Do you think it is appropriate to display the Harold Pinter poem Laughter on the side of the Crucible Theatre, where it can be seen by funeral-goers attending the neighbouring Central United Reformed Church? The poem's verses include references to "heads of the dead", "severed head" and "laughing dead". The church has objected to the plans.
"I am quite sure that if I was attending a funeral at the Central United Reformed Church, the last thing on my mind would be what was on the wall on the building opposite.
"Again, it is the PC brigade who think something might offend someone. The
re are probably some people who are offended by what the Central United Reformed Church put on their windows or walls so why don't we stop going on about something might offend someone and concentrate on what we are doing with our own lives?
"There is a German Market surrounding our War Memorial in Barkers Pool; how long before someone says 'hey, this might offend someone'?
"I think the poem is too long; it has to be something snappy. Something which comes from the Bible is Proverbs 17:22 'Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is slow death to be gloomy all the time'."
Kevan Smith, aged 50, Manor. "Surely they are joking?"
Karl Hallam, aged 37, Millhouses. "I have never been a fan of poetry anyway, but I must agree with the Central United Reformed Church that this would upset many funeral-goers myself among them.
"This is neither a particularly nice or good poem and is most certainly not something to display especially around religious buildings!"
Mollie Hickman, aged 65, Handsworth. "This for me fits the bracket of 'you are never going to make everyone happy' with all of these types of situations, somebody needs to just make a decision on whether the pros outweigh the cons and go with the heaviest, so to speak.
"If things were put to a halt every time someone objected, then very little would be done or changed in life. If they go with it and get hundreds of complaints, I'm sure they could come up with some other arrangement from there."
Peter Smith, aged 27, Hillsborough. "Public poetry is certainly something to be encouraged - Andrew Motion's poem on the side of Sheffield Hallam University's main building is a welcome and striking addition to the walk to the city centre from the station.
"I can see the church's point but I'm not sure it's sufficient to prevent what is otherwise a splendid idea."
Rob McIlveen, aged 26, Crookes.
"It is not just funeral-goers who would be upset. Anyone with a passing feel for decent poetry would also be upset. Pinter is a superb playwright but a mediocre poet. And this example adds nothing to his reputation."
Barry Cummings, aged 65, Broomhall. "I do not have a problem with it but there is always somebody that will. You ' please all of the people all of the time. In today's society there is always somebody itching for an argument over the smallest little thing.
"No doubt the majority of people in the area do not have a problem with it. So, as per usual, we cow down to the minority. Sorry if this upsets them but they should live and let live providing it does not hurt anybody. In my opinion it does not."
Chris Lingard, aged 58, Hillsborough."It's not as if the poem has anti-religious connotations. If anything, mourners often look to something that gives them a lift at a funeral.
"It seems that almost anything you do these days causes someone to be offended. Well, as a Christian, I'm offended that the church has objected."
Peter Charles, aged 50, Hillsborough. What do you think of the plans? Join the debate and post your comments below.READ MOREBack to main news indexThe full article contains 651 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
