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A Sign of the Times

My Auntie went into a shop
Behind the counter she saw a sign
'ENGLISH IS SPOKEN HERE'

You often see these signs when you are on holiday abroad
Why am I writing this poem?

My Auntie doesn’t live abroad
She certainly doesn’t live on the moon
The sad state of affairs
She lives…. 
IN ENGLAND!!!

9th January 2015

humorousironyfree verse

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Christopher Flaherty

January 13, 2015 at 7:16 PM

Hello Jan Welcome to the reality of today's modern day England, This is a sign they can put on the tombstone of Old Great Britain changing the word from English spoken here to English WAS once spoken here. Cheers Chris

Jan Allison

January 13, 2015 at 7:19 PM

Oh so true Christopher. Thankfully where I live - The Isle of Man I am still able to speak fluent English and gibberish lol:-) Hugs Jan xx

Nette Onclaud

January 10, 2015 at 2:45 PM

laughing out loud.. this was fun, jan!.. huggs

Jan Allison

January 10, 2015 at 2:47 PM

Thanks Nette - humourous but ironic at the same time lol:-) Hugs Jan xx

Sandip Goswami

January 10, 2015 at 2:29 PM

Hahaha...very nice....To read your piece, I remember a story. A ten class passed Bengali woman visited in London. She came back at his village and said to her neighbors, "People of England are high educated. There every baby speaks in English."

Jan Allison

January 10, 2015 at 2:31 PM

LOL Sandip that made me smile:-) Hugs jan xx

Tim Smith

January 10, 2015 at 8:00 AM

We have that here...a few shop keepers feel you need to speak the language if you live here...just another form of racism

Jan Allison

January 10, 2015 at 2:15 PM

Thanks for the comment Tim - I found my sister's comment humourous but also so so sad:-) hugs jan x

Andrea Dietrich

January 9, 2015 at 10:57 PM

this is a riot, Jan. A very funny thing to see. Good grief!!!

Jan Allison

January 10, 2015 at 4:03 AM

Thought you would like it LOL :-) Hugs Jan xx

David Meade

January 9, 2015 at 9:43 PM

Yes, the times are changing . . . I wonder if it is American English or UK English? I have embarrassed myself a few times on the Island. Your poems always delight, 7

Jan Allison

January 10, 2015 at 4:02 AM

Think it definitely a 'sign of the times' David:-) Hugs jan xx

Emile Pinet

January 9, 2015 at 7:13 PM

This poem was innovative, captivating, entertaining and three dimensional in character. Emile.

Jan Allison

January 9, 2015 at 7:30 PM

Thanks so much Emile:-) Hugs jan xxx

Shane Cooper

January 9, 2015 at 6:23 PM

my dear friend Jan, I know people who have very strong opionins on both sides of that. What struck me as funny was seeing a sign in a restaurant in Cornwall "Dogs Welcome" and another in Sydney "chidren friendly". Should women be able to wear a berka in public? It is all the same statement/question what is inividual freedom and what happens when that challenges peoples predjudices. I don't like lunching with puppy dogs, but that is life is it not, warts and all.

Shane Cooper

January 9, 2015 at 7:00 PM

i have it up on my office wall, and on the fridge at home. It makes me smile also. love Shane xxx

Jan Allison

January 9, 2015 at 6:41 PM

Quite a topic for debate Shane - love your comments my friend i can't help but smile when I see your avatar - never change it please:-) :-) Hugs your friend Jan xx

Casarah Nance

January 9, 2015 at 5:05 PM

Well I hope English would be spoken in ENGLAND!

Jan Allison

January 9, 2015 at 5:08 PM

Sad isn't it Cas! When I go to England especially in some areas of Birmingham the white people are the ethnic minority - I laughed when my sister told me about the sign but sadly it is a reflection of society today:-( Hugs jan xx

Paul Schneiter

January 9, 2015 at 4:16 PM

'Tis, indeed, a sad spectacle. The U.S. and much of Europe have surrendered their sovereignty to evil forces bent on destroying every vestige of freedom. Thank you for creating a "smack on" poem that illustrates what needs to be illustrated.

Jan Allison

January 9, 2015 at 4:27 PM

Thanks Paul I thought i would add 'humour' to the category so people will read it but sadly it is a true sign of the times :-) hugs jan xx

A Sign of the Times

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