That was good Hazel. Excellent rhyming ?

Comment is about Life before death? 1 and 2 (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Love this, Hazel.

Jon

Comment is about Life before death? 1 and 2 (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Practice makes perfect. I'll get the next round.

Comment is about I need to relax! (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Stunning. That last line is genius.

Comment is about portfolio--modern treatise/old idea (blog)

Original item by nunya

Thanks all for the kind comments and likes, I wrote that when for maybe the millionth time in my life, I was trying to relax!

Fred

Comment is about I need to relax! (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Thanks for your like on Insanity Comes Calling Part Two Keith.

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

I was so pleased that Mark Sheeky had included our
W O L poetry to be put along side his surrealism art paintings.

When talking to him he said he had started writing poems before getting into art and some of them were hidden inside some of the art work.

Thanks for your comment Big Sal it means a lot

Comment is about Insanity Comes Calling Part Two (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Golly gosh! I am seeing some sparks fly here
All this spittering and spattering around
It's good I don't take things too serious
That I live far away upside down

I too enjoy intellectual debating
But my level is a bit Aussie rough
Could do with a bit of spit and polish
Followed off with a good UK buff

Now you'll notice I always wear shades ?
Cos downunder I lie on beach with me mate
So I 'aint got much time Brian and Ferris
To fine tune-up my skills on debate

? (me relaxing on beach)

Comment is about Class warfare (blog)

Original item by Becky Who

This is a truly powerful piece of poetry Becky.. Brilliant thank you...?

Comment is about Class warfare (blog)

Original item by Becky Who

Lovely as smooth as that velvet tongue...?

Comment is about Velvet Tongue (blog)

Original item by Grape

I enjoy writing nonsense poetry Don..in fact yesterday was a prime example might post it later..who does not enjoy some lighthearted nonsense. ?

Comment is about I'm Skilling Up On This Difficult Genre (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Sounds like a plan Fred..excellent thank you ?

Comment is about I need to relax! (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Love love loveeee this! Truly amazing work

Comment is about The Romantic (blog)

Original item by David Blake

You had me at pina colada ??.

Comment is about I need to relax! (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

..to merely leave a "like" might indicate that the humor is lost on me.

Aside from saying that the final two lines cut satirically right into the heart of the matter, I have to express a certain amount of frustration at the deeper truth involved--it's frightful and terrible to witness the devolution of a man's mind. Somehow we are reared to believe that wisdom should increase with age, building upon the foundations of those we look up to--sadly, this is not always so.

As I said, it cuts right to the point, in any case.

Rachel

Comment is about The Mellow Years (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thanks to all for the feedback! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Comment is about THE PARADE (blog)

Original item by Eric James

I liked this DK a great flow and humorous too..good point we only get one chance..Thank you ?

Comment is about Chances (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Taylor, that is a great example of the hypocrisy of society.

It is repugnant that these things happen.

Comment is about FOOD CULTURE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Okay...were you writing a description of my other half? Dead ringer for him..liked this Keith brutally honest poem.?

Comment is about The Mellow Years (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Isn't it bizarre.. I live in Ireland and recently the Pope visited...the streets were cleansed of all debris.. and all the homeless, who's numbers are increasing weekly. After all we would not want to upset his sensibilities..the hypocrisy is startling.
Great piece of work Ray..?

Comment is about FOOD CULTURE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Society is messed up! Food banks and the famous!

Comment is about FOOD CULTURE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Right on Keith!

Comment is about The Mellow Years (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

"I am looking for scattered moments

with the shovel of love." Nicely said, Well Done!?

Comment is about Fool (blog)

Original item by AVISHEK GHOSH

Crazy how any single entity (food, cars, music, plants, etc.) can take its experts and knowledgeable dabblers to a different world entirely. Every job like that seems idyllic until the workplace drama/clashes begin. Whether taken literally or metaphorically, the ephemerality and ingenuity of your work always makes short work of the assumption that just because it's short, means that it is not good.

Well done Ray.
?

Comment is about FOOD CULTURE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thank you Jane grandbaby number twenty just delivered 15 mins ago...8lb 3oz ..?

Comment is about I Am a Winner (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Heartbreaking sentiment. A broken heart can always heal...it just takes time!?

Comment is about Melancholy Fever (blog)

Original item by Mikey V Kinsey

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