In the American media there's an argument raging about what to call the people displaced from New Orleans; evacuees or refugees?

Of course, we've had similar disagreements in Britain about the use of language. When Islamic suicide bombers attacked London in July the BBC in particular was very reluctant for several hours to even acknowledge that what had happened was even a result of terrorism...and, of course, the people who did it were never referred to as 'Islamic terrorists' but merely 'militants' or 'extremists' or, more latterly 'bombers'.

OUT OF SEASON

A flat tide
A punctured sun,
The horizon;
dead, on the
Electrocardiograph.

Yesterday I filled in two forms which were sent to me; one from the Housing Department of the local council and the other from the Electoral Registration Office.

Actually they were both quite easy to complete and only took a few minutes. That's not always been the case though: a few years ago when I had a nervous breakdown and had to sign off the unemployment register I had to complete a long and complicated form for claiming Incapacity Benefit. Already knowing that I wasn't eligible for this particular benefit I still had to make a claim so that I could then provide documentary evidence of my unsuccessful claim so that I would be paid Income Support (at exactly the same rate as my Jobseeker's Allowance was when I was unemployed).

It all seems rather complicated and pointless, but at least it keeps people in well-paid, secure jobs.

DOWNFALL

He fell
from grace,
picked up
the pieces
and sheepishly
re-entered
the cathedral
without paying.