I would rather be the first,
In a barbarian village,
Than the second to Rome.
Where I squander time by law
In this – my home away from home.
I would rather hold up my hand
And know that I was right,
Than be reaching for authority.
Awkwardly twisting backwards;
A request of aid for the minority.
I would rather hide behind ignorance,
Waiting for my time to come,
Than watch insecurities progress.
When the element of surprise is mine
Alone, and I work below the surface.
I would rather be improved by day,
Watching an accolade of stars collate,
Than be subject to expectations.
I will forsake this game for the elite,
And its archaic allegations.
I would have rather been known
Among the common tribes as great,
Than be spat upon by my superior.
I welcome segregation between us,
Where I no longer feel inferior.
Author notes
I was given the quote "I would rather be the first, in a barbarian village, than the second to Rome." The poem is essentially about the Grammar school/Comprehensive school debate in the UK. (For those who dont know much about it, to get into a grammar school you take a test which is a bit like an IQ test that doesnt really measure your IQ. If you pass you go to a school where a B-grade isn't good enough, and even though you're way above the country's average you should be doing better. Grammar schools are full of intelligent boffs basically!) The poem talks about how someone would rather go to a Comprehensive and be top of the class (and rewarded accordingly) than go to a Grammar and be bottom of the class (and feel shite because of it).
However, I cannot take credit for how this quote inspired me though - a close friend of mine gave me the idea about relating it to school, etc. (Thanks Jo! 
)
Anyway, this whole thing probably doesn't make alot of sense, but I hope you enjoyed reading it anyway 
Written December 1st, 2005
A contest entry
- Work with the Phrase by rexi and eso.
500 points, ended December 3, 2005, 7 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
-
Great!! Loved it!! You had a subject, or rather a point that you explored and you expressed it in a superb way! Again impressed
-
This is really good. I love the emotion and style of this. Great meaning, as well. Keep on writing!
-
Thank you so much for your comment on my story/essay thing (I'm not sure what exactly to call it). I liked this poem a lot, the explanation helped a lot at the end and put things into perpective. I loved the idea of comapring the two schools with the two cities-- very unique.
-
now write the poem in the opposite point of view. Some of us suited a grammar school. Are u calling me an intelligent boff? i prefer spod!!! this is really amazing. grammar school must have given you something- a poem.
Oh and Welcome to objective poetry....i like to think i influenced u. only coss im proud and wanna bask in ur reflected glory! -
Thank you for your comments and congratulations. Very much appreciated
mel xx -
Wow. Thank you so much. I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it thank you for giving me such an interesting quote as inspiration!!
Take care,
mel xx -
Congratulations on winning gold in this contest. Well done.
-
ya, the explanation helped lol i LOVED THIS!!!! what a clever use of the phrase ive given you!!! and it read wonderfuly, words wouldnt do it justice
thankyou entering such an amazing peice!!
-Song- -
Thanks for the explanation, clarifies things for sure. Good write.
-
very interesting twist and very good insight and expression!
Adding your comment:
1 - 10 of 10
3 old applause
