You have a captivating style in your story telling. Nicely done.
Comment is about Don't look back (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
Thank you, Uilleam!
I feel like the grotesque in her face forces us to linger, to feel discomfort and maybe that’s where meaning begins, too: in what feels not quite “right.”
Uilleam, I’ve been trying to understand imperfection from the perspective of a higher purpose, at least according to what I believe. I’m a Muslim, and in the Qur'an—our holy book—Surah At-Tin (95:4) says, “Indeed, We created humans in the best form.”
So perhaps what appears to be imperfection isn’t a flaw in the design, but an invitation to look deeper. In the end, the unsettling parts of ourselves and our lives might become the very ground where meaning grows—where values are formed.
And maybe that’s how we begin to fill the “inner report” we’ll one day present before God.
Of course, this comes from my faith, and as my mother always reminds me, “everyone holds different beliefs.” I share this not to preach, but in the hope that my perspective might offer something to those who need it—not as a truth to be accepted, but simply as something to consider. And for that, I’m grateful you resonated with it.
Comment is about La Gioconda (blog)
Original item by Yanma Hidayah
Thank you guys, appreciate your comments
Comment is about He Marches Home. (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Thanks mate, I was at the parade, but not near the incident.
Comment is about 'Bertie (The Liver Bird) Saw It All (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
Thank you, Yanma.
From a distance, the sfumato technique may well be effective and deceiving, but up close, I find her browless eyes and her mouth unsettling and bordering on the grotesque.
I think you’re right about imperfection being the beginning of meaning.
Comment is about La Gioconda (blog)
Original item by Yanma Hidayah
Thanks to Graham and Uilleam for the comments and to those who sent flowers.
David RL Moore
28 May Thanks to Stephen for the like
Comment is about Into Silence (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
Thanks for the like, Stephen.
That's a picture of the world.
The artist's a five-year-old, her grandad's a different kind of artist altogether.😉
Comment is about Haiku for 2025 [No.18. Wibbit!] (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
Phew, Uillean. I thought for one moment you were rejecting Bridlington on the basis that it was a dump already.
Indeed Skegness would qualify, Stephen.
And thanks for the Like, Redbrick.
Comment is about "DALLAS : MUNICH : GRIMETHORPE" (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I'm afraid the answer’s no, John; not while there’s a 77 year-old Nakba (genocide and ethnic cleansing) in progress.
Comment is about "DALLAS : MUNICH : GRIMETHORPE" (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
We all share these first-world problems.
Comment is about "Journal entry #3: feel those big feelings so you can get on with your day" (blog)
Original item by Laura Bray
Oh dear, the elephants in the room have escaped!
Comment is about Fred Bunting (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
It’ll have been all that broccoli, Stephen.
Comment is about Fred Bunting (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
A sensitive poem, Mike. Well put. Thank goodness it wasn't worse.
Comment is about 'Bertie (The Liver Bird) Saw It All (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
A fascinating poem, JD. Heroes indeed.
Comment is about He Marches Home. (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Fair point, John. Skegness might do as well.
Comment is about "DALLAS : MUNICH : GRIMETHORPE" (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Well written and truly disturbing, Rolph. I feel slightly guilty about telling the vocal prompt on our TV remote to change channel. Can't imagine getting to this stage, but it can happen so easily.....
Comment is about Thou Art Not, Yet All To Me (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Nature; the greatest artist ever.
Comment is about Watching the clouds roll by (blog)
Original item by Maureen
Thank you JD.
I would like to think that all that suffering was not in vain.....
Comment is about He Marches Home. (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Yes! The quill 🪶 is such a magnificent image; thanks @Uilleam Ó Caellaigh 🌷🕊🙏🏻
Comment is about the marrow of the moment (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
Thanks @Martin Elder 🌷🕊🙏🏻 That stanza does have some personal value to me 🌷🕊🙏🏻
Comment is about the marrow of the moment (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
A very difficult read so it must have been a tough write too.
Often poetry/prose has a way of untangling things. At least it does for me.
Comment is about "Journal entry #3: feel those big feelings so you can get on with your day" (blog)
Original item by Laura Bray
Clouds……those endless resources of inspiration well captured here!
Comment is about Watching the clouds roll by (blog)
Original item by Maureen
That's wonderful, Maureen.
Comment is about Watching the clouds roll by (blog)
Original item by Maureen
Thank you, Martin! So happy the last lines landed for you
Comment is about La Gioconda (blog)
Original item by Yanma Hidayah
"Aye Uilleam, maybe Alexa's just playing hard to get—she knows a Lancashire lad's got poetry in his soul and she's not ready for that kind of commitment!" 😄
Comment is about Thou Art Not, Yet All To Me (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Wow so much poured out on to the pager flowing beautifully. Almost a life time. I can relate to some of this. A beautiful poem
Comment is about Going Home. (blog)
Original item by Clare
I was immediately caught by the title. Marvellous
Comment is about The Skin I'm In (blog)
Original item by Marla Joy
I particularly like the line 'The hand moves in quiet rebellion'
Comment is about the marrow of the moment (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
self recrimination can be a real problem but I like the way you rounded it off Bob
Comment is about Aching Memory Holes (blog)
Original item by Robert C Gaulke
I love this particularly the way it is rounded off with those last two lines
Comment is about La Gioconda (blog)
Original item by Yanma Hidayah
Alexa down the pub’s a right stand-offish so and so. All these years she’s known me, but she still pretends she can’t understand a Lancashire accent; when I say “Love, Love Me Do”, she just blanks me. No fool like an old fool I suppose!😍
Comment is about Thou Art Not, Yet All To Me (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
I like the image of a quill; very reminiscent of some cloud patterns; mares' tale clouds?
Comment is about the marrow of the moment (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
Thank you for your comment, Rolph.
And thanks for your likes:
Holden Moncrieff
David RL Moore
Yanma Hidayah
Rolph David
At this very minute, UK millionaire "Great British News" barons are busy spreading vile Islamophic, racist and homophobic messages with complete impunity.
By contrast in the UK, those who have always pursued peace, such as Gary Lineker, protesting against genocide and injustice on behalf of the likes of Hind Rajab are hounded out of their employment and vilified.
Comment is about For the sake of Hind Rami Iyad Rajab and the Many Millions رجب ایاد رامي ھند (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
Those old imposters yin and yang!
Comment is about Into Silence (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
We have blackbirds around here, and their song is absolutely delightful.
Comment is about Blackbird (blog)
Original item by Manish
Thank you for those words, David.
Into Silence is a lovely piece. A good way to start the day.
Comment is about Into Silence (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
Today is the 27th of May.
The day when we say “Hurry”!
And we celebrate Lora's day.
Better to say, her birthday.
Larisa is the one who loves peace,
Her name was born in Greece.
Larisa is a seagull, It's a nice bird.
Do you know this fantastic word?
She is so beautiful and so smart
She's the one who breaks your heart.
She keeps her word and is so modest.
Now she is the one to be the coolest.
I wish her to live many years,
On this day, we would say, "Cheers!"
The seagull will always be proud.
She will fly away and never doubt.
The 27th of May is a holiday.
We watch the marvelous ray,
We swim in a nice blue bay,
We want someone to stay...
May your life be always easy,
And the days are always busy.
The time has already passed,
But I hope that it's not the last.
©Larisa Rzhepishevska
Comment is about Her Name Was Born In Greece (blog)
Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska
Hey, David,
Thanks for the comment. It is a brilliant work. I showed some of it to a group of my English students and they seemed entranced--that speaks volumes to me about its relevance.
I probably shouldn't go on, but I guess I'm gonna anyways...
It's Memorial Day here in the States.
Some odd days ago I happened to catch a woman on TV talking about men and women who have given their lives on the battlefield or otherwise in service of country--she made the statement that any of them would gladly do it again.
All I could think was, "are you sure?"
And it struck me that from the time we're born in this country--maybe other countries too--for good or evil, we're fed these lines about sacrifice, be it somebody dying for freedom or somebody dying for sins.
And then, something else struck me...
Decades ago I personally witnessed a young woman in training throw her own body over a live mortar which had undergone unexpected impact because she thought it might explode and harm those around her. Yet, many of the people who talk the loudest about jesus and patriotism wouldn't sacrifice one red cent to pay for her healthcare without crying that the US was turning to communism.
There are people for whom I wouldn't think twice about giving my life, but neither Joe Biden nor Donald Trump are on the list. And, the days are gone when I would "serve my country" without sharing a piece of my mind about the propaganda machine.
Well, I suppose that's enough outta me. I don't need anyone here thinking I could use a friend just because I'm not real proud of the fact that the selfless are in the same boat with a lot of selfish, narrow-minded, and reckless people.
Thanks again for commenting 🌷
Comment is about flashlight (blog)
Original item by Landi Cruz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m57gzA2JCcM
David RL Moore
Comment is about Moses meets Mo (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
For secrets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud4gq3WmXpM
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=628003684
Comment is about Into Silence (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
I'm glad the line resonated with you, Uilleam.
I believe we all have light that is divine within--it's really too bad that so many of us sell ourselves short.
Comment is about flashlight (blog)
Original item by Landi Cruz
We live in a world that is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate and societies which are becoming increasingly punitive for the sake of a so-called civility shaped by officials and private interests who hide themselves away.
That's what I see.
More later...
Comment is about flashlight (blog)
Original item by Landi Cruz
Thank you Rolph. We all suffer the deaths of loved ones - in my case parents, brother, son - but facing up to suicide has its own peculiar difficulties. The waste of a life and the shock of a death linger in our hearts and minds. Thanks for taking the trouble to write. John
Comment is about FORGET-ME-NOT BLUE (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Rolph David
Thu 29th May 2025 10:12
Good morning Stephen,
This poem struck me with its searing irony and unsettling beauty. The opening line jolts the reader awake—not to glorify horror, but to force confrontation with the way cruelty is sometimes reframed, repackaged, or even celebrated in today’s narratives. Your use of sarcasm is razor-sharp, and the imagery—“Joyous in subservience,” “a glorious dictator glows”—beautifully exposes the absurdity and tragedy of such spin.
It’s uncomfortable, and that’s precisely its power. By blending poetic elegance with brutal themes, you’ve held up a mirror to a world where oppression can masquerade as order, and democracy quietly erodes while we sip cocktails.
Thank you for daring to write something so provocative and timely.
Regards,
Rolph
Comment is about If only Hitler was as nice (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson