Thank you Stephen and Stephen. Glad you enjoyed this one.
I read the phrase 'The Delicates' in Bryony's poem and wondered what a poem with that title might be about... shortly after I was listening to Carey by Joni Mitchell and the thought of her (and many other artists) staying in Greece in the 60s seemed like something fun to write about.
Thanks also to Hélène, Holden, Tony and John for reading and the 'likes'.
Comment is about The Delicates (blog)
Original item by Tom
Brilliant poem, Steve. The untold stories behind the headlines. Way to go.
Comment is about Trouble (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I remember Kenneth Horne defining it as 'if it was free, I fancied it'!
Nice poem, MC.
Comment is about FANCY FREE (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Very moving, Stephen.
Comment is about The Flickering Of A Candle (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Thanks Stephen. I didn't know that they could re-seed themselves. That's a very comforting thought. Let's hope so!
Thanks for the likes, Stephen A and Helene. 😀
Comment is about The Diving Tree (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
A lovely poem to lift the heart. Today I will remember to be "fancy free."
Comment is about FANCY FREE (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Thank you for a bit of sanity in this world of panic-speak and hyperbole. Refreshing and right on the money. 👍
Comment is about One Day (blog)
Original item by Eric Berard
Strangely I find rhyming the easiest to do, I like to tell a story with a begining middle and end to a poem so that it flows so once ive figured the structure and the story i start writing and the rhymes fall into place like they know where to go, I have trouble with free verse, it always seems disjointed like im having several thoughts at the same time. Writing in different formats helps such as limericks villenelles etc.
Comment is about That’s no life. (Image, Melancholy by Edvard Munch) (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
An inspiring poem, Tom, with some wonderful imagery! 🌈👏
Comment is about The Delicates (blog)
Original item by Tom
A tour de force, Hélène. Inspiring.
Comment is about Spirit in 3 Parts (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Glad you like the poem, Stephen. I was always fascinated by the idea something, or someone, getting smaller and smaller but still existing. Tony
Comment is about A DOLL'S HOUSE (blog)
Original item by Tony Hill
Thank you, John. Trees are so noble and beautiful. At least this one seems to have had a 'natural' end. Or is it the end? They have such of habit of re-growing. Perhaps 'Son of Rochale' in 50 years time!
Comment is about The Diving Tree (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
This could be a definition of 'visceral', Clare. A powerful, physical poem. Romantic, as well.
Comment is about I Loved. (blog)
Original item by Clare
Lovely, thoughtful poem, Tony. I really enjoyed this.
Comment is about A DOLL'S HOUSE (blog)
Original item by Tony Hill
Thank you, Keith. There is certainly a lot of mediocrity around at the moment. Personally, I tend to go for the dull but competent rather than those loaded with charisma, but I very much take your point.
Comment is about A Guiding Light (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
A fascinating poem, Tom, and your reading of it is outstanding.
Comment is about The Delicates (blog)
Original item by Tom
Sad but thoroughly entertaining, John. Perfection? Who needs it?
Comment is about Perfection (blog)
Original item by John Gilbert Ellis
BRUH FUCK THIS. PLEAZE JUST CLICK THE EXTRA LINK FUCK!
Comment is about justice j. (poet profile)
Original item by justice j.
Do you find the rhyming scheme automatic, like second nature? Or is there a consensus effort. I tend to do it to so just wondering!
Comment is about That’s no life. (Image, Melancholy by Edvard Munch) (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
There are many forces at work within this group...
Comment is about July Collage Poem: Promised and Forlorn (blog)
Original item by Stockport WoL
I guess the only one who stands out currently is Zelensky, visibly leading from the front. How he will be in peacetime, whenever that will be, remains to be seen. I wish him every success.
Comment is about A Guiding Light (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Where indeed? The few sane logic-based voices are outside the
main political arena whilst the current occupants of Parliament
seem busy neglecting taking heed of the electorate in their
dogma-driven policies across the political spectrum. But the
wheel turns and the one aspect of life today is the increasing
awareness of what is happening and how to combat it via the
expedient of "people power". A good case well argued is a
strong antidote if applied with consistency and conviction.
Comment is about A Guiding Light (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Thank you Keith.
Where are these people?
They’re where they've always been:
Shafting the most vulnerable in the UK on behalf of the most powerful, and making the laws which will ensure that that state of affairs continues-with our blessing.
A 98-year-old D-day veteran suffering from cancer, kidney disease and a broken hip, has been evicted from his rented bungalow in Ferndown, Dorset along with his daughter who is his carer, and her husband. They’d been living there for seven years.
Along with the immigration minister who instructed staff to paint over a children’s mural, this morally bankrupt shower are demonstrating exactly what they are: TOTAL SCUM.
Comment is about A Guiding Light (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Sat 15th Jul 2023 13:25
There must be a symbiotic empathy at work within this group!
Comment is about July Collage Poem: Promised and Forlorn (blog)
Original item by Stockport WoL
John,
Blunt with no frills. This poem meets with my fullest approval. Succinct, raw, to the point and takes a great swipe at the privileged who think they are some superior form of art critic yet would not know the difference between a frieze and a portrait, oil or water colour. They can stick their art up their frescoes.
Thank you indeed for this,
Keith
Comment is about Heart-worn highways (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
A very thought provoking piece again Keith. it sounds like what you are asking for is a Messiah (of everything). However, look what happened the last time one arrived. Do you think it would be any different if it happened again.
Comment is about A Guiding Light (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Ha ha Thanks for your ever entertaining poems Nigel😁
"But you can call me Fredrika"
She said
As he choked on Paprika
Next time get here early
While I'm still a girlie
By midnight
Who knows who will
Greet ya!👽
Comment is about The Manicure (blog)
Original item by Ruth O'Reilly
New dress to impress
hair-do kissable lips
back to her place
the date going well
till I found out
her name was Fred😍
Comment is about The Manicure (blog)
Original item by Ruth O'Reilly
Passed poet to poet
Grimmest of the grim
When read reveals secret
Two hidden lines unfolded
Now Collage poem complete.
Comment is about July Collage Poem: Promised and Forlorn (blog)
Original item by Stockport WoL
lovely idea. I must respond with another!
Comment is about Naughty Nonet (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Thanks, MC. Quite coincidentally, I have recently written one (soon to be posted) based on Kipling’s “Smugglers Song”.
Comment is about COLLIERS AND KIDS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thanks for all your kind and interesting comments. My thanks to Greg, Graham, John C and John GE, Kevin, RG, Telboy, Uilleam and MC.
A lot to process here. Unfortunately (though not for her opponent), Elena Svitolina lost in the semi-final yesterday. Her refusal to shake hands with Russian or Belorussian players was principled response to the illegal invasion.
The sport and politics issue will always be a tricky one. Of course, it is perfectly reasonable to exclude Russian teams from sporting events, as they represent the state. In the same way, individuals who are close to the state and the government should also be banned.
However, I was initially uncomfortable with Wimbledon's ban on Russian players last year. After all, tennis is an individual sport and it is hard to expect players (none of whom, as far as I know, have close links to their government) who still have family in Russia to openly condemn the war. At the same time, at other tournaments which did allow their participation (e.g. The French Open), Russian victories were often accompanied by displays of flag-waving in the crowd. So I think Wimbledon (which was under pressure from the sport to re-admit Russians) has got it about right this year - banning such symbols and expecting the players to remain at least neutral in public.
Svitolina's approach of depriving Russian opponents of a handshake at the end of a match expresses the hurt felt by millions of Ukrainians. It is sad to see but I think she should be applauded for her stance. I hope my poem conveyed this.
I would agree that it is usually not helpful when politicians interfere in sport. The government's attempts to stop British athletes taking part in the 1980 Moscow Olympics backfired, to say the least. Boycotts are mostly unjustified and rarely achieve much (with the exception of the isolation of South Africa during apartheid), although staying away from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar would have been a good idea. But increasingly money talks in these situations.
I hope I have touched on the points that you all made. Thanks again.
And thank you for the likes Nigel, Steve, Hugh, Adam and Ruth.
Comment is about Ukraine, SW19 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I believe it's said that the gesture of handshaking originates in demonstrating that one is not carrying a weapon in one's hand.
Perhaps it's time to give it a try; the "real" enemy, after all is not the other person (in the game) but their "masters"?
Comment is about Ukraine, SW19 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
A robust "take" on a robust breed. I go along with SG about its
"Kiplingesque" quality and it's likely that the great man himself
would be nodding his approval.
Comment is about COLLIERS AND KIDS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Interesting, how in this "global" world, the perceived downside
of nationalism is allowed to manifest itself, courtesy of a
substitute sporting "conflict". The poem does justice to this anomaly. Politicians are quick to use sport as the acceptable
face of their activities - perhaps persuaded by the old Roman
belief in keeping the mob happy with "bread and circuses".
Comment is about Ukraine, SW19 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Good Advice Hugh and actually just as valid for the adults!
Comment is about Planting a future in a teenage brain (blog)
Original item by hugh
The pity is that this won't find those who really need it. Good
stuff!
Comment is about Planting a future in a teenage brain (blog)
Original item by hugh
I’m not sure the Lions tour of South Africa in 1974 contributed much to the downfall of apartheid 16/17 years later, John.
But you’re right, Telboy. Those Ukraine girls really knock me out.
Comment is about Ukraine, SW19 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you, Uilleam. It’s always seemed to me that those occupations that work “on the edge”, where life and death are a daily currency such as the police, the armed services, mine workers, emergency services etc breed a more robust character than your average accountancy practice, say.
(Cue howls of outrage from estate agents and other protected species).
And thanks for the Likes, Greg, Kevin and John.
Comment is about COLLIERS AND KIDS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you, Kevin. I really appreciate your comment and your support.
And my thanks to Nigel, Greg, Hugh, Hélène and Manish for liking.
Comment is about 500 days (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks for pointing out this difficult problem Stephen.
Politicians of all shades getting on their hypocritical high horses is a widespread phenomenon, especially when it comes to apartheid regimes and warmongerers.
"Follow the money-big money" when trying to understand situations like this.
Comment is about Ukraine, SW19 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks JD- I must have a go at that form-it seems so effective.
The effects of such tragedies are all too obvious in everyday life around my neck of the woods.
Comment is about In an attic room (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Thanks John.
Hard-working men and women, roughened and toughened by their labours-no better nor worse than most of society.
Comment is about COLLIERS AND KIDS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Get them back in the de facto USSR
They don't know how lucky they are
Comment is about Ukraine, SW19 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks for your comments and likes Tom, Stephen Holden John B. John G. and Reggie G.
Si, Reggie G
-the following link will explain more.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/17/chile-families-search-disappeared-pinochet
The Rwanda project is a bit like Brexit-you just need to believe harder!
Comment is about Oh the Irony! (blog)
Should ordinary Russian people be affected? Yes, after all they voted in Putin. But if we allow Russian tennis players to play in tournaments why don't we allow Russian tourists to go to Spain etc?
Comment is about Ukraine, SW19 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Great take on the situation. Sport can make powerful statements and for me having Russians play at a global event like Wimbledon seems wrong.
South Africa hated not being part of international sport. Sure that played some part in ending apartheid. The sheer joy of the SA rugby world cup a year after the end of apartheid very much showed this.
Comment is about Ukraine, SW19 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
raypool
Mon 17th Jul 2023 13:41
Thoughtful as ever Tom. The time seems critical, like an appointment - the idea of a moth as refugee is an interesting one, a nice analogy. it seems he carries some of your weight of care too!
Ray
Comment is about 05.01 am (blog)
Original item by Tom Harding