David, Thank you for this posting. The penultimate stanza is not only beautifully worded but so very true. Thank you indeed. Keith

Comment is about Calendars clocks and snapshots (blog)

Original item by David T Jones

Ray, Wolfgar and Keith
Your kind words overwhelm me and I'm most grateful for taking the time to express your thoughts so fully.
Please forgive me for thanking all of you in one joint message rather than individually but I am - quite frankly - humbled by your positive words.
Richard

Comment is about Memorial Day in Moscow (blog)

Original item by Richard Hartley

Well said! Thanks indeed. Keith

Comment is about . (blog)

Original item by Incognita

Richard, thank you for this sombre expose of a dark and murderous past. Poetry must increasingly be a vehicle to speak out on issues of justice. We must not content ourselves with descriptions of nature, although they have their place in this genre, but to speak out loudly and clearly to remind the world that the horrors of the past can be so easily repeated. This magnificent poem serves a valuable purpose in achieving that end. It is also worth noting that few countries can escape such scrutiny. Thank you indeed. Keith

Comment is about Memorial Day in Moscow (blog)

Original item by Richard Hartley

MC., Thank you for your comment and words of trusted wisdom. Keith

Comment is about The Twilight Years (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

It is hard Richard to deliver news like this when there is so much to complain about in the world, but this certainly ranks highly in terms of protest on a controlled and peaceful level. Countries have to deal with their monstrous leaders in retrospect, and this simple ceremony may serve a purpose by trickle effect as it were. Whether or not it resonates with today's leaders is another matter.
Thanks for posting.

Ray

Comment is about Memorial Day in Moscow (blog)

Original item by Richard Hartley

I recommend "Beyond Nab End", an account by William
Woodruff of his move from the north to London in
1933, a working class lad aged just 16 in search of his future. His progress from a docklands iron foundry to Oxford and a university education, with its political
and class associations as war approaches, is hugely
stimulating. Take his recall of comments by Sir Alfred
Zimmern, political oracle and occupant of the Montague
Burton Chair in International Relations - on the subject
of international relations.
"Moving human beings about and obtaining mutual understanding between them is, however, a problem of
an entirely different order.
Neither international socialism nor international capitalism
can bring about world unity. World systems, whether we
like it or not, go against the grain of human nature.
Those who try to build a heaven on earth fail to understand human nature."
Fascinating to realise they were stated so long ago!
As for war, WW1 happened because of the desire of the
Kaiser's Germany to rival the might of maritime Great Britain. WW2 happened because a political reaction
against the restrictions of the conditions imposed by
the Versailles Treaty became mired and corrupted by
the hate-fuelled ambitions of a German leadership
once again driven by expansionist ambitions.
It is ironic that when it is argued that the EU represents
a step towards peace, its existence is seen by the likes
of Russia as a collective threat, whilst its open border
policy elsewhere has allowed instability of an increasingly
dangerous nature to occur across the continent.
Human nature continues to be the simple problem but
the answers are becoming increasingly difficult.
The population in the UK needs no huge influx from
elsewhere to maintain its future - as long as it is able
and ALLOWED to determine that future.
P.S. Woodruff survived the war as an army major and returned to academic life, writing numerous well received books along the way.

Comment is about WAR CHILD (blog)

Original item by ken eaton-dykes

Thoughts on the future are always relevant and when
expressed as cogently as these, they have particular
resonance.
"The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence" -
are words most of us know but they move in two directions -
towards a sun-filled Shangri-la and back to a comforting
chair within reach of a cosy fire or a welcoming pub amongst the fond and familiar.
To paraphrase some older well-known lines in support of
the latter, showing that such thoughts are by no means
new:
"Go take your place among
Those who were lads when you were a lad
When all the world was young."

Comment is about The Twilight Years (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Being ugly confined my promiscuity to the hands of SS (safe sex) Madam Wrist

Comment is about Promiscuity (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Thanks Harry for your wonderfully crafted backup. Is there not time still for us codgers to cobble together some sort of veto against all this madness.

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Many thanks Keith for your comment

Yes it's a great pity people don't appreciate the many aspects that make up the bigger picture. They are unwittingly fertilizing the growth of intolerance.

Ken

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

A well put and timely reminder, Ken, of how (after a tragic and costly war) The E.U.was created to prevent the same thing happening in Europe again...Their experience that the cause of modern wars was national ambition, and their insight that prevention lay in the mixing of the industrial and commercial sectors of the various nations is now
being proved by the pathetic attempts by Davis to leave, and yet still hold on to the economic benefits of membership. It makes us look like the old idiot boy, sucking his thumb and wondering why the rest will
not play with him.

Your sections about babies is also very relevant at a time when already over thirty per cent of our kids were born - last year - to mothers who were themselves born outside the U K. and we want to send back - or stop coming in - our human stock replenishment....Talk about a whole
Nation dying of old age!

I am an admirer of the American political system, which holds together so many potentially quarreling states (and which is quite capable of controlling a maverick president) I think something along such lines may be eventually developed for Europe. ( In the meantime it seems crazy to
get out and leave Germany and France more or less in charge of one of the most powerful trading blocks in the world)

The present situation could not be described better than those final two sections of your poem (not to mention that crafty rhyming of `resurgents` with `emergence`)...Keep on giving it to them straight!

Comment is about WAR CHILD (blog)

Original item by ken eaton-dykes

Phew! Thankyou for expanding on your earlier comment, Cynthia. I feel hugely reassured!
I'm very grateful that you have taken the time to think deeply about something and then the trouble to put your thoughts out there to be read.
Very much appreciated.
Richard

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Looking forward to meeting you in Sale in November. And, no, I don't think 'drunk'; doesn't quite fit the furrowed brow theme.

Comment is about Joe Williams (poet profile)

Original item by Joe Williams

Just a comment, Richard. In no way a rebuke however gentle or delicious. The word 'orbit' came up in a comment of your own, on another poet's work, or Bio page. And it gave me pause for thought. Partly because I've been a bit sensitive to exactly your point, mulling it over a bit on my own.

I realize interchange between poets can be, or not be, totally private. Yours wasn't. So I didn't feel intrusive; I like to see what other writers have to say about certain poems, or about anything at all.

Comment is about Richard Hartley (poet profile)

Original item by Richard Hartley

Hello Keith,

Thank you for your comment on my poem. It means a lot.

Hannah

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

Ken, thank you for this masterly poem which is certainly borne out of experience and reflection. Both major conflagrations of the last century should have taught us some valuable lessons but as you say memories are short. One factor frequently overlooked today is the lack of emphasis placed on the teaching of history. As George Santayana said, ¨ Those who cannot remember the past, are doomed to repeat it ¨. Thank you indeed for this. Keith

Comment is about WAR CHILD (blog)

Original item by ken eaton-dykes

I think sixteen was about my highest break George. I blame the specs. I know that feeling of potting a long ball though. Usually followed by missing an easy next shot. Made me smile this one. Cheers, Col.

Comment is about I Potted A Long Red (blog)

Original item by George Stanworth

yes a great ending - glad to see everyone is resisting quoting Monty Python!

Comment is about The 2nd Parakeet (blog)

Original item by gavin turner

Hi Harry. Hope your safely back in your rut.

Him in North Korea wouldn't be so belligerent if you and I had international bus passes.

Comment is about ken eaton-dykes (poet profile)

Original item by ken eaton-dykes

you deserve so much better than that Lynn but I know you already know that....

Comment is about GENDERS (blog)

Original item by lynn hahn

Thanks Stu for dropping in and liking this one. It was originally based on an old man falling asleep in the wind, but I thought this treatment would have more impact so ....

Ray

Comment is about LATE SUMMER WIND (blog)

Original item by ray pool

An (as usual now) belated thanks to all.

if I ever get the patience to crack the music thing (some
hope!)...I`ll tack the (remembered) tune on to this.

Comment is about Promiscuity (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Hi, Ken,
My worlds a bit mad at the moment so only saw your comment on my prof tonight.

You are absolutely right about your deterrence effect (I always wondered how those Koreans wrought up their courage...now I know - sheer opportunism, as soon as they found out that we were demobbed)

I`ll tell you what as well... If that big fat pig in charge there now ever comes over...well slice him into a million little bits with our pension cards.

Keep the poems coming!

Comment is about ken eaton-dykes (poet profile)

Original item by ken eaton-dykes

Brilliant twist

Comment is about The 2nd Parakeet (blog)

Original item by gavin turner

Hi kevin,thanks for the comment. I used to watch Vincent Price,Christopher Lee
and Peter Cushing in the Hammer Horror films. An innocent kind of horror if there is such a thing.

Comment is about Boogeyman (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

quite brilliant ray. and that is all i have to say as it has all been covered

Comment is about LATE SUMMER WIND (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks Martin for picking up on my poems World of Wheels and She loved that Cardigan.

Glad you like them !

Ray

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

Here in America they, ignore the root cause of this violence.
They haven't learned, stay home and mind our own business.

Comment is about Humanity (blog)

Original item by steve pottinger

Thank you steve, Japanese Haiku. Early 20th century american form of ancient Basho. Father of Haiku.

Comment is about The Whale (blog)

Original item by terry l shuff

Very eloquent and the poem reaches the parts that we all feel at some stages. We need to feel connected to a greater whole. I can't subscribe to the "we'll never be good enough mantra and that we can be saved from that." We are all though addicted to life and its needs and temptations and why should the devil have all the fun.

I certainly believe we can will things to happen - another story. That must surely make us stronger and not such a burden on religion, which has enough problems of its own.

A great poem Laura.

Ray

Comment is about Congregation (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

That was an awesome turn of events!

Comment is about The 2nd Parakeet (blog)

Original item by gavin turner

Thanks Steve, glad you liked it!

Comment is about The Prettiest Girl in the Co-op (blog)

Original item by Joe Williams

Thanks Steve, glad you liked the poem. Perhaps I'll run into you at some point when I'm doing all these book gigs!

Comment is about steve pottinger (poet profile)

Original item by steve pottinger

Hello Cynthia
I’m grateful for your comment on my Profile page and appreciate the time and effort you spent in contacting me.
I have a sneaky feeling that I am having my wrist most deliciously slapped – although for the life of me I am unable to work out why!
A pleasurable experience all the same! Thankyou.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

There was always the danger of going to fast on a bend and spectacularly ending up upside down or your car not wanting to go.
Happy times.

Comment is about WORLDS ON WHEELS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

It is strange or perhaps not so strange how we become so attached to certain items , particularly clothes. Such wonderful memories you evoke here Ray with a lovely description.
Nice one

Comment is about SHE LOVED THAT CARDIGAN (blog)

Original item by ray pool

That's a great poem, Joe. All the best with the pamphlet!

Comment is about The Prettiest Girl in the Co-op (blog)

Original item by Joe Williams

An image painted so clearly, with so few words....

Comment is about The Whale (blog)

Original item by terry l shuff

I like the way this poem is presented - the inhale / exhale and time start / stopping / pausing / resuming structure accompanied by the distant sound of the train. 'My heart drops lower than my self esteem' is also a great line, the last verse a killer. Thanks for posting. Colin.

Comment is about INHALE/EXHALE (blog)

Original item by invisible

This already has the feeling of an old classic. I could just imagine Vincent Price reading it out.

Kevin

Comment is about Boogeyman (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

I like the way that you slipped in the line about the scientists, as if they were just going about their day like everyone else.
As with all your work, your own personality shines through in this, and it couldn't have been written by anyone else.

Kevin

Comment is about What we do... (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

OK new fan here! Thanks for visiting my page so I could find you!

Comment is about these winter days (blog)

Original item by steve pottinger

Glad you liked it Steve. I don't know where I came up with it. My mind has it's own free will lol. Gonna go look at your work. Lynn

Comment is about GENDERS (blog)

Original item by lynn hahn

So glad you commented on "Artists" I got to meet another artist! You took me on a fun journey! Lynn

Comment is about Daydreams and nows (blog)

Original item by David T Jones

Hi AMC! Were you away for a bit? I was but hope to be better about getting poems on here. Good to hear from you. Lynn

Comment is about DON'T QUIT (blog)

Original item by lynn hahn

Thank you Cynthia , much appreciated. I wasn't sure the personalisation of wind would work, but I thought of the naughty child idea and glad it did the trick!

Cheers David. Glad it worked for you!

Thanks Col. I respect your idea and take your point - maybe Johnny Fartpants was around. Frankly my mackerel line was supposed to evoke the sort of helicopter blade fanning on water - it did feel a bit complex, but I like to take a chance!

Greatly appreciated comment Laura. I respect your opinions as you know so this is nice for me !

Thank you for the likes Steve and David.

Ray

Comment is about LATE SUMMER WIND (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Cynthia, I am most grateful for you kind comment. Keith

Comment is about What we do... (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Hi Frances, thanks for your comment. I love it when you use the word clever, it makes me happy. As for the fear, just keep away from John Travolta. (the boogeyman)

Thanks again for your comments.

Comment is about Boogeyman (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

Hi Collin, thanks for you humorous comment. Have been laughing on and off all day. I too now have that vision of John Travolta dancing down alleyways pricking people with a bony finger,very funny. I did think of changing boogeyman to bogeyman but decided to leave it as boogeyman in tribute to your comments and the great John Travolta. Thanks

Comment is about Boogeyman (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS