Taylor you are amazing and most definitely a "Winner"!
I take my hat off to you! You are a Super Grandma and an awesome poet!

God Bless all those grandchildren!!!??

Comment is about I Am a Winner (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Honest and hopeful, a heartwarming poem!
Love strikes when we least expect it!??

Comment is about This heart (blog)

Original item by Genevieve

Now now Ferris...I didn't say that as you rightly know. My point was that it wouldn't take many poor choices on my part to find myself in a much poorer position financially, which in itself then leads to poorer health, lower self esteem etc.

But I don't want this to get into a spat between us and detract from Becky's excellent poem and her subsequent excellent argument on the ultra rich.

Comment is about Class warfare (blog)

Original item by Becky Who

Much respect Peter for this epic journey from fact to fantasy if I may say that. There is a thread albeit a circuitous one and we do well to hold the handrail for the ride. As always, your mind unrolls like a pageant, with a definite flare for examination of themes.

A pleasant change from some of the more direct work we see. I enjoyed your poem at Waterstones the other night. Congratulations.

Ray

Comment is about LEAVING A WAKE (blog)

Original item by Peter Taylor

Thank you Rose..yep 20th grandchild is in transit as I write I have just taken delivery of another three to mind whilst mum brings their little sister into the world. They have three boys so will be delighted

Comment is about I Am a Winner (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Big Sal,

Thank you for taking time to read this article and I value your comments.

Keith

Comment is about Poetry & The Great War, a series: 3 The Battle of the Somme (article)

Original item by Mike Took

Thank you, Rose ?

Comment is about Peace, love and understanding have left the building (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

" the fountain of creation shall never die "

-not if I've got anything to do with it, Mae!


cheers for this piece dude.




Rose ?

Comment is about A Rhyming Idea (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

the battle for equality is at best in a dodgy state, but it ain't over yet......


REJOICE!


good piece of pulpitting' Becky!



Rose ?

Comment is about Class warfare (blog)

Original item by Becky Who

twentieth grandchild!!!!? it's a wonder you have the time to pick your nose let alone write poems-serve meals-chat on messenger!

what are you on Taylor, and where can I get some?

more power to your pen girl!



Rose ?

Comment is about I Am a Winner (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Gosh! What our theme has produced here
Quite a winners and losers display
Of serious and varying opinions
Everyone having their say

You know I am very light-hearted
And like adding fun to the sight
And cos Brian has not done his fun bit
I'll say good piece Bec, and goodnight

yawn... ?

Comment is about Class warfare (blog)

Original item by Becky Who

Hello Martin, thank you for your comment on my SIX WORD STORY. I myself feel too much of peoples pain, sometimes I wish I could turn it off. Sorry it took so long to thank you. I have been lax with getting back to comments.

Thank You
Shirley

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

good stuff Jonno!






Rose ?

Comment is about Peace, love and understanding have left the building (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

Thank you Taylor also for the comment on my poem WINTER. Someone asked how I came up with this. I think it's because I have been watching a lot of scary movies, LOL! it is the season.

Thank you also for your comment on my poem BROKEN EGG SHELLs, I have been lax about responding to my comments.

Thank you,
Shirley

Comment is about Taylor Crowshaw (poet profile)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Hello Taylor, thank you for the comment on my poem SHIRLEY. I just keep trying and going.

Thanks,
Shirley

Comment is about Taylor Crowshaw (poet profile)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Hello M.C., thank you for your comment on my poem SHIRLEY. I do keep plugging along. As Dory the fish from from FINDING NEMO, "Just keep swimming."

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Rant alert:

Brian, I agree of course that wealth is relative. I could complain about my teacher’s salary when compared to IT specialists, bankers or the entry-level salary of the student engineers I teach. But it’s more than folk earn cleaning the street, emptying the bins or nursing the sick – all essential but unfortunately non-revenue-generating jobs. Perhaps I don’t make it clear in the poem, but I’m talking about the 1%, the ones that got richer off the financial crisis, the ones buying the luxury goods that are the principal (if not the only) industries to have grown since the financial crisis, the ones profiting from privatising the NHS and suchlike.

The way I see it, when one is unhappy for WHATEVER reason, be it poverty or something else, it takes great strength of character to resist the temptation of temporary quick fixes in order to block the stress, the noise or misery in one’s head, the discomfort of one’s situation – quick fixes such as drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, gambling. SOME rich people will be afflicted with unhappiness for whatever reason, and be unable to resist these traps too, but they (often) have the resources and the network both to indulge easily and subsequently cover their tracks, get the help they need and clear up their mess. I suspect it’s probably also easier to find that necessary strength of character when one is surrounded in comfort and supportive people, well-educated perhaps, and with easy access to necessary therapies and whatnot. Poorer folk, I feel, are much less likely to have these things. And as you say, someone is also getting rich off the suffering of others, flogging them the drugs, the cigarettes and the scratchcards, having with the other hand (directly or indirectly) cut the access to free healthcare, cut education, and taken away their jobs by outsourcing them somewhere cheaper. They are at least in part responsible for creating the “need” they then could claim to fulfil. And my guess is they also fund the media that manage to turn the story around and portray things in such a way that some people feel able to blame the poor for being their own worst enemies.
I’m sure there are some so-called self-made men that are to be admired and congratulated for raising themselves so high having started so low. But this is also relative: a few years ago I saw a BBC interview with the owner of a well-known sushi chain, where they asked him what he thought of some recently-announced increase to taxes businesses would pay (it was under Labour). His response was “it’s not fair, the government didn’t make my money, I did” – a response which quite frankly had me wanting to hurl things at my friend’s TV. So his customers magically appear in his restaurants, without using the roads paid for through taxes? And when one of his restaurants catches fire, Mr self-made sushi-superman will not be calling on government-funded fire services? It almost makes me want to call him that word you hate so much.

Sorry for the rant. Yes I’m sure some poor people are responsible for their situation, or are benefits frauds or whatever. But it is nothing in comparison to the fraud committed by the tax-dodging 1%, with the politicians in their pockets.

Comment is about Class warfare (blog)

Original item by Becky Who

Great!! Wonderful piece, Becky.

Comment is about Class warfare (blog)

Original item by Becky Who

Thank's Anya

Comment is about Melancholy Fever (blog)

Original item by Mikey V Kinsey

Great poem, the cordite line aided the imagery well.

Informative article as well.

Comment is about Poetry & The Great War, a series: 3 The Battle of the Somme (article)

Original item by Mike Took

I never win, Taylor. I just make sure the other guy always loses.?

Comment is about I Am a Winner (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

I once watched a play that an old friend starred in years ago, and I had gone with my school on a field trip to the theater.

I still remember how much pissing and moaning my classmates did leading up to those doors, and how much they talked and shared positive thoughts about it once they left.

Sometimes we never know until we try something new, or something tried and true.

Great follow-up Nigel.

Comment is about Insanity Comes Calling Part Two (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

I'm sure the top 1% enjoy telling themselves that their shit smells like roses, and that they are self-made men. That's like me joining the military, coming back home, and telling everyone I won the war by myself. Team efforts are rarely rewarded unless we're talking nepotism.

Great piece Becky. Last line was the best.

All the money in the world can't cure death though. Karma is definitely a bitch when it comes back around to collect.
?

Comment is about Class warfare (blog)

Original item by Becky Who

A political edge to this Becky which always takes my interest. It's always a moot point...who are the rich and who are the poor? It always has to be relative to something else. Am I rich? Well I'm richer than a lot of people, but on the other hand I live within my means and don't waste money on cigarettes, booze, betting, scratch cards and drugs. Big companies take advantages of these weaknesses in people, but are they to blame for poverty? They would claim they're providing a need. Aren't the poor their own worst enemy?

Good piece Becky.

Comment is about Class warfare (blog)

Original item by Becky Who

Thanks a lot for your inspiring comments.It always gives me a sea joy to hear from you.Thanks again.

Comment is about Murky (blog)

Original item by AVISHEK GHOSH

Eric,

This poem incorporates philosophy with optimism all the hallmarks of a good poem. I look forward to reading more of your work.

Thank you

Keith

Comment is about THE PARADE (blog)

Original item by Eric James

Thank you Brian, what a lovely age 6 months just starting to discover everything..they are an absolute joy, and the bonus is you can hand them back....xx

Comment is about I Am a Winner (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

You've passed the pressure test with flying colours Taylor!

I'm in the same position as you this morning though to a lesser extent...looking after my 6 month old grandaughter...not a chore though, we love it. She's too young for chicken dinner though.

Comment is about I Am a Winner (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

You are too kind Don thank you...Actually I was writing it whilst feeding the grandkids..chatting on messenger to another daughter in the process of giving birth to my 20th grandchild....chasing a huge crazy dog around the kitchen and generally tearing my hair out......great fun it certainly keeps me young in body and mind....xx

Comment is about I Am a Winner (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Got a nice flow, lovely rhythm and rhyme..quite lyrical in places..thoroughly enjoyed it..thank you..?

Comment is about THE PARADE (blog)

Original item by Eric James

This poem Taylor sounds like it's inspired
Like many of mine are, also too
While sitting on that seat of poetic inspiration
The one we poets do call the loo

You hung on, then you had a vision (hallelujah)
A vision that you would succeed
And while under this hypnotic vision
You came, joined the speed-rhymers breed

From simply quite out of thin air
You appeared on the scene, can I enter?
In this week's rhyme theme winning/losing
End up winning and taking stage centre ?

Comment is about I Am a Winner (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Poignant poem. Agree with every word....?

Comment is about Fall (blog)

Original item by Andrea Lee

Thank you all again for the latest response to this poem for which I am most grateful. The ignorant are those most guilty of being bigoted and prejudiced which only goes to show what fine human beings you all are.

Thank you again

Keith

Comment is about Old and Gay (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thank you Rachel!

Comment is about The Journey (blog)

Original item by Xoanxo

KJ I'm also puzzled
And also worried too
Brian should have alliterated
And followed suit like you

Indeed I dared a demanding duel
Which bashful Brian said bother
Weak excuse of Non-Allit Day
I've gotta read another

I think he's met his match KJ
He's floundering in the forest
And so tied up with Brexit things
And keeping up with Boris ?

Comment is about Again and Again and Again (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Don daringly demand a duel
Brian, being bashful bodyswerved
How has this happened

Comment is about Again and Again and Again (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Great rhyme, great message, great poem!?

Comment is about WINNERS & LOSERS - Saturday rhyme time (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Don...if only they had adopted this policy in your day!

Only joking, you're a winner whatever the pass mark.

Comment is about Lower the Pass Mark -Sorted (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Well said!?

Comment is about Lower the Pass Mark -Sorted (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Very well constructed poem and so true. Thank you M.C. ?

Comment is about WINNERS & LOSERS - Saturday rhyme time (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Good poem content is so true Don..enjoyed it very much..?

Comment is about Lower the Pass Mark -Sorted (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Good stuff Mark. I love IF. I particularly like Mike Bassett England Manager who had it framed on his wall for inspiration but the framer ran out of space and the last line became ' and which is more you'll be a mason'

Comment is about WINNERS & LOSERS - Saturday rhyme time (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hi Keith
Yet again another brave and candid piece of writing.
I hate to see prejudice of any type, and do try to speak up, and correct the ignorant whenever I witness it.
Attitudes are changing, but bigots will always exist. They'll just seek out other groups to express their venum upon.

The only thing that I would take issue with in this poem is the title. I don't see 70 as being old.

Cheers Kevin

Comment is about Old and Gay (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Well written and said MC ?

Comment is about WINNERS & LOSERS - Saturday rhyme time (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Loving the multi-syllabic rhyming. Not that much on here, so for a hip-hop head like myself it's a refreshing treat.

All the pieces you've put up so far have it.?

Comment is about THE PARADE (blog)

Original item by Eric James

This would fit in perfectly for the articles Keith has been doing on the front page lately.

Great imagery and piece.?

Comment is about THE PLACE WHERE ONLY DEAD MEN SLEEP (blog)

Original item by Daniel Dwyran

I can't quite name it as you have, but I feel a great similitude with this...

the vagabond within really shows through quite beautifully, even if somewhat pitiful in his solitude.

Rachel

Comment is about The Journey (blog)

Original item by Xoanxo

Let your value to others lift your spirits when they are low -
and the blues are more black in effect! Balance is there
to be sought - medically or otherwise, so keep seeking the consolation of commitment to finding reward, however modest, in each day and with each deed. ?

Comment is about Shirley (blog)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

Excellent words!
Thank you!?

Comment is about Before the dawn (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

thanks Big Sal.

Yeah, bit of a change in style this one. (:

Comment is about A.I. Graveyard (blog)

Original item by Andy N