Boy for sale!
Boy prostitution Victorian England to present.26 total reviews
Comment from WalkerMan
Whether male or female, those forced into this way of life -- either by others or through their own desperate need -- are a sad reality. Any brief pleasures in it are far outweighed by the accompanying anguish, pain, or worse. Yet, this practice could not exist without its sinning patrons; and they must bear the blame for all its evils. You expose this oozing sore on humanity well with vivid wording, an apt illustration, and helpful notes. Oscar Wilde never impressed me, despite his reputation.
The only technical comment I'll make is that you should check both poem and notes for places where a space is needed between punctuation and the next word.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Whether male or female, those forced into this way of life -- either by others or through their own desperate need -- are a sad reality. Any brief pleasures in it are far outweighed by the accompanying anguish, pain, or worse. Yet, this practice could not exist without its sinning patrons; and they must bear the blame for all its evils. You expose this oozing sore on humanity well with vivid wording, an apt illustration, and helpful notes. Oscar Wilde never impressed me, despite his reputation.
The only technical comment I'll make is that you should check both poem and notes for places where a space is needed between punctuation and the next word.
Comment Written 31-Dec-2016
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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thanks so much for your valuable review.Aaprt from Wildes personal life, did you dislike his work?I found some of his poems a tad corny, but while I hate his actions I can't help admiring the artist.meia :)
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You are welcome, Meia. Actually, I like some of Wilde's quotes, but never knew about his personal life. -- Mike
Comment from Thal1959
A very in depth and profound look at the "tradition" of the time. Though the rhyme scheme changes and the beat comes and goes at will. At the present length, might have been better rendered as a free verse. (If the rhyme scheme and beat changes, it becomes more noticeable the longer the poem is and the more times the changes occur.) Just my opinion.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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A very in depth and profound look at the "tradition" of the time. Though the rhyme scheme changes and the beat comes and goes at will. At the present length, might have been better rendered as a free verse. (If the rhyme scheme and beat changes, it becomes more noticeable the longer the poem is and the more times the changes occur.) Just my opinion.
Comment Written 31-Dec-2016
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Very grateful for your kind review and feedback I will look into that thankyou!kind regards Meia x
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You are welcome.
Comment from DonandVicki
I had to read your poem twice, I just loved the old world feel of it. It conjured up images of Charles Dickens , of Fagan and the boys. Your authors notes tell me that you put a lot of your soul and emotions into this fine work. Don
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2016
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I had to read your poem twice, I just loved the old world feel of it. It conjured up images of Charles Dickens , of Fagan and the boys. Your authors notes tell me that you put a lot of your soul and emotions into this fine work. Don
Comment Written 31-Dec-2016
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2016
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Thanks so much for your kind review and I am so glad you enjoyed it.Two books you might enjoy (and I have a poem to post tomorrow about Fanny and Stella) are :The Sins of the Cities of the Plain (Valancourt Classics) Paperback ? 24 Aug 2012
by Jack Saul (Author), Wolfram Setz and https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fanny-Stella-Shocked-Victorian-England-ebook/dp/B00A9MOAL4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483225139&sr=1-1&keywords=fanny+and+stella+the+young+men+who+shocked+victorian+england..both amazing reads I think you will enjoy and I look forward to releasing my 'Fanny and Stella' poem tomorrow, Victorian England was crazy wild! Thanks again for your comments on my poem!x
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Spooky... I am writing a novel and one of the two main characters name is Stella. 'The One Arm Monkey" should be released for publication in late Feb.-March.
Comment from LIJ Red
Some Marines in the Middle East were incensed by the local bigshots abuse of their catamites. This has been going on since before our ancestors left the trees. You emphasize your point in great detail. Excellent post.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Some Marines in the Middle East were incensed by the local bigshots abuse of their catamites. This has been going on since before our ancestors left the trees. You emphasize your point in great detail. Excellent post.
Comment Written 31-Dec-2016
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Thanks so much for your great review x
Comment from laffad
This language is almost Shakespearean. I love it. The words are colorful and gross and I mean that in every positive way. This is a topic that disgusts me, but it rings nostalgically of Thomas Swift's "A Modest Proposal". Have you read that?
The satire in this is overwhelming. It's so messed up but I think you did a wonderful job. Thanks for posting this.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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This language is almost Shakespearean. I love it. The words are colorful and gross and I mean that in every positive way. This is a topic that disgusts me, but it rings nostalgically of Thomas Swift's "A Modest Proposal". Have you read that?
The satire in this is overwhelming. It's so messed up but I think you did a wonderful job. Thanks for posting this.
Comment Written 31-Dec-2016
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Thankyou so much for a fabulous review.I haven't read that book but I will defiantly have a look!Thanks again meia x
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
I wish I had a six left to give you for this, I do enjoy poetry that tells a story. I wrote one about a chimney sweep boy back in those days. Life for children was hard, and they suffered a lot just to be able to live. Those poor boys didn't stand a chance, did they, and you are right, it continues today. So sad. Well done, you kept this going without losing the rhyme or rhythm, it is a pleasure to read. :) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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I wish I had a six left to give you for this, I do enjoy poetry that tells a story. I wrote one about a chimney sweep boy back in those days. Life for children was hard, and they suffered a lot just to be able to live. Those poor boys didn't stand a chance, did they, and you are right, it continues today. So sad. Well done, you kept this going without losing the rhyme or rhythm, it is a pleasure to read. :) Sandra xx
Comment Written 31-Dec-2016
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Thankyou so much for you lovely review Sandra, it is so kind of you and I am so pleased you enjoyed my poem and understood the hardships of that life.still going on!meia x
Comment from Bill Schott
This poem reads like a detailed essay that has somehow been magically reimagined as a flowing verse. The societal aspect, the human drama, and the idea that the practice and people have not changed much in a century, all come together in this modern classic. I will have to owe you a sixth star. Bill
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2016
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This poem reads like a detailed essay that has somehow been magically reimagined as a flowing verse. The societal aspect, the human drama, and the idea that the practice and people have not changed much in a century, all come together in this modern classic. I will have to owe you a sixth star. Bill
Comment Written 30-Dec-2016
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2016
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wow, you are so kind!That means so much to me, I am so thankful you enjoyed it as most of my poems are based on reality and quite gritty.Thanks again!xx
Comment from GracieAnn
MESAYERS,
Or MESAYINGS, as the case may be. ;) Solid rhyming scheme. Blatantly and honestly powerful as the plight of the waifs of society eek out an egregious living. So raw and pitiful as these young ones are ensnared, ill-used, and desperate. Genuine love escapes them as their abusers care not for anyone but themselves. Solid message and cause. Nice work.
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2016
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MESAYERS,
Or MESAYINGS, as the case may be. ;) Solid rhyming scheme. Blatantly and honestly powerful as the plight of the waifs of society eek out an egregious living. So raw and pitiful as these young ones are ensnared, ill-used, and desperate. Genuine love escapes them as their abusers care not for anyone but themselves. Solid message and cause. Nice work.
Comment Written 30-Dec-2016
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2016
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Thanks so much this means a lot I am very grateful for your review, the subject matter is gritty but a lot of my poems are about true life events and this is one of them.Many thanks again.xx
Comment from samandlancelot
Messayers,
You have a beautiful way of taking something horrendous and unseemly and bringing life, emotion and feeling into it. Yes, we know these horrors happened and still happen today, but you take something that is simply knowledge and make it persoanly, piercing our hearts and minds.
Always in need of a place to stay,
A lodging house, if lucky,
Or on the cold streets they stay,
Desperately searching the crowd, with their need
To feed their empty bellies,not to fulfil their Greed. (instead of judging, you bring sympathy to the boys' predicament.)
It (It's) amazing how much you can buy for ten shillings!
There is no way to make is (change 'is' to 'it') sound pleasant or nice.
And this story still today, is still a grim,dark reality. (I think this might read better if you removed one "still")
So much of your poem rhymes, it is distracting when I come across a stanza that doesn't rhyme. I don't know if that was intentional or not. I am certainly not an expert on poetry. I'm still learning.
I know you said you are sensitive, so I hope anything I share with you about your poetry is only helpful and never hurts you. You are very talented, and I hope you have much success.
Patricia
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2016
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Messayers,
You have a beautiful way of taking something horrendous and unseemly and bringing life, emotion and feeling into it. Yes, we know these horrors happened and still happen today, but you take something that is simply knowledge and make it persoanly, piercing our hearts and minds.
Always in need of a place to stay,
A lodging house, if lucky,
Or on the cold streets they stay,
Desperately searching the crowd, with their need
To feed their empty bellies,not to fulfil their Greed. (instead of judging, you bring sympathy to the boys' predicament.)
It (It's) amazing how much you can buy for ten shillings!
There is no way to make is (change 'is' to 'it') sound pleasant or nice.
And this story still today, is still a grim,dark reality. (I think this might read better if you removed one "still")
So much of your poem rhymes, it is distracting when I come across a stanza that doesn't rhyme. I don't know if that was intentional or not. I am certainly not an expert on poetry. I'm still learning.
I know you said you are sensitive, so I hope anything I share with you about your poetry is only helpful and never hurts you. You are very talented, and I hope you have much success.
Patricia
Comment Written 30-Dec-2016
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2016
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This is great advice thankyou so much I had not noticed the errors thanks so much for pointing them out.kind regards meia xx
Comment from Suzanne
This is a compelling piece. I would actually eliminate the second stanza as I think those lines read as lighthearted and dilute the poignant tone of the poem as a whole. For the same reason I would see what you could do to rework the "shoddy" and "body" rhyme. At least to an American ear, "shoddy" has connotations of careless neglect, not predatory cruelty. It's a heartbreaking poem. Thank you for daring to write it, and for sharing it.
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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2016
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This is a compelling piece. I would actually eliminate the second stanza as I think those lines read as lighthearted and dilute the poignant tone of the poem as a whole. For the same reason I would see what you could do to rework the "shoddy" and "body" rhyme. At least to an American ear, "shoddy" has connotations of careless neglect, not predatory cruelty. It's a heartbreaking poem. Thank you for daring to write it, and for sharing it.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 29-Dec-2016
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2016
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Thankyou so much for your comment.No plan to remove stanza two but thank you for input xAlso, the childs upbringing was shoddy neglect by his parents , so that will stay too.x
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Ah, got it-- thanks for pointing that out.