I love how you have honoured nature with this poem. Absolutely beautiful.

Comment is about Doorstep Beauty (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

I love the first line of this piece! Instantly grabbed my attention!

Comment is about 360 " eyes ! (blog)

Original item by Emima Timi

Agree wtih Keith and Kate...

"Ageing toward my fate, time’s

experience-gale savages my

awareness. "

Clever poem.

Comment is about Face Time (blog)

Original item by Rich

hi cynthia
thanks for getting back to me
i did as you suggested and have a guest slot booked for june
i hope i get to see you there and i'm sending positive healing thoughts your way

stu

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I agree Steven, dense, concise yet powerful!
Well done, again, Jason.

Comment is about Be My Guide (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

My wish for this world is that everyone appreciates how unique and special they are and not want to change to some magazine idea of who they must be. You are beautiful!
Love your introduction and declaration - more should hear.

Comment is about erbc (poet profile)

Original item by erbc

Lots of lovely ideas in this piece, especially this line:
"...when you not only played my guitar but my heart..."

Comment is about Life After Love (blog)

Original item by erbc

I am new to this website and clicked on your profile and a random sample you have written. I am very impressed with your rhyming skills. I also enjoyed how you captured the aspect of our society of being enslaved to our phones.

Comment is about EYE CONTACT (blog)

Original item by Ty

Kieth thank you for commenting on my latest effort.
I have been abroad for the last few days, so have some catching up to do on other's poems.

As is usual there will always be controversy on anything religious, but that is not altogether a bad thing if handled with a grain of respect for the views of others.....which I admit is not always easy.

My father's family were Russian Jews who were lucky to escape with their lives when Cossaks came riding through their village, cutting people down with swords and setting fire to the wooden village hovels they called home. They took the first ship they could get (not even knowing or caring where it was bound) and ended up in Scotland in the early 1900s before WW1.

Just after WW2 my father met, and married, a french Catholic schoolteacher he met in Paris.

I myself met and married my longtime penpal from the Philippines. Her father was Muslim and a drunkard, and ended up marrying a Catholic (a Nun) whom he had raped.
My wife was one of their five children.

Oddly enough apart from my wife's mother nobody else was in the least interested in religion, and rarely if ever went to church.

I was given a hard time at school, both primary & secondary, for refusing to say prayers and, on one occasion was beaten in front of the class by my form master for not closing my eyes during morning prayers. Non of the other boys cared, but it was a good excuse to pick on me; so punch-ups were frequent in the school yard. That's one way to learn how to fight !

Fortunately things are so different today. My daughters never had any problems at school, but that is partly because very few people nowadays, at least here in England, bother about such things. I have lost count of the amount of derelict churches there are here in the south of England, but at least they are, for the most, preserved as such old buildings should be.

Comment is about Talking with god (blog)

Original item by David Gabriel Caplan

Your comments always make me smile dear friend, thank you kindly ?

Comment is about Single mom's (blog)

Original item by Lysa d

Thanks Keith, and Thanks Kate - really appreciate the support.

Comment is about Face Time (blog)

Original item by Rich

Hey D. Thank you for your kind words on my profile! I 'm a regular nobody but I do mean every word I say! ?

Comment is about d.knape (poet profile)

Original item by d.knape

I love the contrast between the hints and whispers of the first stanza and the starkness of the strike of the second Rachel. I feel it is in a way a harder version of my own Valentine in a sense being a sort of retribution poem. (Thanks for your comment, i'll be back to that later). It's right that there should be a price to pay in the balance of male and female. IMO. When I read of untapped sources of passion I often think of the female spider, wow!

Delightful. Ray

Comment is about solitary (blog)

Original item by nunya

It’s a wonder God didn’t deflate them altogether. Delightfully brief and funny. Thank you for this. Keith

Comment is about Talking with god (blog)

Original item by David Gabriel Caplan

Stu, I haven't been out to WOL, Sale, in months now. But there has always been Open Mic for anyone who comes early enough to 'register' on a 'first come first served' basis. The time is definitely limited, depending on the numbers, but it would be an opportunity to promote your book.

Have you ever contacted the 'leaders' re: a guest slot again?

I might actually be well enough to participate in March. Ring out the Joy Bells! I sure hope so.

Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Hi Ray,

I especially like the last two lines--I am often astonished by the liberty some find through presumption.

The rest of this comment is absolutely irrelevant, but I thought you might get a laugh...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdJLEYR9Igw&list=PLBbSOInB5MhRBMXsyxGTXUo3sAFmNfxEm&index=7

Rachel

PS
If you watch and find it overly offensive, please report back. I'm sending it because my memory tells me it was funny, though, I'm unable to look for myself due to certain local restrictions )

Take care.

Comment is about VALENTINE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Dear All,

Thank you for such a lively debate. It does credit to you all.

Kind Regards
Keith

Comment is about A Large Wooden Door (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

excellent jason

Comment is about Be My Guide (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

great audios!

Comment is about Vautaw (poet profile)

Original item by Vautaw

You know there's an old saying, "When you have children, you stop being the picture and become the frame."

I read this and instantly think of that. Sounds to me like the best frame any picture could hope for.

Sounds to me like a very special Mum.☺ X

Absolutely loved it.

Comment is about Single mom's (blog)

Original item by Lysa d

Ray and Do,

Thank you for your comments. I cannot comment on Billy Graham as I have never heard him speak or know very much about him. I speak for myself. At a very early age I possessed a sense of the numinous. This did not come from scripture or church as my parents never went to church so there was no external influence to initiate or nurture my faith, yet it grew and has remained with me till the age of 71 years. It has not altered the core of my being but rather enhanced and enriched it. My poem speaks of a door that is never closed with unrestricted Access. We all possess freedom of choice. No one is obliged to enter.

Thank you for your interest in this poem

Keith

Comment is about A Large Wooden Door (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

This is fantastic Jason, it took me back to sitting on my Grandfather's knee. Very evocative.

Comment is about Chatting By The Stovetop (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Inspiring - amazing imagery. Some great lines here.

Comment is about "Walls of Disquiet" (blog)

Original item by psylentskog

Hi Keith, excuse me for making a comment here. My brother has faith, sparked off by a choice made under the influence of Billy Graham, although his presence there was obviously inwardly driven. in fifty years I have not been able to penetrate that shield; his transformation at the time was immense. In that process, he was made pure, if that makes sense. I believe he lost his core personality. Sad for me, as I love him and respect his personal choice.
My belief is that the material world is a lesson in self sculpture resulting in a passing over to something else. I believe in the possibility of other invisible realms which interpenetrate our awareness for a reason. That leaves me with control and a hand in developing what I possess hopefully for the benefit of others.

Some of the essential core of teachings do have validity; but I will say I think the allegorical assertions represented in your poem, albeit caringly crafted, is an example of "this way please for those who have accepted the way." The trouble with doors is that they block as well as permit entrance at least in the material world.

With respect Ray

Comment is about A Large Wooden Door (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thank you millions jay, your comments always put a smile on my face ?
Much appreciated x

Comment is about Ready ;-) (blog)

Original item by Lysa d

Thank you for you comments and views.

When discussing matters of faith a secular language and outlook is a barrier to understanding the spiritual nature of life. Faith is a gift and as with most gifts they can be accepted or not. Not everyone wants to be a Knight of the Garter or be the recipient of an OBE. Faith embodies trust. What cannot be discerned now will be revealed in due course. People of faith believe in a Divine Plan or purpose for creation. Made up comfort is a cynical response often used by those who are determined not to embrace the unknown and resist, often with contempt, those whose heart and mind have accepted the gift of faith with trust and hope.

Thank you again
Keith

Comment is about A Large Wooden Door (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

An exceptionally well written poem with a careful choice of words to stimulate the readers imagination. Well done. Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about "Walls of Disquiet" (blog)

Original item by psylentskog

Most of us write about our inner selves, to exorcise our demons, celebrate our angels, which is why this resonates. Great poem mate.?

Comment is about Becoming (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

"lest you perjure her moonglow dreams
and bring her down in flames"

this is a pure unselfish love poem, gentle and sensitive.
I am not a fan of love poems, to me, most seem contrived, but this one is believable.
thank you for writing it, it is beautiful

Comment is about VALENTINE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I think "I am becoming love and light" is my favorite line! Its something i am trying to strive for myself and something so many others are striving for too.

Comment is about Becoming (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

Sweet Valentine with her head in the clouds, only the words of poet can catch her now. Lovely lyrics Ray. Thanks for sharing. ?

Comment is about VALENTINE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Hey. Thanks for stopping by Vautaw and thanks for the encouragement. John

Comment is about From woman better things spring (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

The best poems are the ones that make you want to know more, like this one does for me. I read Rebel Girls to my six year old granddaughter. This could easily be in that book. Love it John. Thanks for sharing your gift of succinct and fascinating storytelling with us. ? P.S. The music adds great atmosphere.

Comment is about From woman better things spring (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Thanks Ray, thanks Jon.

Comment is about distant history (blog)

Original item by nunya

Thanks for sharing this Phil. It has that essential quality that examines the deep questions on a personal level, and rides on a knife edge, obviously desperately painful but with a creative urge expressed, and thus enabling us to reflect as near as we can on a glimpse of the unbearable.

Ray

Comment is about Life and death the only real question. (blog)

Original item by mentalelf. Philk.

Taking small moments from childhood and expanding them into these larger thoughts and ideas is a really beautiful way to get a point across.

Comment is about Baking Soda (blog)

Original item by Paris Tate

Thank you. I don't normally write stuff like this but something just brought back an old memory today and I'm not ashamed to say, a little tear to the eye. My grandad served from 1939 to 1946 and had a wicked sense of humour in both senses of the word. But the thought of a comfy chair right next to a warm stove in a quiet kitchen will always make me smile.?

Comment is about Chatting By The Stovetop (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Thank you Po. The secret ingredient is in the Audio.

Thanks Keith. I'm pleased to say I do stay positive - but in this case as the audio reveals, I am playing with the idea of the juxtaposition of two meanings of the same word. Not the realm of life expectancy as such. Those symptoms you mention are reason enough for scurrying to the NHS with medals for bravery.

Thank you Mark for that observation. I was being the sort of person you daren't meet in a waiting room for fear of an expected overload of sympathy and a complete lapse of confidence.

David, many a true word spoken in jest. I thought your request for the lawn mower was rather cutting. Incidentally, my life policy ran out some time ago.

Thanks Dorothy for taking me seriously !

Lovely to have your likes: Anya, Marcin, Vautaw and Jason.

Ray

Comment is about POSITIVE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thank you both. A very welcome and encouraging response. It was a pensive piece, and I lived it out through the best of eyes.

Thanks too readers with ticks. Frances, Rachel, Jon, Sofia and Po.!

Ray

Comment is about THROUGH THE GATES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I like your poem Amanda - - -

False is the image of the friends that don't exist.

Comment is about Amanda Steel (poet profile)

Original item by Amanda Steel

That, my friend is a beautiful piece of work. I've said it before and I'll say it again, there's a real, captivating honesty in your poems that for me, is just priceless.

Favourite line: welcomed, with open arms, the comfort of her own charms.

Just plain beautiful! x

Comment is about Ready ;-) (blog)

Original item by Lysa d

A very appealing idea - the mixture of practicality and poetry combining to ease our afflictions. There is strong evidence to
support the belief that music works with mental health so why not
the flow of words and ideas deftly designed and dispensed?
I recall an appeal on Indiegogo (to which I subscribed) for funds
to set up a poetry shop here in London that didn't seem to materialise
and I wish this project every success in putting this idea to use AND
injecting new life into a fine old high street shop premises in need
of some TLC in a beautiful part of England.

Comment is about 'I believe that poetry can help in so many ways with good mental health': Emergency Poet Deborah Alma (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks, KJ. I'm currently completing a sea-shanty style version of
my previously published poem "Down By The Mewstone" which I
will try to upload here in the near future.

Comment is about AN IRISH REJOICING - song (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

A lovely, summary of the greatest journey ?

Comment is about C'est La Vie (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Proving that good things can come in small packages!

Comment is about C'est La Vie (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Thanks Po. Yes, chocolate overflow. That and poetry made for a good V day! ?

Comment is about Stupid Cupid (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

???
Strength in numbers..
This was a great read
Thank you ?

Comment is about Strong And Silent (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Thanks Po, that means a lot ?

Comment is about Airstrike From The Eleventh Density (blog)

Original item by Kealan Coady

Thanks Keith, I appreciate that man

Comment is about Tectonic (blog)

Original item by Kealan Coady

Thank you so much, Po.

Comment is about Gentle caress (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby