On my return from the sin bin. An examination of the "real" effects of words on others, hyper-sensitivity, finding offence where one looks hard enough for it.
Oli How mortal are the wounds,
The seeping lesions,
Of the versifier’s pen?
How rabid are the hounds,
Who slaver and snarl,
At eminent men,
Who lustily cry “en guard!” and wield,
Their wordy foils,
With seeming brazen disregard?
How vicious is the quill pig,
Who with his suit of venom spines?
Cares not a fig,
For punctured foes,
Or friends indeed, who come too close,
And meet with his splenetic,
Welcome.
Must words be stored, secure
In cabinets like guns,
Lest a child strolls one day demure,
Into his school, and just for fun,
Sprays the assembled throng,
With deadly transferred epithet,
And fells them,
One by one?
If so, please take my licence,
I wish not to persist.
It features not in my sense,
To keep a list,
Of forbidden words, or idiom.
To tread on eggshells,
Lest I cause offence.
Oli (14/10/06) |
Reincarnation
Written by gerardconnolly (1186 comments posted) 14th October 2006 | What are you doing back so soon, you old reprobate? It was an ill day when the stocks were abolished. I though the Red Card carried an automatic three match ban!? I can only assume as always Old Firm sweats have friends at the SFA. Its one law f' one an'....What about the poor bastards that follow Callie....
Seriously. Lovely words, Lovely Boy. Lovely words.
Slan!
PS Take a screw of the grand lines of Marjory Banks, whose just joined. A real Gael. Learn a thing or two! |
Written by Phil (6738 comments posted) 14th October 2006 | Very glad to see you back Oli. Was that a self imposed sin bin?
For me, excellent. The third verse, wonderful. Keep them coming.
All the best,
Phil. | Broken bones!
Written by Jay (12 comments posted) 14th October 2006 | I think that people are becoming more and more verbally vicious - I think Simon Cowell has a lot to answer for!!!  However if we can't punch 'em when they annoy us, what's left  This is an excellently crafted piece which you can easily read from either perspective. I really enjoyed it.
Best wishes
Jay | Sticks and stones ... and words
Written by Witzl (1585 comments posted) 14th October 2006 | I won't talk about your verse, which is so good that it would be presumptuous for me to comment on it, but in answer to your question, I do think there are times words might better be locked away.
This is largely because, like most humans, I have been hurt by words, and I have been hurt by the words I have used against others as well -- just remembering the words I wish I'd never used does nothing to relieve my chronic insomnia.
On this site, I am trying to distinguish between people who want to perfect their work and are thus open to criticism -- even rather painful criticism -- and those who are just using writing as therapy, or as a hobby, or to kill time -- or whatever. For that latter group, if I don't like what they've written I tend to withhold comment. I'm fairly certain that my honest words would not help them improve the quality of their work, and I am positive that they would not be well received. The truth is, I'm a coward. I certainly might think the words, but if I say them, I'll pay for it later in guilt.
Perhaps the people who want honest opinions on their work should have a little icon on their submissions -- a little 'Let me have it, I can take it' face or a 'Go on, trash this if you have to, but tell me why you hate it' symbol of some sort. I'm not sure if this would work perfectly, but it might save a lot of hurt feelings and general angst. | Witzl
Written by Talisker (1326 comments posted) 14th October 2006 | I'm humbled by your honesty. After all, I only wrote this to elicit some kind of response, and you've given a painfully honest one. For that, I admire, respect and value your contribution.
You are not part of the problem Witzl, you are a big part of the solution. You are right, words can hurt. But if we subscribe to a site such as this, we lay ourselves open to honest review. I am a crusader for honesty, brutal or otherwise.
You are too kind about my modest efforts. Please be reassured though, that I've undertaken NOT to review work I find substantially sub-standard. Its a shame, but thats how it must be in the real world.
Thank you again, you are special.
Oli | blimey
Written by Bottleblondesurfer (3369 comments posted) 15th October 2006 | "I am a crusader for honesty"
Ok now I'm officially scared of you. Apart from being one of the most pretentious lines I've ever read on this site (and Iv'e read a lot) I learned that people who say that usually mean their own truth and are determined to ram their own truths down others throats (just as the real crusaders did) Whose truth are you "crusading" for ? I suspect it isn't mine or indeed anyone you don't approve of
Offically scared
BBS | Thanks
Written by Talisker (1326 comments posted) 16th October 2006 | BBS for your review of my comment in response to to a review. I think you are smarter than this, you know very well that, in this specific context, "honesty" refers to honesty in reviewing others' work. The word has no other currency that I know of on this specific site.
Now, in revewing, the only person you can be honest to is yourself, right? So, if as I believe, there are those who flatter to deceive, or give praise because praise is easier to give, or go out of their way to avoid hurting people's feelings by giving false reviews, I believe this is wrong.
The above is MY version of the truth, the way I see it. Who else's truth could I espouse? I'm a confirmed atheist, so it can't be god's. I'm not you, so it can't be yours! Its both disingenuous and, I'm sorry, just absurd, to suggest that anyone, outwith a religious or political context, campaigns for anothers' truth. The fact is, the only "truth" any of us "know" is our own perception.
Your veiled attack (how topical!) is therefore unfair. I don't ram anything down anyone's throat. If you post work here though, you are asking implicity for honest review (the reviewers honesty of course), to be fed to you - to continue the cliche. You can either be fed baby mush with extra honey, or hot enchiladas, depending on your order. If you can only cope with the former...dont go into Mexicano chilli hut
On the issue of crusaders, I am aware but not particularly interested in the medieval christian variety (I'm an atheist). I think this context is too often evoked for all the wrong reasons, i.e. to foment religious hatred. I'll have no part in this. I use it in the other Oxford Dictionary sense, i.e. "a vigorous campaign in favour of a cause", but you knew this BBS, didn't you.
Oh, and now we are pretentious if we claim to be in favour of honesty? So its not PC to claim to be trying to be honest? Please get of your PC high horse, jump down from your moral pedestal and join those of us who try to be "honest" to ourselves and others.
Regards
Oli.
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Written by Bottleblondesurfer (3369 comments posted) 16th October 2006 | Wow, you poets are a touchy bunch... I quite like it up her on my moral high horse; actually he's more of moral high pony we haven't got the space for a high horse,shame I could feel even more superior on a high horse. but that's us PC types for you.
I must say I'm glad my work is so sub-standard it doesn't merit a review from you otherwise I wouldn't be able to maintain my moral superiority which is so important to me.
Lighten up. sweetie, it's just words
BBS
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