Favourite Poets

Poets by E.E.Cumming

Anyone Lived in a Pretty How Town

anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn't he danced his did

Women and men(both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn't they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain

children guessed(but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more

when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone's any was all to her

someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance

(sleep wake hope and then)they
said their nevers they slept their dream

stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)

one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was

all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
wish by spirit and if by yes.

Women and men(both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Buffalo Bill's

Buffalo Bill's
defunct
who used to
ride a watersmooth-silver
stallion
and break onetwothreefourfive pigeonsjustlikethat
Jesus

he was a handsome man
and what i want to know is
how do you like your blueeyed boy
Mister Death

_____________________________________________________________________________________

i sing of Olaf glad and big

i sing of Olaf glad and big
whose warmest heart recoiled at war:
a conscientious object-or

his wellbelovéd colonel(trig
westpointer most succinctly bred)
took erring Olaf soon in hand;
but--though an host of overjoyed
noncoms(first knocking on the head
him)do through icy waters roll
that helplessness which others stroke
with brushes recently employed
anent this muddy toiletbowl,
while kindred intellects evoke
allegiance per blunt instruments--
Olaf(being to all intents
a corpse and wanting any rag
upon what God unto him gave)
responds,without getting annoyed
"I will not kiss your fucking flag"

straightway the silver bird looked grave
(departing hurriedly to shave)

but--though all kinds of officers
(a yearning nation's blueeyed pride)
their passive prey did kick and curse
until for wear their clarion
voices and boots were much the worse,
and egged the firstclassprivates on
his rectum wickedly to tease
by means of skilfully applied
bayonets roasted hot with heat--
Olaf(upon what were once knees)
does almost ceaselessly repeat
"there is some shit I will not eat"

our president,being of which
assertions duly notified
threw the yellowsonofabitch
into a dungeon,where he died

Christ(of His mercy infinite)
i pray to see;and Olaf,too

preponderatingly because
unless statistics lie he was
more brave than me:more blond than you.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Cummings was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to liberal, indulgent parents who from early on encouraged him to develop his creative gifts. While at Harvard, where his father had taught before becoming a Unitarian minister, he delivered a daring commencement address on modernist artistic innovations, thus announcing the direction his own work would take. In 1917, after working briefly for a mail-order publishing company, the only regular employment in his career, Cummings volunteered to serve in the Norton-Harjes Ambulance group in France. Here he and a friend were imprisoned (on false grounds) for three months in a French detention camp. The Enormous Room (1922), his witty and absorbing account of the experience, was also the first of his literary attacks on authoritarianism. Eimi (1933), a later travel journal, focused with much less successful results on the collectivized Soviet Union.

At the end of the First World War Cummings went to Paris to study art. On his return to New York in 1924 he found himself a celebrity, both for The Enormous Room and for Tulips and Chimneys (1923), his first collection of poetry (for which his old classmate John Dos Passos had finally found a publisher). Clearly influenced by Gertrude Stein's syntactical and Amy Lowell's imagistic experiments, Cummings's early poems had nevertheless discovered an original way of describing the chaotic immediacy of sensuous experience. The games they play with language (adverbs functioning as nouns, for instance) and lyric form combine with their deliberately simplistic view of the world (the individual and spontaneity versus collectivism and rational thought) to give them the gleeful and precocious tone which became, a hallmark of his work. Love poems, satirical squibs, and descriptive nature poems would always be his favoured forms.

A roving assignment from Vanity Fair in 1926 allowed Cummings to travel again and to establish his lifelong routine: painting in the afternoons and writing at night. In 1931 he published a collection of drawings and paintings, CIOPW (its title an acronym for the materials used: charcoal, ink, oil, pencil, watercolour), and over the next three decades had many individual shows in New York. He enjoyed a long and happy third marriage to the photographer Marion Morehouse, with whom he collaborated on Adventures in Value (1962), and in later life divided his time between their apartment in New York and his family's farm in New Hampshire. His many later books of poetry, from VV (1931) and No Thanks (1935) to Xaipe (1950) and 95 Poems (1958), took his formal experiments and his war on the scientific attitude to new extremes, but showed little substantial development.

Cumming's father's death had made a profound difference in his life, which led him into an artistic life. His poem are famous and I love them.

Cited from:

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/anyone-lived-in-a-pretty-how-town-2/

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/buffalo-bill-s/

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-sing-of-olaf-glad-and-big/

http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/cummings/cummings_life.htm

IT Home Learning. Lesson 1: Figurative Language

Father's Day

I sat in a cafè
On Father's Day.
I wept for my heart
I wished it wouldn't start
The worst day of the year
For me, a day to fear.
The day of the father -
The one who couldn't bother
The one who died
And lied
Just before his soul
Vanished up his hole.
And lied and lied
Until his brain was fried
And he lied his way to a coffin
A painful grin
Smeared upon his face
In his own disgrace
I wished it were so -
His grave to mow
But I wept in the cafè`
On Fathers Day
For not once, did he have a
Children's Day .

• How are the figurative language used in the poem?
• Give the specific word(s), explain what type of figurative language it is and why the poet chose to use this figurative language?

Hyperbole is not used in this poem as there isn't a word or phrase that exagerrate the emotion of the poem.

Personification, Simile and Metaphor are also not used in this poem as they are no analogy in this poem.

Symbolism is used in this poem as this poem is directed by many kinds of representative of emotion, emotions make this poem interesting.

I like this poem although it is a sad poem. I like this because it really shows the writer's wish and his feelings. on Father's Day, the writer's father passed away, just because of this sad matter, he wrote a poem to comemorate his father. He waited for his father's arrival at a cafe but he did not turned up. He described his sadness and his father's condition very well and I was touched by the writer's feelings.

Ten years later of "Village by the sea"

Ten years later...

The village is no longer a village. The village has been developed into a congested city area. The wooden houses are not seen anymore, but replaced by rows and rows of new concrete buildings. Muddy roads have also turned into straight and broad roads. Cars is seen all over the area. Although sport cars are still not common, but it can be seen driven by some rich guys in Thul. This place is changed into a place for goods transporting to factories and others places. As the number of the factories are in an increasing trend, the clean air and the crystal clear sea water is completely polluted. Currently, a construction of an airport is ongoing and when the government suggested this idea a year ago, none of the villagers disagreed. Unfortunately, the villagers no longer loved the dirty area so they decided to move to some other villages in India, but this time, far far away from Thul.

The new area is not as congested as Thul. It was a quiet and peaceful area near a forest. The villagers there now take up hunting as their main jobs, not fishing anymore.

Hari continued with his poultry farm and also the watch mending job. Hari had became the biggest manufacturer of chicken eggs in Bombay, and also some other further places. Some chicken sellers from far away in India doesn't mind taking the trouble to come to his poultry farm to purchase some chicken eggs and also meat as the eggs and meat sold by Hari has the best quality in India. Although he is busy with his poultry farm, he determined to continue running the first business of his father, which is watch mending. He had forgiven his father for all his mistake he made as he was willing to turn over a new leaf and bear the responsibility of earning money for the family. Unfortunately, his passed away a year ago at the age of 60 because of kidney problem. Although Hari was willing to pay whatever amount of money to heal him, but he still passed away. Just if he did not drank so much toddy when he was young, he would pass on so early. Besides that, Hari had also found a nice wife and got married at the age of 32 as his business is stablelize. Although he has to pay for Kamal and Bela to go to university, he never felt that it is a burden to him as he is rich enough.

Lila remained without a job and does household chores together with her mother everyday. They clean up their new big house together, wash clothes together, and does many other household chores together. She did not get married as she just wished to live a relax lifetime with her family members, being a normal woman is just enough for her.

Eventhough their family were rich, they did not live lifes like millionares, simply spending money. They are still more used to their olden life by doing things by their own.

Prevention & Treatment to H1N1 Flu

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against this new H1N1 virus. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.


• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.


• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.


• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.


• Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.

Other important actions that you can take are:

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.


• Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. If you are sick, stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you live in areas where people have been identified with new H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people, except to seek medical care.
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

Exposures Not Thought to Spread New H1N1 Flu

Can I get infected with this new H1N1 virus from eating or preparing pork?
No. H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get this new HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

Is there a risk from drinking water?
Tap water that has been treated by conventional disinfection processes does not likely pose a risk for transmission of influenza viruses. Current drinking water treatment regulations provide a high degree of protection from viruses. No research has been completed on the susceptibility of the novel H1N1 flu virus to conventional drinking water treatment processes. However, recent studies have demonstrated that free chlorine levels typically used in drinking water treatment are adequate to inactivate highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. It is likely that other influenza viruses such as novel H1N1 would also be similarly inactivated by chlorination. To date, there have been no documented human cases of influenza caused by exposure to influenza-contaminated drinking water.

Can the new H1N1 flu virus be spread through water in swimming pools, spas, water parks, interactive fountains, and other treated recreational water venues?
Influenza viruses infect the human upper respiratory tract. There has never been a documented case of influenza virus infection associated with water exposure. Recreational water that has been treated at CDC recommended disinfectant levels does not likely pose a risk for transmission of influenza viruses. No research has been completed on the susceptibility of the H1N1 influenza virus to chlorine and other disinfectants used in swimming pools, spas, water parks, interactive fountains, and other treated recreational venues. However, recent studies have demonstrated that free chlorine levels recommended by CDC (1–3 parts per million [ppm or mg/L] for pools and 2–5 ppm for spas) are adequate to disinfect avian influenza A (H5N1) virus. It is likely that other influenza viruses such as novel H1N1 virus would also be similarly disinfected by chlorine.

Can H1N1 influenza virus be spread at recreational water venues outside of the water?
Yes, recreational water venues are no different than any other group setting. The spread of this novel H1N1 flu is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

The severeness of swine flu

How severe is illness associated with this new H1N1 virus?
It’s not known at this time how severe this virus will be in the general population. CDC is studying the medical histories of people who have been infected with this virus to determine whether some people may be at greater risk from infection, serious illness or hospitalization from the virus. In seasonal flu, there are certain people that are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with chronic medical conditions. It’s unknown at this time whether certain groups of people are at greater risk of serious flu-related complications from infection with this new virus. CDC also is conducting laboratory studies to see if certain people might have natural immunity to this virus, depending on their age.

How does this new H1N1 virus spread?
Spread of this H1N1 virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
At the current time, CDC believes that this virus has the same properties in terms of spread as seasonal flu viruses. With seasonal flu, studies have shown that people may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to 7 days after they get sick. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. CDC is studying the virus and its capabilities to try to learn more and will provide more information as it becomes available.

Introduction to swine flu

What is H1N1 (swine flu)?

H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

Why is this new H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?

This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.

Are there human infections with this H1N1 virus in the U.S.?

Yes. Cases of human infection with this H1N1 influenza virus were first confirmed in the U.S. in Southern California and near Guadalupe County, Texas. The outbreak intensified rapidly from that time and more and more states have been reporting cases of illness from this virus. An updated case count of confirmed novel H1N1 flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/investigation.htm.

Is this new H1N1 virus contagious?

CDC has determined that this new H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?

The symptoms of this new H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Also, like seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

Reflection on Adeline Ng Ai Choo

'Adeline Ng Ai Choo' is a story about a secondary school girl who committed suicide because she failed her English GCE 'O' Levels test by only one mark. She begged her teacher for that mark but her teacher refused. Therefore, she committed suicide as she was afraid that she had disappointed her parents.
In my opinion, Adeline Ng should have told her parents about her test results before she committed suicide. I believe her parents would have forgiven her and would not scold her. In her diary, she said that she was much stressed. I think that she should have told her parents about her stressfulness. If she had done so, her parents would understand the problems that she is facing and aid her.
Besides that, it was stated in the story that Adeline Ng's English teacher found out that she was not paying attention in class and was being evasive to her teacher's questions. I think that her teacher should contact her parents and tell them about her behaviour in class lately and should not just ignore it. I believe that her parents are equally worried and would try their best to help her.
Furthermore, her parents should not give her too much pressure and allow her to relax after studying for some time. In her diary, it was stated that she could not concentrate at all as she was too stressed and her parents do not allow her to watch television or listen to the radio. It was also said in her diary that her father would cane her and her mother would die if she failed her exams. This proves that her parents had given her too much pressure.
In conclusion, I think that this incident was caused due to lack of communication between Adeline Ng, her teacher and her parents. If Adeline told her parents about her stressfulness and did not evade her teacher's questions, they would have helped her. If Adeline Ng's teacher had contacted her parents and told them about her behaviour in class, her parents would have aided her. I believe that if they had communicated with each other, this incident could have been prevented.

Reflection on "The Taximan Story"

‘The Taximan’s Story’ by Catherine Lim mainly talks about students lying to their parents about having extra coaching or so when they actually went out with some European friends. I believe that such a problem is caused by the students themselves. Why should the students lie when they can tell their parents the truth about them going out with their friends? I doubt that their parents would scold them and maybe even allow them to hang out with them if it is not too frequent.
However, I also feel that the school is partly at fault. The school should inform the parents about the school activities held and when is it held. This will allow the parents to know if their children are lying or not and also to know about their children’s whereabouts.
In the story, the taxi driver was extremely happy when some of the students paid more money for the fare. He seemed happy that the students went out with their friends as they will pay more for the taxi fare. However, when he saw his daughter doing the same thing, he was infuriated and beat her and locked her in her room. He willingly drives the students in his taxi because they actually pay him more money but he forbids his daughter to do the same thing.
In conclusion, I think it is mostly the students’ fault as they could actually tell their parents the truth and prevent a lot of trouble.

Point of view on a character in"Nothing But The Truth"

During the weekends, I read a Book titled "Nothing But The Truth". It is a very interesting book and it is typical as this book is written in dialogues. Now, I would like to share the point of view of one of the minor character, Allison Doresett, and I hope you would enjoy this.

In "Nothing But The Truth", Allison Doresett is a very pretty girl and many boys hopes to date with her, including the main character, Philip Malloy. Lets talk about the hottest topic in the newspaper according to the book, although everybody thinks that Philip Malloy is right and Magaret Narwin is wrong to stop him from singing the national anthem, but she personally thinks that this could not be possible. She supports Magaret Narwin as everybody from her homeroom likes her and thinks that she is an excellent teacher. Nobody says that Magaret Narwin is strict and all her students achieves good results in the examinations, except Philip Malloy. She thinks that this is because Philip Malloy dislikes her lesson and of course, he had been kicked out of the track team just because he failed his english tests. Besides hating Magaret Narwin more, I think that he should do more english worksheet and submit it to Magaret Narwin because she is still trying to help Philip Malloy.

Reflection on "Lamb to the Slaughter"

“Lamb to The Slaughter” is a story by Roald Dahl is a story about a lady, Mary Maloney, who killed her husband, Patrick Maloney, and gets away with it by persuade the policemen to eat the murder weapon.
In my opinion, Mrs. Maloney is not just a cold-blooded murderer, but also a liar as she deceived the policemen in eating the murder weapon which is the lamb leg and did not get caught. She should be punished to the full extent of law.
In the story, Mr. Maloney said ‘I’ll give you money and see if you’re looked after’. This quote tells us that Mr. Maloney had an affair with another woman and plans to abandon her. This shows that Mr. Maloney is unfaithful to Mrs. Maloney and the fact that Mrs. Maloney was pregnant made Mr. Maloney look even guiltier. If Mr. Maloney had not cheated on her, this murder could have been prevented.
In conclusion, I think that both of cause the murder. I believe that if Mr. Maloney did not cheat on her, she would not have murdered him and this would be prevented. I also believe that if Mr. Maloney controlled her emotions and was calm that time, she would not have murdered him out of anger after knowing that he was going to abandon her.

The Fierce Gunners

Wenger pleased with balanced display
Arsenal's all-round display gave Arsene Wenger reason to smile as Manchester City was dispatched 2-0.
Wenger also hailed the creative impact of returning captain Cesc Fabregas after he set up both goals for Emmanuel Adebayor.
The Gunners are now unbeaten in 17 Barclays Premier League games, cementing their position back in the top four.
With a Champions League quarter-final against Villarreal and an FA Cup semi-final date with Chelsea at Wembley all to come before the end of the month, Wenger believes things are shaping up nicely for the resurgent Gunners.
With leading scorer Robin van Persie unavailable because of a groin problem, Wenger elected to deploy Fabregas - playing his first match in three months after knee surgery - in a more advanced role.
It paid off handsomely as the Spain international set up Adebayor in each half, the forward taking his tally for the season to 14 on his return from eight weeks out with a hamstring problem.
"We had a very strong performance, a good team performance, both offensively and defensively," said Wenger
"But there is a lightness in the team now which I enjoy and we are playing without the handbrake."
The Arsenal manager continued: "Cesc had Denilson and Alex Song behind him who were strong, so he dedicated more of his game to the offensive tasks.
"He likes to come deep and play long balls, but he is still in the phase where is learning all the aspects of the game.
"I used him to adjust the balance of the team. I had choices today, could have pushed [Andrey] Arshavin up and one of the midfielders wide, but I felt we were well balanced."
Arsenal's form of late has been in marked contrast to earlier in the campaign when they struggled for consistency.
Wenger admitted: "If we had won two more games, we could have been challenging, but the other teams could maybe say that as well.
"We are 17 unbeaten, but we lost five of the first 14 - you can't do that and win the league.
"However, it shows that when a team is young, they can improve and they are showing that now.
"We are not the same team that was playing in the autumn.""I am proud to be captain of this club and see my future at Arsenal."
City boss Mark Hughes, meanwhile, lamented the impact of injuries to his plans - losing Stephen Ireland to an ankle problem in the run up to today's match while Wayne Bridge and Vincent Kompany both hobbled off during the first half.
"We did not have enough power and presence on the field, but were compromised by the changes we had to make because of injuries," he said.
"In the end we just did not have enough to get back at a very good Arsenal side

My reflection on "the Lady or The Tiger"

" The Lady or The Tiger?" is a short story about a semi-barbaric king who set up a plan for the accused subject to pick a door among two, one containing a ferocious tiger while another containing a fair lady. If the door containing the tiger was opened, the accused subject would be killed instantly as the tiger is swift and very hungry. On the other hand, if the door containing the lady was opened, the accused subject would marry the lady on the spot. One day, a man was accused for loving the princess and thus had to go through the same privilege.
In my opinion, I think that the king should not have set up this plan as it is unfair to the accused subject. What if the accused subject was innocent but he was unfortunate and opened the door containing the tiger? What if the man was guilty and but opened the door containing the lady? Wouldn't he be rewarded for committing a crime? This might also decrease the number of innocent people and also increase the number of criminals and thus making the society unsafe as it is full of criminals and crooks.
I think that the king should abolish this plan as it does not help to find out who is the real criminal. He should recruit policemen and investigators to find out who the crooks are and then punish them severely. Besides that, we can infer that the king is just running away from the social problems and maybe that is the reason why he set up this plan, to solve this as quickly and as easy as possible.
However, it was said in the story that the masses entertain and pleased and nobody opposed the king to set up this plan. I think that they should have opposed. What if someday one of them was accused of something he did not do and was eaten by the tiger as he was unfortunate? By then, they will feel the unfairness of this plan but they cannot do anything about it.
In conclusion, I think that it is rather foolish for the king to set up this plan and also for the masses to be pleased with it as it will not solve any crime. The king should have abolished this plan. No, he should not even think of this plan as it will bring unfairness to the people

Chelsea 2-1 Stoke City
Chelsea pulled off a sensational late fightback to ease the pressure on under-fire boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.
The Blues looked on the way to their third home league defeat of the season until substitute Juliano Belletti equalised in the 87th minute.
Frank Lampard then grabbed an unlikely winner in stoppage-time to cap his 400th appearance for the club in style.
The victory keeps Chelsea in the title hunt and will take some of the heat off their Brazilian coach.
Scolari's plight has not been helped by the loss of England midfielder Joe Cole with a knee injury for the rest of the season and John Terry's back problem in the pre-match warm-up meant he was unable to play.
But Scolari's public feud with Ivorian striker Didier Drogba appears to have backfired on him as he would have provided just the kind of cutting edge lacked by the Blues.
Since beating Sunderland 5-0 at the start of November, Chelsea had only managed home wins over CFR Cluj and West Brom.
They should have taken the lead in the 23rd minute but once again their attacking frailties were exposed.
It was perhaps unfortunate for Scolari that Frank Lampard's free-kick landed at the feet of Salomon Kalou instead of top scorer Nicolas Anelka.
The Ivorian failed to show the kind of coolness Anelka has been displaying this season and shot high over from just six yards.
Florent Malouda then had a shot charged down, then Anelka was unlucky not to take his tally for the season to 18 goals when his shot on the turn was superbly parried by Thomas Sorensen.
Stoke suffered a blow in the 32nd minute when defender Danny Higginbotham went off injured to be replaced by Andy Griffin.
In the 35th minute a superb run by Lampard helped set up Malouda on the left flank and his cross was destined for the head of Anelka until Sorensen's fingertips intervened.
Scolari's pitchside animation was a joy to behold from outstretched arms aimed at the fourth official to the scratching of his head at misplaced passes.
But despite his various gestures, his side were still lacking the cutting edge the axed Drogba would have certainly provided.
That fact was underlined in the 41st minute when a corner from Lampard was met at the far post by Anelka - - but his header was caught by Sorensen.
Two minutes before the break the Dane pulled off another great save when he tipped a vicious left-foot shot from Ashley Cole over the crossbar - and seconds later he produced another stunning save to stop a volley from Lampard.
Chelsea should have taken the lead in the 50th minute but an unmarked Ballack sent an eight-yard header the wrong side of the post following good work by Malouda.
Stoke managed to engineer a chance for new signing James Beattie in the 57th minute but the striker's attempted lob over Petr Cech was just too high.
It was a timely portent as Stoke stunned Chelsea with an opening goal in the 59th minute.
Beattie superbly chested the ball down and fed the onrushing Delap, who ran into the penalty area and held off the challenge of Alex before calmly slotting the ball over the advancing Cech.
It was a goal completely against the run of play - and another example of Chelsea's poor defending.
Scolari's reaction was to replace Malouda with Franco Di Santo but Stoke almost added a second goal when Cech flapped and missed a long throw from Delap.
However, Matthew Etherington just could not turn quickly enough to try his luck at an open goal and Chelsea cleared the danger.
Moments later Chelsea wasted another chance when Lampard shot wide from an acute angle after Anelka had put him clear.
Then Cole, found superbly by Anelka, fired a left-foot shot inches wide of the far post with Sorensen beaten.
Chelsea piled on the pressure with substitute Di Santo causing Stoke problems on the right flank - and with an embarrassing defeat on the cards, they produced the great escape.
First a cross from Kalou was headed back into the six-yard box by Di Santo and Belletti, on for Jose Bosingwa, converted from close range.
Then in stoppage-time, Lampard seized his chance to send a 20-yard shot beyond Sorensen for the winner.

BPL: Hull City 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal struck twice late in the game to see off battling Hull and keep pace with the Barclays Premier League top four.
Hull had looked set to frustrate the Gunners for the second time this season when Daniel Cousin cancelled out Emmanuel Adebayor's first-half opener after 65 minutes.
But the KC Stadium visitors produced a strong finish and snatched victory with goals in the final nine minutes from Samir Nasri and substitute Nicklas Bendtner.
It was the perfect response from the Gunners after wins earlier in the day from Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa.
It also extended their unbeaten run to eight games and avenged their shock loss to Hull at the Emirates Stadium in September, when Cousin had been the match-winner.
Those heady days seem a long time ago now for Hull, who despite their encouraging display, have now lost their last five league outings.
Adebayor's goal, only his third in nine games, initially seemed to justify his inclusion in an unchanged Arsenal side ahead of Bendtner, the match-winning substitute against Bolton last week.
Hull fielded an unfamiliar line-up. After playing an under-strength side in the midweek FA Cup win at Newcastle, six changes were not unexpected but Ryan France and Peter Halmosi surprisingly retained their places.
There was a debut for new signing Kevin Kilbane at left-back while Friday's loan recruit from Manchester United, Manucho, was on the bench.
France's unexpected start, after spending most of the campaign in the reserves, meant he became the fourth Hull player to play in all four divisions for the club.
Geovanni, scorer of Hull's first goal at the Emirates, had the game's first chance after two minutes.
The Brazilian confused the Arsenal defence with a late run while two other Hull players stood in offside positions but he scuffed his shot.
A chance opened up for Nathan Doyle moments later but the right-back shot straight at Manuel Almunia from distance.
Arsenal's first opportunity came from a free-kick and Robin van Persie almost got lucky as his firm effort was deflected narrowly wide by Michael Turner.
The visitors were almost caught after Geovanni sparked a counter-attack but Cousin's cross was blocked and his follow-up shot went well wide.
Geovanni also curled in a dangerous-looking free-kick from out wide but Almunia safely gathered and another set-piece moments later was shot into the wall.
Boaz Myhill produced a brilliant double save to deny Arsenal the lead after 28 minutes following the award of a dubious free-kick for a foul on Emmanuel Eboue.
The goalkeeper just did enough to tip Van Persie's fierce shot onto the bar and then recovered to block from Johan Djourou as the defender pounced on the rebound.
Yet Hull could not hold out much longer and fell behind as Adebayor headed home a Van Persie corner at the far post a minute later.
Van Persie muscled into the area early in the second half but was penalised for a foul on Sam Ricketts.
Adebayor then beat Turner to create space for a shot but Myhill punched clear.
Hull made their first change after 53 minutes when the ineffective Halmosi was replaced by new striker Manucho and the formation switched from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2.
Manucho's first taste of the action left him with a facial wound after clashing heads with Djourou contesting a bouncing ball in the area. Hull appealed for a penalty but referee Alan Wiley was uninterested.
Hull snatched an equaliser when Cousin headed firmly past Almunia after Bernard Mendy's cross took a slight deflection off Gael Clichy.
Mendy caused more problems moments later and won a free-kick on the right but Arsenal escaped further damage.
Clichy was then booked for a foul on Mendy as the Hull winger, clearly inspired by his role in the goal, continued to cause havoc on the right.
Hull had the bit between their teeth and enjoyed a good spell but Arsenal still threatened in possession and Abou Diaby fired a good chance wide.
Myhill then saved again after Bendtner, introduced in the 68th minute, worked his way into the box and fired across goal.
Hull were exposed again after 81 minutes as Van Persie's pass found Nasri in space and the Frenchman shot left-footed across Myhill to restore Arsenal's lead.
The Gunners then ended the game five minutes from time as Bendtner played a one-two with an apparently offside Van Persie and finished clinically.
Arsenal almost added a flattering fourth when Bendtner struck the post late on.