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Array
(
[sid] => 133009
[catid] => 1
[aid] => mick
[title] => English
[time] => 2007-03-24 07:51:05
[hometext] => How I feel about my nationality
[bodytext] => Little more than a label to me,
This nationality.
I see the Irish
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day,
Drinking and cheering together
In this wonderful union.
But what of the English?
Then there’s the Scottish
With their kilts, clans and bagpipes;
With the Loch Ness monster
And the thrill of Burn’s Night.
But what of the English?
And the Welsh –
Fiercely, proudly national;
Preservers of their language
By determined patriotism.
But what of the English?
What of the English but old relics?
A Saint we do not celebrate,
A Royal family that serves no real purpose
Beyond upholding honour.
What of the English?
- But some famous bands and authors
And an inexplicable penchant
For drinking tea.
I am proud to be English
When I am in London.
A part of this cosmopolitan hub
Seething with the diversity
Of many peoples and languages.
But still I cannot say that England
Is the most beautiful place,
Because beauty is subjective.
I cannot say the English are the kindest,
Most polite people you could meet
Because I would be lying.
I cannot stand up and say,
“Look! This is me!
This is what England means to me!”
No.
Instead I am left alone, drowning
In this melting pot of culture.
[comments] => 7
[counter] => 305
[topic] => 25
[informant] => Dom
[notes] =>
[ihome] => 0
[alanguage] => english
[acomm] => 0
[haspoll] => 0
[pollID] => 0
[score] => 9
[ratings] => 2
[editpoem] => 1
[associated] =>
[topicname] => MiscPoems
)
English
Contributed by
Dom
on
Saturday, 24th March 2007 @ 07:51:05 AM in AEST
Topic:
MiscPoems
|
Little more than a label to me,
This nationality.
I see the Irish
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day,
Drinking and cheering together
In this wonderful union.
But what of the English?
Then there’s the Scottish
With their kilts, clans and bagpipes;
With the Loch Ness monster
And the thrill of Burn’s Night.
But what of the English?
And the Welsh –
Fiercely, proudly national;
Preservers of their language
By determined patriotism.
But what of the English?
What of the English but old relics?
A Saint we do not celebrate,
A Royal family that serves no real purpose
Beyond upholding honour.
What of the English?
- But some famous bands and authors
And an inexplicable penchant
For drinking tea.
I am proud to be English
When I am in London.
A part of this cosmopolitan hub
Seething with the diversity
Of many peoples and languages.
But still I cannot say that England
Is the most beautiful place,
Because beauty is subjective.
I cannot say the English are the kindest,
Most polite people you could meet
Because I would be lying.
I cannot stand up and say,
“Look! This is me!
This is what England means to me!”
No.
Instead I am left alone, drowning
In this melting pot of culture.
Copyright ©
Dom
... [
2007-03-24 07:51:05]
(Date/Time posted on
site)
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Re: English
(User Rating: 1 )
by FRANCO on
Saturday, 24th March 2007 @ 11:19:25 AM AEST
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a Message)
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HO, my jolly good friend, you have got "ENGLISH"... The Universal language to be proved of.
Though a very though provoking poem. Kept me thinking for a while.
GREAT WORK.
FRANCO. |
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Re: English
(User Rating: 1 )
by jerseysue on
Saturday, 24th March 2007 @ 03:19:34 PM AEST
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| Well this poem is good , but I do not actually agree with how England is portrayed. I am english and very proud to be. I now live in the channel isles, where the locals assure everyone they are British, but history states they are French. So yes this is one english lady who is happy to be part of that green and pleasant land. Sue |
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Re: English
(User Rating: 1 )
by Butterat_Zool on
Sunday, 25th March 2007 @ 01:40:23 AM AEST
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a Message)
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Most poeple these days could say the same of their ethnicity. As distances become less of an obstacle, and people become more interconnected, things like nation, religion, or any of the many other things we use to distinguish ourselves will all blur evermore towards irrelevence. Be thankful that humanity is good at coming up with new ways to distinguish "good people" from "bad people". Nationalism is driven by the same mechanic that fuels prejudice., and when all of the world's people are an even light-brown color, and all speak the same language, even then, there will be tiny differences and the prides and stereotypes that go alongside those. Good write. Very thought provoking. At least you have Guy Fawkes, right?
BZ. |
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Re: English
(User Rating: 1 )
by Former_Member on
Monday, 26th March 2007 @ 09:31:52 PM AEST
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a Message)
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Ah, my dear dom .. it is a difficult task to stand within
and encompass the overall view. You need perspective,
my friend. There are many things that say England to
me, which might or might not be similar to the guy
next to me. National Pride is more that identity ..
(and I'm from Canada where it means about a million
different things to be Canadian. lol)
Embrace your history .. your culture .. your roots Believe me,
there are many who look at your country and admire all that
you are, have been and will be.
(and damn .. but you GOTTA love those castles!)
great write .. very provocative
~Breezy |
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Re: English
(User Rating: 1 )
by yangdantien on
Wednesday, 28th March 2007 @ 12:27:52 PM AEST
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a Message)
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I feel the shifting gears of a self afloat in a national identity crisis. You capture your longing effectively.
There is the celebration of Guy Fawkes Day Nov. 5th burning effigies of conspirators and setting off fireworks but perhaps this is hollow in the face of the loss of British hegemony around the world as Americans now portray that arrogance.
Perhaps in the big picture being a race or nationality is so new to our biological history that maybe just maybe these ephemeral divisions will fade and our oneness and unity as one species will rise in its place.
Well Done
Blessing Brother
Yang
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Re: English
(User Rating: 1 )
by myheartsvoice on
Tuesday, 17th April 2007 @ 05:00:46 PM AEST
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a Message)
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I'm speechless with this one. quite honestly i've been enchanted with your country for years. A most beautiful write about a most beautiful place. hold on to her and cherrish her. Hail Britania . . . Bravo Et Tu
Ben |
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Re: English
(User Rating: 1 )
by Former_Member on
Tuesday, 20th November 2007 @ 04:16:13 AM AEST
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a Message)
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Well,here's a Scot who's lived in England since he was a boy.How do you think I feel?(laughs)
I know what you mean about being English.I think the intrinsic arrogance of Empire has reduced the need for national pride but,Land of Hope And Glory and the last night of The Proms and it's there for all to see.
England, to me,is a cricket match on a sultry afternoon,on a sleepy, village green,followed by a pint of beer in a low-beamed inn.Where everyone has an opinion,but the old boy at the end of the bar, he is he true sage.
Thoroughly enjoyed your poem,Dom.I'm happier for reading it.
Den |
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