Wow! You've metaphorically depicted yourself and your lady beautifully, Stephen A. Loved the mention of antiques like diamond, porcelain, ruby and pearls vs. chemicals and fossils like zirconium, nickel and clay.
Thank you.
Comment is about Precious Stone (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
<Deleted User> (35565)
Wed 3rd May 2023 16:35
So nicking the title of Ernie's book somewhat this is a poem
WOT YEW ROTE! 😂
LS
Comment is about Monarchs (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks for your thoughts, Uilleam. I’m always up for cake, Greg.
And thanks for the Likes, Stephen A and Manish.
Comment is about THE BEST OF TIMES... (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A very fragile, poignant and delicate piece of writing. Insecurity and mental disorder distinctively penned down. Nevertheless, there's always a brighter side at the end of the dark tunnel. I can resonate with most of the lines.
Mental health above all!
Thank you for this.
Comment is about My Unflattering Form (blog)
Original item by Keira Anne
peering into the basket. What a picture.
Love it John.
😊
Comment is about THE BEST OF TIMES... (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I was once holding forth on the iniquities of an elitist non-elected head of state when someone asked me "Who would you rather have?"
And it's a good question.
If we had had an elected President in recent times we would probably have had Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, Boris Johnson. Now you may like or loathe any of them but one thing is indisputable - they are all divisively partisan.
On balance I am now 51-49 in favour of a monarchy - which is one way of saying "I don't really care".
Comment is about Monarchs (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Staunch royalist and lover of democratic politics where the head of state is not a backstabbing two-faced politician, and I'm proud to be.
There is nothing worse than a slimy President like D Trump as head of our beautiful country.
The sovereign's purse for 2022 was 86 million, which is just 15% of the profit from the royal estates.
That is good value considering the tourist revenue they bring in that should go to veterans but doesn't, it's not the monarchy that pays the old and pays for the NHS it's politicians and there is nothing more crooked
Comment is about Monarchs (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks all for likes and comments.
As is often the case in life, it's the seemingly most insignificant experiences which give the greatest pleasure. I have much to be grateful for.
Thanks Grace, my knees did survive.
Comment is about Thanksgiving for Sunday 23rd April 2023 (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
Thank you Julie; thank you and well done Speedo Mick!
Comment is about Congratulations Speedomick (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Keith.
You say that Royalty spares us elections.
If we did have elections for them, and we were given a choice as to whether we should be footing the bill for a bilionaire's gig, -whilst our elderly are forced to turn their heating down, and our forces veterans are sleeping on the streets, unable to access mental health treatment for their PTSD,
I suspect the results might be: "please procede away from me in short sharp jerky movements" otherwise known as "eff right off"!
Comment is about Monarchs (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you Stephen. "Their diehard fans clog up the trains..."
I wonder whether the homeless "diehards" who clog up the streets of Wales are fans of Tywysog Cymru, and whether they think they should have some choice in footing the bill for Charlie's gig?
Deaths of homeless people in Wales rose by 27% in 2022 compared to 2021.
In 2020, 63 homeless deaths were recorded in Wales, which fell to 60 in 2021 and jumped to 76 in 2022.
On any given night, tens of thousands of families and individuals are experiencing the worst forms of homelessness across Great Britain, this includes over 200,000 households in England alone. For the last five years’ core homelessness has been rising year on year in England, reaching a peak just before the pandemic when the numbers of homeless households jumped from 207,600 in 2018 to over 219,000 at the end of 2019. By the end of 2021, 227,000 households across Britain were experiencing the worst forms of homelessness.
https://www.crisis.org.uk/ending-homelessness/about-homelessness/
Comment is about Monarchs (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
That argument is all very well, Keith, but to all intents and purposes it is the prime minister that is the head of state, not the monarch. See how the ailing Queen was forced to agree to the illegal prorogation of parliament by the unspeakable Jacob Rees-Mogg standing over her at Balmoral. See how Charles was banned from going to the climate summit by the equally unspeakable Liz Truss. Royalty's role is purely ceremonial, a disguise. So long as they keep their mouths shut, they get to keep the trappings. That's the deal.
Comment is about Monarchs (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Stephen,
Thank you for this reminder of more innocent times. A photo of Eric and Ernie in bed these days would create an uproar. They would be accused of perverting the minds of the young.
Royalty spares us elections but could one imagine a politician from the present House of Commons as Head of State? Give me Charles III any day.
Thank you for this,
Keith
Comment is about Monarchs (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks for this gentle poem, Steve. 'They don't bother us with elections.' Yes, that's probably why the hoi polloi love them, as much as anything. And thanks for reminding us of that lovely Morecambe and Wise joke, that I'd forgotten. Meanwhile here's Monty's take on it. Says it all, imo, as he so often does https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3LpQfMXmeg
Comment is about Monarchs (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I think 'heart-warming' describes this well, John. A smashing poem.
Comment is about A Chance Meeting (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
I think you have put your finger on something, Greg. There is a sense of bumbling, well-meaning helplessness about Charles. Some of his personal views seem not too bad, but of course he is accountable to no one. In think the pantomime still has a few jokes left (maybe its my nostalgia for Spitting Image) but with the next generation, who knows?
It must be difficult for the Poet Laureate to keep coming up with Royal stuff. You have to admire him.
Comment is about It's not his fault (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Grace Meadows
Wed 3rd May 2023 00:00
What an achievement! well done sir! and thank you julie for poetically highlighting his wonderful and hard fought efforts.
Comment is about Congratulations Speedomick (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
My apologies, Graham. Mr Armitage, of course. We wait with bated breath!
Comment is about It's not his fault (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
What the one about the Poet Laureate or the one about the poor old sausage CR3
Comment is about It's not his fault (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks for your comments, Jackie and Grace. Bit baffled by your last one, Graham!
Comment is about It's not his fault (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Beautiful poem, Uilleam. Really enjoyable.
Comment is about Thanksgiving for Sunday 23rd April 2023 (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
A sad story but delivered with panache, Keith
Comment is about Strangled Silence (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Thanks Helene. You reminded me of the lines from another of
your sex:
"Laugh, and the world laughs with you..."
Comment is about BLOODY WOMEN (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Thank you, Helene. Praise indeed.
Comment is about AGE AND POETRY (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
I can't believe in my heart of hearts that the PL is really invested in this sort of thing. It should be a cracking read!!
Comment is about It's not his fault (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Grace Meadows
Tue 2nd May 2023 16:04
Greg, its that ' heirs and successors' bit that puts me off, does that mean Prince Paedo is in with a chance no matter how remote
ooer! count me out-don't want to chance it.
👍 poem.
Comment is about It's not his fault (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks both, yes Uilleam I knew of it’s use for fertiliser but had no idea about it’s used for gunpowder, interesting!
Haha yes I wonder whether the link to it being good luck is just a compensation offered to the unlucky
Comment is about Beauty in Bass Rock (blog)
Original item by Isabel Hope
You've just reminded me KJ.
One Sunday dad was stepping out of the doorway, his best suit on for church; splat, straight down his leg shat a gull or a pigeon😀
Comment is about Beauty in Bass Rock (blog)
Original item by Isabel Hope
Great picture John.
Sorry, couldn't resist this:
Passion in a broom cupboard
Dusted under the carpet,
Water under bridges.😏
Comment is about ENGINEER (blog)
Original item by john short
Thanks Martin.
I ask myself sometimes: of what use are poetry-and art in general-if they don't serve at some time
To shout out
For those who cannot
?
Comment is about My time (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
Thanks Stuart.
Manish rightly refers to our youth.
They learn their behaviour from what they see in the world around them.
They will be watching our politicians upon whom the security of their futures relies.
Unfortunately, in the UK, we have psychopathic and sociopathic bullies in the highest echelons of our government currently in power, whose client so-called "journalists" make vast amounts of money from propagating fear, lies and ignorance at their behest.
Comment is about Bullies (blog)
Original item by Stuart Vanner
Beautifully worded, John.
We take for granted, and abuse the natural world at our peril.
Comment is about May day (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Jackie K
Tue 2nd May 2023 12:31
👍
Thanks Greg - I enjoyed how the refrain "It’s not his fault" gathers irony, while remaining (technically) true.
Comment is about It's not his fault (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I have to admit, Keith, I'm at an impasse when it comes to choosing between Monarchy V Froggy type govs.
If Elizabeth 11 had cried "Off with his head", in response to the Johnson's shenanigans in HER government, my preference for monarchy might have been reinforced.
Sadly her role turns out to have been one of complete impotence in the face of outright corruption and mendacity.
In those situations, the monarchical "hangers-on" and implicated politicians usually come up smelling of roses instead of la merde.
Comment is about It's not his fault (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks for your comments, Uilleam, Keith, and Graham. I thought I'd get in early before the poet laureate issues his far better crafted, and far more respectful and considered take on it all.
Comment is about It's not his fault (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I for one won't be watching the all-inclusive all-comers welcome pageantry. I've literally just typed out the title of a 'Coronation Poem' summarily called Corona Corona!
I'll be making a new gate in the garage and weather permitting, going for a walk with my granddaughter.
Long live the Coronation Quiche (which the French say is a tart!!)
A great angle on the shamozzle by the way Greg!
PS I also meant to say that I feel really sorry for the poor old sausage!!
Comment is about It's not his fault (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
A topical and thought provoking poem. We are being challenged in our thinking more so everyday by distorted and duplicitous journalism. They feed off inadequate and self seeking politicians. We have reached a point where the national compass is spinning.
A constitutional Monarchy has served us well, whereas parliaments have not. God forbid we ever have a politician as head of state. The King has a right to tantrums as we all have. Let it be.
Uilleam has a bigger issue which has my full support. Those who earn vast sums of money and do little but lecture the poor, those queueing outside food banks.
Thank you Greg.
Comment is about It's not his fault (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Give the poor fellow a break Greg-he's had a deprived upbringing you know!
Huw Pill, Chief Economist of the Bank of England, who made £95,183, including benefits, in his first six months at the Bank, and who is paid more than £190,000 a year, has advised the poor of the UK that they:
“…need to accept that they're worse off and stop trying to maintain their real spending power by bidding up prices”-oh and while they’re at it, will they please foot the bill for Charlie’s gig!
I'm with Mike Lynch on this one: " We refuse to be poor any longer".
https://youtu.be/JuuJ6zNWM0M
Comment is about It's not his fault (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thank you Stephen - I did read this right to the end.
As with most questions regarding the increasing intrusion into our private lives-and on other matters, I say: "follow the money".
William the Bastard's Domesday Book existed for the purpose of lining the pockets of his fellow utter and complete bastards.
They carried out the "Harrying of the North", a process which continues to this very day in both the north and south of the UK, on behalf of the friends of those Utter and Complete Tory Bastards, one of whom now leads what is laughably called the Labour Party. 😡
Comment is about Census (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
A chance meeting and a moment of nostalgia. A great combination to warm the heart.
Thank you for this,
Keith
Comment is about A Chance Meeting (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Dust thou Red, take this roomba, instead of your trouble and strife?😐
Comment is about life from home (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
Nice one JD.
There's me thinking it was four and twenty - best have a recount!😏
Comment is about Eleven thousand fourth century British Virgins (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
A beautiful poem. Some meetings just seems so fascinating, especially when they have stories or incidents to share about a family member. Enjoyed every bit of it.
Thank you.
Comment is about A Chance Meeting (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
This is a superb poem, Martin. It really is.
Comment is about My time (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
A lovely, joyous piece, Uilleam.
Comment is about Thanksgiving for Sunday 23rd April 2023 (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
A fascinating poem, John, where youthful memories turn to bridges and unfinished business. A great read.
Comment is about ENGINEER (blog)
Original item by john short
Thank you, Keith. A sad situation when normal discourse is snuffed out by fear and repression. This "chilling effect' becomes ever more chilling.
Comment is about Strangled Silence (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
<Deleted User> (35565)
Wed 3rd May 2023 16:49
💪💪👍👍🎖!!!!!!
LS
Comment is about Congratulations Speedomick (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan