A dissenter of profanity, I put a penalty on my darling 9 year olds.
My class of twenty-three angels had an uncanny ability.
To pick up cussing and swearing with alarming frequency.
Mortified by "F"words!” enunciated effortlessly.
"Damn it,” “Screw you,” being their milder use of sacrilege.
Popular media, and playgrounds, ubiquitously tolerate profanity.
Kids succumb to expletives and grow insensate to swearing.
Emulate, cartoon heroes, who thrive on "taboo" words.
How could I teach kids, hemmed into drift of waning morality?
Albeit tolerating, (more likely ignoring) the usage of profanity.
Pointless, reprimanding innocent kids who are learning?
On the other hand, criticize them, for this impasse.
Feeling challenged, by this word choice of merciless jargon.
My only quick fix, was obliterating, this abysmal language style.
By means of substituting words that are unacceptable.
With a “Nincompoop”, “darn it”, “nitwit,” and “baloney”.
Alternatively “ batty,” “phooey”, “dingbats” and “malarkey.”
Or, “dimwit,” “shoot,” “fraud,” and “for crying aloud.”
Or else “nutty”, “blast it”, “hogwash” “shoot”, and “dense.”
Consequence, resulting for voicing objectionable language.
A penalty, a dime, for every blaspheme, into “THE CUSS-BOWL.”
Failed to comply, would be steep, ensuing double up the fine.
Consequently, the “CUSS-BOWL” income will be expended.
To delight, the non-cusses with beneficial rewards.
Thanks to my daughter for ingenious fix.
Tendency of cussing and swearwords is undoubtedly fading.
Profanity inflation, costing them unquestionable bankruptcy.
“The Cuss-Bowl” is slowly but surely weakening, not making money.
A priceless finale, to the callous addiction of indecorous uproar.
Author notes
Use soft words and hard arguments.
English Proverb
Written May 31st, 2004
A contest entry
- teacher, teacher, I declare ...... (Contest for new members in May) by AP Greeters.
300 points, ended June 2, 2004, 25 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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Pozo..I must confess...It DID work...thats why this poem means the world to me...Thankyou I really appreciate it.
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This is a cool poem- there'll be a time when cursing isn't actually seen that way because it's used so often, though whether we've reached that stage I'm not sure. But bad language is becoming obsessive in our culture- and it's far better to have a wicked but pure tongue and wit
I like the beneficial curse bowl idea better, well done
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I agree with you all..This CUSS BOWL worked and each child realised the use of "F" words and SUXs and oh gosh there were far more worse...today I am proud that although they didnot catch on alternate words like few I mentioned...they definitely knew that F words were abusive.I dont hear swearing when I am around...atleast that a sign of respect and acknowledgement. I am proud of my CUSS BOWL.. IT WORKED!!!
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Cool poem, I'll leave it up to the others to see if it fits in the category. My daughters class had a swear box...... but somebody stole it
Good luck, Dave.
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Not sure how this fits with the contest criteria, unless it's a way to teach kids not to swear, or in a class room. And not sure if it's a childrens category poem. It is a great poem, though with wonderful flow, rhyme and rhythm.
In my nephew's class, they cannot use terms like "darn, drat, shoot, or sugar", since the teachers say that they are only alternate words, and thus are just as bad in intent as the original.....yet, they are allowed to call one another 'stupid' (A word that I find more demeaning and harmful than a lot of other words that are "cuss words"). -
I'm with you - it upsets me dreadfully to hear children using foul language. However - I can't see that your poem fits the criteria for the contest. I did enjoy reading it though very much and I like some of the optional words you chose. The Cuss-bowl (or swear box) is a fantastic idea though.
~Von~
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