Nicely done, Rolph. He probably dreams of organising a joint parade with his friend Putin next year (in Greenland, preferably).
I liked the couplet about 'the court who daily praise'.
Comment is about The Empty Streets of Ego’s March (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Thank you, Rolph. Yes, who knows what becomes of these little pieces of inspiration which slip away? Are they stored somewhere, to reappear later? Or are they just gone? I wanted to maintain the melancholy by concluding with 'no apparent cost'.
Comment is about Masterpiece (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Just juxtaposing feelings of my own decrepitude with warzone testimonies. A trick stolen from Burroughs.
Comment is about Prayers Everywhere (blog)
Original item by Robert C Gaulke
I shut the dictionary of obscenities, hushed the police of words and ideas and glimpsed again the joy of my childhood...
https://youtu.be/3CqKfbcJHJQ?feature=shared
Comment is about social engineering (blog)
Original item by Landi Cruz
Many thanks Rolph for you feedback and comments. They are much appreciated 🙂
Thanks for likes: Red Brick Keshner Marla Joy & Voice of the Soul.👍
Comment is about Hope Is Gone (blog)
Original item by Tom Doolan
The reflection after observing the momentum of events is very affecting.
Just an afterthought but the title of the Lou Reed song feels very relevant to these times in which we live with so many voices telling us what to think about what we observe. I mean, critical thinking requires recognition of the tools of rhetoric, yet we seem to be more encouraged toward hasty judgement than careful analysis.
Comment is about Too late too late (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
Sun 15th Jun 2025 13:52
Rolph, thank you so much for your beautiful analysis, you've made me consider new layers of meaning! I'm always honoured that you take the time to think so deeply about the poems. And thank you for all the encouragement! 😊
Comment is about Disowned... (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
Thank you for your sincerity Rolph. All our mothers are wonders to be behold, as was mine. Thanks, also, for your commiserations concerning the premature death of my kid brother, Pete. He died in late 1996 aged just 41, It was a heavy blow, especially to my mum. I devoutly hope that my mum and my brother are together again. John
Comment is about Me mam (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Thank you Ray,
I appreciate your reading...goodness knows what I mean.
Maybe for your entertainment watch my video.
Thanks again,
David xx
Comment is about Too late too late (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
I guess I need to be turning on the news channels but I haven't for years now. This scene generously described here brings me back to news headlines from the Cold War and the communist flexings of various nations/leaders. Some things do not grow old nor do they change.
Comment is about The Empty Streets of Ego’s March (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Just wondering how this affected the reader in its reading. Perhaps it is of no real consequence. But there it is. Cheers. 🙌
Comment is about veil of the known (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
Hay @Auracle - I do like your take on what is 'broadcast.' I stopped being an avid fan of journalism right around the turn of the century when all this gateway, gaslighting, and grooming narratives have become less yellow all around. I also like getting out of the comfort zone or jump out with fellow aficionados, and yes- so much more to learn and experience should we care and dare. 🌷
P.S. Perhaps you could check on the permissions on your page as it at present keeps me from contacting you there and on your posts. lol 😁👍
Comment is about the poet’s barren tale (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
Hi Ray the punctuation is for the delivery, and performance, and helps me memorise the piece. There are three parts to this and this, the second part will change the tempo..so, that's why I have put so much punctuation.
Comment is about This Imaginary Life -Part 2 (The Nurture of) (blog)
Original item by Phils Words
Stephen, your poem beautifully captures that all-too-familiar moment when inspiration teases us in the quiet hours, only to slip away before we can hold onto it. There’s a delicate melancholy in the acceptance of those lost verses—like ghosts of creativity that visit but won’t stay. Thank you for giving voice to that elusive feeling with such clarity and grace.
Regards,
Rolph
Comment is about Masterpiece (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
There’s a rare and tender beauty in how your poem stretches love beyond the limits of language and space, Naomi. You’ve captured that elusive feeling when words fall short, yet the heart overflows anyway. It’s both intimate and grand—a real gift to read. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt universe with us.
Regards,
Rolph
Comment is about BEYOND THE LIGHT OF SUNS (blog)
Original item by Naomi
Hey Rolph David 🌷 Thanks for affirming what this poem and its 'portmanteau' hopes to carry across. There is a love for gardening and quiet living instilled in me by my ancestral grandparents homelife. I suppose marrying that with LOTR has given it so much sense and texture. Your last line upholds. My deepest gratitude. RBK🌷🙏🏻🕊️
Comment is about hobbitual (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
Good morning Aisha,
Your poem feels like an invitation to embrace something deeply personal, maybe a call to resist fitting into expectations that try to dull one’s essence. It hints at a journey away from conformity, encouraging stepping into a space that’s untouched and boldly individual. There’s a sense of courage in standing out, even if others don’t immediately understand or follow. It speaks to a kind of inner magic, something vibrant and authentic that shines brightest when fully embraced, rather than hidden or softened. The tone feels both empowering and tender, like a quiet rebellion wrapped in encouragement. I love it. Thanks for sharing it.
Regards,
Rolph
Comment is about Shine In Your Own Light (blog)
Original item by Aisha Suleman
Your poem strikes a deep chord, Holden, with its bold exploration of struggle and revelation. The way you weave dense, striking imagery brings to life the tension between illusion and reality. I especially loved the powerful alliteration in “dauntless, disowned decibels”—it adds a rhythmic urgency that really drives the theme home. It’s a compelling and richly crafted piece—thank you for sharing your voice.
Regards,
Rolph
Comment is about Disowned... (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
There’s such a lovely lightness in your poem, Julie. I can almost feel the warm Mexican breeze and the unexpected joy of being noticed just for being yourself. It’s a sweet reminder that sometimes just “chillin” is enough to brighten someone’s day. Thanks for sharing this delightful moment!
Regards,
Rolph
Comment is about Just Chillin! (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
John,
Your poem deeply touched me. The way you hold your mother’s spirit alive — through memories, shared smiles, and her enduring presence — is both beautiful and heartbreaking. Dementia is such a cruel thief, stealing pieces of who we know, yet your words remind us that love remains, even when memories fade. It’s a different kind of loss, but the tenderness and history you share keep her close. I’m so sorry for your pain, and for the loss of your brother, too. Holding onto those precious fragments is all we can do sometimes, and you do it with grace.
Take care,
regards,
Rolph
Comment is about Me mam (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Hélène,
It’s wonderful to see someone like you living each day so fully, just as you express in your "Affirmations." That’s not something everyone manages, and the awareness of how to do it—how to stay open, joyful, and at peace—is truly gold. Your words are a gift.
Regards,
Rolph
Comment is about Affirmations (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Robert, there’s a quiet power in how you dismantle binaries without ever shouting. The lines blur not just concepts, but identities — “I can’t explain” hits especially hard. This feels like a poem about seeing — or trying to — in a world desperate for easy labels. Beautifully done.
Regards,
Rolph
Comment is about Non-Binaries (blog)
Original item by Robert C Gaulke
Tom, this is deeply felt — the repetition of “Hope is gone” really brings the weight of your grief home. There’s a plain honesty here that makes the sorrow ring true. I’m so sorry for your loss, and grateful you shared this.
Take care,
regards,
Rolph
Comment is about Hope Is Gone (blog)
Original item by Tom Doolan
Comment is about Thanks For Sharing (blog)
Original item by Ray
Ray, this made me grin — sharp, fast, and funny. The final cut-off line is a perfect self-edit that proves your point while delivering the punch. Poor Mr. Ferret… or maybe poor us. Either way, thanks for sharing indeed.
Regards,
Rolph
Comment is about Thanks For Sharing (blog)
Original item by Ray
Good morning Red,
This is beautifully done — a quiet hymn to rooted living, full of warmth without sentimentality. The title “hobbitual” (what a lovely portmanteau) is brilliantly chosen, and I love how the poem moves with the same unhurried grace it describes. That line “kneading sun into soil” stopped me — such a rich, grounded image. It holds work, memory, and reverence all in one. You’ve captured peace not as retreat, but as resistance — and that’s powerful.
Regards,
Rolph
Comment is about hobbitual (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
Good morning Red,
Thank you for your "flower". I really appreciate it.
Have a nice day.
Regards,
Rolph
Comment is about The March of One (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Thanks to Yanma, Stephen A., Stephen G., and Red Brick for the like — glad the piece spoke to you.
Regards,
Rolph
Comment is about The Banquet of Blinders: When Vanity Met Valjean (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Thanks, Stephen — vacuous banality sums it up perfectly. It’s astounding how someone can be physically present and yet entirely absent from the meaning unfolding around them. Appreciate you catching that.
Regards,
Rolph
Comment is about The Banquet of Blinders: When Vanity Met Valjean (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Thanks to Yanma, Hélène, K. Lynn, Aisha, Stephen, Uilleam, and Red Brick for your thumbs up. Glad the piece landed with you — always good to know who’s really paying attention.
Comment is about The Emperor Wears a Badge (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Thanks, Uilleam — you’ve nailed the hypocrisy in a single line. They chant “law and order” while dismantling both. And yes, the fact that this playbook has admirers abroad is as chilling as the acts themselves. Appreciate you standing watch with me.
Comment is about The Emperor Wears a Badge (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Thank you Uilleam, Red Brick and Nigel for your 🌷!
Comment is about A Day That Changed All Days (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Haha, no “Diddly Dee” intended — just a quiet tribute to those who stepped into history with courage. Glad you read it.
Comment is about A Day That Changed All Days (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Thank you so much, Yanma, Auracle, Hélène, Aisha, Stephen, and Uilleam, for the flower! I truly appreciate your support — it means a lot to know the piece resonated with you.
Comment is about The Sandbox Brawl: The End of Bromance (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Stephen, thank you — I’m especially glad you picked out that “no rockets, roads, or subsidy” line! I tried to echo that particular cadence of menace veiled as policy. And yes, you put it beautifully — “government by hyperbole” makes us want to disengage, but we can’t afford to. That very exhaustion is the tool they count on. I’ll keep writing, and your encouragement means a lot.
Comment is about The Sandbox Brawl: The End of Bromance (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Thank you, Uilleam — your words cut right to the heart of it. The Epstein reference was difficult to include, but necessary, I felt — not for shock, but to expose the brutal hollowness behind the pageantry. You’re right: the point-scoring has long overtaken any real sense of care or conscience. That we’re watching this unfold with a mix of disbelief and grim familiarity says a lot about where we are — and how easily this kind of decay can leap across borders. I share your concern, and I’m grateful you read the poem not just as satire, but as warning.
Comment is about The Sandbox Brawl: The End of Bromance (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Enjoyed the read.
the markets redrew our graphs, - I'm not quite sure what you're meaning there. I wondered about something like
When it became history
we saw the real photographs.
Just a thought.,
Comment is about Too late too late (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
So there was a part 2. Lots of clever lines, I was thinking there's a lot of unnecessary punctuation and I wonder if it might be better without any punctuation. The white spaces do a lot of that work.
Comment is about This Imaginary Life -Part 2 (The Nurture of) (blog)
Original item by Phils Words
Beautiful and unexpected meaning.
Comment is about Just Chillin! (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Hélène,
This would lend itself well to an audio poem production, it is strong and peaceful.
Comment is about Affirmations (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Thanks, Hélène. Wishing you and all California, all the best for the future. You might be interested to read this. I'm sharing a FB post by the LA-based poet Charlotte Innes, who took part in a No Kings demonstration there yesterday:
"I’m home now, pretty exhausted, but so glad I went. The protest was totally peaceful and upbeat, with a brass band and people dancing spontaneously as the band went by. After hanging out in front of City Hall for a while, we marched down Spring Street. I think the marchers must have turned along 7th and marched back along Hill. I skipped out at 5th to join the returning marchers on Hill, then stopped at the City Hall park to eat my sandwich. That was where I saw the Baby Trump blimp! There were some great signs too, and I had several wonderful conversations throughout the day. On the bus back to Silver Lake, the driver’s shift ended mid-way and as he got off (and let the next driver on) he paused for a moment and thanked us for our good work! “Something has to be done,” he added. Wow! Both going Downtown and coming back the bus was packed with protesters. It was a good feeling."
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/14/no-kings-protests-trump-military-parade
Comment is about I can still hear music (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
awww.
It don't have to be that bad.
That's just a media narrative.
Or a narrative that tries to narrow down experiences into words.
I like to find humans who can get me out of my comfort zone. Teach me new things.
Gotta make something out of this life!
Comment is about the poet’s barren tale (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
So it seems with us all in these our present days… tres triste🙏🏻🕊🌷thanks @Auracle. Blessings
Comment is about the poet’s barren tale (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
Auracle
Mon 16th Jun 2025 09:29
I was born in the Eighties in the Amsterdam Suburbs.
We created a bubble for ourselves.
The adults/grownups said: 'Enjoy it while it lasts, for war will surely come again.'
Then 9/11 happened, the War on Terror(ism). And we forgot about 'The Inconvenient Truth' of Climate Change Crisis.
Until all the strawmen were burning (metaphorically)....
or aren't we?
Comment is about Too late too late (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore