Written to the 'official' prompt today. This is a villanelle form, incorporates a line from an external source (Reviewing The Situation from Oliver - line italicised), and it's certainly about opposing views.

Comment is about The Big Question (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

Here's a word of difference
It's not democracy but it's true -
You can vote yours in
And vote them out
But we can't do that in the EU!

Comment is about No Brexit Here. We Got No Problems (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

The common thread - portrayed pointedly in this blog - is that the
the default system employs the word "sorry" when brought to book.
Somehow, it never features as the deed is being committed. How
interesting that politicians employ the same behaviour pattern!

Comment is about Crime Story (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Readily able to picture the scene. A magpie is a handsome bird but
has the sinister nickname "butcher bird". Maybe the squirrel was
aware of this reputation.

Comment is about Fight! Fight! (blog)

Original item by Chris Armstrong

Graham - seen and noted, thanks.
Don - I suspected as much. A bit like dog poo on the shoe!
Brian - ?!!

Comment is about Festung America ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Brilliant - both the concept and the construction! I love the poem as a wonderful piece of writing and as a journey.
"As if to block out real grief by seeking abstract pain"
Wow! that's the power of poetry.
A well deserved POTW!

Comment is about The Write Out Loud Poem of the Week is 'Lie With Poetry' by Becky Who (article)

Original item by Stuart Buck

This lovely poem reaches out and touches home. Thank you

Comment is about The Write Out Loud Poem of the Week is 'Lie With Poetry' by Becky Who (article)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thanks Jennifer. It seems from the comments that the ladies have an equal appreciation for the atmosphere of spaces like this. My wife does not share it, due to insect invasions! I'm glad that you approve in your welcome style. Chuffed with this poem all round !

Ray

Comment is about THE RECKONING (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks to both. Yes, it is a Shakespearean sonnet. Or at least, my attempt at one. The rhyming and meter broadly comply. You make up your own mind about the content.?

Comment is about Summer’s Day (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

The maiden would be impressed

Yes it does sound a bit sonnetified. Can you help Laura and me out?

Comment is about Summer’s Day (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

? So many great lines in this, I love the shushing waves.

The Oh zone ?

Comment is about Getting In (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

Oh I love this one Trev! I am so ignorant though - is it a sonnet?

Comment is about Summer’s Day (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

To be in love with poetry as you describe is a seductive idea Becky and the parallels between the satisfaction of expression and the sharing or voicing of it hold up - however the old cynic here says that it can also be a rocky ride! Thought provoking stuff, and very nicely turned in its rhythmic phrasing. Congratulations on the top spot.

Ray

Comment is about The Write Out Loud Poem of the Week is 'Lie With Poetry' by Becky Who (article)

Original item by Stuart Buck

A common enough story
'Twas he made me do it
I'm now asking court
For an obvious acquit ?

Comment is about Crime Story (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Although it's just a ditty
Thrown together guv
There's lots of depth and meaning here
And interactive love

Forgive my ditty comment Beck
Seems carried 'way I got
A blemish which I must address
This blemish have I lot ?

Comment is about To someone who somehow knows (blog)

Original item by Becky Who

Who can blame us all for being cynical?
Dorothy

Comment is about No Brexit Here. We Got No Problems (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

thanks for your comment on "Ghost Town".
I appreciate your reading it.
As much fun as writing it.

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

Very good Ian

Comment is about The Parable Of The Wolf And The Lamb (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

if you wish to post you must log in
if your log IS a post
do not.

(I don't know, it just came to me.)

Comment is about Don Matthews (poet profile)

Original item by Don Matthews

thanks for the kind comments on 'In Memoriam' Ray - yes, I guess we all reach that point in life where we are losing friends and relatives more frequently. I'm glad that NaPoWriMo has kick started me back on WOL again - I had 3 or 4 months off doing other creative stuff - but this has given me a much needed kick up the backside to get writing again.
Glad you liked it mate
Ian

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

thanks for your kind comments on 'In Memoriam' Jennifer - I really appreciate you takingt he time to comment - and I'm pleased you liked it
Ian

Comment is about Jennifer Malden (poet profile)

Original item by Jennifer Malden

Unfortunately this is the type of social profile that is likely to suffer further, even more than most in the fallout of the economic chaos that is being and will be caused by Brexit. It won't be the toffs at the top either way.

Comment is about Why Brexit? (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Thanks, Dorothy. Glad you were able to get home. Cheers.

Comment is about The Distinct Challenges of Hyperfocus (blog)

Original item by Randy Horton

You'd think that MPs, after years of ripping off the taxpayer by claiming inflated expenses, would have some shame. But no - they're determined on subverting the decision made by 17.4 million electors to leave the EU. So direct democracy, just like representative democracy, is meaningless. The House of Commons bears a very heavy responsibility for denying the will of the people.

Comment is about Why Brexit? (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

And it looks like they're going to get shafted again John

Comment is about Why Brexit? (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Hi Phil, thanks so much for commenting my "Lie with Poetry". I've been reading some of your poems - your writing hits hard and keeps it real, I really admire and appreciate that. Looking forward to reading more and exchanging more.

Comment is about mentalelf. Philk. (poet profile)

Original item by mentalelf. Philk.

Hi Ray, thanks for commenting on "How to be a terrible parent", your thoughtful feedback is appreciated as always. How come I missed before the fact that you were a professional musician? (I'm a failed professional musician).

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

Sadly and hauntingly descriptive - each line a poem in it's self - so beautiful.
Dorothy

Comment is about In Memoriam (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

cheers both.

i will take incestuous, disturbing sacrificial rite!

i cant think of higher praise

Comment is about i am made of water and so are you (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thanks Dorothy like yeah!

Phil, am I just an old cynic! like to think I am like.

Frances, thanks for like looking in. I always get steamed up when I hear this American import and how it attracts the hard of thinking.

Hi Jennifer, yes, that's the good news isn't it. Well you have to make things work if you can, like.

Jon and Whiskey appreciate your likes!

Ray

Comment is about NO ARGUMENT (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Very moving this Phil. It's brave to put down such personal feelings and try to share it; and although mercifully I don't have the ups and downs to this extent there is still a the threat of it lurking and removing a sense of worth and cause. I have long considered that there is actually no such state of mind as normal, only that which is the ideal, the haunt of liars and con men.

I have found that a listener can be a healer so often.

Ray

Comment is about Manic Depression (blog)

Original item by mentalelf. Philk.

At last something I can comment upon Jennifer in return for all your support! Completely captivating trip like a miniature of the mind with every step traceable in delight. Right from the off I imagined a similar outcome; hovering between a gothic miasma and the magic of children.

A superb vignette of a poem.

Ray x

Comment is about The little girl (blog)

Original item by Jennifer Malden

I always like to read your ghost town stuff - we in the UK can't encounter it first hand so the authentic experience comes through your eyes. Appreciated!

Ray

Comment is about Ghost Town (blog)

Original item by d.knape

I recognize this scenario only too well for comfort Ian. A standard issue setting for the concentration of useless questioning and a bleak acceptance of the human condition. A very effective piece of writing and it's so good to see you on here.

Ray

Comment is about In Memoriam (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Randy - Loved this one.

I've 'been there, seen it, done it'
I got lost in a large stand of Holly trees in a large wood when I was looking for fungus to photograph, I did not check where I was going and had to phone my husband for directions home.

Dorothy

Comment is about The Distinct Challenges of Hyperfocus (blog)

Original item by Randy Horton

Don... Totally agree with the thought

Poem without the frills of rhyme seems a bit faded..
Rhyme infuses life, leaving not a single layer look jaded..

Comment is about I Thought I'd Go Put (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

I feel quite hurt that Sal hasn't targetted me.

Comment is about Festung America ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Beautiful writing - very sad - and the choice of words makes one see and feel the damp grey sadness and melancholy of a graveyard. Liked 'replacing ice water where once flowed blood', especially. Not one unnecessary word.

Jennifer

Comment is about In Memoriam (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

So good my friend. Perfect rhythm and rhyme

Comment is about Ghost Town (blog)

Original item by d.knape

MC Remember you were the lone fighter who was game enough to enter the ring with me against Big Sal. This put both of us in his 'get back' book.. After being banned from WOL he continues to re-birth as another entity sending 'f___k you's' to my personal box. We keep hoping he'll run out of steam but no luck yet. Just let Graham know if one arrives.

Don

Comment is about Festung America ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

I am a secret dreamer
At times up in the clouds
I'll witty stay and Mitty be
With rhyme I am endowed

Now some can't seem to stoop
An' understand my stuff
I guess it's pretty complex
Maybe they think it's guff?

Dunno ?

Comment is about I Thought I'd Go Put (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

MCN I am afraid your favourite poet was no more than yet another manifestation of Big Sal. I have deleted his profile (one of many) but cannot of course see into member's in-boxes. I am sorry you were inconvenienced.

Graham

Comment is about Festung America ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

I'll raise my tankard

Cheers!

Comment is about I Thought I'd Go Put (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

In poetical terms I hope you stay
A diverting "Walter Mitty",
Free to choose your own wordplay,
But please continue to be witty!

Comment is about I Thought I'd Go Put (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

I've received a message in my WOL inbox from someone referring to themselves as "Your Favourite Poet" accusing me of being "a "dumb f..k" (basic street level American wordplay)
for "defending Trump". Really, I thought I was commenting on
his reasons via his electoral vows as to why he acts as he does
as president of his country under his promise "America First".

Comment is about Festung America ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Unfortunately, it's a political reality that they, the politicians, seek votes from those they think will support their promised "agendas".
Thus, the Tories had (I had best repeat that "had" in the light of their
perceived betrayal of a national democratic vote) the support of the
established well to do and the aspiring middle-class, whereas the
Labour Party seek support of those out of the perceived
main stream of income and public "priorities" for their
status and care. As for the Liberals, I can't possibly comment! ?

Comment is about Think (blog)

Original item by Wendy Higson

I realize that my small voice is weak and insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
I am one of the people that you, and others like you, protected.

Because of you, and others like you, I am free to say what I will - walk where I will - and write what I will.
You,and others like you, are the Heroes that we depend on.
The very least that I can say is Thank You.

Dorothy

Comment is about If It Matters To You (blog)

Original item by ZTK Space

Dorothy

Free verse may be versatile
But has to have some rhythm
For it to be called poetry
Don't have to rhyme with zythum

Look up this stuff called zythum
In your dictionary
Yes, it does exist it does
I'm not kidding thee ?

Don

Comment is about I Thought I'd Go Put (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Sarah I love it wait until he sees it xxx❤️

Comment is about writing (blog)

Original item by Sarah Louise mcnee

Cheers folks re (My Bookshelf): Ray, Don, Martin and M.C.
I think I may have failed in my attampt to be ironic lol. And now I have lost the point that I was attempting to make - oh the irony of it all. ?

Tommy

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry