Thank you MC. Thanks for reminding me of The Darkling Thrush, I had forgot about that one.

Thank you Auracle. Interesting, the mysterious mister.

We make inquiry of this mysterious mister
But this dark creature comes not to proffer
It comes only as some frightening harbinger
To the secrets in it’s dark heart it will only infer
As if taunting our nightmares may help reveal
Will somehow release the visions from its seal

Comment is about The Uninvited Stranger (blog)

Original item by Tim Higbee

💐 wonderful!



Beth

Comment is about Shimmer and shine (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

This poem Manish, is as beautiful as the artwork ( are you the artist? ) Thank you,


Beth

Comment is about The Postman (blog)

Original item by Manish

Indeed Helene. If someone wants to self-identity their sex that’s entirely fine by me. I may not agree with them but that’s up to them. But it is patently unfair for trans people to be allowed to compete with women (which is the overwhelming view of women as shown in the article). I have no objections to a separate category for trans men and women.
Older bloggers might recall that delightful pair of Russian sisters from the early 1960’s, Tamara and Irina Press, who mysteriously disappeared off the athletics scene when sex testing was introduced.
And thanks for the Like, Holden and Bethany.

Comment is about TRANSUBSTANTIATION (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I appreciate the open discussion on this issue (thanks John for the link to the thoughtful article about transwomen in women's sports), and thanks Graham for the reminder about caution in comments. My niece is a transwoman so this subject is close to my heart. She's not particularly athletic so no issue in that arena. I so appreciate people who seek to balance the competing interests (ie competing interests of fairness vs inclusion in competitive women sports; the article linked by John suggested solutions such as a separate, open category that could permit transwomen to compete.) With kindness and compassion, solutions can be found.

Comment is about TRANSUBSTANTIATION (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

“No More Neros Any More”
https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/23922765/caffe-nero-coffee-chain-closes-branch-glasgow/

Comment is about LOCAL NERO (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thank you for the influx of flowers to those who sent them.

Thank you Auracle, I appreciate your compliment although I feel very far from magnificent. Thanks for viewing the video, I believe the video clips enhance the story behind the writing (on occasion) it's a useful tool to iron out elements which may seem ambiguous and to sometimes lighten the mood.

Regarding miscommunications, there is no need for apology I believe we expressed ourselves clearly at the time and its onward and upward from here.

What I would say is I don't dispatch reciprocal likes without genuine like, I'm sure you feel likewise..I hope so.

David

Comment is about Early Walk (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

No words wasted, a clear thought conveyed without dressing.

Intrestingly an example of the pathway to recovery many people take after breaking.

When I read the poem that won this year's national poetry award and then a concise thought such as this I readjust the merit I place on such competition. Not that I see creative art as an arena for competition, although I do believe it should be recognised in some manner.

David

Comment is about Ceramic. (blog)

Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth

Mooi. Zo heb ik vele ochtenden mogen ervaren. Beautiful 😃

Comment is about Girtin. (blog)

Original item by RudyardK

mysterious mister. wanna know more 😀

Comment is about The Uninvited Stranger (blog)

Original item by Tim Higbee

You're magnificent!

And thanks for the nice little videoclip on your website.

I'm sorry for our miscommunications. My sincere apologies.

Let's get along better from now on 😃

Comment is about Early Walk (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Thanks for the Likes, Tim and Manish.

Comment is about TRANSUBSTANTIATION (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I didn’t say don’t comment JC I was merely asking for caution.

Comment is about TRANSUBSTANTIATION (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you, Auracle, all reactions are acceptable😉

Thank you, Stephen, I think you're absolutely right about the particular juncture! 😎

Comment is about In memoriam... (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

And therein lies the problem that discussion is avoided for fear of being thought discriminatory.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/68564019

Comment is about TRANSUBSTANTIATION (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you guys, it means alot to me. Love.

Comment is about When david met bowie. (blog)

Original item by RudyardK

Where did you get one long enough to be able to do this, MC?

Comment is about ENLARGED PROSTATE BLUES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you all for the generous comments and likes, this keeps me going.😊

Graham, it always feels good to read your comments and inputs, they're a great source of motivation to me, they give me strength to keep going, thank you sir!
Ghazala, thank you and a Happy Holi to you too बहन.
Auracle, Write Out Loud feels like home to me, thank you for your continued support.
Tim, great lines my friend, it helps, and yes, I guess I'm just going to keep on writing. Thank you for your constant support, I'm very grateful.

Comment is about Duet (blog)

Original item by Manish

Thanks John, and to those who sent flowers..

Possibly prevented some also, who knows...it is what it is and other meaningless shrugs of shoulders..

Cheers

David

Comment is about Early Walk (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

As a moderator on this site, whilst inherently there is no problem with JC's piece above, I can easily see the commentary becoming a quagmire of conflicting opinions. So please tread carefully and think before putting comments on this piece.

Comment is about TRANSUBSTANTIATION (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

P.S. My "somewhat technical" advice was designed for
those actually engaged in urination and experiencing the
feeling that the bladder was not quite empty - a not uncommon symptom of an enlarged prostate. Experience will tell you if
it is needed and if it works for you.

Comment is about ENLARGED PROSTATE BLUES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

A most welcome piece of imagery that succeeds on a number
of levels. JC mentions Poe, I recall Hardy's "The Darkling
Thrush". Surely, evidence why these lines work so well.

Comment is about The Uninvited Stranger (blog)

Original item by Tim Higbee

Following the sage, if somewhat technical advice from MCN, I am urged to say to all contributors, unless you suffer from the condition mentioned in the title DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME unless you have a convenient mop stationed nearby!!

Comment is about ENLARGED PROSTATE BLUES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

It seems to add to the horror of that vile place, familiar to students of Nazi murderous tyranny, that it existed, as I recall,
in a land like Austria! As a young man I knew the famous books by Lord Russell of Liverpool: The Scourge of The Swastika
and The Knights of Bushido - describing Nazi and Japanese
war crimes. Chilling accounts of how bestial mankind could be.

Comment is about Mauthausen 186 (blog)

Original item by Jan Theuninck

The stealthy thief comes to steal what love they can
But they cannot steal what they do not understand
They missed out on riches beyond compare
When they misjudged how much you care.
Beautifully written Manish. Keep writing my friend, it helps to heal the wounds.

Comment is about Duet (blog)

Original item by Manish

Timely indeed. With a hard to deny pay-off! If any "trans"
wants to believe what suits, then good luck but it is a blatant
nonsense to claim to be a woman when Old Mother Nature
sends you into this world without the equipment to facilitate
the actuality. The old tale of "The King's New Clothes" had a
child recognise and proclaim what others saw but pretended
otherwise. We are now seeing risible fiction turned into reality
by fools and charlatans. I have strong reservations about the use of "Hate crime" but this situation
seems the most appropriate to fall within that dubious category.
P.S . Police Scotland - take note from
April 1st 2024.!

Comment is about TRANSUBSTANTIATION (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

A tip for sufferers of spasmodic urination. Try squeezing the
organ using thumb and forefinger immediately behind the glans
(helmet) and maintaining pressure. This can have the useful effect of building up some pressure that sees added urination to provide relief that can delay more frequent need....or so I've found. Handy (no pun intended!) to aid extended sleepy time! A practice that might be termed "Poetry in motion" in this context perhaps.

Comment is about ENLARGED PROSTATE BLUES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks a million Manish and John for the comments, I truly appreciate them. Thank you to Bethany and Stephen G. for your likes.

Comment is about The Uninvited Stranger (blog)

Original item by Tim Higbee

Thank for reading and that lovely comment.

Comment is about Cherophobia (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

I don't know why, but I like it. It makes me chuckle. 😃

Comment is about fantasy is overrated. (blog)

Original item by RudyardK

I was not aware of The Stairs of Death, Jan. Thankyou for this simple and enormously powerful lesson. “Lest we forget” indeed.

Comment is about Mauthausen 186 (blog)

Original item by Jan Theuninck

“The Power of Eternity”. Be careful what you wish for, Lee.

Comment is about THE POWER OF ETERNITY (blog)

Original item by Lee Campbell

Enjoyed, Tim. Echoes of Poe.

Comment is about The Uninvited Stranger (blog)

Original item by Tim Higbee

Indeed, David. If only we knew then what we know now we could have done some damage.

Comment is about Early Walk (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Thankyou, Stephen. I confess I over-egg my inconvenience, although on rare occasions I can be a 6-times-a-night man. Usually though by managing it (not drinking after 5pm) it’s 2. And thanks for the Likes, Bethany, Paige and Tim.

Comment is about ENLARGED PROSTATE BLUES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

'This is what it sounds like when doves cry - Prince & The Revolution'

Still glad you're on Write Out Loud, Manish.

Comment is about Duet (blog)

Original item by Manish

Thank you all, you are to kind. Love.

Comment is about fantasy is overrated. (blog)

Original item by RudyardK

Indeed a painful poem. But beautifully expressed.

Happy Holi brother.

Comment is about Duet (blog)

Original item by Manish

Delightful and at the same time heart wrenching.
We should all remember that all wounded birds have the right to fly away once healed!

Well done Manish.

Comment is about Duet (blog)

Original item by Manish

Many thanks for the recent likes, much appreciated.

David

Comment is about Seventeen Moments of Spring (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Thank you for generous comment, Manish. Auracle - yes, infinite consumption will clash with the finite planet. Perhaps it already has! I'm aware that a poem is better at indentifying a problem than finding a solution!

And my thanks to Graham, Hugh, Stephen A, Holden, Tim, David, Bethany and Rob for liking.

Comment is about Devil (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thank you, Holden. I imagine that many things will come cheap at this particular juncture, or maybe I'm wrong. Good poem.

Comment is about In memoriam... (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

A good message, John. I went through this some years ago, although having been first tested at 50, I sorta knew it was coming. I was constantly described as a 'young patient'. A lot better now.

Comment is about ENLARGED PROSTATE BLUES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you, my friend. It means a lot to me.😊

Comment is about Sacred Saussurea (blog)

Original item by Manish

Wow. This is brilliantly written, Tim. Deep and evocative. I loved it!

Comment is about The Uninvited Stranger (blog)

Original item by Tim Higbee

you're welcome. still a very talented poet & writer on this website, mr. Stephen Atkinson 😀

Comment is about A Beautiful, Dreamy Poetry Day MASSACRE! (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

makes me laugh. ignorance I suppose 😀

Comment is about In memoriam... (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

There is something almost magical gently easing through the lines. Nicely as usual, Manish

Comment is about Sacred Saussurea (blog)

Original item by Manish