JCpoetryblog

 Engineers' Corner Why isn't there an Engineers' Corner in Westminster Abbey? In Britain we've always made more fuss of a ballad than a blueprint... How many schoolchildren dream of becoming great engineers? -- advertisement placed in The Times by the Engineering Council We make more fuss of ballads than of blueprints -- That's why so many poets end up rich, While engineers scrape by in cheerless garrets. Who needs a bridge or dam? Who needs a ditch? Whereas the person who can write a sonnet Has got it made. It's always been the way, For everybody knows that we need poems And everybody reads them every day. Yes, life is hard if you choose engineering -- You're sure to need another job as well; You'll have to plan your projects in the evenings Instead of going out. It must be hell. While well-heeled poets ride around in Daimlers, You'll burn the midnight oil to earn a crust, With no hope of a statue in the Abbey, With no hope, even, of a modest bust. ...

I've always thought of Rudyard Kipling as a poet who wrote verses about the glories of Empire and Manhood and such, but when I looked at the list of his literary achievements I was amazed.  He was certainly a man of his time but not limited by that. There are hundreds of his poems to choose from but I can't resist this gem from The Jungle Book. Now this is the Law of the Jungle -- as old and as true as the sky; And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must die. As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk the Law runneth forward and back -- For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack. Wash daily from nose-tip to tail-tip; drink deeply, but never too deep; And remember the night is for hunting, and forget not the day is for sleep. The Jackal may follow the Tiger, but, Cub, when thy whiskers are grown, Remember the Wolf is a Hunter -- go forth and get food of thine own. Keep peace withe Lords of the Jungl...

 This clever poem by Brian Bilston can be read from both directions: top to bottom or bottom to top.  This technique nicely sums up the conflicting arguments about whether refugees should be welcomed or not.  Of course, the context in the UK where the situation regarding refugees is somewhat different from that of Australia. They have no need of our help So do not tell me These haggard faces could belong to you or me Should life have dealt a different hand We need to see them for who they really are Chancers and scroungers Layabouts and loungers With bombs up their sleeves Cut-throats and thieves They are not Welcome here We should make them Go back to where they came from They cannot Share our food Share our homes Share our countries Instead, let us Build a wall to keep them out It is not okay to say These are people just like us A place should only belong to those who are born there Do not be so stupid as to think that The world can be looked at another way