[Ann Drysdale]

But... am I reading this poem upside-down? I've never heard this before or seen the poet deliver it but as I read it I felt that little bubble gathering in my throat that finally burst in a whispered - yesss.

Because that's what we do. That's what our media reinforce, day in, day out. Sometimes in an attitude of spurious "understanding". Great poet. Shame about the foot. Substitute name/negative element as necessary.

In the US you have surely had issues obscured by idiots concentrating on something that should be an irrelevance? It happens here a lot. Byron himself also capitalised on it to some extent.

I don't think this is merely "funny". I read it as a clever, tongue-in-cheek piece of pure irony. Although I smiled as I read it, I found it angry, moving and, most importantly, thought-provoking. To me, it says exactly the same as Allen's more direct message. A legitimate use of poetry, I feel.