The Aerie
Okay, so I bring in the mail today, and there's a mailing from this sort-of-scam place: Poetry.com My daughter apparently sent in a poem over the Internet and now they want her to buy a $50 book that has her poem on one of its pages.
There's nothing new about selling appeals to egotism, but the poem that she sent in, which was positioned in a transparent panel in the envelope, absolutely knocked me out.
Think About the True Necessities
I don't know why the president will talk
about the war that's active in Iraq,
and we will help the citizens therein,
and that we shall cure the problems of our kin.
Why does he not think of people who reside
inside the country which he calls his pride?
The unemployed, the poorest girls and boys
who do not have the money for life's joys.
The education of our country's youth,
who, with not proper care, will be uncouth.
The health of all the citizens who're ill,
the ones who cannot pay their tax or bill.
Forget the wars, all men who do govern;
take all the human rights into conern.
Take care of our great country, USA,
for without care will our pride dwindle away.
To quote The Simpson's Moe Szyslak, "Buh-whaa?!" Where the hell did THAT come from?
I mean, yeah, it ain't perfect and no, it doesn't scan in several places, but, holy moly, where'd she get that from? It's not about ponies or puppies or loneliness or lost love: she twelve and she's written a poem about domestic versus foreign policy, educational funding, and the social safety net!
Despite the fact that I know that she is very gifted, I am afraid I am guilty of underestimating my very gifted daughter...
Posted by Albatross at March 5, 2004 4:43 PM