Notice of absence from Doggerel Dave
Not absent - still here!
Keep Calm and Carry On Poeming. 😂
Not absent - still here!
Keep Calm and Carry On Poeming. 😂
Forget four-letter words, they don’t mean much;
As verbal punctuation, nothing at all.
Should they signal aggression, then such
A warning allows retreat from a brawl......
No forget, I ask you, four-letter words –
My focus is on a two-letter word
By which people define themselves as herds;
It’s “We” – use it, and all nuance is blurred:
'Oh let's be happy as part of this mob:
We all moan together and feel we’ve done
The world a service'; but really you rob
Your misgivings of meaning – there is none.
Ask the who, when and why of everything –
World troubles, human behaviour, specify
Who and why – then perhaps you have some sting,
And at least no attempt to pacify
Each other with a long drawn out collective groan. 🙂
-
Author:
Doggerel Dave (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: November 16th, 2022 00:49
- Comment from author about the poem: Pacify? No – convince others, then, but not until, speak of ‘we’.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 59
Offline)
Comments10
And “us” will never be better than we by reason of inclusivity, whereas the former denotes exclusivity which ends up in everyone groaning in different keys.
"because" the former, Rik? Can't believe I mentioned it , though... It's the 'we' I'm objecting to. "Us" are out there and can stay there...
Still working on the 'us' - response to Bella, below.
Hello! That's a five-letter word!
If Fido spots any four letter words on here not marked 18+ he barks ferociously at the poets. heehee. He's a unique one.
And - 'we' may moan about the weather in the UK. But it is usually chillier than it has been the past few weeks. We've had it mild for ages mostly. 'That's your lot now' it seems.
It's soon to be 'normal' or much colder temperatures in some areas of the UK soon.
Depends what sort of weather we like too.
Orchi, I have a funny feeling you are doing a snow job on me.... As for Fido, I believe he will be euthanized, stuffed and mounted, complete with a plaque which should read something like:
"Fido" Houndus Censourious - he served Orchi Didlee Dee on behalf of God King and Country for many many years, but was cruelly put down by another hound who felt he was too much competition".
I've always felt "we" is utilized oftentimes by people who want to make their point more "valid" or "inclusive" but it really just ends up generalizing people and their opinions. I like the way you described us as "herds," it's true on so many levels.
Thanks for the visit Rocky - but especially for highlighting 'herds'. When the idea clicked, I couldn't work it in fast enough, the piece largely built around that idea.
I always find the collective "they" and "we" so nebulous. Certain groups seem to think that they speak for everyone in their opinions, and use those terms without any real validation. For me, the use of "us", signifies inclusion of everyone, no matter who, no matter what their views. A very thoughtful, and thought provoking write my friend.
Thanks Bella. Every time I happen across 'We' in reference to some potentially catastrophic decision which helps towards the disastrous state of the world, I want to shout 'no, sign me out - I had nothing to do with this, even as I suffer too!'
I am working on the 'us' thing, mentioned by both Rik and you, in my head. and am coming around to the idea, specifically when used to describe the above mentioned state of the world visited upon 'us'
You have in the literary sense articulated something that has crossed 'my' mind on many occasions .. If 'I' didn't know better, 'I' suspect 'I' might get hung up on it too ........ but hey, I am nackered so we are going to bed 🙂
So, "If 'I' didn't know better," - I'm here to learn. Spell it out, please Nev.
I believe, we or us become irrelevant for its the intent that carries the weight. But then I was never good at grammar.
I know nothing of grammar in the formal sense either (I've admitted that many times). But I feel I know enough about words and in particular the context in which they are used.
What I attempt to get to grips with here may be summarised as: The use of 'we' when speaking of world problems and so on is just a form of ventilation without any call to action or pin the real culprits.
Thanks for the call, Mate.
"We" and "Us" become divisive when used to separate people. "We" are always correct when used this way and "Us" are always the victims. It is classic separatism.
A very thoughtful poem that makes one wonder, "Do I do that/" - Phil A.
Thanks, Phil - And I think I am, after the discussion in the 'Comments' above including yours, better able to make a distinction between 'we' and 'us'.
But the 'we' as used on TV, radio. and sometimes here, still bugs me and will not change.
This is a good and valid point. We or us are used without validation to prove that there is support for what one believes or states. It is used so often that it is hardly noticed and is accepted by those listening as valid. I think that the problem is with the listener not just the speaker. A poem that raises a good and overlooked point
Cheers Soren - I do think you have something there, worth being conscious of....even if It was not my main point on delivery.
For me, I want folks to, if not name names initially at least be able to analyze for themselves the cause of and by whom whatever catastrophe is being inflicted. It is, I hope not too subtly, a way of injecting my old theme of deep history into the conversation. I keep on trying (am very trying?🙂)
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