Yes, it appears that the moderators not only have set themselves up as the arbiters of taste, they have chosen to suppress all criticism of themselves as well.

              There was a young lady of Riga
              Who smiled as she rode on a tiger;
                   They returned from the ride
                   With the lady inside,
              And the smile on the face of the tiger.

Usurper: I just want to know why did my previous message was deleted. Do you know the sentence "Freedom of Speech"?

Andromedical: Your second paragraph really nails it on the head, I think. The kind of rap you speak of is a social contribution, and has very valid things to say about society & the mixed culture we live in. America's white middle class is not the final arbiter of what is meaningful or valuable....and in fact, so often it remains willingly blind to the far-reaching world beyond its sheltered walls. The issue here is meaningful content, which the rap poems (songs) in question lacked. The ghetto reality is tragic & our society is to blame...and it ought to be trumpeted far & wide, in song, poetry & political commentary. Pointless & stereotypical poems do not do it justice, and in fact exacerbate purposefully & thus tend to alienate the very minds & hearts it needs to reach. It is not seeking for a solution. It is revelling in the problem.

I for one would appreciate seeing your poems.

I found this interesting. When I first read the "rap" I must say that it was not offensive but rather pointless and stereotypical. I felt it was offensive only to the extent that it did not address bourgeois sensibility. It rather spoke vaguely of an urban reality of life in American ghettos. It is a reality that does not agree with America's white middle class.

I found the rap pointless simply because rather than adressing the root causes of the "rapper gangsta" reality it merely internalized the gangsta behaviour. The writers of the rap seemed to behave merely as if being a gangsta rapper was cool, rather than talking about the social causes of life in American ghettos. There is some very high quality rap that does act as a form of social protest rather than some distorted idea of what "cool" is.

Well, I felt that banning and hiding the posts was uncalled for simply because there is such a thing as freedom of speech. I might find that their rap does not agree with my petit bourgeois sensibility. However, my individual views are unimportant because freedom of expression is more important than what makes me uncomfortable. Freedom of speech is not about stroking somebody's middle class ego or writing about some sentimental ideal of the romantic.

Well, I considered posting some of my poems here, but I refuse to do it if the only writing allowed is that writing that agrees with a middle class view of the world.

Your posts have been removed and since you are on hide since last night there is no use for you to post on here. Thank you.

Nomad: Awesome!

Nomad: Your talent is beyond belief. I hope you're collecting your poems.

Nomad: Beautiful!! Colourful too!! I know for sure I am on that road too

JamesHird continued to bait. I don't like doing this but we all want the Poetry DB to maintain a kind of integrity, in accord with its original & continuing purpose to serve the users of this wonderful site.

Radiant 36 9: Okie dokes

JamesHird: Discussion over. Next remark on this and you are on hide.

Usurper: yup, well done.
still its a shame though

JamesHird: Call it what you will. That's right, I'm the mod. Discussion now over.

Usurper: rather weak of you, however, you are a mod so your choice stands.
Wouldn't be fair to BJ though if I didn't air my views. I actually quite enjoyed his gangsta rhymes.
I guess some people are born weaker than others and feel the need to hide. That is also fine. Everyone is different.

JamesHird: Valid on some stations, sure. But not here. My opinion may be no better than others but I must make a judgment according to my best insight. There are some deep, inciteful, politically incorrect & even rebellious poems on these boards. But poems designed to offend the very readers of the Poetry DB...that's where I choose to draw the line.

Usurper: Those type of lyrics are played on the radio for all to hear these days.
Why is your opinion better than others? I think part of the reason behind the lyrics is to offend. It is still valid though.

JamesHird: Inflammatory, in my opinion. Speaking of cop-killing & using the n-word not my idea of creative expression. Some may feel differently. I see it as rude, tasteless & disrespectful.

*edited for grammatical correction

I am surprised BJ's rhymes were taken off.
That doesnt seem fair to me.
Everyone has a differing opinion on poetry, doesn't make anyone wrong or right, just different.
Very poor moderation I would suggest

Beautiful Poems Cathy!! Thank you so much for sharing from your archive!

How I dreaded this day would come
though at this time you don't realize
the hug and kiss you offered so...
was the start of just letting go...

Then deep pain within, will shortly start
tearing at your precious heart..
I will offer my caring arms..
to comfort you.. and protect from harm..

Your father is a good man, he tries..
yet confusing will make your innerside cry..
How he could move so far away
and promise to you visits for a future day.

I shall not promise the lies he's made.
I don't walk in his path.
I have facts that he has done this before
I know it won't be his last.

You are young and innocent and try to believe
Yet only inside you will grieve.
The anger has yet to come I know.
and I your mother will help let it out.

I don't know how a parent could do this.
he knew he could never be there
why does he do this... does he care?

Cathryn Higgs ©2001

We shall be alone soon...
you and I......
looking at the moon.....
in the sky, so high....

Breathe me in......
just a minute more....
before I must leave....
and close the door.....

For I shall be here....
lingering in the night....
hold on to my thoughts.....
hold on to them tight....

Cathryn Higgs Copyright ©2001

Is it so wrong to want you so...
the miles between us.. even though...

the miles of ocean... that glisten so free...
the fact that you are half a globe from me...

From the archives of Cathryn

the postman brought me a letter....
it arrived today....
breathing it in....
reading what you say....

I see the words in front of me...
I hold it close to my heart..
I read the written words not once..
but, several times to start..

and even though it is not what you write..
that makes you so real.
it is the loving care...
that this letter has made me feel..

this empty piece of paper once...
had been in your hand first..
composing written words from you...
after receiving it.. has quenched my thirst..

Never before have I received a gift...
that touched me so dear...
I have only you to thank...
for bringing yourself so near..

Cathy:) 11-29-00

Thank you, Donna. I find these "poems" so-called, very offensive in nature....and purposefully so.

Unless your arguement is going to rhyme and not offend anyone else,I suggest you take this to pm's.
Thanks

ANTICHRIST:what's up bro?don't you like my rhymes?do wanna mess with B:J: gangsta?
don't mess with the streets dude!

Bruno Jesus: . . I’m With the Slam (by Carl Hanni)
A competition that pits poem against poem, poet against poet ... ... ~*~ .

'

'

Waiting for a morning
That never seems to get here
Searching for a spring
from winter's wicked sting
Anticipate a heaven
that never seems to get clear
The world awaits away-
the world awaits Someday

The aeroplanes are playing
Tic- tac- toe in skies
While the telephone poles
Are singing out their souls
Holding hands, up high,
To transmit intermittently-
if they can, so urgently,
Then so can we, so can we

A sift of sprinkles in the dark-
There powdered light sprinkles in
if we can't dance by day,
in the splashing stars we'll play
'til heaven wipes her face of sleep
and shows her sunny grin,
we'll await a way-

We'll await Someday
We await today

Bruno Jesus: bring em on dude

JamesHird:Do you want some gangsta rhymes bro?

of course you can. Poetry comes in all different forms. Dont even hav ta rhyme yo

Yo can I posT some busta rhymes ah ?Rapper style in tha house...yo check it out!

 
 
 

There's a place
On the corner
Mixing gossip up with gin

In the face
In the window
They'll always tell ya who's been in

  Then you move to the country
  To lose the smoke and the crowd

Nights like this
Always wind up
Where the air is thick
And the music's loud

  Every breath has its meaning
  Blowing out loud and breathing in

  So, take care what you do
  'Cause it all comes back again

There's a sign
On the highway
Telling everyone to rejoice
Every moment is a crossroads
And everyone must make a choice

  So, when you love, take it easy
  'Cause short-cuts are a waste of time

And the years
Bring the people
You've been holding in your mind

  Every breath has its meaning
  Blowing out loud and breathing in

  So, take care what you do
  'Cause it all comes back again

There's a man
In the White House
Selling everyone a used car
And he plays with his profits
Dreams that he's a football star

  But the dreams rain down fire
  On the little plastic man

And if you think it doesn't hurt you
Then you had better think again

  Every breath has its meaning
  Blowing out loud and breathing in

  So, take care what you do
  'Cause it all comes back again

 
 
 


I met a man who told me
His contacts were so fine
I could be a big star
If I'd sign his dotted line

I wanted to believe
So it took awhile to see
The only connection
That he really had was me

  And it's a two-faced world
From the bottom to the top
  I said it's a two-faced world
  Where's it gonna stop?

  (Not here I'll tell ya!)

I gave my friend some money
When his was runnin' low
And I thought he'd always be there
If I'd need a place to go

  I found out
  That he was just my enemy
  That good friend had been sayin'
  Some bad things about me

  And it's a two-faced world
  Everywhere you look
  Said it's a two-faced world
  Got me on the hook

I had a good true lover
At least that's what she said
I was really shocked
When I found her in his bed

  I really loved that woman
  But it took alot of gall
  To look me in the eye
  And say 'I just slept here, that's all'

  And it's a two-faced world
  Caught me in a trap
  I said it's a two-faced world
  Sittin' in the devil's lap

Once I had a country
Called The Land of The Free
I Pledged my Allegiance
To Justice and Liberty

  Now I think there's Justice
  In the crack in the Liberty Bell
  Give 'em all their Freedom
  By bombin' them to hell

  And it's a two-faced world
From the bottom to the top
  I said it's a two-faced world
  Where's it gonna stop?

Nomad: Right on the money. And very well said.

Nomad: Wow! That was so nice

Cathy1: Nomad has a drawer full of original poetry of equal caliber. I'm amazed at his talent. He's a great one. Also the finest of friends.

I came across this poem today, and it made me think of a particular person. I thought you all might enjoy it. There was no title.


It is my joy in life to find
At every turning of the road
The strong arm of a comrade kind
To help me onward with my load.

And since I have no gold to give,
And love alone must make amends,
My only prayer is, while I live -
God make me worthy of my friends.

- Frank Dempster Sherman

Nomad:

Wow! This is incredible. Do you have more? :)

Nomad: Wow!

Nomad: Terrifyingly Great.

When the air is filled with sorrow
And the day is cold and dark
When silent voices scream at you
And your world is torn apart

When laughter is a memory
And smiles always fade
When tears are falling freely
Then you know you've been betrayed

It may not be so ominous
It may not be so bad
But you know how much it took from you
You know it made you sad

They say Time is a Healer
I know it must be true
And yet Time waits for No Man
But...Will it wait for You?

Donna Emberley
December 2003

CurrentRiver: Thank you Wanda. I'm not a poet by any stretch of the imagination. I just know what I feel

Stardust:
Donna, what a beautiful poem. I can tell it was written from the heart with all you Love.....

I know this is not music board, but yet.. her lyrics are poetry :-)

The Stolen Child

and here is her website: Loreena McKennitt

She makes beautiful mystical music and ditto lyrics

Bebs: that is lyric from Lorreena McKennitt.. at least she is singing a beautiful song about this legend

Here is sample:

The HighWay Man