Thank you, JD.
The question posed in your last line is a most important one and is the subject one of my pet hates.

I am frequently preached at – rather, gaslit - by my local authority and various entities, about being “environmentally responsible”.

Yet the very same so and-sos encourage my missus to to put the so-called “waste”, produced by weeding and thinning out flowers, into a special green bin, which is then transported by road to a processing centre, where, yes, you’ve guessed it, someone will will make a tidy profit out of selling it back to…members of the public!
....................to be continued.😐

Comment is about Like a night in the forest. (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

Alfie said “I fucking like that!”

Comment is about ALFIE'S TOURETTES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

As far as politics is concerned, Miike, the difference between Right and Wrong is more important.😏

Comment is about Notes on Ornithology (blog)

Original item by Mike McPeek

There’s no effin’ princess,
And none in broken leg,
There’s no effin’ operation
That’ll cure my effin’ Tourettes,
But there’s four effin’ effs
in effin’ daffodils,
so I’ll write about them effers instead:
I fuckin’ wandered lonely as a fuckin’ cloud…

tut tut, a bit clumpy that; I must pay more attention to my editing.

I wandered fuckin' lonely, as a fuckin' cloud...

flows a lot effin' better!

Comment is about ALFIE'S TOURETTES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Sorry Rolph. I must endure...and cannot look away.

Comment is about My Mind Won’t Dim (blog)

Original item by Rolph David

I've been called a balloon before...but that's rather a nice image, me drifting and bouncing nonchalantly through life😊

Comment is about Balloons (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

A beautiful poem RBK.
You write:
"Salt water heals old fractures in the stones,"

I blink through my tears as I write this, having just watched videos about children and babies being shot and starved to death in Gaza, with the complicity of my government.

If only the salt in my tears could heal those poor babies.💗

Comment is about evening at the tide (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

migration of imagination, nice words!

Comment is about Balloons (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

Thank you, Leon! 😎

Comment is about Balloons (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

If only the chinless wonders in the UK Parliament had half the cojones of this man:

https://youtu.be/z4M_usg8GMg?list=PL9n8fNFZ2frSmBVFrhaCwOoXb9qQUvPJe

Comment is about Like Father-like Son? (blog)

Original item by LEON STOLGARD

Seventy three? Could be worse, I suppose!
Trouble is, those pesky folk just refuse to settle down.
besides, "there's always two sides to every story";
"it's a very complicated situation";
they're not "God's Chosen People",

****and most important of all, they're "less than human".***
they're "snakes", "insects" etc.
Concerning that last excuse, I'll try to find the link to a video of proceedings in the Irish Parliament, some years ago, in which about five Israeli Government officials are quoted, effectively justifying Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing.
Basically statements of INTENT to carry out what's happening right now.

Comment is about Like Father-like Son? (blog)

Original item by LEON STOLGARD

I recommend the can of petrol, David, more hygienic...the pitchfork's far too messy!

Every value I was brought up from childhood to believe in, respect for authority, for the law, for the 10 commandments [in a "Christian" country?], respect for the memory of the fallen, all currently being pissed on by willy - waving wankers.

Comment is about Handala, Speed with our Love on the Wing! (blog)

Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Thank you for your comment, Uilleam. This poem is specifically about the suffering and bravery of the Ukrainian people.

Comment is about Smiles (For the People of Ukraine) (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thanks for your comment and the info, John.
No, my intention was to play with the grammatical definition of a verb, and that of a noun.

The UK government, whilst protesting its "love" [the noun] of freedom, and of democracy, plainly demonstrates through its suppression of dissent in the UK, enacted on behalf of a foreign fascist regime, that it in reality, does not "love" [the verb] freedom.

Comment is about Haiku for 2025 [No. 26. Palestine Inaction] (blog)

Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

I like the way "love's a doing word" is a quote from Massive Attack, who recently founded a body with Fontaines D. C. and with Kneecap and someone else too to protect the artist's right to speak out against war atrocities in the middle east... is this what you were getting at or is it by chance? 😎

Comment is about Haiku for 2025 [No. 26. Palestine Inaction] (blog)

Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Thank you Yanma and Aisha.

David.

PS. If the leaders of Earths great religious institutes are serious about defending the weak, the poor, the outcast's, the down-trodden, they should sail a Ship onto the Gaza shoreline and stand with their various GODS against and in defiance of the greatest evil I have seen in my days. Where the frig are they?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJlN9jdQFSc

Comment is about The Angelus Prayer (The Holy Family Church, Gaza 17 Jul 25) (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

I am teetering on the cusp of voluntary incaceration at this point in time.

To think I gave years of service to this country, to now be ruled by spineless one cell beings makes me want to vomit in my barefoot trainers.

Those in charge, who suck up to misogynist's and child murderers...and we are supposed to pay their wages.

It literally makes me sick to my stomach to recall the sacrifices I have seen made by honorable collegues, that our so called leaders now vacate their bladders on their memory.

I'm reaching for my pitchfork and a can of petrol!

David RL Moore (Veteran)

Comment is about Handala, Speed with our Love on the Wing! (blog)

Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Fantastic interview 👍

Comment is about Poems become songs (blog)

Original item by Robert C Gaulke

As ever, positive and upliifting, Aisha. Thank you.

Comment is about Unmasked (blog)

Original item by Aisha Suleman

Wikipedia site on the origins of Handala

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handala

Comment is about Handala, Speed with our Love on the Wing! (blog)

Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Thank you for your likes:
Tom Doolan
hugh
Stephen Gospage
Aisha Suleman
Holden Moncrieff
Auracle
Yanma Hidayah
LEON STOLGARD
and your comments, Graham and Stephen G.

Comment is about Handala, Speed with our Love on the Wing! (blog)

Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Many thanks Leon for your positive feedback. It is very much appreciated. 🙂
Thanks for likes: Uilleam, Aisha, Hélène, Holden, Yanma Hidayah & John Coopey. 👍

Comment is about Remember You (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Thanks for your thoughts, Leon. And for the like, David and Aisha.

Comment is about ALFIE'S TOURETTES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks again Uilleam, of course!-dohhh! I mean! the times Dad and I have raised and downed many a pint while belting that one out without questioning the word-( dohh take two )

Yes, all fantastic and brave poets absolutely

( ps-another seventy three starving Gaza people murdered!!!!

HELLO WORLD ARE YOU THERE!!???

Comment is about Like Father-like Son? (blog)

Original item by LEON STOLGARD

Also for my recently acquired ex-Carmelite pen-pal 👍

Best wishes Brother Paul-enjoy your retirement

Leon

Comment is about When cursing the tempestuous sky (blog)

Original item by LEON STOLGARD

Thankyou Graham and Uilleam for reading this and for your comments.

Thanks to all those who have sent flowers also.

It may seem strange to some that as an atheist I might write such a piece. I find no conflict of thought in having a deep interest in relegious faith whilst not signing up.

My sympathy for those who suffer is not ring fenced by prejudice.

Although I find most belief systems ridiculous in their expectation of gathering a flock, my sympathy is with the flock who are somehow imprisoned by their own belief.

David RL Moore

"Other opinions are available"

Comment is about The Angelus Prayer (The Holy Family Church, Gaza 17 Jul 25) (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Nothing less than brill, Lil' 👍

Thank you

Leon

Comment is about checkmate (blog)

Original item by Lily Eldridge

Thanks for the info, Leon and further to my comment:
according to Wikipedia, the title of Wilfred Owen’s anti-war poem, "Smile, Smile, Smile", is derived from the words of the WWI song:
“Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag, and smile, smile, smile / while you’ve a lucifer to light your fag,”

Comment is about Like Father-like Son? (blog)

Original item by LEON STOLGARD

Don't they just break your fucking fucking heart John 😭

Bless the little guy-but he's in good hands ( thine ) TF!

thanks mate

Leon

Comment is about ALFIE'S TOURETTES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Holden. ' a DOUBT speckled past? mmm..what do I know? 😁

thank you

Leon

Comment is about Balloons (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

Like all of your poems Tom, beautifully enjoyable 👍

thank you

Leon

Comment is about Remember You (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

And, thank you, Uilleam, for the very interesting info'
I actually have in my possession ( somewhere 😀 ) a badly dog-eared WW1 poetry book, in which the poems were composed by an Anglican Priest and Poet.

He, Geoffrey-Anketell-Studdert-Kennedy ( and I quote ) " was nicknamed, ' Woodbine Willie ' for giving Woodbine cigarettes to the soldiers he met, as well as spiritual aid, to the injured and dying soldiers.

I daresay, that in my book. there would doubtlessly have been references to the 'Lucifers ' you mention, for which I thank you again.

So, do I also thank very much indeed, the folks who have been kind enough to give this piece a liking, who are-

Red-John-Tom-Hugh-Uilleam-Stephen-Holden-Yanma

Leon

Comment is about Like Father-like Son? (blog)

Original item by LEON STOLGARD

Sustainability is about even more than the colour 'green'.

But hey, what choices do we have? If all generations develop diseases from the strain&stress of 'Earth&Humanity' (whatever that means.)

After all, what is sustainability?

Comment is about Go green NOW and stay alive !! (blog)

Original item by hugh

Alfie’s main characteristic though, Uilleam, is that he is a little twat.
And thanks for the Likes, Redbrick and Holden.

Comment is about ALFIE'S TOURETTES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Do those inflicting this foul mess

Consider what they really kill?

They simply don't care, Stephen.
Money and unaccountable power are their bottom line, some of them in the UK government..."Kompromat", or something!

Comment is about Smiles (For the People of Ukraine) (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

While.cooking your greens,please don't over boil,

That's why I like our local Chinese restaurant, Hugh. Delicious!

Comment is about Go green NOW and stay alive !! (blog)

Original item by hugh

Corruption and deformity
must haunt the major dynasty:

A true reflection of current society, Ray?

Comment is about Game of Thrones (blog)

Original item by Ray

At least poor Alfie's got an excuse.
Given the number of dogs in prams I've seen, I'm beginning to think that evolution's done a fast-forward, and that dogs will soon lose the use of those appendages on each corner.😕

Comment is about ALFIE'S TOURETTES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

So, so true, Robert.

Comment is about Make it Big (blog)

Original item by Robert C Gaulke

Some intriguing images there, Rolph.
That furnace: still to be lit, or extinct?

Comment is about My Mind Won’t Dim (blog)

Original item by Rolph David

My thanks to all of you who liked this poem.

Comment is about Smiles (For the People of Ukraine) (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d7kqfeRb0KY&pp

Comment is about social engineering (blog)

Original item by Landi Cruz

I didn't know I was brave. Lol

Comment is about To Heaven Or To Hell … (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Thanks, Yanma

Comment is about Waves (blog)

Original item by Jon63

I've amended my comment.

Thank you, David. Graham's use of the term gut-wrenching is horribly appropriate.

The picture you use is, I believe, titled "The Angelus"?
A familiar landscape, which evokes memories of my early teens, a peaceful, prayerful and naively optimistic time of my life.

I remember being taught that we as members of the Christian /Catholic church were constituents of "The Body of Christ".

Now, at the Holy Family church, in Palestine and elsewhere in the world, I see a Jesus repeatedly betrayed and crucified by those who vociferously - and in this case, ironically - claim to be defending "Christian" values.
...................................Not in my name - your Majesty!.........................
...................................Not in my name - Prime Minister!......................
💐💐💐💐💐

Comment is about The Angelus Prayer (The Holy Family Church, Gaza 17 Jul 25) (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Thank you, Leon.
Lucifer, formerly the "bringer of light" is now the bringer of death, destruction and hell in the name of what we in The West pervertedly imagine to be "civilisation".

A "Lucifer" was also the nickname WWI soldiers gave to the matches they used to light their ciggys in the trenches whilst they waited for death.

Comment is about Like Father-like Son? (blog)

Original item by LEON STOLGARD

Some wonderful cutting words Lily! Great first line.

Comment is about checkmate (blog)

Original item by Lily Eldridge

Thanks for extra likes: Auracle, hugh, Yanma Hidayah & LEON STOLGARD. 👍

Comment is about Brand New Heart ❤️ (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

This the third time I’ve tried to comment on this tender but gut-wrenching piece David. I’m not a hereafter subscriber and to me death is just that. However I would be more than happy to believe in a hell and consign these evil world leaders to it.
Your first two lines say it all.

G

Comment is about The Angelus Prayer (The Holy Family Church, Gaza 17 Jul 25) (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Thanks for the early like Hugh,

a slight alteration in the title to offer clarity (if needed)

David RL Moore

Comment is about The Angelus Prayer (The Holy Family Church, Gaza 17 Jul 25) (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore