lmp13 Jun 2006

no offense taken for the bottle, now that you have clarified. :)

again i will say that i think that your sentiment is dead on; it is the way that you have portrayed the story that brings down your very good idea. this can be reworked or even re-written in
an entirely new work. i don't mean to discourage my any means. in fact, a poem about your expereinces with the old woman at the church would be an excellent piece to read. and you could still make the point that you are making in this piece, but from another angle; it may even be more powerful.

regarding the "help yourself"... it is not simply education or inherent opportunity that i believe in. it is spirit. those who are not the entitled, not the brightest, not the physically strong, can still persevere as long as they have the spirit to do so. one whose spirit has been quashed has but two options: give up or persevere. if one is to be beaten, defying defeat is the most triumphant thing a being can do. at least i think so.