Holy shit C! Thanks for that completely alternate view. I was going to do capitalism at some point but it seems I glanced it here, I shall take your advice and apply my hammer to the steel. Thanks.

I would start with ex-girlfriends and work down through annoying co-workers to irritating TV presenters. I could really have a good time.

Doesn't everyone like Mercs? Also, they are the most common car of choice for Arabian dictators and American moneymen alike. To be honest, I didn't pick up on the 'war on Iraq' slant - now I see the relevance of the 3000 souls though. I think this does need a bit of work, you need to make your satire clearer and more biting. 'Cos at the moment it reads to me like an indictment of capitalism. I'm all for that sort of thing but it obviously isn't what you intend.

Actually, I see that I'm going in three different directions here. Dealership, real estate and circus. I need to pick one. I'm trying to make it reflect my feeling toward our war with Iraq. Hussein,Bin laden , and bush. How did you know I like Mercs? Those lead sleds do it for me every time. Thanks, I should work this shouldn't I?

takes one to know one, mamasita.

still, i am not happy with the flow of it. but it was a toss-off, and a decent one, so i'll think on it in public for a while. thanks for the compliments.

I'm glad to see I sort of understood it while not understanding it. Means your message comes over loud and clear. Good stuff.

i think you meant this comment for someone else, h. i wrote this poem last night.

the outcome: the Devil reversed: escape from a bad situation. you see me, mr c.

Shakes the keys to his Merc?

I'm flattered. I wouldn't know where to start though - Ith ink a person must have balls of steel to sit down and tell someone how to write poems. It's all just from reading reading reading and finding rhythms in your head and being true to your own voice. Not that I always manage to pull it off, but those are the starting points I think. And anyway, I like your stuff, it has honesty.

Thanks for your comments (Christof also). You are of course right. The last 4 lines were originally 8 which I didn't like so re-did just before I posted. On the spur of the moment I was quite pleased with myself but in the harsh light of day I can see that it doesn't work all that well.