It begs the question about HOW prejudice is formed and
it is this conundrum that besieges succeeding generations.
All of us are prejudiced in one form or another - to deny it
is simply self-delusion. The answer is individual and needs
individual courage to confront it. When we talk of it now, we slot it into fashionable categories - class, sexuality, wealth, even health. The crowd mentality is not strange,
it is visible throughout the natural world, usually as a form
of self-protection. In human terms, it becomes inhuman
when there is NO threat and it is used for power-play, a
means of cruelty of the "I'm better than you" variety.
Children know that game only too well - and, sadly, many
who grow into adulthood take than mentality with them - and they, in turn, pass it on to their offspring.
It knows no national boundaries and
becomes active when the "balance"
of what is familiar is perceived to be
disturbed (under threat?). And so
it goes on.

Comment is about The Wall of Prejudice (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Hi Ray!

Spot on as usual - very sad but loved it - liked the hesitating recording too.

Jennifer

Comment is about ARCANA (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Lovely poem - very appropriate metaphor which as Hazel says works all the way through. Jennifer

Comment is about A TIDAL RELATIONSHIP (blog)

Original item by David Subacchi

Janey,
Thank you for these words which will echo amongst us all.
Bless you
Keith

Comment is about To all you writers and poets out there (blog)

Original item by Janey Colbourne

Thank you all

Comment is about Hold on tight, it’s a rocky ride (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

How cool is that?!!

Thanks for the link, Janey,

Rachel

Comment is about To all you writers and poets out there (blog)

Original item by Janey Colbourne

Thanks Pat ?

Comment is about The Last Shanty (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Colin and Pat,

Thank you for your comments. This poem and the previous one have been inspired by recent events in my life, where prejudice has reared its head yet again, but I am no stranger to it. My partner and I will cope as always.
Thank your both
Keith

Comment is about The Wall of Prejudice (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thanks Colin. I'll take one please. No need to wrap.
Also enjoyed the Kate Bush Big Sky you posted for Graham.

Comment is about Autobiography (seems to be a theme on WOL at the moment) (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Bugga he's gone and found me
Leiden cycling Brian
No matter where he tootles to
I can't escape for trying

The question I do ask
Do I really want escape?
The answer that comes back to me
Is no please Brian, don't escape

I did not realise
That you're in hi-tech world
Yours may have all flash-bangy things
My phone's antique (and knurled)

Your so-called 'scape has left me
Rearranging future posts
The cat away was mouse-time play
Oh bugga, oh bugga, oh bugga

D?

Comment is about Brian Has Gone A'Cycling (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Hi Keith, very much enjoying your recent work which comes from such an open heart. These poems reminded me of the title of George Michael's album 'Listen Without Prejudice' which seems somewhat appropriate. Hope you have a great weekend. C?L.

Comment is about The Wall of Prejudice (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

something for the weekend Hazel - hope it's a good one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpjRdj9DYqk

Comment is about Autobiography (seems to be a theme on WOL at the moment) (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Graham - the maker of dreams? She is the fairies midwife, and she comes in shape no bigger than an agate stone on the forefinger of an alderman.

Comment is about Autobiography (seems to be a theme on WOL at the moment) (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Don, you've mentioned the naked mud roll in several of your comments - it obviously appeals, so just go do it. I don't know about the quality of the mud down under. Here we get a lot of rain so mud is in plentiful supply. Health and Safety requires you to take a friend in case you get into trouble - sinking mud, snakes, poisonous frogs etc it's best done in the middle of an electric storm for maximum excitement. If you can't find anywhere locally, perhaps you could set up your own little enterprise? Send me a commission after youve made your first million.

Comment is about Autobiography (seems to be a theme on WOL at the moment) (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Hi Don - there's no escaping me...we have these things on this side of the world called mobile phones...yes, phones you can actually carry, no wires. Anyway, you can also do the interweb thingy on them, even here in Leiden in the Netherlands.

Thanks for featuring me in your latest poem.

Comment is about Brian Has Gone A'Cycling (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Very reminiscent of the Queen Mab soliloquy in R&J but in reverse?

Comment is about Autobiography (seems to be a theme on WOL at the moment) (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

short and sweet.

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by Zulfa Snyders

was very sweet

Comment is about ARCANA (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Hey Don,
Thanks for your comment, but that's not what it was about. I was not touching "the thought". No such thing. If you read the whole poem, please think and try to understand. And if not, well, I wish I could tell you what it means.?

Comment is about A. Jade (poet profile)

Original item by A. Jade

You've told us quite a lot 'bout you
Hazel et-ter-idge
Do you really groove at the granny-dance club
Is this true Hazel e, ridgy didge?

You seem quite reluctant to tell me
'Bout this mud-roll thing
I've got to the part where I'm stark naked Haze
When I roll in the mud can I sing?

I'd just like to pick up on our Anya
Strong-feeler, quick-speaker, too-short-thinker
I also strong-feel, speak-too-quick and don't go over 'fore press SEND
I bait Brian, which I love (and a grammar-tinker)

Sorry to detract my comments from you
Got caught up with Anya's reveal
I thank you for telling me about how you live
And how Hazel e she does feel

D?

Dad..What?..Spider webs...What webs?...

Comment is about Autobiography (seems to be a theme on WOL at the moment) (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

You always write so well.
I loved reading this.

Comment is about The Wall of Prejudice (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

The honesty and quiet grief,and a big smile for all that made your dad so special makes this an excellent poem.
Love it!

Comment is about The Last Shanty (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hello Hazel E are you out there?
Am wondering if you've gone AWOL
I haven't heard back re my poem
And am stuck on this jolly mud-roll... ?

Comment is about You're a Mixed Bag. But I Like You (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

This poem came from a Dungeons & Dragons game and I was the dungeon master. XD lol

Comment is about Illithid//A Deal With The Halfling (blog)

Original item by Mikey V Kinsey

Really enjoyed reading this, David. A metaphor that worked all the way through without being forced at any point.

Comment is about A TIDAL RELATIONSHIP (blog)

Original item by David Subacchi

Darren, paint your toe nails, it's a great secret to have, like wearing red knickers, or having a tattoo where no-one can see it.

Comment is about Autobiography (seems to be a theme on WOL at the moment) (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

You can find more of my poetry including performance videos here in Write Out Loud and on line, simply by searching on SUBACCHI POET.

Comment is about A TIDAL RELATIONSHIP (blog)

Original item by David Subacchi

And like again!!!

Comment is about Illithid//A Deal With The Halfling (blog)

Original item by Mikey V Kinsey

What a valuable article this is. Top tips from a top poet. Come on, let's have more of you entering poetry competitions. And do please write (an article) about how it feels to enter, and win, or not.

Comment is about A Gamble Worth Taking: Entering Poetry Competitions (article)

Original item by Mike Took

Wonderful stuff, Damon. Some of those lines could be used to write a damn good song. Should be.

Comment is about 'Cafe Blues / space cowboy poem' by Damon Blackery is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Mike Took

Yes Patrick it's precious and yet so beautiful and my son will always be wrapped in my arms while holding on tight and never letting my son go because he is my heart, my joy but it's sad because he is spreading his wing's to fly the nest to achieve more in his life but his mama will always be there day or night to protect him and guide him and also catch him when he falls or if he falls because that's a mother's love for her son... And also my son has a twin sister to but all my children are my heart and world without them I think I would go cuckoo lol... Because all my children are young adults now building a life for their future but this mama bear is always here for them all and let me thank you for reading it and leaving a nice comment on it! Please have a great day and take care of yourself Patrick... Until we chat again...

Comment is about Holding Your Tiny Hands {Cody} (blog)

Original item by Chiari Warrior Soldier

Amazingly done Hazel what nice twist to this piece! ??

Comment is about Mothers Pride (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Thank you Hazel ettridge yes I do to because it makes a different visual to this piece and let me thank you for reading it leaving good feedback on it!

Comment is about Fear~Fear (blog)

Original item by Chiari Warrior Soldier

Great Hazel.

I love the last 4 lines especially.

I just paid a man to decorate our house, and I am a menace with a drill..

I don’t paint my toe nails, but that doesn’t mean I may not do so some time....

Cheers.

DJB

Comment is about Autobiography (seems to be a theme on WOL at the moment) (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Hazel,
Thank you for this poem as I now have the most personal portrait of you. I read it perched on the arm of my sofa, but when I reached the last four lines I nearly fell off with strangulated suspense. The line, ¨let spiders keep their webs ¨sums up my partner when blitzing the sitting room. I so enjoyed this and thank you again.
Keith

Comment is about Autobiography (seems to be a theme on WOL at the moment) (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Thanks Hazel. Yeh, was for my lovely Dad, who finally got his full Naval Committal a couple of weeks ago ? My grand-dad's was at the same spot too, 40-odd years ago.

Comment is about The Last Shanty (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Laura, just realised the personal nature of this (after reading Ian's comment). What a beautiful tribute.

Comment is about The Last Shanty (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Thanks Hazel - I'm very pleased it has that feel, that's what I was aiming for.

Ian - thank you - I hope he would. So many things I wish I could tell him, show him. The idea of a last shanty wouldn't leave me alone, and kind of helps me to think about him, about them all, out there. Cheers! ?

Comment is about The Last Shanty (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

i love the image of faith as a pillow.

Comment is about Fear~Fear (blog)

Original item by Chiari Warrior Soldier

Hallelujah to that again and again and again

Comment is about Fear~Fear (blog)

Original item by Chiari Warrior Soldier

Thankyou Darren for expressing
Words that are close to my heart
I was born not of the norm
And poetry now is my art

D?

PS I hope there are enough sane people here diverse and open-minded enough to enjoy a bit of my 'madness' every now and again

Comment is about The Wall of Prejudice (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Don,
Thanks, it has been corrected mate. Have another Tiger.
Keith

Comment is about The Wall of Prejudice (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

thanks for the comment on 'a wound that never heals' mate - yes - I feel I'm labouring the grief a bit in my writing - but it helps to get it down and share it
Ian

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Laura
IMO - best thing I've read of yours possibly EVER - it is so good - I can hear you reciting it as I read it and every word in every line is so well placed and expertly used.
He would have been very proud of this I'm certain - it speaks a universal message of loss, regret and being comforted that there is somewhere to go even beyond the end.
Loved it to bits mate
Ian

Comment is about The Last Shanty (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hazel,
Beautifully said and thank you,
Keith

Comment is about The Wall of Prejudice (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Heart breaking. Written with tenderness and a raw gentle touch.

Comment is about Biography ... (blog)

Original item by chris stevenson

Keith, I think we need all those poor boring souls who try to keep the status quo, otherwise there would be no ocean for us waves to rise up from - no evolution or progress at all.

Comment is about The Wall of Prejudice (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

I love it. It has the feel of a many times sung shanty, written of its day. In fact I was singing It In my head as I read It.

Comment is about The Last Shanty (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

I love the last line. It brings fullness to the rest of the poem.

Comment is about Butterfly poem/11 (blog)

Original item by Nicola Byrnes

David, Hazel and Anya,
Thank you for your comments and support. It is being amongst people such as your good selves that encourages me to write and do so openly. You are a great bunch and I love you all.
Keith

Comment is about Cast into outer Darkness (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries