Sunday Review

Well, after a fraught couple of weeks, we are pretty much sorted out here at Poetry24. Apologies to those whose poems got tangled in the mess and thanks to everyone for their patience.  It was partly because of the problems we have been experiencing that I opened the week with 'I heard the man on the radio say'.  After a furious - but predictably brief - round of the political 'blame game' has gone very quiet. I just wish we could hear a bit more about how we as a society might help and support the victims in these cases. There is a need for money and resources to be sure but, first and foremost, there is a need for a commitment to a principle: that, under sixteen, the victim is a child and it is never, ever the child's fault.

Tuesday's poem 'Rage' by was on a similar theme. John Saunders' uncompromising poem makes the point with clarity and power. There can be no excuses, no extenuating circumstances:

He oversaw the rapes of altar boys,

the fondling of children like toys-

playthings of the collared paedophile,

who prayed and preyed all the while.

Thursday's poem was

Wednesday's poem, 'Mightier' came from Sue Norton, a forceful reminder that:

Thugs wield their sticks and stones. They do not care.

Kill writers. Kill thinkers. Then punch the air.

In this piece, Sue's strong and clever rhymes are admirably suited to her message. Unfashionably, perhaps, I am a lover of well-used rhyme so I am especially pleased to have been able to publish this piece. 

Thursday's poem was 'A Drop of Water' by James Schwartsz, a response to a story that we should all be sitting up and giving out full attention. How long before we are all dependent on a big corporation for our water?

 Then, finally, on Friday, we had Franciso Rebollo's 'Rubble' I don't want to say anything more about this poem but, if you missed it, click on the links. It's so hard, isn't it? Every day there are so many claims on our time and resources. Give a little to this cause if you can.

Have a productive and peaceful week. Abigail Wyatt