Almost the Poet Laureat Lends a Hand......

In today's Guardian

[/quote]1,000 days after disappearance, Madeleine McCann inspires Armitage poem.

One thousand days after she disappeared, Madeleine McCann has inspired a poem by Simon Armitage, the writer widely regarded as the runner-up for last year’s poet laureateship.

The Beacon is published in times2 today. A handwritten copy will be auctioned tonight to raise funds for the McCanns’ campaign.

It is not the first time that Armitage has composed verses about events that impinge strongly on the public consciousness. He wrote a poem for the fifth anniversary of 9/11, while his other works include a commission for the 60th anniversary of VE-Day and Killing Time, a poem celebrating the millennium.

Armitage accepted the commission, which came via Emma Loach, a director who worked with Gerry and Kate McCann on a television documentary and is a friend of Armitage, after he met the couple at their home in Rothley, Leicestershire. “We talked about the night Madeleine went missing, those terrible hours of darkness before they could resume the search,” he said.

Madeleine, then aged 3, disappeared from the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007. Despite extensive publicity and a number of unconfirmed claimed sightings, the Portuguese police have come no closer to finding out what happened to her.

“On my part, like a lot of people, it’s something that, right from the beginning, I felt moved by,” said Armitage said. The poem draws on the imagery of the photograph of Madeleine in the missing poster and the candle that her parents keep burning in a lantern in their village square.

With the line “Somewhere out there there has to be life”, the poem reflects the McCanns’ hope that , in the absence of any solid evidence to the contrary, their daughter may still be alive.

“They have hope and that’s what keeps them going,” said Armitage said. “For as long as that’s the case they have a parent’s duty and it’s their fierce desire to keep looking for her.”

As part of events to mark the 1,000 days since the disappearance, supporters of the McCanns in Britain, Portugal and the US will today launch 1,000 glowing paper lanterns into the night sky.

The couple will also attend a £150-a-head dinner fundraising event at Kensington Roof Gardens, in west London. It is understood that those invited include Sir Richard Branson, who owns the venue, J.K. Rowling and the couple’s millionaire backer Brian Kennedy. The McCanns have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on private detectives to continue the search for their daughter.

Half the money raised will go to the McCanns’ fund to finance the search for Madeleine and the rest will be split between the charities Missing People and Missing Children Europe. Half the money raised will go to the McCanns’ fund to finance the search for Madeleine and the rest will be split between the charities Missing People and Missing Children Europe. [/quote]

And here it is:

To celebrate a thousand days with a paedo

I give to you, this sonnet

As Amaral and the PJ know

Its the McCanns wot dunnit

How Has Madeleine Been Both Dead and Spent 1000 Days with a Pedophile.

Why Can't You Realize how ridiculous it Sounds to Say Both.

Aliberte2 we don't agree often, but that's what's struck me as well.

The whole affair is one big contradiction

'We were not complicit in Madeleine's death' - Gerry McCann

'There is no evidence whaaaaatoooooever that Madeleine has come to any harm' - Gerry McCann.

Here is Armitage's poem and comments from 'The Times' 27.01.2010

The Beacon

Dusk, doubt, the growing depth of an evening sky,

dark setting in as it did that night,

the forever vastness of outer space

reflecting the emptiness here inside,

shadowing, colouring, clouding the mind.

But somewhere out there there has to be life,

the distance only a matter of time,

a world like our own, its markings and shades

as uniquely formed as a daughter’s eye,

distinctly flecked, undeniably hers,

looking back this way through the miles and years

to a lantern cupping a golden blaze,

its candle alive with a fierce blonde flame

for the thousandth time, for as long as it takes.

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Michael Molyneux wrote:
If a young student presented this poem you'd be impressed: 'this guy's got talent', we'd assume 'he could really make it' - but Simon Armitage is a grown 'man' and should know better. What a warbling idiot. It's as though he was bored once evening, took out a beer mat, dropped his pants and started farting adjectives hoping for the best "the VASTNESS of outer space", "candle alive with a FIERCE BLONDE FLAME" - is this some kind of joke? I often wonder if writers actually READ other people's work or just get so lost in the feeling the creative process brings that they loose sight of what they're actually doing and the standards they should live up to and their responsibility as public figures. What a total prick. He once said that On The Road was "absolute rubbish" having re-read it as an adult. Granted, it's not as gripping as when you first read it young but... I'm going to have to go and have another shower to calm myself down...
January 28, 2010 8:16 AM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommend? Report Abuse
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Bianca Summons wrote:
Not a sonnet, I'm afraid, o mighty Times writers. The rhythm and meter are not correct for a sonnet, the rhyme scheme is not correct for a sonnet either, and it lacks the crucial 'turn' at line 8. Not that this stops it from being a good poem. Just saying.
January 27, 2010 9:03 PM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommend? (4) Report Abuse
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Stephen Yates wrote:
I still find it very difficult to feel too much sympathy for the McCanns.
Whilst what happened was a tragic event they were the cause of the problem by not being in the apartment with their children the way they should have been. But its their constant use of the press and the way they denounce any of their detractors that I dislike and they just seem a very unlikeable couple.
I sincerely hope they find Madelaine to ease their guilt and in the hope she's still alive. But please do it in quiet and don't keep putting your faces in the media.
January 27, 2010 7:01 PM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommend? (26) Report Abuse
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Alison Lloyd wrote:
A lovely poem, but this poor little girl will never read it. Does Simon Armitage not wonder why the parents weren't out searching for her, and particularly during those "terrible hours of darkness" of the first night? How many of us us would have waited for the first light of dawn? I'm sure Simon wouldn't have done, and nor would I.
January 27, 2010 6:36 PM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommend? (24) Report Abuse
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susie porter wrote:
Oh sweet child
of where life begins.
you were
a lovely little
mother
to those
twins
you
are
where life
ends begins......
January 27, 2010 6:36 PM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommend? (8) Report Abuse
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susie porter wrote:
How sad
the tears
Of a child,
all alone
In darkness,
Gone.....
She's Gone........
January 27, 2010 6:24 PM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommend? (13) Report Abuse
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susie porter wrote:
when truth is painted over with lovely,
candles burning,it does not replace,
the past,
that children cried,
alone aghast.
Their fear,
Their pain,
And sorrow,
for Madeleine,
no tomorrow,
no childhood,life,
for her just tears,
Her end of life......

January 27, 2010 6:02 PM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommend? (20) Report Abuse
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P V wrote:
I wonder how much longer the McCanns can keep it up?

I'm bloody sure I wouldn't let MY remaining children out of my sight until they were 18, yet they never appear to have theirs with them?

Still, they're used to leaving them to go to a restaurant...
January 27, 2010 5:32 PM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommend? (38) Report Abuse
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john summerton wrote:
I don't think for one second that the McCanns had anything to do with Madeleine going missing.
I do find it interesting how a doctor was disciplined by the GMC over the fact she left her 10 year old son at home alone while she went to work. I fail to understand therefore why all the doctors who went out to the restaurant leaving the kids at home alone have not been disciplined by the GMC? Any suggestions?
January 27, 2010 5:15 PM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommend? (24) Report Abuse
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Richard Yates wrote:
I would like to see Simon Armitage write a poem which discusses the McCanns' refusal to answer the questions put to them
by the police in Portugal.

Some more comments from 'The Times' -


susie porter wrote:
To Madeleine.
I feel so sad,
You were left alone.
This should never be,
you were only three....
how you suffered
no one knows,
but you are sweet,
as a precious rose.

January 28, 2010 10:19 AM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommended (1) Report Abuse
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Peter Cressall wrote:
I have just read The Beacon. Touching prose, but it seemed to end before any sign of a poem.
January 27, 2010 9:07 PM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommended (3) Report Abuse
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Heather Dews wrote:
So this posh frock farce is to raise more funds to help in the search for Madeleine is it? The PJ would do it for nothing if the parents were to request the case be reopened. Is what is remaining in the fund not enough, as their very own PI says she is within 10 miles of PDL.
A couple of EasyJet flights and a cheap BandB whilst they search this area will find her, if what their PI says is correct.
But no, there will be another grasp for "funds", sorry Madeleine, Mummy and Daddy may find time sometime to make that trip and rescue you.
January 27, 2010 2:28 PM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommended (45) Report Abuse
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jillian scholes wrote:
So while their daughter languishes in a hell hole within PDL, according to Dumb and Dumber, the private dtectives, they party with celebrities in London. Its about them and the money yet again, always has been.
Can anyone explain why Gerry was thinking of a big event one year on, when Maddie had only been missing a month? They are sick, both of them. Their disciples and their big bucks are even worse, any normal person would maybe give a donation, but at the same time tell them a party is not really a good idea.
And why DID they wait till it was light to search?????? So many unanswered questions with these wannabe celebs.
January 27, 2010 1:50 PM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommended (55) Report Abuse
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Martin Peel wrote:
If my own daughter had been missing for 1000 days and someone I employ at great expense had told me where she was (in a lair 10 miles from Praia da Luz), would I be partying in London?
Would I be raising money (for what?) when the police can do the search free of charge if I asked them to reopen the case?
Something isn't right in this case.


January 27, 2010 10:52 AM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommended (91) Report Abuse
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Sandra Stone wrote:
Good morning TimesonLine..I have to say speaking from a Doctors point of view I am truly shocked with those in my profession. Doctors behaving in this way. We take an OATH and that oath is to care for the sick. We are also trained to look out for child abuse and neglect .Protocol is what we live by.

I am sorry but a party to celebrate the alleged abduction of a child , any child is in very poor taste. I have yet to see proof of this alleged abduction. I am however witness to two Doctors spending their time trying to convince others of their innocence in all of this.

Dr.Sandra Stone.


January 27, 2010 10:48 AM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommended (90) Report Abuse
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Johnathan tires wrote:
In what way do the comments above help Madeleine? You focus on the parents and forget the child. While the parents made a mistake why should Madeleine suffer.... and by your comments that is exactly what is happening.
And to the poster saying the Parents bear the responsibility.....would you allow the abductor to go free if found? is he/she completely innocent? and what of the PJ officers incompetence as well? erased out of all your memories maybe?
You need to move past the parents error for Madeleine as you do her no favours what so ever. If you were concerned about Madeleine then you would be supporting the parents search not gossiping like old ladies over the back fence.
January 27, 2010 9:17 AM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommend? (9) Report Abuse
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Pete Collins wrote:
I have three children all over 20 and two married. NOT once in their childhood years were they left alone. If my wife could not be present, I was and vice versa. In our book having children is a life commitment. Not once were we ever tempted to leave our loved ones and goout on the town for a 'JOLLY' I know we are not alone in this form of parental thinking as the majority from all social backgrounds feel the same as we do. Life without one of my children would be a 'No Life' and altho' it would never ever have happened, if I had left my child and these terrible consequences ensued then I could not continue my life without them. Responsibility?? Mine as a parent, no one else shares this responsibility and I would never ask anyone to share it. I love my children and NOTHING would tempt me away !!
January 27, 2010 8:45 AM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommended (89) Report Abuse
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Anne Guedes wrote:
"those terrible hours of darkness before they could resume the search"
The police, tourists, inhabitants, Ocean Club staff searched up to 4:30, yes, but the parents didn't.
As well as they don't search now, even after their PI found that Madeleine is in some lair in a 10 miles radius of PDL.
Many would be happy to collaborate in the search but isn't it obvious that the parents should be searching too ?
January 27, 2010 4:52 AM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommended (91) Report Abuse
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Andy Davis wrote:
Is there nothing that Mr and Mrs "Everyone's to blame but us" McCann won't do to keep thier ames in the press and the money flowing in.
January 27, 2010 12:52 AM GMT on community.timesonline.co.uk Recommended (103) Report Abuse
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I prefer this poem


Lanterns float in the night sky
1000 days. Time to reflect – why?
Only you know what you did
Was it worth 2 million quid?

1000 days on, its still in the news
Maddie can be found near Praia da Luz
Superdick knows she is with Paedoman
So why are you in London, Gerry McCann?

1000 days of no hope
Does Maddie’s future depend on this dope?
So as you party with celebrity mates
You leave your daughter to her fate
For you top class living with C list stars
For Maddie a dark cell with iron bars

Sometime we may have a look
But first we must ban a book
So open your wallets and your purses
But don’t mention dogs – Gerry curses

You wish the net would go away
But bad luck, we are here to stay
Mr Pinky likes to spin
But we are not taken in
Most parents find a child a joy
But to you, its a market ploy
If you could explain the dogs
This would calm those pesky blogs
So enjoy your partying while you can

Justice will come for Madeleine McCann

by Anon.

......Thus proving that even poetry is dangerous in the wrong hands.

LOVE IT!!!

:cheers:

Autumn wrote:I prefer this poem


Lanterns float in the night sky
1000 days. Time to reflect – why?
Only you know what you did
Was it worth 2 million quid?

1000 days on, its still in the news
Maddie can be found near Praia da Luz
Superdick knows she is with Paedoman
So why are you in London, Gerry McCann?

1000 days of no hope
Does Maddie’s future depend on this dope?
So as you party with celebrity mates
You leave your daughter to her fate
For you top class living with C list stars
For Maddie a dark cell with iron bars

Sometime we may have a look
But first we must ban a book
So open your wallets and your purses
But don’t mention dogs – Gerry curses

You wish the net would go away
But bad luck, we are here to stay
Mr Pinky likes to spin
But we are not taken in
Most parents find a child a joy
But to you, its a market ploy
If you could explain the dogs
This would calm those pesky blogs
So enjoy your partying while you can

Justice will come for Madeleine McCann

by Anon.

It's totally Crass and Classless to Do this, IMHO. Sorry. Don't Agree.

ETA: And it's Insulting to Madeleine and It is Using Madeleine.

aliberte2 wrote:It's totally Crass and Classless to Do this, IMHO. Sorry. Don't Agree.

ETA: And it's Insulting to Madeleine and It is Using Madeleine.

I agree, aliberte, don't think Mr Armitage has received one positive comment from 'Times' readers about his sonnet - it probably went down better with morons who get 'The Sun'..

I thought he was referring to the one you posted up.

vaguely1 wrote:I thought he was referring to the one you posted up.

I would assume that he is referring to the poem that has received all the complaints, as published on this thread. I particularly liked the post which asked if Mr Armatage would consider writing a poem about why the McCanns have refused to co-operate with the Portuguese police.

Well the official one might have annoyed a few rounded up anti troops in a newspaper comments section, but it probably couldn't be described as crass or classless.

Vaguely, read 'The Beacon' and then tell me (with a straight face) that it cannot be describes as crass or classless - you do not have to be a 'Times' reader, to feel offended and insulted by this tripe penned by Mr Armitage. At least the other poem had one supportive comment on here - each to their own, I say.

Yeah, I don't find it crass.

How can anyone be offended and insulted by a poem written about a child?

I hate poetry - with a passion, but as far as poems go, at least it was written from the heart, and not out of anger.


ETA, the other thing was a rhyme, not a poem. I could hear a sneer in the words.

'Candle alive with a fierce blonde flame' - for pitys sake, this crass rubbish is an insult to Madeleine's memory. Vaguely, as you are not a lover of poetry, you should maybe place more trust in the judgement of the 'Times' readers who, having read the poem, felt moved to comment on Mr Armitage's dire efforts. With all due respect, Mr Armitage does not have an inkling as to what happened to Madeleine and wrote the poem based on what Kate told him - surely it must be clear to you, assuming you have read the comments, that people are angry and upset about the McCanns' sick stunts.

Would the McCanns time not be better spent scouring the area around Praia Da Luz for their daughter as opposed to partying with celebs and poets? Poor Madeleine must be wondering if her parents are ever going to fnd the time to come and bring her home.

So she is alive then?

Autumn wrote:'Candle alive with a fierce blonde flame' - for pitys sake, this crass rubbish is an insult to Madeleine's memory. Vaguely, as you are not a lover of poetry, you should maybe place more trust in the judgement of the 'Times' readers who, having read the poem, felt moved to comment on Mr Armitage's dire efforts. With all due respect, Mr Armitage does not have an inkling as to what happened to Madeleine and wrote the poem based on what Kate told him - surely it must be clear to you, assuming you have read the comments, that people are angry and upset about the McCanns' sick stunts.

Would the McCanns time not be better spent scouring the area around Praia Da Luz for their daughter as opposed to partying with celebs and poets? Poor Madeleine must be wondering if her parents are ever going to fnd the time to come and bring her home.

Why do you keep saying she is with a paedophile and then saying she is dead. Are you as uncertain as the rest of us now?

Or are you just using the possibility of a child being with a paedophile to make another stick to bash her parents with.

Which is it? Uncertainty on your part, or sadistic entertainment?

Oooooh Pascal.......

Autumn wrote:

vaguely1 wrote:I thought he was referring to the one you posted up.

I would assume that he is referring to the poem that has received all the complaints, as published on this thread. I particularly liked the post which asked if Mr Armatage would consider writing a poem about why the McCanns have refused to co-operate with the Portuguese police.

That's Exactly what I meant.

Those stupid Childish Grammar School limericks in Madeleine's name are the ones that are Crass, Exploitative, Insulting, and Using Madeleine.

The Official poem is a Lovely poem. You do the Cause no Favors by Expecting Every Single Person in the World to have been Reached by the FOundation and handed a Leaflet.

vaguely1 wrote:Well the official one might have annoyed a few rounded up anti troops in a newspaper comments section, but it probably couldn't be described as crass or classless.

Troops Sent by MM and Maddie Case Files, which Autumn well knows and Participates in and then Tries to Claim it's Definitive of Public Opinion.

Autumn wrote:'Candle alive with a fierce blonde flame' - for pitys sake, this crass rubbish is an insult to Madeleine's memory.

Oh, do Explain How, it's Poetry, it can Mean whatever You want It to Mean. It could mean the Candle Still Burns for Her Memory, or to Find Her, or that the Candle's Blonde flame like Her hair keeps Her Memory alive...

It's not an Insult.
Writing Poems Placing the Child Behind Bars Getting Emotionally Abused by a Pedophile, that's an Insult to Madeleine. That's Using Madeleine.