Kindness is a virtue. But the kind are often done wrong... Beautiful Jon! And fair.?

Comment is about Hangman (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

Good Evening Mark (is it?), you did me the immense favour of re-acquainting me with the beautifully crafted poetry of Robert Laurence Binyon 1869–1943. I remembered 'For the fallen' very well but had either not read or forgotten (mea culpa..) 'The burning of the leaves' which I found an immensely brave and moving poem:

They will come again, the leaf and the flower, to arise
From squalor of rottenness into the old splendour,
And magical scents to a wondering memory bring;
The same glory, to shine upon different eyes.
Earth cares for her own ruins, naught for ours.
Nothing is certain, only the certain spring.

John

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks for your likes Kate and Dorothy. Tommy, I seem to have you as the cyclist . Lovely pictures you conjure up . A fellow enthusiast. A good long ride! My longest day was Norwich to Bedford. So many stories! Thanks for digging this. Rày

Comment is about HAWK WIND (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thankyou Dorothy I am glad you liked the poem that means alot to me!

Comment is about Cadence (blog)

Original item by Daemon Cantrell

TC's advice about drinking before bedtime is good. Also,
coffee (and perhaps tea to a lesser extent) is reputedly an irritant in that area. The stimulation that sees someone in need of a
pee is also a matter of mental control whilst the physical side is
regulated by the sphincter to a large extent unless the bladder is
overladen and elimination is a matter of urgency - part of
nature's blueprint for self-protection as urine retention is
hazardous to health. In the final analysis, it is accepted that
age is a dominant factor in urinary matters and has to be adjusted
to via related physical maintenance/exercise. When youthfully active there is elimination of water from the body via sweating, often
unrecognised, and this lessens the load heading for the bladder -
and the frequency of urination. Age reduces this physical side of
things and more water is sent via the kidneys to the bladder.

Comment is about PRIAPUS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks, Tommy. We ought to go into business as an NHS Helpline.
You might need to ask Tommy that, Graham. There is an irony though here. Replacing your Bag For Life with a plastic bag seems to fly in the face supermarket policy.

Comment is about PRIAPUS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Daemon

I love the natural world, unfortunatly due to my increasing age I am no longer able to walk through the fields and woods that I love, but you have taken me back there and I thank you for that.

Dorothy

Comment is about Cadence (blog)

Original item by Daemon Cantrell

Jason

It is obvious in every careful word - in every careful line - this was written with a very heavy heart.

It would be easy to write token platitudes so I won't insult you with them, but I will say that I have absolutly no doubt that every one on this blog is willing you to stay safe.

take care

Dorothy

Comment is about A Stone For The Miller (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Does an M&S bladder hold more than a Tesco Bladder? Discuss

Comment is about PRIAPUS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

John not drinking 3 hours before retiring reduces bladder-fill (sounds like a Death metal band) try emptying your bag immediately before bed. Laying on the back increases pressure on the bladder, try sleeping on the side. Bladders are bags, a bit like Tesco bags with zips and no handles but not made of plastic and obviously with no Tesco on it. So now you know.

Comment is about PRIAPUS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Love it

Thank you
Dorothy

Comment is about Painting (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

Thank you kind sirs.? In my youth, I used to watch Dave Allen's late night show at home in Belfast.

Comment is about Painting (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

Delightfully amusing.
I enjoyed this
Thank you
Keith

Comment is about Painting (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

This is probably my favorite you have ever done. Truly reached me at a time I needed to read this. Such beautiful words and telling a powerful story that I relate to so much. I carry my burden as well. Parallel journeys of burdens to carry. May we both find our rest.

Comment is about A Stone For The Miller (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Many thanks, Doctor Mark.
All sound advice in my experience. I have found that a technique similar to the one you describe of squeezing and releasing the little general promotes quick spurts which are more easily controlled into the pan as well as encouraging “every last drop”.
I too am an infrequent outpatient at Doncaster where the consultant has explained to me that the real value of the PSA monitoring is not as a numeric absolute but as a baseline whereby they can recognise a sudden increase.
The MRI should pick up suspicious shadows but the biopsy is pretty copper-bottom. 12 samples are unlikely to miss any infections.
As for retrograde ejaculation and priapism, so far they have been absent.
My advice for any bloke who has nothing better to do than read my guff is that prostate cancer is one of the most treatable forms. If you have any of the “old man’s symptoms” regarding wazzing....
GET YOURSELF TESTED.

Comment is about PRIAPUS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Missing Person, keith Jeffries, has disappeared.
if seen, report immediately.
may be armed with a poem.
approach carefully.

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

Graphically evoking the force of meeting serious illness in the
surroundings that so often accompany it.

Comment is about CHEMOTHERAPY (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

The imaginative use of these words and the scenario they present
offer much to enjoy and ponder.
If the human mind works tirelessly with a will
Then each thought and prayer is grist to its mill
……………………………………………………...

Comment is about A Stone For The Miller (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

I'm in pain and of course always nauseous as I read. The white walls, the speech impediment, the sweaty nights...everything. You couldn't have painted a more accurate picture. ?Hang in there!

Comment is about Treatment (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

I'm nauseous (not from the strong poem) and hoping you're okay. ?

Comment is about CHEMOTHERAPY (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

DK-although this non-marxist approves it would have been nice to spare the lowly welly a mention!

Jeez! did they make one's feet whiff!



LS

Comment is about Shoes (blog)

Original item by d.knape

TA - a welcome poke at PC thinking - so "TA" again for that.
In my own mind, I can hear the late lamented comedian Dave Allen telling this sort of joke.
.

Comment is about Painting (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

Wow, I rarely like love themed poems but this one is excellent. Deep and beautifully phrased. "In unison reaching the ocean floor and kissing the abyss and can dive no more"
Loved it!
Thank you?
Mae

Comment is about Dive In (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Mae, you can make the messages as long as you like my friend, especially when they contain such great stories from the life of your family. Thanks mate.

J. x

Comment is about Hammers and Forges (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

JC - talk about "up and at 'em!" Notwithstanding the information
you supply from personal acquaintance, I enjoyed the chuckles
with some identifying familiarity, having some knowledge of the
subject; as do some of my contemporaries who are on medication
for the sort of condition YOU describe - which, in my own urology
consultant's language, seems to describe BPH - benign prostate
hypertrophy. The enlarged gland exerts pressure on the tube
(urethra?) from the bladder and affects previously more forceful unobstructed passage of urine. This can leave a feeling that the
bladder is not completely emptied as well as the symptoms/signs
you describe and adopting the "double void" technique can help.
This entails waiting a short while after peeing then squeezing the
head of the penis between finger and thumb while mentally
fixating on relaxing the sphincter. It is advised that no "forcing" be employed in the process described. In my own case, I've found
it to work - bringing about an increased need to pee again - more powerfully - and doing a more thorough job of
emptying the bladder. I find this helps keep loo visits to once a night if I employ it on that particular visit - and allows the rest of
the night - well, 4 or 5 hours on average - of uninterrupted kip.
I can offer no useful advice about the
drug(s) mentioned but "side-effects" are
commonly included in accompanying
instruction leaflets and do not necessarily
affect users who should be guided by
individual experience and stop if in
doubt, seeking medical advice accordingly.
I have been offered a biopsy following a recent PSA result but
have instead opted for follow-up MRI scans instead, not being
convinced (as if often admitted within the medical profession itself)
of the total reliability of PSA READINGS denoting actual disease.
As things stand, I am an ongoing patient at the local urology dept.
with no medication prescribed in my own case - but following a
self-imposed dietary discipline of healthy prostate-friendly food...
and supplements with a placebo-test record indicating a positive
effect on prostate health. I hope the above helps anyone who
reads your blog and has concerns in that area but any search
online for "prostate health or "prostate friendly foods" should help
enlarge (that word again) the searcher's knowledge of a well-
known condition. Surgery should be a last resort when disease
is not suspected but it can be used to limit the size of the
prostate to reduce urine obstruction in appropriate cases.if my memory serves me correctly..
To bring some poetical lines to bear - and not before time!
No man should be prostrate
With his prostate! ?

Comment is about PRIAPUS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Excellent piece Jason! Steeped with wisdom. There are two words in Greek which I think are suitable for this poem. The first one means "iron-headed" and it's a wish for someone who just got over a tough situation, usually a dangerous illness! A teacher of mine said it to me when I got good news form the doctors.
"I wish you to be iron-headed from now on!" It's a wish and a plea, a warning. Do not squander your life, use your experience to your benefit, be strong. You should know better from now one. Something along these lines. So, "Iron-headed."
And the other word, in the same spirit, stands for "copper-gut". It means that your guts are made of copper. Again here the metal symbolizes endurance and toughness!
I've only heard it used once, when I was told the following story. When my father was in school, one day he had to memorize for a class as homework the life of some important figure of Christianity (For Crying out loud! If you can believe it in Greece we have a whole subject on Religion!?) but of course he didn't study. The next day in class, last minute he hastily opens the book in the marked page as if to get an idea of what he was supposed to know but he has no time to read anything, he only catches a glimpse of this word in the middle of the page in bold letters that characterized the man as "copper-gut". Before he has time to read anything else the teacher/priest asks him to recite his homework! Now my father knowns squat about St. Whatever, nor has he read the text so as to make sense of that unknown, strange word. The teacher looks at him and says:
"One word! If you've studied, you know I need one word that sums up the life and exploits of St. Whatever!"
Lucky ducky had just seen the word and because it stood out he had inadvertently memorized it! So he blurted it out! The teacher was ecstatic with this, so very spiritual, so diligent, studious young lad!!! He gave him an A for the rest of the year without asking him another question! My father had no idea who the heck St. Whatever was and what this strange word meant. Out of curiosity he read the whole page and discovered that the man was a martyr and had endured unparalleled ordeals and had survived; he was literally wrought with hardships! That's when the word "copper-gut" entered my father's mindset and by extension, way later on, mine! That's what I get from this poem! Masterful, skillful as always but most of all spot on! Fires and hammers my friend! Bravo!
Thank you and apologies for the long message?
Mae

Comment is about Hammers and Forges (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

It is beyond most of us - those who know of no more than the buzz of
happiness and the blues-y feeling of a passing "low" in our moods -
to imagine how to accommodate the extremes that are described
by - and in - those affected by the bi-polar syndrome. It appears to
offer great satisfaction in its "ups" but nature exacts the price in
its "downs". If Churchill was a sufferer it had no effect on his ability
to live long and take his rewards in other ways, personal and professional. It is to be hoped that others who see themselves as
affected by it should take comfort and help to allow them to get by
with as little of the "down" effect as possible while giving the world the benefit of the "up" whenever possible. Or, as the saying goes:
hang in there!

Comment is about This Rhyme Upsets the Rhymer – Understanding Bipolar Disorder (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

The use of ingratiating humour in this imaginative way is always to be welcomed. I'm reminded of the phrase "giving it some welly"! ?

Comment is about Shoes (blog)

Original item by d.knape

JS - glad you enjoyed this trot down the track of happy memories!

Comment is about The Write Out Loud Poem of the Week is 'The Racing Stable' by M.C Newberry (article)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Having read your latest poems and the conversations that they triggered about mental health issues and after reading your bio, I have one thing to say to you. Congratulations! I admire you for writing all that is in you with pride and passion and freedom. Not everybody has the guts to be all of themselves and speak up and be proud of their struggles while trying to raise awareness with the tact and grace that you do it. People have to know that it is possible for a bipolar person to live a normal life, with medical treatment, therapy and hard work; they can even be happy! While suffering!
Thank you for reminding us that?
Mae

P.S. I can hear the sound in the video he's definitely a bit manic in this one.

Comment is about This Rhyme Upsets the Rhymer – Understanding Bipolar Disorder (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Got excellent sound Don
Keith

Comment is about This Rhyme Upsets the Rhymer – Understanding Bipolar Disorder (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

I am not getting any sound on the video clip? Anyone else having the same problem?

Comment is about This Rhyme Upsets the Rhymer – Understanding Bipolar Disorder (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

A LIFE OF STORIES, POETRY, SONG & MUSIC – JIMMY LEE AT FEBRUARY WRITE ANGLE

If Jimmy Lee had turned out to be a criminal, welfare scrounger, alcoholic, drug addict, wife or child abuser, people might point to his childhood and teens as explanation or justification. Instead, he rose above the impoverished and hard childhood as well as his bullied, rebellious teens.

Instead, his stories, poems and songs tell of a life well lived, happy and sad memories of childhood as in the poignant Lucy Cartwright song; and even though his father was a Hard Man, he loved him and came to understand what had made him that way. Poorly educated, he blagged his way into jobs for which he was not qualified, yet succeeded in them – in one case, as sales manager for a tobacco company, he lived on expenses and saved his salary, becoming rich enough to buy and develop property.

Guest poets and musicians at Write Angle, frequently provide us with explicit protest messages about society, politicians, capitalism, the wealthy and much more. There's Attila the Stockbroker with his fervent Marxist-Leninism; others with paranoia over government watching through public video cameras; and many more. Jimmy's stories and songs are about his own life and the messages are there without preaching as he shows the effect of such things as war and urban develoment on how they affected him.

Jimmy's guitar playing was self taught; he plays simple tunes and sings to them, and this reviewer found himself humming them long after the gig. When he sang Eileen about the Rose of Tralee, he had the audience enthusiastically joining in with the chorus of “One more dance, Eileen, one more dance with me ...”

At the open mic, newcomer Graham Langley held up a piece of paper which “used to be a tree- it needs a poet to make it a poet-tree.” We hope we'll see more of Graham and his humour, not just his words but in his voice too.

Jood and Leah performed in a more serious vein, each dealing with different issues yet both lightened the mood with humorous poems. Colin Eveleigh continued the saga of his health issues and the reassuring news but also dealt with the subject of connections in Touch and Go. Dick Senior was nostalgic in At the Mermaid Inn, St Mary's.

The open mikers provided a good poetic foil to Jimmy's melodious music and lyrics; and the raffle was for a meal at excellent, local, Thai restaurant, Lemon Grass.

Review is about WRITE ANGLE POETRY & MUSIC +OPEN MIC on 19 Feb 2019 (event)

Ah dk I like you
Your poetry's got style
It's short, not long and thinkable
It's full of wit and guile ?

Liked this one. Cleverly thought out as Keith says

Comment is about Shoes (blog)

Original item by d.knape

This is a good poem which has been well thought out and presented.

Thanks
Keith

Comment is about Shoes (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Having worked with supporting individuals who are unemployed and seeking work; I feel fortunate not to have experienced the anxiety of age discrimination when seeking work. This is an observational poem which I am pleased has been well received.
Though I have experienced redundancy, I decided to see it as a form of liberation which spurred me on to other, more rewarding ventures. I do, however, empathises with anyone who through no fault of their own, find themselves economically, emotionally and physically deprived of the ability to enjoy the rewards of a productive work life. In solidarity....

Comment is about IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE (blog)

Original item by trevor homer

Don
I have just read Kieth's comment and I agree with him,
but would like to add another thought,
by talking/writting about bi polar you are giving comfort to others with the same/similar conditions who may be suffering inside but feel that they must hide it.
Dorothy

I could'nt access the video I will try again later

Comment is about This Rhyme Upsets the Rhymer – Understanding Bipolar Disorder (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

K
I started to read this and went cold with shock.
You experience is one that we all fear, and not only have you lived through it but you have written about it.
Writting about your rape must have made you re-live it all over again,
your courage stands out for all to see and I only hope that justice was done.
My wish for you is peace.
Take care
Dorothy

Comment is about A Note To The One Who Broke Me (blog)

Original item by K

Don,

Thank you for this, especially the video clip. Have you seen the film Club Paradise starring Robin Williams and Peter O Toole? A masterpiece. There seems to me evidence which supports the idea that those who are bi polar and others with different conditions tend to have higher intellects than are usually found. Some of the most eloquent, funny and engaging of people seem to come in disproportionate numbers from such categories. Robin Williams, Winston Churchill and Stephen Fry immediately come to mind.

Please consider writing more openly as you are gifted in this respect and others whose understanding of such conditions need to be made more aware of what life is like for those who struggle with issues such as bi polar and other similar conditions which can be socially isolating.

Thank you for this.

Keith

Comment is about This Rhyme Upsets the Rhymer – Understanding Bipolar Disorder (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Don
this is the Don behind the giggles,
it is good to release your 'self' every now and again or no one will know who you really are.
Thank you
Dorothy

Comment is about This Rhyme Upsets the Rhymer – Understanding Bipolar Disorder (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Congratulations, MC.

Comment is about The Write Out Loud Poem of the Week is 'The Racing Stable' by M.C Newberry (article)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thank you for you comment Rachel, it has made my day. You are one of my favourite poets. I think your poetry enjoyable and unique, making me think in a different way. I’m glad you enjoy my style, again thanks it really has made my day.

All the best des

Comment is about DESMOND CHILDS (poet profile)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

Your remarks are truly appreciated.. Thanks..

Comment is about Right to write (blog)

Original item by mona s

Love this Phil. ❤️ Thanks for sharing. ?

Comment is about Surfing the sky (blog)

Original item by mentalelf. Philk.

This feels so real and intense with the brutal honesty of such a horrible crime. The courage to write, as others have said, is so admirable. I myself was stripped of my dignity once... put in a position I could not choose... My story was different, as everyone's is. Thank you so much for sharing. This really means so much. #metoo

Comment is about A Note To The One Who Broke Me (blog)

Original item by K

This is powerful and i thank you for it.

Comment is about A Note To The One Who Broke Me (blog)

Original item by K

Beautiful, haunting, poetic delight. ?❤️

Comment is about Noctis (blog)

Original item by Jennifer Malden

K, by writing down your trauma you release its hold over you. By sharing it you may inspire another to release their trauma too, which brings the realization that your suffering has not been in vain. #metoo ?

Comment is about A Note To The One Who Broke Me (blog)

Original item by K

Well said, if the EU was a true democracy, i.e. my vote counts all the way to the top, count me in, but the fact remains it is an uncontrolled, arrogant bureaucracy. I can't vote Jean Claude Juncker out but I can Theresa May or any other British politician and that is the contract of a true democracy between its government and its people.

J.

Comment is about Brexit (blog)

Original item by Daemon Cantrell

I just want to wholeheartedly agree with Keith. I have rarely read anything that has made me feel so angry for you, so sorry for the things you've endured and yet so in awe of your courage.
Always have the courage and most normal, caring, compassionate human beings will have a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on should you need it.
I'll say it again, I'm genuinely in awe of your courage.

J. x

Comment is about A Note To The One Who Broke Me (blog)

Original item by K