I assume the format is intentional. Sorry Landi, I found it difficult to read so packed up after a couple of lines.

Comment is about life is absurd, indeed (blog)

Original item by Landi Cruz

Thank you Stephen. Hope all good with you x

Comment is about Red Squirrel (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

Rolph,
Thanks so much for your comment. It is so gratifying to hear that this piece reaches you.
Marla

Comment is about The Ghost Smiles (blog)

Original item by Marla Joy

The blank canvas is scary, even when you have something in mind. Thanks for this, Rolph.

Comment is about First Sentence (blog)

Original item by Rolph David

Thanks, Julie. Good to hear from you.

Comment is about Red Squirrel (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

Good night from Indonesia, Rolph.
Thank you for taking the time to read and leave such a thoughtful note. I’m grateful you could hear them.
Wishing you a gentle day ahead,
Yanma

Comment is about Forgotten Melody (blog)

Original item by Yanma Hidayah

@Marla, thank you so much.
At first, the image of sharing moments with someone as a string of melodies popped into my mind. While writing, I kept thinking about how those early moments with someone can feel like unfinished musical phrases—beautiful, yet fragile. The heart of the piece lies in the conflict:
“There’s nothing I can do
when my heart wants him to stay,
but my mind doesn’t want to.”
To me, these lines capture the very first stage of a relationship, when we’re still weighing: is this a fling or something real, lust or love? It feels like holding a rough demo of a song; we sense its potential, yet we’re afraid to play it in full.

Note: The line “’Cause missing him / made me hate myself” is hyperbolic—an emotional layer meant to heighten the tension, not a literal confession of self‑loathing.

Comment is about Forgotten Melody (blog)

Original item by Yanma Hidayah

I meant to tag it with a title that might give a little hint about my thoughts on it. That's all corrected now...

Pynchon's black humor is a definite draw for me but the comedy merely provides a backdrop for these short story characters to live out their existential crises upon. The juxtaposition of the flakey and sexually precocious State Dept. official with the Ojibwan is genius to me.

Thanks for asking )

"One idiot is one idiot. Two idiots are two idiots. Ten thousand idiots are a political party."

- Franz Kafka

Comment is about life is absurd, indeed (blog)

Original item by Landi Cruz

Thank you so much, Rolph, for your kindness and your beautiful analysis; I'm really glad the poem resonated with you! 💗

Comment is about Insane. (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

A mournful yet quite enchanting poem. You do rhyme very well David. I can never get the hang of it myself. Well done.

Comment is about A longing (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Thanks kindly @Rolph David 🌹🕊️🙏🏻 indeed, the attempt to remain fresh and unapologetic aims at relevance and authenticity, an openness as well - to accept both and even several other points of view and maintain ones integrity and self of unique individuality. You are most appreciated in pointing these out.

Thanks @David RL Moore 🌹🕊️🙏🏻 whatever our choice of "poison" is, 'complete and total surrender' appears to be the only way for productivity. I applaud you succinct astuteness.

Comment is about so, i’m not yer cuppa tea (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

We went to Brownsea a few weeks ago and only spotted a couple high up in the trees. These are in Aberfeldy, Scotland. We are also lucky to have some fairly close to home at Shap.

Comment is about Red Squirrel (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

I’ve only ever seen them on Brownsea Island.

Comment is about Red Squirrel (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

Thankyou Rolph. We visited Auschwitz last October. Profound, disturbing, harrowing.
Lest we forget.
Redbrick, Stephen A, StephenG, Tom, Aisha, Nigel and David.

Comment is about HAIME (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

A productive relationship with the intoxicant demands that the conduit surrender unto it completely.

Very well formulated and put.

David

Comment is about so, i’m not yer cuppa tea (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

That's an unusual passage of Pynchon to post.

I have to wonder, apart from the hypnotic nature of his writing, what was your motivation/intention when posting this?

David

Comment is about life is absurd, indeed (blog)

Original item by Landi Cruz

Good morning Red,
I love the fearless energy in this poem! You flip the usual “cup of tea” phrase on its head and own the fierceness of being the “bottle of rum.” There’s something so refreshing about that unapologetic embrace of authenticity — refusing to be softened or tamed. Your words feel like a call to be true to ourselves, no matter the cost. Bold, raw, and memorable. Fantastic!
Regards,
Rolph

Comment is about so, i’m not yer cuppa tea (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

Good morning John,
Your poem carries a heavy, painful weight, and your words honour that suffering with stark simplicity. The quiet dignity of Haime’s final act — the whispered Kaddish, the desperate hope to cheat fate — is gut-wrenching. The name Haime itself, echoing the Hebrew Chaim (חַיִּים), meaning “life,” adds a profound layer of tragic irony and hope. Paired with that image, it’s a powerful reminder of unimaginable cruelty and the resilience of memory. Thank you for sharing something so solemn and profound.
Regards,
Rolph

Comment is about HAIME (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Good morning Yanma,
There’s a haunting truth in your words, Yanma. The way you weave love, loss, and silence into that “forgotten melody” really struck a chord with me. Holding on to someone in a song never played aloud—such a powerful image of quiet pain and memory. Thank you for sharing this.
Regards,
Rolph

Comment is about Forgotten Melody (blog)

Original item by Yanma Hidayah

Holden,
These few lines say so much. The image of rusted playgrounds and felled olive trees—symbols of innocence and peace—speaks volumes. That final line lands like a gut punch. “Insane” doesn’t just describe the war, but the fact that it still happens at all. Stark, powerful writing.
Regards,
Rolph

Comment is about Insane. (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

Thanks for the like Hugh.

Is there an argument which supports the angst being worthwhile?

David RL Moore

Comment is about Harm (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Good morning Marla,
This one quietly pierces. That reaching for something already gone — trying to win approval from the past — is such a deeply human ache. The ghost’s smile, almost indifferent, makes it all the more haunting. You captured that emotional loop so simply, so precisely. Beautiful work.
Take care,
Rolph

Comment is about The Ghost Smiles (blog)

Original item by Marla Joy

Naomi, this piece has such a gentle, grounded power. I love how you move from the individual to the collective — from breath and thread to soil and shelter. That phrase, “we are the how,” really stayed with me. It reframes connection not as something passive, but something lived and made through what we do for each other. Beautifully human, beautifully said.
Regards,
Rolph

Comment is about THE HOW IN US (blog)

Original item by Naomi

To Red:
Red, thanks for reading and for the layered reflection. I really appreciate your take on the imagery — especially your insight into the generational undertones. That perspective brought something new to my own view of the piece.
Cheerio,
Rolph

To Uilleam:
Uilleam, thank you for your thoughts — “Ladderism” is a striking term, and sadly, it fits all too well. You captured a tension I was circling around. Glad the poem sparked something.
Regards,
Rolph

Comment is about Bitter Heights (blog)

Original item by Rolph David

To Yanma, Red Brick, Graham, Uilleam, Stephen, Aisha, Reggie’s Ghost, and Manish —
Thank you all for liking Beyond The Midas Touch. It’s heartening to know this piece found a moment of connection with each of you. Whether through a quiet nod or a thoughtful comment, your support helps the words reach a little further. I'm truly grateful.
Kind regards,
Rolph

Comment is about Beyond The Midas Touch (blog)

Original item by Rolph David

Hello Uilleam,
Your comment hit with surprising clarity. Thank you very much for it. That image of the monkeys reaching for the bananas and refusing to let go is such a perfect metaphor for the themes I was wrestling with. It captures the essence of desire outpacing wisdom — the grip that costs us freedom. I’m grateful you took the time to engage so succinctly and insightfully. That one line said a lot.
Regards,
Rolph

Comment is about Beyond The Midas Touch (blog)

Original item by Rolph David

To Marla Joy:
Marla, thank you so much for your kind words — it means a lot that this piece resonated with you. I especially appreciate you saying the struggle here “has a life of its own” — that’s exactly the strange irony I was hoping to catch: the paralysis that still somehow breathes. I’m honoured this one became a favourite for you.
Regards,
Rolph

To Red Brick Keshner:
Red Brick, your words struck me — “the stump” and “the undocumented demise of Rimbaud’s poetic pen” feel hauntingly apt. Yes, the blank page can become that relentless chisel, and too often the break is silent, unnoticed. Thank you for reading into the quiet anguish here — your response brought a deeper echo to the piece.
Regards,
Rolph

To Graham Sherwood:
Graham, thank you for your honest and very relatable take — there’s real wisdom in separating the act of creation from the act of editing. I admire that free flow you describe — toast and coffee as editing tools feels wonderfully sane. I might just borrow that method next time I catch myself wrestling mid-sentence.
Regards,
Rolph

And again a huge "thank you" to Naomi and Holden!

Comment is about First Sentence (blog)

Original item by Rolph David

As Marla has already noted, you capture our plight well. Personally I never edit while I write, there's no time it just spills out. Editing comes with a coffee and a piece of toast. It's a luxury.

Comment is about First Sentence (blog)

Original item by Rolph David

Perhaps in some fashion and some parallelism to Thomas Chatterton’s work. 🌷🕊🙏🏻

Comment is about The Folger Shakespeare Forgeries (blog)

Original item by leonidas kazantheos

Oh these are the writing moments that chisel away at the stump… I’ve seen it break the writer as well. Brings to mind the undocumented demise of Rimbaud’s poetic pen. 🌷🕊🙏🏻

Comment is about First Sentence (blog)

Original item by Rolph David

Thanks @Marla_Joy 🌷🕊🙏🏻 and in another angle of view it could also be the reverse, the de-animification of the person. So glad you had fun with this poem. Have an excellent weekend🌷😊

Comment is about so, i’m not yer cuppa tea (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

Thank you very much, Stephen, your kind comment means a lot! 😊

Comment is about Insane. (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

Very effective Haiku, Holden.

Comment is about Insane. (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

Thanks for likes: Yanma Hidayah, Stephen W, Red Brick Keshner, hugh & Holden. 👍

Comment is about How Long Is Forever (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Andy,

Impact in just a few words.

Marla

Comment is about Face in the Crowd (blog)

Original item by Andy N

RBK,

This is fantastic. 😉 I love the way you personify the bottle of rum, and speak so candidly and bring the liquor to life with imagery.

Marla

Comment is about so, i’m not yer cuppa tea (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

Yanma,
This is such a nice touch. There is just enough imagery to express the love, yet still allow it to be a mystery. Well done.

Marla

Comment is about Forgotten Melody (blog)

Original item by Yanma Hidayah

Rolph,
You bring to life what we all struggle with in a way that has a life of its own. This is a favorite for me.

Marla

Comment is about First Sentence (blog)

Original item by Rolph David

Mike,
I like this one best. It has a subtle power.

Marla

Comment is about Every Hack Has Their Rose (blog)

Original item by Mike McPeek

Thank you J.C. & Graham, the words of poets far greater than I!
And, probably, Uilleam. Growing up I viewed America through those rose tinted spectacles!
And, Stephen, let's Hope so!
And thanks for the 🌷everyone!

Comment is about Why I Loved America (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

@Yanma, thank you for such a deeply felt response...

Comment is about To my unborn child (A letter carried on wind and wonder)... (blog)

Original item by Keletso

@AlitaMoore, 'This thing, it’s me' is a form of acknowledgment that inner silence actually shapes our existence. Thank you for sharing such a perspective.

Comment is about Void (blog)

Original item by Alita Moore

@Keletso, your poetry feels like a warm embrace, filled with the certainty that love is more than just words. The line, 'You are not here to fulfill my unfinished songs. You are here to dance your own,' gently strikes the heart. How you allow the child to find their own melody is a wisdom that is soft yet profound, like a silent prayer that quietly grows strength within the soul. Thank you for sharing this wisdom.

Comment is about To my unborn child (A letter carried on wind and wonder)... (blog)

Original item by Keletso

Thankyou Ghost and Stephen. There’s another one in Scarborough, funnily enough.
What puzzles me is that the shadow of the postbox shows an aerial on it? Possible alien encounter?

Comment is about EDWARD VIII (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Nice sideways look, John. Didn't expect that when I saw the title.
The shadow is scary, though.

Comment is about EDWARD VIII (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you, David, you are very kind. 😊

Comment is about Elephant's Walk (blog)

Original item by Frances Macaulay Forde

.........oh, and I forgot to include a number of openly gay radio / youtube presenters, who spend much of their time denigrating ethnic minorities, entirely forgetful of the discrimination their own predecessors suffered for their sexuality.

Comment is about Bitter Heights (blog)

Original item by Rolph David

There is one in my town but I won't say where it is as I don't want Northerners coming down to gawp at it!

lol

Comment is about EDWARD VIII (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Quite right, Uilleam. There are many VR letter boxes (many more than EVIII).

Comment is about EDWARD VIII (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks William. I've always wondered how this could be true as well.

Comment is about Twists and Turns (blog)

Original item by Mike McPeek