This mini hysteria that is prevalent re; ‘Not in front of the Children’ on this site (WOL) insofar as few of the poems posted are within the bounds of Patience Strong and Readers Digest there many others which during their search and exploration of subject and meaning utilise obscene language within the body of their poem .

I am the first to agree that use of these base words is often gratuitous, lazy and boorish, however there are moments when it adds or underlines like no other word might. I appreciate there will be many that may disagree,

However, since the conception of this site (WOL) and to date, members have regularly utilised the full range of Anglo Saxon expletives and many others besides.
Children hitherto, as far as I know, have had no protection, but I recall no outcry or protest from members.

Covering our tracks is both laughable and prudish F**k, C**t, S**t,
we might as well just invent new ones, to ensure that our little darlings are kept on the straight and narrow for example:

Crunt.,.Fug , Fugging Ice-hole, no worry’s there, that’ll fool em.

Gus i did comment on the access of children, when a certain young lady called holly was logged on overmuch ( not sure she was what she said mind ) i spoke to admin about the vulnerablity of her and other wol members

Love that Gus, 'fugging ice-hole' - brilliant! May have to incorporate that into a conversation later, don't think I'd be able to keep my face straight though whilst everyone looks at me like I've totally lost my sanity, which of course, will be dutifully reinforced for them by the howls of hysterical laughter that will come directly after, and as a result my adoring family will porabably ban me from WOL, because of it's effect on both my language and my sanity. :-)

This site, I believe, is not aimed at or intended for, children, and I am happy not to encourage them. I am among the many adults on here who want to read, as well as write about, adult themes.
And I am absolutely for the imaginative use of language, any language, in the writing of poetry. The poem that has caused such controversy should be on here, if its author so wishes. However, as much as he has the right to write whatsoever he wishes, don't the rights of those offended by it count too?
Personally, I think the compromise reached is a fair one. There is no solution that will please everybody.
Is it censorship? Absolutely. And unfair as that may seem to those not offended by it, it's still the fairest compromise. (Wish I could underline the word compromise).
Cx

Hi Gus,

Interesting topic this. I feel I alluded to it a little in my post on the parallel thread here:

http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/newsgroupview.php?NewsThreadsID=909&NewsGroupsID=3

However, pedant that I am, I couldn't resist doing a little research on your alternative profanities. I googled "crunt" and it led me to

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=crunt

where I found this - enjoy!

A teacher applies for a new job. The principal asks her name and she says "Miss Franny". "Ooh, I don't think I'll remember that" says the principal. "It's easy" says the teacher, "just think of Fanny with an R". The teacher gets the job and the next day when the principal is introducing her to her new class he says "Children, I'd like you to meet your new teacher... Miss Crunt!"

I did!

Regards,
A.E.

My only problem with the POM was that it is centre-stage in October as the site's example of excellence. Who permitted it to be posted in the first place? I agree, it is a good poem when thoroughly explained as to its extended metaphor. If it could stand on its own with its figurative meaning clearly comprehensible, I have no problem with it, graphic as it is.

I think the compromise reached is a good one. However, it should be cross-referenced without all the dramatic 'bewares', as these 'counsels' flag the poem as extremely desirable to investigate...and not just for kids! Most work in this site, with sexual references, would not shock any teenager today. But this one might. Hopefully not to emulate.

The POM Cynthia is not supposed to be an example of excellence. It is just a poem that for whatever reason the previous encumbant of POM likes. This could be because of the poets own circumstances or a special connection to the poet which may not translate to the rest of the readership. It is also meant to be a bit of fun (so much for that).
As to your other points, I agree entirely. This was an inapropriate poem to be on the front page,but not I think to be in the poets profile.

I work in schools sometimes with early years children and didn't think the teachers booking me would (via a google search) trawl through my back catalogue of blog entries / discussions etc but it has happened and not all of it was appropriate. Of couse the teacher should trust me to work with the right material for the right age group and should see that not all my poems are for children but this didnt happen. We live in an increasingly sensitive and frightened world.

Win, your comment is one of the scariest things I ever read. Did you watch 'The Big Questions' this morning? Same general point/s. The current climate of censorship and outright individual fear virtually reflects scenes typical of 'The Handmaid's Tale' and other such 'new worlds'.