Thanks for the update M.C. I looked it up when you first mentioned it and understood that you put it in your own words which is totally cool. I’m still fascinated that I expanded on an old proverb which I take as a sign to pay close attention to what the Universe is relaying!

Comment is about Enlightenment (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

K,

This is the most chilling and raw account of sexual abuse that I have ever read. Its portrayal is horrific indeed and almost unable to grasp for one who has never experienced such pain. I salute your courage in bringing this to light especially at a time when such abuse is being uncovered almost everyday after decades of concealment.

Thank you

Keith

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

Original item by K

Thank you all so much. I try and always write in metaphor and really try in some cases to make every possible word have a duality of meaning. So much so that sometimes I think I'm being a bit oblique but I love this implicit use of English above pretty much any other use. I really love layers ?.

J. x

Comment is about Hammers and Forges (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

your plot...
thickens!

thanks for visiting M.C. ?

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

JC, Kate, Josie and Jennifer - your kind comments are much appreciated. It helped that I have some inside knowledge of what it
means to share in a racing enterprise, with visits to stable and race-course in the memory to use to advantage in writing these lines.
Also, a sister has held a life-long love of horses and I remember how
she kept a pony for riding out when she was a young woman in rural Wiltshire, a long time ago now. We still exchange emails about
our equine/racing interests.

Comment is about THE RACING STABLE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Wow - what an epic! To which I will reply...

David Cameron's cowardly lack
Was failing to plan the "Leave" attack,
Knowing that the vote was cast
To depart the EU's grip at last.

May could have told the latter "We're going!
But open to what you think of bestowing
In response to this old nation's will
No hard feelings...no bitter pill !"

Instead - as she is a Remainer - I feel
She hid her bias seeking a "deal",
Knowing Brussels would look askance
At anything giving real "leave" a chance.

Too much for them to bear to lose -
With other countries likely to choose
To make an exit - following on..,.
Too much for Brussels to dwell upon !

……………………………………………………....?

Comment is about Dave - The Return (blog)

Original item by Stephen Mellor

The injustice of being prevented from working and earning income
through one's own efforts and talents must be like an acid eating away at self-respect and sense of worth. I am older than Keith but
can easily imagine how such a situation must bring on feelings of
resentment when someone WANTS to work and can't find the
opportunity. In retirement I've surrendered a fondness for beer in
a friendly pub but I've gained health-wise, with useful financial increases in other avenues along life's highway. My culinary
interests are modest and I'm happy with the most basic food, of which, happily I am also very fond. It helps too that it is cheap and
it's rare that a day's food costs much more than a fiver when
checking monthly accounting in that area.. Adaptability seems to be the secret of success when trying to make ends meet,
with deprivations in some directions becoming advantages in others.

.

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

Original item by trevor homer

Dr. Seuss turned over in his grave today and said he wants you to stop pretending to be him for a day.

Please heed his wishes.

Thank you.?

Comment is about Don Matthews (poet profile)

Original item by Don Matthews

The confusion and dismay are understandable but we need to
recall the decisions that have led to this present debacle.
There have been two great betrayals of the UK electorate in my lifetime. The first occurred when the incumbents of Parliament
decided to hand over to the EU what wasn't theirs to give: the
mandate from the electorate to govern the country in their name
according to its laws and customs. And over ensuing years, steps
were taken to sign "treaties" to bind a trusting UK electorate
ever closer to the power-grabbing entity that sought and seeks to
dominate the aspirations of a nation state and its people. The second is being seen in today's Parliament when a vote by its
incumbents to prevent a "no deal" exit was pursued and won
despite the commitment of both major parties to comply with
the result of the Referendum .e.g. - to LEAVE - no more, no less.
.

Comment is about Brexit (blog)

Original item by Daemon Cantrell

Well done, Jason.

Comment is about Hammers and Forges (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Amanda I love the first issue of Printed Words, you have put a lot of hard work and effort into getting this done and this is proved when reading through it!

Liked my profile when you put - - -

the other group members said " you wouldn't expect that from Nigel"

Comment is about Amanda Steel (poet profile)

Original item by Amanda Steel

Jason,

A skilfully written poem with a clear message.
Well done indeed.

Thank you

Keith

Comment is about Hammers and Forges (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Trevor,

This poem could have been tailor made for me. I am 71 years and any attempt to find a job has been a futile effort. They say there is no age discrimination....well there is, believe you me. I have pensions, which I took out during my working life, to ensure a reasonable degree of comfort in my old age, but now they are insufficient. I spend each day as if I am under house arrest. A pint of Guinness and an orange juice for my partner is 6.40p, more than half our allotted money for the day´s food. I am often filled with rage. I feel duped and let down. Yet, your poem helped me realise that I am not alone. We are many

Thank you for this

Keith

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

Original item by trevor homer

Hi again - hope not to cause confusion. The original saying is, of
course, "Pride before a fall". Your blog had me adding the extra words.via my comment ?.

Comment is about Enlightenment (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

Jason
I can only repeat WOW! and I can only agree with Jennifer,

It's a bit pathetic of me not to say more - but this poem speaks for it's self.

Wonderful
Dorothy

Comment is about Hammers and Forges (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Thank you!

Comment is about PARADE OF HAPPINESS (blog)

Original item by lynn hahn

That, Jennifer, is one of my favourite poems ever. Even the title. I've always regarded night as a friend, of course in Britain that's easy enough as we have no large natural predators, (except of course for other humans), so the night is a comforting, warm summer blanket and a crisp, cold winter breath at your ear.
Brilliant!

J. x

Comment is about Noctis (blog)

Original item by Jennifer Malden

Yes Jennifer, exactly that. Each hardship we endure will essentially either kill us or make us stronger. We start as innocent children and develop into fully formed adults and this often resembles the forging process, in this case a sword that represents your wit but also your strength, your defensive/offensive potential. When swords are forged and tempered they often have an extremely hard temper at the edge and a softer more springy temper at the core or spine. This allows a sharp, hard cutting edge (your wit) and a more flexible core or spine (your heart or compassion) allowing some integral give, or flexible strength to stop them from shattering on impact.
But all of this is only achieved by putting the virgin metal through the heat and hammers of the forge.
So only in suffering the fires and hammer blows, constant shaping and reshaping, can the finished article be achieved.
"All my tortures, great and small,
Have shaped my will and stood me tall."

J. x

Comment is about Hammers and Forges (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Fantastic writing! Congrats on POTW too - well deserved. Great ryhming which really builds up the excitement and tensions leading up to an important event. Have always loved horses, but apart from that will read it again and again to enjoy it. Well done again.

Jennifer

Comment is about THE RACING STABLE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Extremely apt! The roaring, warring, whoring hordes....! Great wriitng
and very evocative- how many battles come to mind.

Jennifer

Comment is about Vexillology (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

See now, to me, it speaks of cracks in the defensive barriers that lead to that most tender of places, the heart.
The adolescent mind never learned to express an event that, "set the roof on fire," and caused the construction of the defensive barriers.
Now the mouth that stayed mute, learns to hone it's perceptive listening skills, (make a complex ear from simple clay), because someone failed to hear what should have been heard.
Remains watchful and silent assessing someones worthiness to be allowed in.
When I read it I see the doors as an entrance, a metaphor for not being completely closed off to the world, but considering letting someone in whilst still maintaining some barriers.
Rather than crash down the walls and let the whole world in, build a door in them and let just some people in as and when you feel you can, and shut them out as well should you need to.

Love the poem, even if I've mis-read the meaning.

J. x

Comment is about manual (blog)

Original item by nunya

Wow! Really strong stuff! Are you saying, basically that suffering and difficulties even of an extreme nature, can actually fortify a person, but there should remain a core of humanity in spite of what he/she has been through? I'm thinking of the refugees from Siria, the Yazidi girls, the poor b Kurds who fight like lions, but get no help from anyone, etc. etc. Great writing.

Jennifer

Comment is about Hammers and Forges (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

"Women artists. There is no such thing—or person. It’s just as much a contradiction in terms as 'man artist' or 'elephant artist.' You may be a woman and you may be an artist; but the one is a given and the other is you."

– Dorothea Tanning, 1990

Good heavens, where are women like this on International Women's Day when first-world female office workers are given a paid half-day just for inheriting two X chromosomes?

..more later, David x

Comment is about manual (blog)

Original item by nunya

Hi Keith! Obviously this hit you hard especially after another break up. Very well expressed sorrow for a person you care for.
Jennifer

Comment is about Broken up (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

help. sneak in saw in chocolate cake.
I'm in cell-block #4. have car waiting.

Comment is about Don Matthews (poet profile)

Original item by Don Matthews

Mike,

A poem which I immediately associated with the film of the Titanic. Brave indeed were those musicians. Your poem does them credit.

Thank you for this

Keith

Comment is about 8 Heroes (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Desmond, you have a style all your own that I've enjoyed since I first noticed you here almost two years ago--it's good to see you still about.

Rachel

Comment is about DESMOND CHILDS (poet profile)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

Stephen - you are fortunate that you caught me with some time on my hands and was therefore able to read this epic start to finish. And I'm glad I did as it was good VFM.

Well done!

Comment is about Dave - The Return (blog)

Original item by Stephen Mellor

Bong! silly me (walks away whistling, looking skyward,hands in pockets) The French National anthem has this second started playing on BBC radio 4. Serendipity?

Tommy

Comment is about NOT THEIR FINEST HOUR (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

The prisoners will all go berserk
For your poetry bio dk
The one-page and one-cover poetry one
That you wrote, yes you wrote in a day

Can you imagine their excitement
In exploring your poetry today?
No more fist-fights in the mess room
They're all in their cells with dk ?

Comment is about Sooner Or Later (blog)

Original item by d.knape

We often avoid discussing mental health because of fear, stigma or simply not knowing what to say. But this may make matters worse. Support from friends, family and health professionals plays a significant role in a loved one’s coping and recovery process. You can make a big difference through small gestures, like listening, keeping in touch and showing you care.

Many of us worry about saying the wrong thing to someone with a mental illness. Your friend or loved one may or may not want to discuss their mental health issues with you, but it’s important they know they don’t have to avoid the subject.

Comment is about Adut Akech, Depression and Mental Heath (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Apologies for my dark humour

I'm placing myself at some risk here
Cos Dorothy's asked for a giggle
Playing around with death and with dying
Doesn't give me much room for to wriggle

Someone suggested the idea
Of plastic-bagging remains then council tip it
To make this more efficient, much easier
Just pitch it over dump truck then skip it

I like the idea of remains on a yacht
Then launched out to sea, all to see
With built-in igniter for fireworks
Sounds ritual-Egyptian to me

"Always look on the sunny side of life....tra la tra la...

(He's mad...) ?

Comment is about Absent (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

I'm always thrilled to know that another poet specializes in perfect metre and rhyme, as I do. I also love poems that paint pictures with words to capture the feeling within the poem - and yours does that excellently too. The rhythm isn't a gentle anapaestic rhythm, but a bouncy trochiac one that matches the mood of your poem beautifully. I'm not surprised that you have done well. Top marks!!!

Comment is about THE RACING STABLE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

dk why did you have
To put this thought in my head
Of kicking off my mortal coil
And ending me up dead?

For then I won't be able
To comment more in rhyme
You've put me in a pre-paid plot
You've done it good this time

I guess I can forgive you
You thought I wouldn't see
This 'Point of no Return' poem
Which don't apply to me ?

Comment is about Point Of No Return (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Don

A very serious poem - about a very serious subject.

I wonder how many gifted people are consumed by depression? we applaud their gifts but do not understand the cost to them.

Yes! bring it all out into the open and we may find that, so called normality, is not the norm.
Maybe all of us have peculiarities that we do not talk about. Why? because we do not want to be seen as different, but we are different from each other and every one of us is unique. Do we all want to be clones of each other?

Mental health , as far as i know, is no longer mocked but is still misunderstood and there is only one way to rectify this and your poem Don has set the wheels in motion.

Ayres Rock is still a rock to be reckoned with.

Dorothy

Comment is about Adut Akech, Depression and Mental Heath (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Don,

Well said. I think we all to some degree have mental health issues which manifest themselves differently and are coped with in likewise manner. It is an inner inexplicable struggle which needs to be acknowledged so that others can come alongside to show love and support. Suicide is the last cry so we must be aware of the first cry before tragedy strikes.

Thank you for this

Keith

Comment is about Adut Akech, Depression and Mental Heath (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

I echo Vautaw's comments Lyn

Comment is about PARADE OF HAPPINESS (blog)

Original item by lynn hahn

Hi Don, my own sibling has had numerous mental health admissions over the years, and I am so proud of her, and grateful for every day she has chosen to stay with us, in spite of her unbearable pain. I've had my own battle in recent years and now recognise and understand what she has spent her life fighting against. Big hugs for speaking up on one of the biggest issues of our time.

Comment is about Adut Akech, Depression and Mental Heath (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Hey John - great advert for this piece received in my inbox this morning from Write Out Loud! Good to keep in touch. Jean xx jean.sheridan111@btinternet.com

Comment is about In it to win it: a guide to success in poetry competitions (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

But you haven't failed Vautauw, because you can step outside and witness the ego at work. No wonder your soul is singing.

Comment is about Enlightenment (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

Wendy you've penned an unfortunate
Force which makes politicians drive
It's called 'greed-for-me-and-forget-voters'
Until the next election I'll let live, stay alive

Now politician you're not playing game fair here
We voted you for us, not for you
So pull your socks up be democratic
It appears that you don't have a clue ?

Comment is about Politicians (blog)

Original item by Wendy Higson

Thanks M.C. Newberry!?

Comment is about Connected and Grateful (blog)

Original item by Queen

Can't put my finger on it's power - perhaps it's immense relatability. Love this John.

Comment is about Love the one you're with (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Sometimes people put on masks to shield themselves from the world and sometimes they put on masks to shield the world from them and sometimes they're just tired of life kicking the shit out of them.
You do right to still believe but you also do right to distance yourself a little.
I know the story of which you speak, only too well. Generally, the, "Masked," want help but don't know how to ask for it, but giving that help can be a long and painful road.

Beautifully written.

J. x

Comment is about Fallen Angel (blog)

Original item by Amelie Delmas

Wendy,

I could have written this word for word but you got there first. We are led by bungling self seeking fools who place personal prestige and party loyalty before the will of the people. God knows where we are headed.

Thank you for this

Keith

Comment is about Politicians (blog)

Original item by Wendy Higson

Beautiful poem John.....?

Comment is about CHEMOTHERAPY (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Bienvenue à Write Out Loud Amélie. Peut être tu peut écrire en Anglais et Francais. Il ya des francophones ici, et nous avons eu des bons weekends de poésie à Bordeaux pendant des années:
https://www.writeoutloud.net/discuss/bordeaux-2006--69#msgcontent_307

I hope you enjoy using the site.

Comment is about Amelie Delmas (poet profile)

Original item by Amelie Delmas

Dearest friend sensitive poet .. you're absolutely right .. I fully agree with your opinion .. Thank you so much for liking my simple lines.

Comment is about HELP!! (blog)

Original item by Farag M. Afify

Love this one John. ?

Comment is about Love the one you're with (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Powerful and I agree. I grow so sick of being bombarded by whatever silly new info about a celebrity there is. What dress so and so wore, what crazy marriage fell apart. I feel justified by this poem, as it speaks to the dumbfounded irritation I have when people are more obsessed with celebrity lives... than saving lives...

Comment is about Sadly More Noteworthy (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews