Freedom of expression in Poetry.

[Erthona]

"on the point about being shocking and controversial for the sake of being shocking and controversial, there seems nothing wrong with that, to me."

I think you're missing the point. Not all things can be poetry, or you loose the use of the word. If "the point being one of titillation, or preaching" then it becomes porn or a sermon. Plus, as you point out, a poem consists of more than just the topic, or the content.

There were two movies produced (lately) of "Sweeny Todd" the first with Angela Lansbury, the second directed by Tim Burton. To me, the first was a work of art, the second was a farce, as it made the grotesque the focal point, whereas the first focused on the emotional turmoil within the characters, and that revenge ion the end takes everything from you.

But here, you decide:
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Darfur

Brutal lies make brutal lives.
Brutalize, sodomize, cauterize, hypocritize,
Suicide, pesticide, tellnolies of genocide.

Little girls, young girls, rape them good,
Rape them like, a big man should.
Little boys, with your lies imbue,
So they can die, instead of you.
Rat-a-tat-tat, Rat-a-tat-tat,
Little girl pussy, for the fat cat.
Huff, huff, huff. Huff, huff, huff,
fill her up, with his stuff.

Another little baby in the world,
If it’s a girl He’ll give her a whirl,
Run, run, run. Run, run, run.
If it’s a boy, He’ll give him a gun,
Run, run, run. Run, run, run.
Killing and raping, so much fun.
Run, run, run. Run, run, run.
Into their bellies, pump lead and cum.

Millions from their homes have run,
Whether by prick, or whether by gun.
Bang, bang, bang. Bang, bang, bang.
Get us more little young girl tang.
Rat-a-tat-tat, Rat-a-tat-tat,
Tiny little girl; make her fat.
Fight, fight, fight. Fight, fight, fight.
Slit some throats in the dark of night.


Dale