The Ballad of Fanny and Stella
The two men who lived as ladies that rocked London Society40 total reviews
Comment from nancyrabbrose
It is as if you are a historian who write her history in poetic form. Well done again. And, thank you for the notes which are very interesting and informative. I think that it is important that people today need to know how hard it was for transgenders or cross-dressers long ago.
You truly have a gift for writing in this style and subject.
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2017
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It is as if you are a historian who write her history in poetic form. Well done again. And, thank you for the notes which are very interesting and informative. I think that it is important that people today need to know how hard it was for transgenders or cross-dressers long ago.
You truly have a gift for writing in this style and subject.
Comment Written 01-Jan-2017
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2017
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Thanks for that, that is the nicest comment I have had, it is what I try to do, and hope it makes the messages easier to absorb.I am super grateful for your kind review Happy New year love meia x
Comment from Mystic Angel 7777
The historical information you provide is always fascinating. This piece is no exception. It rhymes and glows well throughout but it is the level of historical fact you convey in poetic form that is so marvelous. I think you have a small typo to look at:
They put bread on on the table - did you mean to use the word "on" twice?
Well done and I thank you very much for sharing it.
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2017
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The historical information you provide is always fascinating. This piece is no exception. It rhymes and glows well throughout but it is the level of historical fact you convey in poetic form that is so marvelous. I think you have a small typo to look at:
They put bread on on the table - did you mean to use the word "on" twice?
Well done and I thank you very much for sharing it.
Comment Written 01-Jan-2017
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2017
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Thankyou so much for your wonderful review.I appreciate it so much.Yes that type slipped through the net!Thank-you again so much!meia x
Comment from barkingdog
This was an interesting bit of British history. Those were definitely not lenient times for the LGBT crowd, so Stella and Fanny were a brave pair.
Both your story poem and your notes are very well written.
Fascinating time period.
:) e
Ballad --no 'r'
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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This was an interesting bit of British history. Those were definitely not lenient times for the LGBT crowd, so Stella and Fanny were a brave pair.
Both your story poem and your notes are very well written.
Fascinating time period.
:) e
Ballad --no 'r'
Comment Written 01-Jan-2017
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Thankyou so much for your very kind review!
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You're very welcome.
:) e
Comment from RGstar
You really put a lot into this work...and this gladdens me, not just only for the fact of its diversity, but also time and thought in delivering aura and presence.
Throughout, one can see, as well, partake of a good quality writing.
I think...stay focussed and keep as you begin, you will be hailed by many, for you have good talent.
One little thing you might look at, and because of poetic licence, I may leave it like it is as to interfere with your rhyme.
''Those pair of Ladies
Who insist "I'm a lady!", but are clearly a fella!''
In normal terms, would have to be ''but clearly are fellas''
Because they both claim the same outburt...and are two.
Yet, as said...this is not prose and as an artist, your vision is seen. Poetic licence called, in this case. :)
Good rhythm throughout...strongly delivered.
Your author's notes deliver good information...almost a work by themselves. Try to promote a little higher when you can for I think more here should read from a good new author.
Bravo Meia.
Best wishes.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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You really put a lot into this work...and this gladdens me, not just only for the fact of its diversity, but also time and thought in delivering aura and presence.
Throughout, one can see, as well, partake of a good quality writing.
I think...stay focussed and keep as you begin, you will be hailed by many, for you have good talent.
One little thing you might look at, and because of poetic licence, I may leave it like it is as to interfere with your rhyme.
''Those pair of Ladies
Who insist "I'm a lady!", but are clearly a fella!''
In normal terms, would have to be ''but clearly are fellas''
Because they both claim the same outburt...and are two.
Yet, as said...this is not prose and as an artist, your vision is seen. Poetic licence called, in this case. :)
Good rhythm throughout...strongly delivered.
Your author's notes deliver good information...almost a work by themselves. Try to promote a little higher when you can for I think more here should read from a good new author.
Bravo Meia.
Best wishes.
Comment Written 01-Jan-2017
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Thanks so much for all your helpful comments which I have taken on board, its very kind of you to say such nice things also about my poem, it is wonderful to hear as your own are so good.many thanks meia :)
Comment from N.K. Wagner
An interesting story. They were, in a sense, lucky. Transgender dressing in Medieval times resulted in burning at the stake. In fact, they paid in humiliation for the embarrassment of their partners' behaviors becoming public. Not fair, but not surprising, either. Well done, Meia. :) Nancy
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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An interesting story. They were, in a sense, lucky. Transgender dressing in Medieval times resulted in burning at the stake. In fact, they paid in humiliation for the embarrassment of their partners' behaviors becoming public. Not fair, but not surprising, either. Well done, Meia. :) Nancy
Comment Written 01-Jan-2017
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Virtually EVERY crime in medieval times resulted in burning at the stake, they loved it! People were burned or hung drawn and quartered at the slightest provocation...I guess it's a little more civilised now, but suffering for abused children still goes on.thanks for the kind review :) meia x
Comment from Cindy Warren
Those poor fellows! It's hard to believe they duped anyone. Their customers must have known. What an age they lived in. I can imagine what was happening all over the country, yet it was illegal. Imagine thinking you could legislate someone's sexuality!
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Those poor fellows! It's hard to believe they duped anyone. Their customers must have known. What an age they lived in. I can imagine what was happening all over the country, yet it was illegal. Imagine thinking you could legislate someone's sexuality!
Comment Written 01-Jan-2017
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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The custimers definately knew...in court they claimed they didn't....supposedly upper class and upstanding men....they liked the fact that they were getting both a man and a woman in a sense, in the same way tourist go to exploit ladyboys in Thailand today.Despite their rich patrons, they were not well off, their costumes quite worn, Stella has a 'partner' he called her wife in letters, he was the son of the Duke of Newcastle, Lord Arthur Clinton!Clinton however was broke and relied on Stellas earnings from music hall and prostitution.How terrible thing s must of been for the pair being treated in such a way.thankyou for your kind review xx
Comment from Unnikrishnan57
A wonderful poem, based on the true story; very powerfully expressed. The narrative conveys the extreme humiliation meted out to the protagonists. Their pain is captured very simple words. Quite socially relevant even one-and-a-half centuries after the incident. Kindly read this poem with my poem "Neither", that I am posting now for the readers:
Neither
I saw you at the signal
Where my car had stopped
In the dress of a woman;
You walked swinging your hips
With a vulgar smile on your lips
From one car to the other
And stretched your hands.
Clapping in your peculiar style
You asked for money
As if it were your right
Your hoarse voice and manners
Telling me much of the unsaid.
I rolled back my shutters
And shook my head.
You didn't persist.
Those in the car next to mine
Could be your mother,
Father, brother, sister;
Would they recognize you?
What if?
You could be Bhagmati.
I could call you
By any other name.
But the stamp on you
Is the same:
An Outcast!
Contempt oozes out from you
In every move
For the khuda who created you
For this world
That condemned you
To the streets.
Who were the man and the woman
Who gave you birth
And threw you in the streets?
And you?
Neither!
Not man or woman!
Not even a human being.
By
Unnikrishnan E S
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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A wonderful poem, based on the true story; very powerfully expressed. The narrative conveys the extreme humiliation meted out to the protagonists. Their pain is captured very simple words. Quite socially relevant even one-and-a-half centuries after the incident. Kindly read this poem with my poem "Neither", that I am posting now for the readers:
Neither
I saw you at the signal
Where my car had stopped
In the dress of a woman;
You walked swinging your hips
With a vulgar smile on your lips
From one car to the other
And stretched your hands.
Clapping in your peculiar style
You asked for money
As if it were your right
Your hoarse voice and manners
Telling me much of the unsaid.
I rolled back my shutters
And shook my head.
You didn't persist.
Those in the car next to mine
Could be your mother,
Father, brother, sister;
Would they recognize you?
What if?
You could be Bhagmati.
I could call you
By any other name.
But the stamp on you
Is the same:
An Outcast!
Contempt oozes out from you
In every move
For the khuda who created you
For this world
That condemned you
To the streets.
Who were the man and the woman
Who gave you birth
And threw you in the streets?
And you?
Neither!
Not man or woman!
Not even a human being.
By
Unnikrishnan E S
Comment Written 01-Jan-2017
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Thankyou so much for your kind review.Your poem is excellent however I do not have a clear message, it seems that either you hate the cross-dresser or your character hates him/her?Is this the case?It would be good to know
again many thanks meia :)
Comment from robina1978
Lovely photo that complements your poem perfectly. I admire your courage to write about this subject of transsexuals. I think it would still rock London. Nicely written.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Lovely photo that complements your poem perfectly. I admire your courage to write about this subject of transsexuals. I think it would still rock London. Nicely written.
Comment Written 01-Jan-2017
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Thanks so much for your lovely review and yes, I always choose subjects that interest me or I think have a strong cause.You are so kind.xx
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written story poem that is very interesting and eye opening. What we see today in the guy and transvestite appearances today is nothing new. We are just more tolerating to their differences today than in those days.
Happy New Year.
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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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A very well-written story poem that is very interesting and eye opening. What we see today in the guy and transvestite appearances today is nothing new. We are just more tolerating to their differences today than in those days.
Happy New Year.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 01-Jan-2017
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Absolutely true Sandra,and thanks so much for your input.These were just boys, born in the wrong bodies, what they went through in terms of sexual harassment by today's standards was utterly horrendous.They would have endured rape after rape in prison.Today they could rock London or New York and I love that fact but there are still awful hurdles to be overcome for transgender people.xx
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
That was really well written again. You have a great talent for these historical story in a poems tales. I enjoyed reading the bawdy side of 19th century London, as well as the humourous side, and continued the enjoyment by reading your author's notes. Very educational and extremely interesting. That's what they called the good old days!! ~ Sandra :) xx
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 01-Jan-2017
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That was really well written again. You have a great talent for these historical story in a poems tales. I enjoyed reading the bawdy side of 19th century London, as well as the humourous side, and continued the enjoyment by reading your author's notes. Very educational and extremely interesting. That's what they called the good old days!! ~ Sandra :) xx
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 01-Jan-2017
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Sandra, thanks so much for your input.These were just boys, born in the wrong bodies, what they went through in terms of sexual harassment by today's standards was utterly horrendous.They would have endured rape after rape in prison.Today they could rock London or New York and I love that fact but there are still awful hurdles to be overcome for transgender people.Thankyou for your very kind praise of my work!xx