[Julie Steiner]

As M. A. Griffiths noted, the surest way to get someone to read your poem is to hang a warning on it. Heh.

Seriously, though, a little common sense and respect go a long way.

Yes, respect includes sensitivity when presenting material that has obvious potential to cause distress; however, respect also includes treating adults like adults, and expecting them to be able to handle adult topics and language...like, um, adults.

Balancing these two types of respect is where the common sense comes in. Or should.

That said, it is rarely, if ever, possible to legislate common sense into people who lack it. Would that it were.

[Cross-posted with Roger. Amen, brother.]

[By the way, my jeremiad of a few days ago, to the effect that wind chimes should be illegal, was hyperbole. I did not really mean to endorse the all-too-fashionable idea that there is a legislative solution to every societal problem. Sometimes one has to actually go to the bother of having a conversation with those of a different opinion; explaining one's position in a reasonable, respectful, and (one hopes) persuasive manner; and asking if a mutually acceptable solution can be worked out together.]