Thank you Clare for so importantly reminding us about the suffering that these poor women and children are no doubt going through today and many days to come. Horrendous to say the least, and as you point out, quite a few times ending in the death of some of these poor souls.

I have a sister I haven't seen for years because of her demonic husband who used to beat the living daylights out of her on a regular basis-but!-no matter how many times I and my family tried to help her to escape his clutches, she always went back to him! Now you tell me, would she have loved him that much despite his cruelty or out of fear of her situation one day ending in her losing her life like the poor ladies you mention in your footnote? I think the only way she would get any kind of peace would be for the 'demon' as I call him to die-ASAP!

Comment is about Kind gestures and suspicious looks. (The First Morning) (blog)

Original item by Clare

KJ, KT and Grace - thanks for the comments and the "likes".
Thanks also to Helene, HM, Hugh and NA for taking the trouble
to like this contribution.

Comment is about ENRICH THE EXISTENCE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Good to see a sporting poem that encourages effort - and gives
praise where it's due.
If willing youth must have its fling
Then let deserved success take wing ! 😃

Comment is about These Boys (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Keith
Your vocabulary knows no bounds , as usual I have to get the dictionary out when reading your poems, I wish I had your capacity !
But brilliant as usual Thanks , thoughtful , stirring ,and pertinent

Comment is about Autocrats (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Life is all about coping with the storms and lulls, ain't that a fact?!

Comment is about Changing Directions (blog)

Original item by Hélène

Rock on,,.Rick! Keep those feet moving in time with your young
mind.
MC (age 79)

Comment is about Age is Only a Number (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

I've been chuckling to myself in a wry sort of way, having just
been reading about the 6-figure incomes offered to certain UK footballers for the coming season. The market-forces that are
apparently not subect here to indignant criticism are relevanl elsewhere in the search to obtain "the right talent" for the job
in hand. The quality of the subsequent performance is another matter!! It is a moot point where perceived injustice becomes
resentful envy of the reality about who earns what and how in
a capitalist society in which effort and opportunity can bring
reward. I think of The Beatles as an example of that truth.

Comment is about It's all over (blog)

Original item by Red Button

That is a very kind comment, Manish - Thank you so much for your lovely words.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to read and push the like button. It is very much appreciated particularly as I do realise it is not the jolliest of subjects!

Comment is about Tenter Hooks Once More. (The First Night) (blog)

Original item by Clare

A topical poem which begs answers to some difficult questions.
Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about wilderness calling, again (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

No idea what you’re talking about, but it sounds like you have a passion for it.

Comment is about These Boys (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Sounds lovely, Helene. How I’d like to swim in that river!

Comment is about Changing Directions (blog)

Original item by Hélène

While you can still write poetry you’re never too old, Rick. Or so I keep telling myself!

Comment is about Age is Only a Number (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

As a Newcastle supporter, I can't comment on the sentiments, but the poem is a good morale booster for the Roker boys, away t lads

Comment is about These Boys (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Thanks Manish for your comment and to everyone who liked The Dance of Life 😀

Comment is about The Dance of Life (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Graham you are doing a great job. Thank you 👍

Comment is about The Dance of Life (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Your poetry is powerful, Lucas.

Comment is about The Noisy Silence (blog)

Original item by Lucas Chihinga

Lovely! I felt like I was there while reading the poem, breathing deep and smelling the salty sea water. We will be following you there, Mike (lol).

Comment is about Sea and Dune (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Thank you, I tried to create a floaty, dreamy feeling, so nice to think I got that across!

Comment is about Sea and Dune (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Yes, cheers to that indeed!! (Oizys)

Comment is about Sweet Sorrow (blog)

Original item by Yasoda

Very much enjoyed this and often feel the same way 😃

Comment is about Sea and Dune (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Thank you, John and Uilleam, and my thanks to everyone who liked this poem.

Comment is about Purfleet (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

The poison of the Daily Heil
Does drip and trickle down.
Whilst obscene wealth now all the while,
Does decorate the crown.

Comment is about It's all over (blog)

Original item by Red Button

Shannon Mike was spam John. I have erased him.

Comment is about The Dance of Life (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Sounds like perfect paradise to me, Mike. Beautifully written, highly imaginative and dreamy.
Thank you.

Comment is about Sea and Dune (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

This poem is striking beautiful, Clare. One of the best poems I've come across. Descriptive, crisp imagery, emotional, and calm in chaos.
Thank you for this.

Comment is about Tenter Hooks Once More. (The First Night) (blog)

Original item by Clare

Only if I can bring my inflatable mermaid with me matey😀

Comment is about Sex On A Water Bed (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Neat and financially sweet M.C. as they say in the undertaking business 😂 more or less a hand in hand poem with my offering.

Comment is about ENRICH THE EXISTENCE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
God made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.

Well bollocks to that crap!
I'm NOT all right Jack.

Comment is about It's all over (blog)

Original item by Red Button

What an utter obscenity.....Britons ‘need to accept’ they’re poorer, says Bank of England Chief economist Huw Pill who was paid
£88,000 for his first five months and 24 days, taking his annual salary to £180,000.

Why should taxpayers be forced to pay for a billionaire’s gig, royal or not, at the same time as the elderly are being advised to turn their heating down to save money, and children are going hungry to school.

Enough is enough.
Completely undemocratic...we need to get organised; take a leaf out of the French protester's book...give the establishment a (metaphorical) kicking.

Comment is about King Charles is more Important than You (blog)

Original item by David R Mellor

Beautifully written. Gratitude to the creator sitting above to have us on this planet.
Thank you for this.

Comment is about A big thankyou to our Creator (blog)

Original item by hugh

Oh what fun! Oh what joy!
To be just one of the hoi polloi
Unremarked and anonymous too;
That sounds like me; what about you? 😐

Comment is about King Charles is more Important than You (blog)

Original item by David R Mellor

This poem brought gladness to my heart. How fortunate that our creator is also our redeemer.
Thank you for this,
Keith

Comment is about A big thankyou to our Creator (blog)

Original item by hugh

Profound words which are so very true.
Thank you for this,
Keith

Comment is about ENRICH THE EXISTENCE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Droll indeed. Always welcome to have this variety on WOL. Income is never going to be a source of content, that's for
sure.
For what we can get, then let us strive
And be glad for what it means to be alive!
For who gets what is always comparative
And there's no end to this topical narrative!
Just check the purse that you will see
With the BBC's "Director of Diversity"!
And this oldie can turn his heating down,
When adding an extra dressing-gown!

Comment is about It's all over (blog)

Original item by Red Button

hello Molly welcome. I have a grandson who lives with autism and he is a great little boy! Room for everyone here!

Comment is about Mollypips (poet profile)

Original item by Mollypips

Thanks Uilleam. I’m afraid the situation is pretty dire for refuges now. I consider myself very lucky to have been able to access one when I needed it - my heart breaks for women today.
My experience goes back over 20 years and I have a very good life and partner now. But I dread to think what might of happened if there had been nowhere safe for me to go.

This is a new project for me, I have written bits and pieces before but never attempted to write a whole series - it just seems to have come out of nowhere! I don’t mean to make people sad, or angry. Hopefully as it continues you will start to see the strength of these women and how they able to rebuild their lives. For me it’s not so much about the abuse it’s more the aftermath. So many agencies intruding into your life when you are at your most vulnerable.
Anyway, thanks again for taking the time to comment☺️

Comment is about Tenter hooks and Pitiful Looks. (The Refuge) (blog)

Original item by Clare

A call to arms of great power, clarity and accuracy, Keith. Terrific (and terrifying!) 💪

Comment is about Autocrats (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Beautiful cynicism, Red Brick.
I'd vote for you as Poet Laureate. ( if we got a vote!)

Comment is about coronated (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

Thanks David.

The fascist's enforcer, Mr Plod of the Met, will make sure the plebs stay in goose-step.

Comment is about King Charles is more Important than You (blog)

Original item by David R Mellor

Thanks Red button.

What an utter obscenity.....Britons ‘need to accept’ they’re poorer, says Bank of England Chief economist Huw Pill who was paid
£88,000 for his first five months and 24 days, taking his annual salary to £180,000.

We old folk are being forced to pay for a billionaire’s Royal gig, at the same time as being told to turn our heating down.

Comment is about It's all over (blog)

Original item by Red Button

Thank you Hugh,
I think you nailed it in the first two lines.

"There is no planet B"
-as they say these days.

Comment is about A big thankyou to our Creator (blog)

Original item by hugh

So glad this poem spoke to you, Clare and John. I wrote it as a bit of a prayer for a family member working through a quite profound mental health challenge. Thanks all for your much appreciated "likes."

Comment is about Mind and Body Sleep Mode (blog)

Original item by Hélène

Just, wow!!

Comment is about The Dance of Life (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Ouuuuuuch!😰
Whatabouterry doesn't work.

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/683E/production/_124668662_gb_councillors_scoreboard-nc.png.webp

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-61344176

Comment is about Tory Haiku (blog)

Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

A powerful stream of convoluted consciousness Katerina!

Comment is about One (blog)

Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis

Thank you Stephen.

The more I see of Picasso's Guernica, and have it's art explained to me, the more I understand the importance and the power of the arts, and hopefully, of our ability to use the arts to help understand conflict, and so to prevent the horror of war.
💓💓💓💓💓

Comment is about Purfleet (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thank you Leon. RBK Pete and Hugh & also thank you Keith. Also thank you to Roy Harper who has provided, to me, the true passion of the lyric. Thank you so much Roy.

Comment is about September rain (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Thank you Clare.
I always feel terribly sad, and angry, when I read pieces like this.

I remember writing some years ago about domestic violence and the cutting of funding for women's refuges.

I don't know what the current situation is, but here are some quotes from an article dated March 2018.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/mar/23/council-funding-womens-refuges-cut-since-2010-england-wales-scotland

"Council funding for women's refuges cut by nearly £7m since 2010".

"Funding is down at two-thirds of local authorities across England, Wales and Scotland".

"The fall in financial support comes at a time when the government is planning to remove refuges and other forms of short-term supported housing from the welfare system."

"In the year to March 2017, about 1.2 million women in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse, according to official estimates."

Comment is about Tenter hooks and Pitiful Looks. (The Refuge) (blog)

Original item by Clare

I'm with you on this one, Keith. There is a lot to be said for culture and tradition when the alternative is Trump or Putin or Macron.

Comment is about A New King (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

A gripping poem, Michael. Nature, red in tooth and claw. I like it!

Comment is about “Too much to bare” (blog)

Original item by Michael Morales