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In My Lifetime

(From the other side of the track) Grammar the regal tool of pure English Alas used as a wedge to classify, A divided country a trait snobbish To ridicule lampoon then pacify. This class structure based on one’s conveyance The transfer of language the written word, A populace afraid of decadence Chances of education seldom heard. Behold the reign of slang chaste dialect Devolved from our Viking forefathers, Just a distant phase of one’s recollect As those characters our grandfathers. Tradition broken down with one issue Purity of a language to pursue. © Harry J Horsman 2012

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Mandy Tams The Golden Girl

Date: 2/4/2016 9:02:00 AM

well i always knew you were clever but this blows my sock off, tis excellent harry xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/10/2012 10:48:00 PM

Harry, I think you are straddling that track with one leg on each side of it because you write GREAT to me!! HOw wonderful to see a sonnet from a pure englishman (I think you are from England? Or is it Wales or something?) well, keep up your good writing that I so enjoy. LUv, Andrea

Nette Onclaud

Date: 1/10/2012 2:14:00 AM

your words carry such a powerful tune, harry.. . so informative and well-scribed! :) huggs

Brenda Victoria Northeast

Date: 1/10/2012 2:08:00 AM

yes I struggle with language forms I just write what I feel and hope in my journey through the words I come upon some wise and learned souls who can help this damsel in distress- hehe- yes I do struggle, and very much appreciate your poem and thank you also for all your encouragement- blessings to you Harry, (i like that name) Brenda : )

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 1/9/2012 11:09:00 PM

I love the slang world.... Great poem Harry..always..pd

Wilma Neels

Date: 1/9/2012 2:20:00 PM

This one is quite insightful and I could not agree with you more Harry. Thank you for your kind comments on my writes. You always make me smile when I read your comments. love Wilma

Sara Kendrick

Date: 1/9/2012 10:59:00 AM

Yes, one's spoken and possibly written language expresses what they were exposed to in life..It can be a blessing or a curse based on how one uses this knowledge..Enjoyed your work very much..Greatly expresses the topic chosen..Your presence at my work was uplifting..When those like that one come to me it is totally sent from outside myself..I would say that God sends them or that God has given me the gift..Sara

Linda-Marie Sweetheart

Date: 1/8/2012 7:32:00 PM

another amazing creative feast from your awesome pen Harry luv.. u painted a vibrant picture... we speak dialect in Italy .. my Granny taught me how but knew Italian to the max.. dialect was easier..thankxx for many warm comments ..

Joe Flach

Date: 1/8/2012 12:17:00 PM

Interesting write, Harry about a dichotomy of language forging a cultural wedge in society. Very intelligent and insightful read - nicely done. Wouldn't it be nice, if someday, those tracks could be traversed without fear and intimidation. Or, am I just too niaive?

Deck Fitzgerald

Date: 1/8/2012 9:44:00 AM

2 Northern lads Harry one reading and one writing but both enjoying a well written piece , all the best mate . Declan

M.I.A .

Date: 1/8/2012 12:28:00 AM

Purity of a language to pursue... amazing line to close this well-penned poem! wonderful Harry, enjoyed this alot

Bl Devnath

Date: 1/7/2012 9:50:00 PM

Wonderful poem, read it. Thanks for sharing and for your comment on my write. bl

Doris Culverhouse

Date: 1/7/2012 7:02:00 PM

Hitch up those gitches and ambulate across the way to a brother's abode and visit awhile on the settee. Don't beat the mule for stubbornness he's just a creature of the earth.

Doris Culverhouse

Date: 1/7/2012 6:58:00 PM

I am the queen of short phrases.....though I try to teach my son many different words. Also his multiplication tables. He is not really interested for some reason.....

Robert Pettit

Date: 1/7/2012 3:02:00 PM

It is amazing how a nation's language evolves over the centuries. Manuscripts written in the time of William the Conqueror appear as if they have been inscribed in a foreign language. Do you think our distant descendants will be speaking our language in 2500 AD?

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 1/7/2012 2:43:00 PM

Good Harry like always.oxox love Anne-Lise

Jancarl Campi

Date: 1/7/2012 7:08:00 AM

A very interesting and profound poem. As reading this i think of the films from the BBC, especially the ones that show the different classes. Downtown Abbey comes to mind, Janare

Debra Squyres

Date: 1/7/2012 6:49:00 AM

Have no idea why the movie, My Fair Lady, popped in my head and now I'm repeating and humming: "The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain." lol An enjoyable read.