One of Marya's recent posts quoted Wilfred Owen and it gave me the idea to start this thread. I remember this poem from school and later on I re-discovered it when the Scars set it to music. A live version is available here.
Your Attention Please by Peter Porter
The Polar DEW has just warned that
A nuclear rocket strike of
At least one thousand megatons
Has been launched by the enemy
Directly at our major cities.
This announcement will take
Two and a quarter minutes to make,
You therefore have a further
Eight and a quarter minutes
To comply with the shelter
Requirements published in the Civil
Defence Code - section Atomic Attack.
A specially shortened Mass
Will be broadcast at the end
Of this announcement -
Protestant and Jewish services
Will begin simultaneously -
Select your wavelength immediately
According to instructions
In the Defence Code. Do not
Tale well-loved pets (including birds)
Into your shelter - they will consume
Fresh air. Leave the old and bed-
Ridden, you can do nothing for them.
Remember to press the sealing
Switch when everyone is in
The shelter. Set the radiation
Aerial, turn on the Geiger barometer.
Turn off your television now.
Turn off your radio immediately
The services end. At the same time
Secure explosion plugs in the ears
Of each member of your family. Take
Down your plasma flasks. Give your children
The pills marked one and two
In the C D green container, then put
Them to bed. Do not break
The inside airlock seals until
The radiation All Clear shows
(Watch for the cuckoo in your
Perspex panel), or your District
Touring Doctor rings your bell.
If before this your air becomes
Exhausted or if any of your family
Is critically injured, administer
The capsules marked 'Valley Forge'
(Red pocket in No 1 Survival Kit)
For painless death. (Catholics
Will have been instructed by their priests
What to do in this eventuality.)
This announcement is ending. Our President
Has already given orders for
Massive retaliation - it will be
Decisive. Some of us may die.
Remember, statistically
It is not likely to be you.
All flags are flying fully dressed
On Government buildings - the sun is shining.
Death is the least we have to fear.
We are all in the hands of God,
Whatever happens happens by His will.
Now go quickly to your shelters.
More info
Favourite poems
Bob, when I was a young, trendy teacher I used this poem and a version of it set to music by Edinburgh's own "The Exploited" - in fact, I'm sure I've got the cassette kicking around the house somewhere still 
- but that was back when the Cold War was in full flow and the threat of nuclear Armageddon seemed right round the corner.( Remember those Government leaflets showing how to build your own shelter using a table or a handy spare door! 
) Sorry to tell you, I never use it now.
Impossible to choose a favourite poem I'm afraid. I'm constantly finding new material out there to add to my already long list of favourites......
as it should be ,of course!
- but that was back when the Cold War was in full flow and the threat of nuclear Armageddon seemed right round the corner.( Remember those Government leaflets showing how to build your own shelter using a table or a handy spare door! ) Sorry to tell you, I never use it now.Impossible to choose a favourite poem I'm afraid. I'm constantly finding new material out there to add to my already long list of favourites......
as it should be ,of course!
www.porty.org.uk
Isn't "Strawberries" so beautifully sensual? Anything by Morgan gets a big thumbs up from me, then there's Norman MacCaig, Benjamin Zephaniah, Liz Lochhead,Wordsworth, Robert Frost,Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon,John Donne,Sylvia Plath,Carol Ann Duffy....I could go on but enough! It's strange as I never think of myself of as a particularly big fan of poetry, but I've just realised that maybe I am!
www.porty.org.uk
I had to study that poem at school, Bob, so thanks for reminding me 
. Along with a similar one by Roger McGough (when every other school in the country did the war poets as their war bit, we did nuclear war - Z For Zachariah, Brother in the Land, and all those happy poems...!
One of my favourites is "I Dreamt You Went" by Berta Friestadt. Then there's Warpaint and Womanflesh by Liz Lochhead, Echo of Mars Unaroused by Linda Goodman, Carpe Diem by Horace, and Liberation by Abena Busia, and an extract from Poem No 20 from Neruda's Veinte Poemas de Amor y una Canción Desesperada. To be going on with.[/list]
. Along with a similar one by Roger McGough (when every other school in the country did the war poets as their war bit, we did nuclear war - Z For Zachariah, Brother in the Land, and all those happy poems...!One of my favourites is "I Dreamt You Went" by Berta Friestadt. Then there's Warpaint and Womanflesh by Liz Lochhead, Echo of Mars Unaroused by Linda Goodman, Carpe Diem by Horace, and Liberation by Abena Busia, and an extract from Poem No 20 from Neruda's Veinte Poemas de Amor y una Canción Desesperada. To be going on with.[/list]
All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!
-Lucy Van Pelt (in Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz)
-Lucy Van Pelt (in Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz)
-
Marguerite-the-Poet
- Posts: 135
- Joined: 02 Aug 2006, 17:49
Edinburgh
by William McGonagall born in Edinburgh in 1830, or thereabouts ~
Beautiful City of Edinburgh!
Where the tourist can drown his sorrow
By viewing your monuments and statues fine
During the lovely summer-time.
I'm sure it will his spirits cheer
As Sir Walter Scott's monument he draws near,
That stands in East Princes Street
Amongst flowery gardens, fine and neat.
And Edinburgh castle is magnificent to be seen
With its beautiful walks and trees so green,
Which seems like a fairy dell;
And near by its rocky basement is St. Margaret's well,
Where the tourist can drink at when he feels dry,
And view the castle from beneath so very high,
Which seems almost towering to the sky.
Then as for Nelson's monument that stands on the Calton hill
As the tourist gazes thereon, with wonder his heart does fill
As he thinks on Admiral Nelson who did the Frenchmen kill.
Then, as for Salisbury crags, they are most beautiful to be seen,
Especially in the month of June, when the grass is green;
There numerous mole-hills can be seen,
And the busy little creatures howking away,
Searching for worms amongst the clay;
And as the tourist's eye does wander to and fro
From the south side of Salisbury crags below,
His bosom with admiration feels all aglow
As he views the beautiful scenery in the valley below;
And if, with an observant eye, the little loch beneath he scans,
He can see the wild ducks swimming about and beautiful white swans.
Then, as for Arthur's seat, I'm sure it is a treat
Most worthy to be seen, with its rugged rocks and pastures green,
And the sheep browsing on its sides
To and fro, with slow-paced. strides,
And the little lambkins at play
During the livelong summer-day.
Beautiful city of Edinburgh! the truth to express,
Your beauties are matchless I must confess,
And which no one dare gainsay,
But that you are the, grandest city in Scotland at the present day!
by William McGonagall born in Edinburgh in 1830, or thereabouts ~
Beautiful City of Edinburgh!
Where the tourist can drown his sorrow
By viewing your monuments and statues fine
During the lovely summer-time.
I'm sure it will his spirits cheer
As Sir Walter Scott's monument he draws near,
That stands in East Princes Street
Amongst flowery gardens, fine and neat.
And Edinburgh castle is magnificent to be seen
With its beautiful walks and trees so green,
Which seems like a fairy dell;
And near by its rocky basement is St. Margaret's well,
Where the tourist can drink at when he feels dry,
And view the castle from beneath so very high,
Which seems almost towering to the sky.
Then as for Nelson's monument that stands on the Calton hill
As the tourist gazes thereon, with wonder his heart does fill
As he thinks on Admiral Nelson who did the Frenchmen kill.
Then, as for Salisbury crags, they are most beautiful to be seen,
Especially in the month of June, when the grass is green;
There numerous mole-hills can be seen,
And the busy little creatures howking away,
Searching for worms amongst the clay;
And as the tourist's eye does wander to and fro
From the south side of Salisbury crags below,
His bosom with admiration feels all aglow
As he views the beautiful scenery in the valley below;
And if, with an observant eye, the little loch beneath he scans,
He can see the wild ducks swimming about and beautiful white swans.
Then, as for Arthur's seat, I'm sure it is a treat
Most worthy to be seen, with its rugged rocks and pastures green,
And the sheep browsing on its sides
To and fro, with slow-paced. strides,
And the little lambkins at play
During the livelong summer-day.
Beautiful city of Edinburgh! the truth to express,
Your beauties are matchless I must confess,
And which no one dare gainsay,
But that you are the, grandest city in Scotland at the present day!
-
Dave Connelly
- Posts: 258
- Joined: 18 Apr 2003, 15:31
- Location: Portobello
- Contact:
-
Cleopas
Here's a poem I wrote for a freind's pantomime ...
AH WISHT AH WIS A PIRATE!
OH ... AH WISHT AH WIS A PIRATE
AH'D SAIL THE SEEVIN SEAS
IN SEARCH O' BURRIT TREEZHURE
PROB'LY HID AMANGST SOME TREES!
A BOAT .. (pirates shout "SHIP!") .. LIKE THIS, "THE CAP'N'S RUG"
WI' SAILS AN’ ... 'HINGS LIKE YON
WID BE A' AH NEED TAE GET ME BY
... 'CEPT FUR FOOD AN' WATER .... AN' SO ON ...
OH, AH WISHT AH WIS AH PIRATE
SAILIN' ROON' THE SPANISH MAIN
IT'S A' AH EVER WANTIT TAE DAE
AH'VE GOAT PIRATES OAN THE BRAIN!
AH'VE HEERD O' HENRY MORGAN
AN' THAT DASTARDLY CAP'N KIDD
AN' CAP'N PATCH, THE PERILOUS PIRATE O' PORTY
YE SUD HEAR O' SOME O' THINGS THAT HE DONE .... er ... DID!
AH JIS' LOVE HEARIN' PIRATE STORIES
FUR PIRATES HAE BEEN MAH PASSION
AH'M GLED AH LIVE IN A CENTURY
WHERE THESE KIN' O' CLAES UR A' THE FASHION!
OH, AH WISHT AH WIS A PIRATE
LOOKIN' FUR JEWELS AN' SILLER AN' GOLD
AH WANT TAE FRICHTEN WIMMIN ...
AN' LOACK THEM UP IN THE CAP'N'S HOLD!
AH'D SWASH AN' BUCKLE WI' THE BEST O' THEM
A PIRATE YE KIN A’ ACCEPT
OH AH REALLY WANT TAE BE A PIRATE
JIS’ LIKE JOHNNY DEPP!
AH WISHT AH WIS A PIRATE!
OH ... AH WISHT AH WIS A PIRATE
AH'D SAIL THE SEEVIN SEAS
IN SEARCH O' BURRIT TREEZHURE
PROB'LY HID AMANGST SOME TREES!
A BOAT .. (pirates shout "SHIP!") .. LIKE THIS, "THE CAP'N'S RUG"
WI' SAILS AN’ ... 'HINGS LIKE YON
WID BE A' AH NEED TAE GET ME BY
... 'CEPT FUR FOOD AN' WATER .... AN' SO ON ...
OH, AH WISHT AH WIS AH PIRATE
SAILIN' ROON' THE SPANISH MAIN
IT'S A' AH EVER WANTIT TAE DAE
AH'VE GOAT PIRATES OAN THE BRAIN!
AH'VE HEERD O' HENRY MORGAN
AN' THAT DASTARDLY CAP'N KIDD
AN' CAP'N PATCH, THE PERILOUS PIRATE O' PORTY
YE SUD HEAR O' SOME O' THINGS THAT HE DONE .... er ... DID!
AH JIS' LOVE HEARIN' PIRATE STORIES
FUR PIRATES HAE BEEN MAH PASSION
AH'M GLED AH LIVE IN A CENTURY
WHERE THESE KIN' O' CLAES UR A' THE FASHION!
OH, AH WISHT AH WIS A PIRATE
LOOKIN' FUR JEWELS AN' SILLER AN' GOLD
AH WANT TAE FRICHTEN WIMMIN ...
AN' LOACK THEM UP IN THE CAP'N'S HOLD!
AH'D SWASH AN' BUCKLE WI' THE BEST O' THEM
A PIRATE YE KIN A’ ACCEPT
OH AH REALLY WANT TAE BE A PIRATE
JIS’ LIKE JOHNNY DEPP!
-
Cleopas
Here's a poem that was gonna be converted into a song by my
ex band. It has been censored!
Auld Pier Blooze
Along the waterfront, down by the sea.
Drinking our bevvies, that's where we'll be.
Get a crippling round in, the booze is dear,
Feed the jukebox, down in the Peir.
Foobz on the warpath, barking his tune,
Stevie's on Jakey D's, coming round soon.
We are are all flying, drinks flowing well.
Gillian, she got wired now, can't you tell?
King Slut makes his entrance, chick in tow.
Come on you loozers, lets rock and go.
Up to the crazy house, there's fur on the walls.
Mixu starts his whistlin', his Jakey D call.
The rollin it starts now, it's a herbal cure.
Always let Stevie do it, that's for sure.
Passing around us, like some Holy Grail.
On to Mixu, he looks rather pale. (eek)
Deal out those cards now, no time to cheat.
Stevie is dealing, (thinks he's hard to beat).
Got Four Aces, two matching pairs.
Not losing this time, but who the hell cares.
Daylight breaks through, we are still here.
Bursts of sunlight, the path is clear.
Back down the waterfront,
Back down the Pier.
Yickety yick................
ex band. It has been censored!
Auld Pier Blooze
Along the waterfront, down by the sea.
Drinking our bevvies, that's where we'll be.
Get a crippling round in, the booze is dear,
Feed the jukebox, down in the Peir.
Foobz on the warpath, barking his tune,
Stevie's on Jakey D's, coming round soon.
We are are all flying, drinks flowing well.
Gillian, she got wired now, can't you tell?
King Slut makes his entrance, chick in tow.
Come on you loozers, lets rock and go.
Up to the crazy house, there's fur on the walls.
Mixu starts his whistlin', his Jakey D call.
The rollin it starts now, it's a herbal cure.
Always let Stevie do it, that's for sure.
Passing around us, like some Holy Grail.
On to Mixu, he looks rather pale. (eek)
Deal out those cards now, no time to cheat.
Stevie is dealing, (thinks he's hard to beat).
Got Four Aces, two matching pairs.
Not losing this time, but who the hell cares.
Daylight breaks through, we are still here.
Bursts of sunlight, the path is clear.
Back down the waterfront,
Back down the Pier.
Yickety yick................
"So spin that wheel, cut that pack!
And roll those loaded dice
Bring on the dancing girls,
And put the champagne on ice"
[img]http://www.danasoft.com/sig/ZargonianWolfgang.jpg[/img]
And roll those loaded dice
Bring on the dancing girls,
And put the champagne on ice"
[img]http://www.danasoft.com/sig/ZargonianWolfgang.jpg[/img]
-
Cleopas
Continuing the "Pirates" theme ... I wrote the opening verse as well ...
The Old Sea Dog.
There once was an old sea dog
Who loved to drink plenty of grog
At the Mad Maggot’s bar
He told tales of afar
And of ships that got lost in a fog
At the Tavern’s bar
He’d have more by far
Than anyone else could stomach
He spent gold in great sum
As he walloped the rum
While resting upon his great hummock
With his eye on a wench
He’d shout from the bench
Telling yarns that were awfully scary
Of terrible gales
And great big white whales
And creatures “wot looked awful ‘airyâ€
The Old Sea Dog.
There once was an old sea dog
Who loved to drink plenty of grog
At the Mad Maggot’s bar
He told tales of afar
And of ships that got lost in a fog
At the Tavern’s bar
He’d have more by far
Than anyone else could stomach
He spent gold in great sum
As he walloped the rum
While resting upon his great hummock
With his eye on a wench
He’d shout from the bench
Telling yarns that were awfully scary
Of terrible gales
And great big white whales
And creatures “wot looked awful ‘airyâ€