That is rather beautiful, what a lovely soul to nurture,
lucky you, all the best G
David RL Moore
Comment is about Another poet in the family (blog)
Original item by Graham Sherwood
Thank you @Freda Davis; it’s a true pleasure. You are most appreciated 🌷🙏🏻🕊
Comment is about Endless Clasp of Auryn (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
Thanks 🌷Uilleam🕊🙏🏻
Comment is about Endless Clasp of Auryn (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
We are our own worst enemies Marla!
Be positive!!
Comment is about If The Self Rules (blog)
Original item by Marla Joy
Does it have any natural "predators", Bluebell?
When our volunteer team was working in the country park near the river, we'd spend hours trying to eradicate that pesky invader. We'd clobber it down before it had chance to seed - it was absolutely rampant, overwhelming all the other vegetation.
Comment is about Impatiens Glandulifiera Part II (blog)
Original item by Bluebell
https://youtu.be/rk2CNtpvMPw?si=FUSKOg0LVpMI9Aos
Comment is about Baby Milk (flash fact) (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
There are some really fantastic lines in this.
The scene evoked through the imagery juxtaposed with the subject's inner struggle creates a palpable sense of dissonance--poignant and raw without acrimony to sully the beauty.
Comment is about Affray Day (blog)
Original item by Alexia Supreme
Thanks for likes: Holden Stephen G & Red Brick Keshner. 👍
Comment is about Hellalujah People (blog)
Original item by Tom Doolan
It's a Cumberland delicacy...Rachel can't get enough of it!
Comment is about Rescue his Sausage! (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
The Town Musicians of Bremen - that's it! I think that memory's from school! Lord I feel old😏
Is that Scottish Gaelic on your profile picture?
Comment is about Off-Key But Still in Tune (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Chunorbes
Tue 5th Aug 2025 15:17
Thanks for sharing—sounds like a meaningful trip with a good mix of poetry, people, and unexpected moments. Curious—are you planning to publish these reflections anywhere or keep them as a personal travel log?
https://monkeymartgame.io
Comment is about 2024: Trev does another National Poetry Month in Texas and NaPoWriMo: Part 3 Austin 1 and NaPoRiMo begins (blog)
Original item by Trev the Road Poet
P.S.:
And I think you did remember it, in a way — the whole piece is loosely inspired by the tale of the Town Musicians of Bremen.
Four outcasts, past their prime, thrown together by chance and finding unexpected strength in each other.
That might be the echo that’s been ringing in your mind.
Comment is about Off-Key But Still in Tune (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Thanks, Uilleam — really glad the title landed with you!
And I love that you heard a fable in it — that’s exactly the note I was hoping might hum in the background.
"Key of F all" made me laugh out loud — exactly! Off-key, but playing something.
As you said: if we’re in tune with each other, we’re halfway there.
And now that you've said it, I think I know the echo — Steinbeck maybe? Or Orwell with a kinder pen?
Thanks again for reading. 🙏
Cheerio,
Rolph
Comment is about Off-Key But Still in Tune (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Thanks Stephen, maybe Alan should have got off the bike first before attempting the puncture repair? I always end up doing the simplest practical task at least three times, and never that well!
Comment is about Unsuitable Activity for Poets (blog)
Original item by R A Porter
It's just occurred to me, Rolph your poem strikes me as being very fable or parable-like; it reminds me of something which I can't bring to mind.
Comment is about Off-Key But Still in Tune (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
Thanks for the Likes, Adam, Stephen and Holden.
Comment is about SONNY (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I really love the clarity of this poem.
I am a big fan of celtic art and these looping knots fascinate me.
The words here are so well chosen, fitting the symbolism of endless movement and the yin yang feel of light and shade, night and day, waxing and waning.
Thank you for sharing this.
Comment is about Endless Clasp of Auryn (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
A symbol with Celtic origins, I believe, RBK.
Comment is about Endless Clasp of Auryn (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
I love that title, Rolph.
They sing in the key of F all - or, as we say in Lancashire - "bugger all"!
a recipe for disharmony.
As long as we're in tune with each other.
"The People united will never be defeated".😉
Comment is about Off-Key But Still in Tune (blog)
Original item by Rolph David
"Some folks break so others can stand" and "Some folks vanish without ever being known..." - how true, how true!
Regards,
Rolph
Comment is about Some folks (blog)
Original item by Luke
P.S.
I agree 100% with Bob and Ursula K le Guin, about the language of politicians and advertisers deadening language, being “the antithesis of poetry”, and "smothering thinking".
Comment is about 'What can writers and poets possibly do in the age of Trump, Farage and Starmer?' (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
He is a genocide enabler, and a detestable coward who has no problem with using the innocent people of a whole country Palestine, as a "convenient punchbag".
He has no problem with having 83 year-old ladies including Holocaust Survivors, arrested for protesting against that genocide.
And, should push come to shove, he will have no problem having you arrested for writing the "wrong kind of poems".
He is not fit to hold the office of Prime Minister of a civilised country.
Comment is about ‘Anthology’ without poems delivers silent swipe at Keir Starmer (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Tue 5th Aug 2025 09:40
'Decluttering' seems very apt, Stephen! 😎
Thank you so much for your kind words, as always, they are a great source of encouragement! 😊
Comment is about Unlearning... (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
A fascinating article, Greg. I sense that Keir Starmer is becoming a convenient punchbag for all the disappointment and disillusion of the left, right and probably the centre as well. Maybe, in a democracy, any electable politician will be treated in the same way, given the millions of twits on social media who all think they know better.
Which is not to say that I agree with all his policies, of course......
Comment is about ‘Anthology’ without poems delivers silent swipe at Keir Starmer (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
It does not shine in vain, Larisa.
The guilty want us to believe that it does.
Their enemy is love and hope.
Comment is about The Star Is Shining In Vain (blog)
Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska
Spot on....An Un-Holy Trinity!
When politicians are having ordinary people arrested for writing words condemning genocide on bits of paper and cardboard, and their client hack "journalists" are fulminating and spitting venom in their studios, outraged that people are standing up to them, we can be sure we’re doing and saying the “write” things. Keep on writing and annoying the hell out of the #£$%#£%£$#%£$#% tards!
Comment is about 'What can writers and poets possibly do in the age of Trump, Farage and Starmer?' (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Your poem reflects fears in difficult times, Larisa. Conflicts which threaten our loved ones must end soon, and right and justice should prevail.
Best wishes to you.
Comment is about The Star Is Shining In Vain (blog)
Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska
Sparkling stuff, RA, with more than a grain of truth in it, I'm sure. I remember Alan Bennett saying how surprised people were to see him mending a puncture on a bike, as though those involved in the arts aren't supposed to be able to do such things.
Ikea furniture? I feel your pain, and everyone else's!
Comment is about Unsuitable Activity for Poets (blog)
Original item by R A Porter
Thanks Alexia.
In a country ruled by mediocrity, corruption and cowardice, an acheivement to be truly proud of.
Comment is about England Victorious, Sunday 27th July 2025 [Apologies 😊 to William Wordsworth and John Milton] (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
So much in this Hélène. We only get one go, so we should make the most of all this wonder!
Comment is about Life on Planet Earth (blog)
Original item by Hélène
I think this sums up the genuine grief and sense of loss of such occasions, Trevor, beneath a mask of awkwardness. One of your best, in my opinion.
Comment is about Requiem (blog)
Original item by Trevor Alexander
A 'decluttering' poem, Holden? Beautifully paced, with the last two lines exceptional.
Comment is about Unlearning... (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
I love how majestic this feels. Your voice and music selection adds a nostalgic nuance.
Comment is about England Victorious, Sunday 27th July 2025 [Apologies 😊 to William Wordsworth and John Milton] (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
Thanks to Uilleam and Graham for the comments and likes.
I'm happy to be on the right side of the thin ice Uilleam, although I am prepared to accept this doesn't mean I might not drown with someones foot on my head one day.
I was thinking of "Baby Shoes" last night, generally atributed to Ernest Hemingway. The first time I heard/read it, I realised the universe it opened up in respect of story telling, I was in awe of it.
It was my intro to flash fiction. Anyway, I started to think how I might write something that reflected the deep sadness sorrounding the suffering in Palestine and Israel.
Without dissecting my own intention...this is what came about.
It is a crime that Children starve while stock degrades on the back of aid trucks in Rafah and surrounding WFP warehouses. Just as products have "Use-by" dates so do humans have "Survive-by" dates, after which the window for survival is gone.
It also strikes me that the descent into which the hell of Gaza has now plunged has created a heirachy of survival. The resultant climate becoming a catalyst for the survival of the fittest against the weakest and most vulnerable.
Such situations occur in all human society where civility breaks down and survival takes precedence. Simply by watching newsreel from open sources, visible evidence can be observed of how such a heirachy is manifesting itself.
Extremely sad state of affairs which will resound for generations.
David RL Moore
Comment is about Baby Milk (flash fact) (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
This is such an interesting ,wise and inspiring article. I found myself copying and pasting piece after piece to my Notes app to refer to again. Sparkling stuff - and so timely. Bravo!
Comment is about 'What can writers and poets possibly do in the age of Trump, Farage and Starmer?' (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
In another lifetime I was a retailer and baby products were the only things that could never be reduced. They were packaged and returned. I often wondered about their final destination!
Comment is about Baby Milk (flash fact) (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
Keep the faith, Graham. And thanks for the Likes, Redbrick and Uilleam.
Comment is about SONNY (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
You're treading on very thin ice there, David.
Brave Israeli commandos have yet again had to leap into action, detaining and boarding the Handala in international waters, to combat the evils of Baby milk, along with teddy bears, nappies, and sanitary products.
Along with compassion, dissent and protest, they have been proscribed, and you promote them at your liberty's expense.
Comment is about Baby Milk (flash fact) (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
Many thanks for feedback Uilleam 🙂
Thanks for likes: Red Brick Keshner, Holden, Naomi, Manish, Yanma Hidayah, Leon stolgard & Hélène. 👍
Comment is about Motivation (blog)
Original item by Tom Doolan
Thanks for your likes:
Red Brick Keshner
Tom Doolan
Holden Moncrieff
Yanma Hidayah
LEON STOLGARD
Starmers words were: “…the return of the sausages”…a massive Freudian slip if ever there was. Of course, what he actually meant to say was: “I’m taking back all those porky pies I’ve ever told”.
That was the same event at which he said: “Every child, every person, deserves to be respected for the contribution they make…”, whereupon he laughed at and ridiculed a young man who shouted: “Does that include the children of Gaza?” What a disgusting individual.
Comment is about Menu du Jour Chez Kier (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
Truth to tell, RAP, I’m from Nottingham originally. I’ve only lived in Yorkshire for 50 years. So not enough to avoid being viewed with suspicion!
Comment is about YORKSHIRE DAY (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I just wish we could get our ducks in a row for once. Make two old men very happy 🥔🥔
Comment is about SONNY (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Commendably brief & to the point John. My next door neighbour is from Leeds & celebrates Yorkshire Day with pride every year. The flag goes up in the garden, we sing Ilkley Moor b’aht at & dine on Yorkshire Puddings, Wensleydale cheese etc. As I’m from the other side of the Pennines, but had a primary school music teacher from Barnsley it gives me a lot of pleasure that I know the words better than he does!
Comment is about YORKSHIRE DAY (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
He doesn’t owe us anything, Graham. One of our greatest servants.
Comment is about SONNY (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Blue
Tue 5th Aug 2025 23:15
The urge to write for your own understanding of the world around you is the purest form there is. True art isn’t meant to appeal to the masses, and is often most effectively fulfilled when it is cathartic. A very refreshing read, thank you for sharing.
Comment is about The World Around Me (blog)
Original item by Marla Joy