Today, the Triumphant Islamic Nation of Abhoristan
will launch a space rocket, powered only by hatred,
directed by the infallible Sharia laws of the Qur’an,
piloted by glorious combatants from the Mujahadin,
destination, paradise, where all faithful adherents
can live in peace and joy for all eternity:
Commencing countdown:
Three! Two! One!…we have…nothing
Three! Two! One!...nothing at all…
Oli 15/02/07
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Written by Witzl (1585 comments posted) 15th February 2007 |
Just which the KKK and a few other groups could hitch a ride with them. I can't help but think we'd all be a little better off.
Love that 'Abhoristan,' Oli. |
Written by Witzl (1585 comments posted) 15th February 2007 |
Ahem. That should read 'Just WISH the KKK. . .'
Too little coffee: I'm on the wagon again. |
Written by francoise (129 comments posted) 15th February 2007 |
not sure if its a poem or not...
agree with the overall sentiment but I would tread carefully with your choice of words here. For example, the line 'directed by sharia laws of the Quran'. The original term Sharia (which means the 'revealed' law) is basicly a set of things that a muslim should and shouldn't do. These extremist groups have made it common practice to manipulate the origin of this word, as well as the more fundamentalist sects of the religion itself... what your poem indirectly highlights is a complete hijacking of what the Quran teaches, how an old text is now abhorred by the actions of a minority. Sad state of affairs really :-(
Fran |
Thanks Fran
Written by Talisker (1331 comments posted) 15th February 2007 |
But I have no intention of treading carefully around anyone's religious sensitivities. We live in a country where we are still relatively free to express opinions.
I would argue that the context would suggest a certain interpretation of the Quran.
Is that not the very problem with religious texts and the religions which they underpin - they can be interpreted as the reader requires.
Oli  |
Written by Fledermaus (3492 comments posted) 15th February 2007 |
Fran has a good point here.
The Quran and Sharia law aren't the monopoly of radical idiots. Most devout muslims I know are very good, open-minded, non-violent and friendly people.
Just like with those Danish cartoons, I can see that the message is directed against radicals, but I can understand why especially liberal muslims could be angry about such images. |
Written by JourneyAtNight (318 comments posted) 15th February 2007 |
"Islamic extremism". Extremism isn't the word. Islam is definitely not the word. These people are blind, ignorant and disgusting. You have no idea how humiliating it is when we are branded under the same name as these heartless fools.
It's the same with a lot of faiths and religions. Always represented by the loonies. I just wish people would look past it.
Another powerful piece Oli.
E |
Written by Bottleblondesurfer (3569 comments posted) 15th February 2007 |
I agree with Oli here. This is his honest view so he has no need to qualify or explain, there is truth in what he says. If you disagree write your own poem. This at least is a free country.
Religions are not always represented by the loonies,surely it is the loonies who are doing the representing;we just point out there "looni-ness"
I accept that not every Muslim is a suicide bomber.
But every suicide bomber calls himself a Muslim
Religion and politics has always been a poisonous mix
The poem is valid
J |
Written by Witzl (1585 comments posted) 15th February 2007 |
| Sixty some years ago those suicide bombers were called kamikazes, another lethal mixture of 'religion' (or idealism, anyway) and politics. |
Written by JourneyAtNight (318 comments posted) 15th February 2007 |
I wasn't disagreeing. Every opinion is valid, no-one can dispute that. I'm sure many other people see it this way too, it can't be helped with the media constantly thrust in our faces. Oli has expressed it in the way he does best and I always admire his integrity.
E |
Written by Phil (6963 comments posted) 15th February 2007 |
It can be very hard to to express an opinion without seeming to use a broad brush and offending someone.
Speaking as one who has no faith in the authenticity of any religious text, it sickens me that educated people take the time to twist seemingly innocent words into murderous, hate filled instruction. Don't think I'm having a go at Islam, I could equally be talking about some strands of Christianity.
Doesn't it just prove the whole thing as a mistake when holy writings can be used to justify mass murder?
Here's a prayer for those who do believe: God help us to ignore the rabid preachings of lunatic fanatics who tell us human life is worth nothing.
They all have nothing, and they raise the stakes to make themselves seem more important by using ancient writings to justify modern atrocities. All religions have more than a little to answer for.
Godless, but certainly not murderous - Phil. |
Written by Phil (6963 comments posted) 15th February 2007 |
Sorry Oli, I should have said: as a piece to stimulate thought - excellent.
Phil. |
Written by Marybarry (237 comments posted) 16th February 2007 |
THE human race itself is a failed experiment.
I could never understand why Nature didn't admit this and start again.
Well, there is hope. The dinosaurs only lasted 60 million years.
Pity I wont be around to see us scrapped.
GREAT PIECE TALISKER.
Marx. "Religion is the opium of the people"
trinny  |
Written by francoise (129 comments posted) 16th February 2007 |
Religion (and football).... what would we do without them eh?
Oli, I could never imagine you tiptoeing around peoples sensitivities in the first place! and we are free to voice our opinions too.. I just added my own.
Fran
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A rocket powered by love..
Written by storyteller (7 comments posted) 16th February 2007 |
How many space rockets are powered by love?
This looks like a poor racist script to me.
If this is poetry, then I must be a Mujahadin.
If this is racism, then I must be the poet.
Because racism doesn't rime with poetry.
And hate, obviously, killed your creativity.
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How can it be racist?
Written by Talisker (1331 comments posted) 16th February 2007 |
What "race" am I portraying Mr. Storyteller?
It is openly anti religious, and specifically anti-militant moslem. You could perhaps say bigoted, I would dispute that too, because I am anti ALL RELIGIONS.
But racist? I think not.
And BTW Rhyme not "rime" - my creativity is alive and well, how is yours?
Oli  |
Thanks you for your review
Written by storyteller (7 comments posted) 16th February 2007 |
Being ANTI is not much creative, is it?
I thank you for your kind review of my spelling, since english is not my first, second, third or even forth language..
 |
So being PRO-TERRORIST
Written by Talisker (1331 comments posted) 16th February 2007 |
is creative? I refuse to enter into debate with my intellectual inferiors.
Your second statement explains why I neither review nor attempt to write poetry in Bangla 
Oli |
Written by Phil (6963 comments posted) 16th February 2007 |
An aside. Is it racist to explore an idea in verse, whatever the idea? Are some subjects taboo?
I'm not here to defend Oli, he's more than capable of that. However, to make sweeping assumptions from one short poem - and badly read I feel - shows a readiness to jump to extremes of belief and start to battle again.
It's an idea expressed through verse. It mentions an imaginary country, not a real one. It suggests there's state funding of terrorism. Isn't there? It suggests there are fanatical murderers out there. Aren't there? It suggests that at least in part fanatics are driven by some twisted texts. Aren't they? It suggests that there is hate aplenty. Isn't there? What it does not suggest is all muslims are the same. It does not brand every follower of Islam as a rabid murderer.
Read Oli's 'Twin Towers.' That's another poem he was lambasted for - but that time for going too far the other way in some people's eyes.
Wake up people. They're words, no bullets. Nor are they words intended to be used as such - unless my grasp of poetry has completely left me.
A much bemused Phil. |
As I told you: you're a racist.
Written by storyteller (7 comments posted) 16th February 2007 |
I forgot "I am" from Bangladesh.. LOL
It's proved that you think you're superior to banladeshian people.
what's your superiority made of? hate?
You sound like a pathetic talentedless poet wanabe and you don't even have the notion of how ridiculous your non-poetry sounds like, Oli.
You sould read more and write less or you'll miss my point. See what I mean?
I wish you all the luck. You'll need it..
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Written by Marybarry (237 comments posted) 16th February 2007 |
Man o man Talisker, you sure provoked reaction.
Isn't that what its all about? Make people think and talk.
We may not reach a consensus but we can agree to disagree in a civilised fashion.
I find your piece extra good. Pat  |
Racist?
Written by Talisker (1331 comments posted) 16th February 2007 |
What race are Bangladeshi people, I don't even know - although I would imagine of mixed race. Bangladeshi is a nationality not a race.
I judge myself superior to one Bangladeshi only (you), who joins a forum, posts NO work to be reviewed, calls people racist without reason, and shows himself to be the narrow minded, intolerant, insulting type that I despise, regardless of race.
Oli  |
Written by LynB (435 comments posted) 16th February 2007 |
Storyteller, instead of insulting one of the most respected members on the poetry boards, try reading some of his work. Some of it makes tears stand in your eyes, some of it makes you angry, but it always makes you think. Oli is indeed a true poet - and I'm sure many will agree with me.
You have no right to call him racist - apart from the fact he isn't, we have something in this country called free speech, which Oli is exercising his right to. He should be allowed to without fear (if that is the right word) of being publicly roasted for it.
Maybe if you posted some work, we could read it and find out what qualifies you to decide who is a poet and who isn't. |
Written by JourneyAtNight (318 comments posted) 16th February 2007 |
| Oh for crying out loud... |
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