Terry Flood | + Follow Poet |
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What Past Was That Then

Rename that lane for it’s unpleasant truth?
Pull down that statue and melt down it’s proof?
Destroy the signs of a malignant history?
Soon kids will think it’s all fiction or mystery

Rarely is history all hearts and flowers
Rarely is history pretty or sweet
Conflicting views and competitive powers
Where someone’s a winner and someone gets beat

Use and abuse and to hell with the weak
Victors exploiting the downtrodden meek
History tells us of yesterday’s way
So we’ll tread new paths for a wiser today

So rename that lane if you’re really that fussed
That statue will fall if to fell it you must
But sweeping the ashes of yesterday’s fires
Will just breed a nation of abject deniers

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Gary Radice Date: 1/26/2023 3:20:00 AM The best poem of yours I've read to date Terry. There has been much upset over Penny Lane in Liverpool as some think its named after someone related to the slave trade. It may have been. I don't know. Liverpool's own Museum of Slavery have done some digging and decided it is not related. I agree with the underlying message in your poem: Whatever wherever whenever we have to learn from the past not hide it. Cheers - Gary Login to Reply Terry Flood Date: 1/26/2023 7:29:00 AM Thanks, Gary. Actually wrote the first four and last two lines months ago but didn’t post. Had a tinker and added some lines to get something I felt I could submit. New ideas are lean right now, so I’m scanning my unlisted but unbinned items to see where I can take them. Glad you approve. Terry

Tom Cunningham Date: 1/26/2023 12:12:00 AM I've noticed that schools in the uk are very selective in what they include in history lessons. I believe everything should be taught both good and bad. We can't change the past but we can make a better future for all. Greetings from centerparcs in Woburn Forest. I'm on the move again. Hope you're well Terry. Tom Login to Reply Terry Flood Date: 1/26/2023 7:32:00 AM Thanks, Tom. One of our local schools has the kids singing ‘Bah bah RAINBOW sheep’…. Which is absolutely bonkers. The world has truly gone quite mad!