Selfish Bitch

I know exactly what your talking about kids for cash ... there are women here in my home town three hours north of you, one has over ten kids the other has fourteen and the kids have mulitple fathers ... our government has made this situation and now I often wonder how they are going going to fair with no support from their familes some will sink and some will swim and the government only have themselves to blame all four of my kids have work something I am forever grateful, they were brought up knowing you get nothing for free in this life I could rant and rave on this subject there are so many instances of abuse of our welfare system ... there are a couple of technical things I will have a go at later but i will wait till my blood pressure goes down lol kind regards JayCee

Boy have you a chip or should I say chips on your shoulder. What went wrong? the wrong woman, too many kids, or just bloodymindedness. I myself get great pleasure when I see kiddies playing and often wonder is that the next World's president. In the old days the bigger the family the more chance of survival, Nowadays it seems to be a matter of how much one can get pro kid. You have kids think about people like my Wife and I we could not have any. It was one of the saddest things in our fifty four years of married life, and yes we are still going strong. Respect for each other and never go to bed on an argument has always been our motto. As for "Pass me my pills," I have to take thirteen pills a day, no joke believe me. Parkinson got me twenty five years ago and still no cure. Bern

My pleasure Damo, I have given your poem top marks for taking on a subject that many try to ignore and yes there are too many leeches on the system. Bern

"THere for the grace of God..." Who's to say why they're in the place they're in. Many a psychologist would give you their appraisal. You yourself, were one of the lucky ones - they were obviously not! Truth is, we are social beings and what is perceived as a millstone around the neck needs to be cut free or it's more than likely to hang the system! Appreciate your comments Damo. You should team up with Kaligantsaros sometime. He is the social commentator here at Neo. CHeers Bonita j

sterilise me as a genetically disordered mental case and my sister as downs syndrome, jesus fuck! You wouldn't want to pass that on! While we're at it lets sterilise the midgets, oh, excuse me, politically correct term, small statured people. And while we're at it let's get rid of gays, they don't breed anyway. I get the message, hopefully with tongue firmly in cheek. Cheers, Jess, “The political arena leaves one no alternative, one must either be a dunce or a rogue.” Emma Goldman

People will write on provocative subjects, hell we are poets, that's part of the job description. I believe a lively debate on a provocative subject is great, but remember, what one person considers provocative, another considers common sense. For example, I know some people who believe that allowing homosexuals to marry heralds the end of society. For me, as long as it involves consenting adults and I am not paying for it, it's none of my business. If we read a poem that provokes passionate thought, why not present that response as a poem? Granted, you may not have the immediate satisfaction of the direct reply, but really, if your goal is to expose the point of view you find provocative as flawed, your best option is to make a stronger argument not merely shit on the one you do not like. Oh, as my dad used to tell us: "Don't make me stop this car." --Jonathan Annoying the world, one person at a time (Group discounts available)

I was brought up on charity. I lived from the age of three until I was fourteen in the care of the Medway Cottage Homes in Chatham Kent. We were well fed, well clothed and well beaten. For my terrible misdemeanors, a broken cup a small swear word or even a hole in my socks. I was beaten, I have had my mouth washed out with carbolic soap on many occasions, thrown into a bath running over with cold water and a few other unpleasant things. I after leaving the care of the homes lived in a cardboard box. Strangers gave for which I have always been grateful, small sums of money enough for a cup of tea and a bun or even a small loaf of bread. I worked on an hourly basis in some of London's well knowqn restaurants as a dish washer, it gave me at least a hot meal. Newspapers I collected. Not to read them but to keep me warm. Newspapers are an excellent insulation against the cold stone or tarmac. I begged, No I was not proud of myself but who could pay lodgings of seven and sixpence on a wage of five shillings. I applied to one of the poor peoples charities for a small sum of money. yes enough to pay for a weeks board and lodging 7/6 I got the offer of 2/6 and told them to stuff it up their A*****. Nowadays I am I must say pleased to see that children are being helped in a more HUMANE manner. The parents are given money so that the kids can stay at home. Help is Important especially for the kids Bern.

To demonstrate my life at that time. Cardboard Box. I lived in a cardboard box from April to December, No work, No money, No food, Ah how I well remember. I wandered the busy streets looking for a job or two, How People looked and disdained we the miserable few. I washed dishes, in a busy restaurant it was worth a meal, No one cared or asked but it was forbidden you know to steal. When my work was done I washed and shaved my face, I could not press my tattered suit it was really a disgrace. I walked back to my box with newspapers that I had found, It was a good insulation you know on that hard cold ground. I was not alone others were quite near to me, We all had a box it was the best we could do you see. Many or all were hungry and some suffered from the cold. We were quite well mixed, some young and some really old. How we looked forward to the Salvation Army’s hot soup, It somehow kept us upright no human should have to stoop. Then there came the day when we given some clothes, A charitable organisation gave that what others had disposed. On a cold December’s morning my luck suddenly changed, They admitted me into hospital; they thought that I was disarranged. I was given a nice warm bed and a really good slap up feed, A Lady asked me about my circumstances and what I would need. I said, “I wanted a job any work would do, and of course a room,” A whole week they kept me and watched me push a broom. Then along came a man dressed in a suit of clothes (Quite New). Come along with me he said and I will see what I can do. I have never been out of work since and I have always worked hard. Now I am retired and lead the life of a Bard.

I am making light of serious issues because of the condemnation implied in the original poem (which I really thought was ironic) Do you think anyone chooses that life? Cheers, Jess, Reprehensibly irrepressible

No I did not choose my life. I had to exist in one way or another, I chose the streets it was at least honest, if you can call begging honest. I could have become a thief. God knows many from the Cottage Homes did. Having said this I now retire from Neopoets. My poems were meant to entertain. It seems that here a poem has to be pulled to pieces and put together again as it suits some people. My poems are just to be read and perhaps cause a smile on someones face not to be ripped apart and as I mentioned once before I have spoken very little English in the past fourty odd years. I have difficulty writing, I am not apologising for my lack of English or my writing. Other people that visit my web pages, I have three of them with my poems and stories. Seem to be pleased as they often come back. Cheers to all and goodbye from Bern.

I can feel the frustration and yes to a part the hatred for this person. I am still absorbing this. You certainly got your message across. Bravo!!

I don't want to get into the politics here, just wanna say I thought this was excellent, to the point, consistent and strong. I like your use of parenthetical remarks :) peace and cheers, logic

the fire talk beyond musings insmall coffe shops that led to tea raidings that led to purges O bright Robispierre who that had seen the tumble as his head and is it complex where elect puts the condo or complex we need night riders eyes and minds the swells from within can push away walls as swells from outside and nature flexs and we the humble species trembles and driven we drive forth by drives 'drive on driver...don't pay it no mind' [vietnam saying 1960's]

Hi, I feel the rage... but as I now know it's irony...don't 'hate' benefit cheats...just disappointed they can't take more responsibility. We do need a welfare system...but some people DO take advantage of the system! Good write! Ells x

you've captured the voice of the 'ugly australian' (and any ugly national for that matter) consistent theme and tone throughout, and not over-expressed. i'm feeling this is an observational comment on many levels of society, and not necessarily the writer's personal opinion easy for us to make judgements, isn't it, from ivory towers? do these problems exist to this degree? absolutley. is it up to us to judge? no. there will always be those that bleed the system...and those that genuinely need help a well written, strong piece with a good rhyme scheme. i'm not big on rhyming poems generally, but it works so well here. cheers p.