Two poems for Latter-day Saints?
Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 3:01 pm
I have recently read a collection of poems by the British poet Wendy Cope, under the title Family Values.
(See it on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Family-Values-Wen ... 639&sr=8-1). It includes two poems that seem to me to be particularly relevant to LDS on this board, if I may judge from what they have posted about their experiences. There are other relevant poems too, like the one where her mother says she would prefer her daughter not to come to the communion service [Church of England term for Sacrament] at all, rather than for her to come and for it to be noticed that she does not take communion. But if you want to see the rest, you will have to pay Ms Cope at least the $7.67 it will cost on Kindle.
Here are the poems - hope you like them:
(See it on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Family-Values-Wen ... 639&sr=8-1). It includes two poems that seem to me to be particularly relevant to LDS on this board, if I may judge from what they have posted about their experiences. There are other relevant poems too, like the one where her mother says she would prefer her daughter not to come to the communion service [Church of England term for Sacrament] at all, rather than for her to come and for it to be noticed that she does not take communion. But if you want to see the rest, you will have to pay Ms Cope at least the $7.67 it will cost on Kindle.
Here are the poems - hope you like them:
Differences of Opinion
by Wendy Cope
1. HE TELLS HER
He tells her that the earth is flat-
He knows the facts, and that is that.
In altercations fierce and long
She tries her best to prove him wrong.
But he has learned to argue well.
He calls her arguments unsound
And often asks her not to yell.
She cannot win. He stands his ground.
The planet goes on being round.
2. YOUR MOTHER KNOWS
Your mother knows the earth’s a plane
And, challenged, sheds a martyr’s tear.
God give her strength to bear this pain-
A child who says the world’s a sphere!
Challenged, she sheds a martyr’s tear.
It’s bad to make your mother cry
By telling her the world’s a sphere.
It’s very bad to tell a lie.
It’s bad to make your mother cry.
It’s bad to think your mother odd.
It’s very bad to tell a lie.
All this has been ordained by God.
It’s bad to think your mother odd
The world is round. That’s also true.
All this has been ordained by God.
It’s hard to see what you can do.
The world is round. That must be true.
She’s praying, hoping you will change.
It’s hard to see what you can do.
Already people find you strange.
She’s praying, hoping you will change.
You’re dificult. You don’t fit in.
Already people find you strange.
You know your anger is a sin.
You’re difficult. You don’t fit in.
God give her strength to bear this pain.
You know your anger is a sin.
Your mother know’s the earth’s a plane.