tue 6th Feb 2018 21:05
This is a brilliant poem. So full of truths.
The tail wags the dog.
Love is the key.
So clever.
Hannah
Comment is about Only Connect (blog)
Original item by mike booth
totally lovely and a beautiful piece of writing
Comment is about 'My Song of God' by Ewan Thomas Holt, Age 11 (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
a wonderfully rye look at the banality of everyday existence.
what is it ee cummings said...
'unbeingdead isnt beingalive'
Comment is about Doors (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
very nice sentiments and writing. takes me places while leaving me grounded. if thats makes ANY sense at all.
Comment is about Buried in the Sunlight (blog)
Original item by Chris Hubbard
fucking hell laura thats proper brilliant.
whenever i read your poems now i do so in your voice, with that spit and bile you give every piece you do live.
i love this, its fucking ace
p.s - got banned from facebook for 30 days but was gonna send you a message asking how you were doing (january/lack of light etc)
Comment is about Not Exactly Miss Jean Brodie (blog)
Original item by Laura Taylor
excellent fare indeed. a touch of heaney and, as mentioned, a touch of thomas, but quite holds its own
Comment is about 'Roots and branches' by David T Jones is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Laura/David
Except that men didn't adopt outrage and anger towards
women in general or even in particular for this overtly
sexist act of harm...and all the others that have been
inflicted upon men by women down the years. I blame
Delilah for this!! ?
The procedure you specify in JC's poem is an import
previously unknown in western societies and in my own
view should be prosecuted as "bodily harm" under UK
criminal law, especially if inflicted on those not able (in
law...by age) to agree with what is done to them.
But the fact it exists doesn't remove it from a satirical
swipe from whatever source. Irreverence of the "ouch"
variety is hardly an unknown characteristic in our
national character and long may it be so.
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Yes because that's exactly the same thing isn't it?
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I seem to recall that when a certain Ms Bobbit decided to
remove her male companion's penis with a knife over in the Land of the Free - men managed to find a jest in
there somewhere. Ergo - the difference between the
sexes' attitude to such things. The freedom to give
offence is not to be driven into silent servitude by the fear
of giving offence.
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I'm disgusted that you would even think to joke about FGM. It completely overshadows any other humour in there.
Your timing is shit, too
http://www.un.org/en/events/femalegenitalmutilationday/
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A hole in one - one might say!
Your range of inspiration defies the imagination. But your
posts are never less than entertaining (that rare and
increasingly absent term for poetry) and always cleverly
constructed.
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Indeed Laura. The whole poem is a joke.
So what did you think of the poem?
The tight rhyming structure given the shortness of the lines; the close shadowing of the original; the effectiveness or otherwise of the enjambment in "The problem for me it's/ where stuff fits": the weakness of the 2nd chorus? Can a poem have merit if its contents are offensive? Multum in parvo.
I am intrigued as to what you think.
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Do you not want to answer my question?
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Josh I think the op
is reversed
a body transplant
or so i've learned!
Tommy ?
Comment is about Amputated (blog)
Original item by Josh C
I sometimes wonder
-if it were reversed-
that we'd now regret
the wrinkled skin in which
we were once nursed?
Tommy (sigh) ?
Comment is about Not Exactly Miss Jean Brodie (blog)
Original item by Laura Taylor
What did you think of the poem, Laura?
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Are you actually making a joke about female genital mutilation with this, John? Really?
"And clitoris which Fatima had not
No longer got."
Comment is about HEY THERE VAGINA (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
<Deleted User> (13762)
Tue 6th Feb 2018 08:40
the cleverness of this lovely poem is in the fact that believers and non-believers alike can relate to much of it. God described as 'a regular person' in the opening line projects an image of equality that sets the tone for the rest of the poem. And wouldn't a God of equality be appropriate for this moment in history? And who could resist the prospect of finding life again in some indefinable 'heaven'? The third verse shows a respect for family and the world around us and the duality of the last verse provides the perfect summation of his thought process - non-believers are free to have faith in themselves whilst believers live with God within them. For an eleven year old to condense down into a few simple lines two millennia of religious doctrine and make it highly relatable is quite an achievement and one the various churches should take some heed of imo. Thanks for posting Cynthia and well done Ewan. Colin.
Comment is about 'My Song of God' by Ewan Thomas Holt, Age 11 (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
G'day Cynthia,
This is so uplifting for me - it reminds me of myself at Ewan's age; looking, noticing, challenging, thinking.
I should have expressed in verse, as he does here, the sheer wonder and mystery of this world.
I bet he gets hooked on poetry for life. What a prospect!
Chris
Comment is about 'My Song of God' by Ewan Thomas Holt, Age 11 (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
John, I got to witness you in action, and though my visit that one night brief - I will never forget it. I was impressed with how you organised the event and how welcome you made people feel... And I still cannot believe I drank all your beer! ?
Comment is about Farewell, John Togher: Write Out Loud Wigan's organiser to step down after 10 years at the helm (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Wycliff
Mon 5th Feb 2018 21:45
Time heals all wounds. It's all up to us to attract what we want for our own happiness. Law of attraction is real.
Comment is about MAYBE (blog)
Original item by Nyanjiru Wambugu
Wycliff
Mon 5th Feb 2018 21:40
Embracing the worst predicament of man that is mortality is the best way you can live a life fully with the idea that you can't re-live your past so all that is left is to live in the present like there are no second chances...
Comment is about (blog)
Original item by Nyanjiru Wambugu
Thanks Des.
Comment is about 'Presidents Club' by Shirley-Anne Kennedy is Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Perfect. I hope that cow rots and pieces can drop from it and give you freedom through the putrefaction.
Comment is about forward (blog)
Original item by Ria Richardson
congratulations David, a worthy poem indeed. Shades of Heaney and Hughes with slate roofs almost in sight.
Ray
Comment is about 'Roots and branches' by David T Jones is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
<Deleted User> (18980)
Wed 7th Feb 2018 14:25
Jim I could write an absolute tome
About things experienced in monochrome
But this would be infinitely duller
Than telling things in technicolour
Comment is about J R Harris (poet profile)
Original item by J R Harris