How they Brought the Virus ...
A cruel parody25 total reviews
Comment from Marjon van Bruggen
A humorous and up-to-date-version of Robert Browning's How they brought the good news...
But today's reason (the Covid-19 virus being spread by the so-called leaders of the country) is very serious. It is good to give it all kinds of attention. The press, of course, and the whole disastrous trip displayed in a humorous poem by you. Bravo! I enjoyed it immensely and shivered at the same time because of the almost criminal actions of the people involved.
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
  |
A humorous and up-to-date-version of Robert Browning's How they brought the good news...
But today's reason (the Covid-19 virus being spread by the so-called leaders of the country) is very serious. It is good to give it all kinds of attention. The press, of course, and the whole disastrous trip displayed in a humorous poem by you. Bravo! I enjoyed it immensely and shivered at the same time because of the almost criminal actions of the people involved.
Comment Written 28-May-2020
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
-
Thank you for this review and the the six star grading. One of the problems over here is trying to interpret what we are and are not allowed to do. Despite the fines already imposed, some having been challenged may be unlawful, it is all so woolly, instructions, guidelines, what one should do. We are at a loss, but that fellow shouldn't have been, he was the architect!
-
I understand the confusion of the Brits. When they have a leader who doesn't give a damn about the well being of the people he is supposed to give clear guidance to, how can they feel sure doing the best they can to stop this dangerous virus? No clear instructions, today this, and maybe tomorrow the opposite? I think the people do well looking at countries with the most positive effects in stopping the spreading of this virus. And learn from them!
-
We are governed by a haystack who can't even find his hairbrush. How can he hope to locate the needle?
-
I'd laugh out loud, if it wasn't so disastrous.
Comment from R. Hiland
Fun piece. Good to see Browning's mastery getting some recognition :-) And always good to skewer arrogant public officials. (John Dryden where are you now?) I'm very new to Fanstory. Is it permissible to look into your portfolio?
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
 |
Fun piece. Good to see Browning's mastery getting some recognition :-) And always good to skewer arrogant public officials. (John Dryden where are you now?) I'm very new to Fanstory. Is it permissible to look into your portfolio?
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 28-May-2020
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
-
All the portfolios are public. If you don't want to be read you should take it down. So please feel free to browse mine, poetry and prose in there.
Thanks for this kind review.
Comment from BethShelby
I'm from the US,and I think this is extremely clever. I got a good laugh all the way through it. I've now read the Browning poem yet but I will. The last two lines of the second verse really made me laugh. I am glad you explained the background below the poem. I sure this incident did cause a bit of a stir.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
|
I'm from the US,and I think this is extremely clever. I got a good laugh all the way through it. I've now read the Browning poem yet but I will. The last two lines of the second verse really made me laugh. I am glad you explained the background below the poem. I sure this incident did cause a bit of a stir.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 28-May-2020
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
-
Thank you for this kind review. Glad it made you laugh. It was meant to.
Comment from kiwisteveh
I knew this would be a Six after the first stanza! Not the first time this particular poem has been mocked, but your version doubles down by also mocking the Cummings controversy in delightful satirical detail.
Perhaps the original anapestic was intended to mimic the thrum of horses' hooves, but it drives your Disco journey along just as well. I did stumble on this line...
but somewhere along the route they'd lost their way.
Very funny stuff!
I remember now it was Sellars and Yeatman who wrote the parody I was thinking of, including...
Then all I remember is, things reeling round,
As I sat with my head 'twixt my ears on the ground -
For imagine my shame when they asked what I meant
And I had to confess that I'd been, gone and went
And forgotten the news I was bringing to Ghent,
Though I'd galloped and galloped and galloped and galloped and galloped
And galloped and galloped and galloped. (Had I not would have been galloped?)
Steve
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
|
I knew this would be a Six after the first stanza! Not the first time this particular poem has been mocked, but your version doubles down by also mocking the Cummings controversy in delightful satirical detail.
Perhaps the original anapestic was intended to mimic the thrum of horses' hooves, but it drives your Disco journey along just as well. I did stumble on this line...
but somewhere along the route they'd lost their way.
Very funny stuff!
I remember now it was Sellars and Yeatman who wrote the parody I was thinking of, including...
Then all I remember is, things reeling round,
As I sat with my head 'twixt my ears on the ground -
For imagine my shame when they asked what I meant
And I had to confess that I'd been, gone and went
And forgotten the news I was bringing to Ghent,
Though I'd galloped and galloped and galloped and galloped and galloped
And galloped and galloped and galloped. (Had I not would have been galloped?)
Steve
Comment Written 28-May-2020
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
-
Thank you, Steve for this great review with its six stars. I must have another look at that line you mention. SOMEwhere is the key to making it work but I think we have all got used to 'someWHERE over, the rainbow...' and it throws one off metre.
Comment from dmt1967
The thing that people have the arse with is he made the rules and the stupid slogan, 'we're in this together.' This is a great poem and gets a well deserved six. Thank you for sharing and stay safe, much better slogan.
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
|
The thing that people have the arse with is he made the rules and the stupid slogan, 'we're in this together.' This is a great poem and gets a well deserved six. Thank you for sharing and stay safe, much better slogan.
Comment Written 28-May-2020
reply by the author on 28-May-2020
-
Thanks for this six-star review and for reminding me of the slogan. I should have worked that in somewhere. I might even manage it yet.
-
Got it - in the penultimate line of Stanza IX. Thanks again.
