Rich in words and imagery. Highly descriptive, well paced and an elite level poem. Absolutely loved it!
Thank you.
Comment is about Peregrination (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
You have kindness and empathy filled in you, Hélèna. You have such a warm, wanting to comfort and a soothing essence in your poetry that I adore a lot. You are a blessing to this world and I absolutely love your work.
Thank you.
Comment is about Heart (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Thank you Uilleam, Kate, John, Stephen and you Keith. Ben Jonson, over 500 years ago, wrote of the calamity that is, and was, infant death, even in an age when so many more children and infants died.
On my First Son
BY BEN JONSON
Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy;
My sin was too much hope of thee, lov'd boy.
Seven years tho' wert lent to me, and I thee pay,
Exacted by thy fate, on the just day.
O, could I lose all father now! For why
Will man lament the state he should envy?
To have so soon 'scap'd world's and flesh's rage,
And if no other misery, yet age?
Rest in soft peace, and, ask'd, say, "Here doth lie
Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry."
For whose sake henceforth all his vows be such,
As what he loves may never like too much.
Comment is about Infant mortality (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Wed 24th May 2023 16:41
Thank you, yes a very sad subject, upset myself doing this one.
Comment is about 'This Is Your Home' (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
Love the detailing, the patriotism, the rage built up and escalated with every line towards a bombarding and tragic end stanza. Very well written, Stephen G.
Comment is about Whoops! (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you to all who liked and commented on this poem. It is alarming to think how such nondescript individuals are able to reach positions of great power and cause untold chaos and misery. Putin is one in a long line of such twisted yet evil beings. Even in the UK and the USA we need to be on our guard.
Thank you again,
Keith
Comment is about Birds of a Feather (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
I like sarcastic twist in this one and the protagonist (accurately) describes the warped thinking in this war. Fine poem Stephen.
Comment is about Whoops! (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
It's sad that it's all about money, John. I love the 'painted-on desmile' - rather like a minister who has just resigned.
But never mind, Bet 365 will save us:
'Please, gamble responsibly'.
Good poem, sad time for your club, of course.
Comment is about The Bottom Line (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Bless you, John , and Kieran.
Comment is about Infant mortality (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Well done, John. This pair have largely passed me by, but the poem is fantastic.
Comment is about HOLLY AND PHIL (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A very sobering and cleverly written piece, Keith. You bring out your message very well. Not much chance of Putin turning up at the front line, though. He probably has doubles to do that!
Comment is about Birds of a Feather (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Great poem, Tim. I'm afraid Leon beat me to the spectacle joke.
Comment is about A change of frame (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
Well done, Uilleam. Good to see this. I recently heard that the boy Nigel was complaining about his low status on GB News. He must miss the European Parliament and all his (fiddled) expenses!
Comment is about Un Succès Titanesque! (blog)
Brilliant, Mike. So sad and so true to life. Thanks.
Comment is about 'This Is Your Home' (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
Thank you, Clare. A sad and courageous poem.
Comment is about Not Worthy of a Title. (blog)
Original item by Clare
Thank you for your kind comments, Manish and John.
And thanks to Héléne, Leon, Hugh and Nigel for liking this.
Comment is about Days of Sorrow (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you for your comments! 🙏🙏
I am glad that each of you could capture hope and gratitude. I think we can change the story if we decide to do so! 🙏🙏
Comment is about Mother Earth (blog)
Original item by Matilda Simakaj
Much food for thought there MC.
May I suggest that words have no inherent meanings, save those which are attatched or ascribed to them by cultural conventions, determined by time and place, which are recognised by both speaker / writer and hearer / reader?
For instance: I have a book which was printed only ten years after the end of the American Civil War, about the Negro gospel Jubilee Singers, their music and history.
In it are several instances of the use of the word "nigger" (and printed in quotes) used when referring to them and describing the discrimination they suffered whilst touring the USA.
If in 2023 I were to write such a book using those same words in the very same context, it's likely I would receive abuse from certain quarters for doing so.
I "hate" dark chocolate = it's not to my taste.
I "hate" the politician who caused my gran to die on a hospital floor=I'd like to give him a good kicking.
Comment is about LIKE TO HATE (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Usually I refer to mind as SHE! 😅 She is like a mother who protects her children, and a mother wants her children to be safe.
I like that you call her friend and order her to return to tranquillity.
Treating her with kindness and giving thanks is a way of showing gratitude for the role that she plays in our life.
Thank you Helen!
I read somewhere: The mind can be our best servant if we know how to master her, and the worst enemy if we allow her to take charge of our life! 😄
Comment is about Mind (blog)
Original item by Hélène
😢 I was alone at my graduation too and worried that I don't belong anywhere.
I totally relate to your poem and it makes me happy that your realisation came earlier than mine. Sometimes you read something and it is like you are reading the story of your life. But it gives you hope when see that the story had not the same end. Thank you!
Comment is about Graduation (blog)
Original item by purplemoon
I took your words to heart
I carried them with me
They echo through my life
Like a cold steel bladed knife.
These words touched me Clare! 😓😓 They carry so much pain and a life not worthy of living!
Thank you!
Comment is about Not Worthy of a Title. (blog)
Original item by Clare
Keith, you are simply wonderful! I love how you take the time to comment on everyone’s poems. Your insight is valuable and appreciated to the full. You are a precious human being who makes our lives a brighter place! Thank you so much for your support.
Comment is about Not Worthy of a Title. (blog)
Original item by Clare
A raw poem of stark reality which explains how damaging such a violation can do to scar a person for life. This poem took courage to write. It is hard for many to comprehend the reasons for this vile crime. yet it leaves us cold and with a sense of helplessness. Very well written. I salute you for this.
Thank you,
Keith
Comment is about Not Worthy of a Title. (blog)
Original item by Clare
Thanks, MC. I take it then that you have never enjoyed the political insight you can watch on Loose Women?
And thanks for the Like, Stephen.
Comment is about HOLLY AND PHIL (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you for all your great comments! Appreciated
Comment is about Age is Only a Number (blog)
Original item by Rick Varden
Thanks to Manish, Graham, Keith, Leon, Grace, Keith and M.C for your fascinating comments which I enjoyed reading. The story is true (I never lie!) and is a bit funny/sad, I think. As with all my poetry I was trying to explain to myself what went wrong, admit culpability, express regret and try to drag a bit of humour out of my selfish, adolescent behaviour.
Hopefully a bit of poetry in there, too. (thanks for noticing, Manish.)
Graham, you proved that young love doesn't always fall!
Keith. Loved your analysis, as ever. All is fair in love and war?
Drunken dancing, Leon? Don't know you mean!😂
Thanks Uilleam. I'll try that song with William, too.
MC I'm glad my poem struck a chord. I can't be the only one to have messed up their first romance!
Grace. If you can remember the sixties.... I can't remember the end of that aphorism. 😂 Thanks forthe lovely comments.
Comment is about First Love (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
I love the metaphor of the heated popcorn kernals and also the way you thank your mind for its service. Fabulous 😊
Comment is about Mind (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Interesting that they had/have one thing in common: the ability to
seize a time, place and opportunity to devastating effect when
their respective backgrounds (perhaps we could add Napoleon?)
would appear to indicate no chance at all of achieving anything
remotely possible.
Comment is about Birds of a Feather (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Resonating regret we can probably all identify with, plus the
bonus of some fine use of words to add richness to the content.
Well deserving of a thumbs up for any number of reasons! 👍
Comment is about First Love (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
JC - your sources of inspiration are many and varied, that's for
sure! But that speaks more for your talent than the chosen material in this instance. I've been retired for longer than these
two were together on TV and can't recall ever actually seeing
them on their programme - except for occasional glimpses of
extracts on YouTube items that gained publicity for one reason
or another. I don't think I missed a lot, much preferring the
company of my bed! 😉
Comment is about HOLLY AND PHIL (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Yes, a powerful poem. Mankind's endless folly. Thank you Keith.
Comment is about Birds of a Feather (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Wow, me too, I LOVE this poem. A gem in an island of despair. There is hope, if humanity so choses. The last stanza blends it all powerfully together: "Mother Earth; “my pride and ego” bow down to your “ether and intelligence,” so, the “I AM” can build a new home for humanity."
I thank you and Mother Earth thanks you, Matilda!
Comment is about Mother Earth (blog)
Original item by Matilda Simakaj
Tue 23rd May 2023 15:47
I'm so glad it made you feel something and that you liked it! Your words have put a smile on my face 😊 Thank you for your lovely comment.
-Oizys
Comment is about Words Hidden Beneath Ink (blog)
Original item by Yasoda
Keith, I can't thank you enough for leaving such adorable comments and appreciation on my poems. I have told this before and I say it again that you've been a great support to me from day 1 of WOL, your comments mean a lot to me and are the reason for my betterment.
From the bottom of my heart,
Thank you so very much.🌻
Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)
Original item by keith jeffries
So much of love, so much of heartbreak. This poem has moved me. It goes with such ease, adoration and affection towards someone, followed by pain, suffering and distress.
Thank you for this.
Comment is about Words Hidden Beneath Ink (blog)
Original item by Yasoda
Grace Meadows
Tue 23rd May 2023 11:07
If only we could go back in time John, for me, my choice would definitely be the sixties. Looking back to that time, it seems like we had been on a different wonderful planet. Love your poem.
Many thanks.
Comment is about First Love (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
I agree with Uilleam here. I don't think relationships can or should be enforced by laws. Of course stable relationships are preferable but I don't think the police can effectively keep people together!!
Marriage as only being defined by aman with a woman has, rightly, been consigned to history.
Comment is about The formation of a family (blog)
Original item by hugh
A beautiful poem, Matilda. It showcases the depths of nature and gratitude towards mother earth for her creation. It also speaks of how us humans have disappointed her in return.
Thank you for this.
Comment is about Mother Earth (blog)
Original item by Matilda Simakaj
An astonishing poem. Touches the beauty of nature and gives us the possibility of change, Matilda. LOVE this poem. 💪
Comment is about Mother Earth (blog)
Original item by Matilda Simakaj
I’m sure that was hard to write down, let alone share. Still sounds raw to me. Thank you for sharing something so difficult.
Comment is about Infant mortality (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Thank you Hugh.
I'm in broad agreement with you about the effect of stable personal relationships on society; however:
You say that "Extra marital sex is sinful and should be an offence !!"
*To whom should that apply?
*To heterosexuals, to homosexuals, or to both?
*An offence under which law: temporal or spiritual?
*Who should decide what the punishment is?
*Who should administer the punishment?
*And depending on which country one lives in, there could be quite lot of executed Prime Ministers and politicians!😕
Comment is about The formation of a family (blog)
Original item by hugh
Thank you Hélène.
The amount of sheer hard work which goes into the writing of a book, be it fiction, reference or whatever, deserves recognition.
Here on my left I have shelves full of books I've collected over the years, into which I sporadically-yes-delve!
One of them is quite an old copy of "Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes" which helped inspire my backpacking trip along the Loire Valley a decade or so ago.
I'd consider my life much impoverished without such books.
Comment is about An Interlude with a Book (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Thankyou, Leon and Uilleam. Personally, I don’t give a monkey’s, other than that they give me some meat for my poems. As for Envy, Uilleam, don’t knock the basis of Politics.
And thanks for the Like, Ghost.
Comment is about HOLLY AND PHIL (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you Keith.
Each of them monsters indeed.
But equally worrying are the current "enemies within" the UK and elsewhere, who are chiselling away at our hard won freedoms whilst engaging in the politics of hate.
Comment is about Birds of a Feather (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Lovely John.
I sing "Let's go for a little walk" to my granddaughter when we're going down the park💓
Comment is about First Love (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
😅😅 Watts thank you for confession!
But, I was refering to the shape.😅😅
The shape of the sun is always a circle.😅
We see the moon in different phases: circle, first quarter, waxing gibbous and so on...
And related to the phases of the moon the feminine energy is influencing our mood, our ups and down.😅😅
Comment is about Zhìhuì (blog)
Original item by Watts
Hélène
Thu 25th May 2023 04:10
Thank you Manish for such an encouraging comment. We will keep on writing and sharing!
Comment is about Heart (blog)
Original item by Hélène