[Max Goodman]

That's what I love about your verse, Jan: You think like I think. But you act on it.

[Mary Meriam]

Jan's got a poem in the next issue of Lavender Review!

[Jan D. Hodge]

Scorn not the bonnet; critic, you have frowned
without regarding what a lovely frame
it gave to Anna's smile, how well became
the dimpled cheeks of Gwendolyn, or bound
the gold of Laura's locks, how ribbons wound
about it gave a splash of crimson flame
to Ellen's eyes. Shame, critic, shame!
for slighting beauty so delicately crowned.

But should your eye be blind to such allure,
consider this: the long sleek line, the pure
magnificence that defines the Rolls Royce,
its silver bonnet lending the machine
a grace to make the strictest critic rejoice.
It also serves to keep the engine clean.

[Jayne Osborn]

The boy stood on the burning desk;
the teacher fled in fright.
His mate yelled, "Darren, jump you fool,
your trainers are alight!"

But Darren only laughed and yelled,
"Come on, let's trash the joint.
We don't learn nothing, coming 'ere,
so what's the bleedin' point?"

The system's let these youngsters down
if anarchy can rule.
However did we come to have
that term: a failing school?

The educationists stood firm.
They really should have known:
By giving up on discipline
they're reaping what they've sown.

[John Whitworth]

Martin is right. This stuff is really good IN DEPTH. What clever people we are.