Thanks Mike.
I've had good fortune, too easy to take it for granted.

Comment is about Fear Is... (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Thanks Steve.
Keep writing stuff like that and you'll end up like Assange;
look on the bright side, at least those workers are earning an honest crust, and not blocking our pavements like those snivelling plebs in foodbank queues...what our youth need is more discipline and hard work; they should be made to get their hair cut; how on earth are we going to win WW3 with that lazy shower? Hurrah for the Blackshirts, I say!

Comment is about Just Another Day at Elbit (blog)

Original item by Steve White

Relevance MC?
The “crime” of Brexit: the worst act of economic and social self-harm ever perpetrated on the UK.

Comment is about FAREWELL LADY ENGLAND (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I'm not so sure about the "Brexit" relevance when it comes to
national allegiance and belief. We seem to have forgotten the
parable about getting rid of the mote in our own eye before
trying to remove it from others. Cheers.

Comment is about FAREWELL LADY ENGLAND (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Powerful stuff, JC. I'm reminded of an old Irish colleague, who
was a Special Branch "minder" for Gerry Fitt. He did a great
impression of a ranting Ian Paisley back in the day;
"There'll be a wailing
And a gnashing of teeth...
(And teeth will be provided!). etc. 😆

Comment is about THE CHURCH OF THE HECTORING ZEALOT (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I appreciate your commenting Keith.

I lived in Jerusalem in 2018 and worked extensively in Gaza with the EU and UNWRA. I have worked throughout the middle east during a long varied career, places included Lebanon, Bahrain, Jordan and Syria. You are correct the situation is complex.

I have sympathy with The Palestinian people and their History, I also recognise the history of Israel I have many Israeli friends who are currently in Israel. I have sympathy for all those who have suffered at the hands of murderous elements on both sides. I have met Hamas on many occasions, when I was in Gaza it was mandatory that anyone working for the EU or UNWRA would require an escort at all times within the territory. We ate together and for all purposes communicated as people must when attempting to cooperate and get things done. Without exception Hamas members wanted to annihalate the State of Israel and wished to do so without mercy in what I can only describe as a biblical and apocalyptic fashion.

None of that excuses the actions of The State of Israel today in Gaza. As you say it is complicated.

I read your poem this morning and was going to comment but thought better of it. Having read you comments here I thought I would now respond. I note in your poem you referred to those now surviving in Gaza as "A noble people" I was unsure if you meant Palestinians all...or just those having suffered loss and unconnected with Hamas. These are dangerous and tentative areas, it cannot be possible that 100% of any nation can qualify their existance as noble...surely any of those involved in the massacre of Israeli's are not honourable, neither is the massacre of Palestinian women and Children in Gaza or the Occupied Territories.

I just find it somewhat problematic that some poetry at present appears to dismiss one side in favour of another, this is probably not deliberate but there needs to be balance and it seems to me that not addressing atrocity on both sides begins to look like preference. I have also read in a comment elsewhere on this site today the word "Hitleresque" when referring to the countrymen of Israel. I do believe that writers who post publicly should be extremely careful about specific wording, the use of such a word when referring to Israel entire is irresponsible and wreckless. Neither The State of Israel or Hamas speak entirely for their populations, not all of those people are in sync with their representation and that should be reflected somehow in the balance of what is written.

I apologise for the length of this comment and for its deviation from poetry, I am aware some people see little value in it. In some circumstances I believe debate is necessary and useful.

I will now do my best to return to comments more in keeping with a poetry site.

To clarify, my sympathies are with all those innocents on all sides who suffer at the hands of murderous organisations, Governmental or otherwise.

Comment is about On The Ner River (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Thankfully, Uilleam, Christianity is one of the world’s more benign religions these days. Their zealots aren’t, for instance, stoning or beheading in their name or crucifying their own.
My own view is that all the various gods in the world probably get along fine with one another.

Comment is about THE CHURCH OF THE HECTORING ZEALOT (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Carlton, as a visitor to Jerusalem several times and other places on the West Bank, I had various opportunities to speak with people from different communities which live in Palestine. The situation is highly complex and the subject of a never ending debate. It helps to delve into the history of the country, the plight of the Jews in World War Two and events before and after the creation of the state of Israel. Both the Jewish and Palestinian people have been damaged by their respective experiences. We now witness the results of these. It troubles me greatly that the onslaught into Gaza will achieve one thing, that is a new generation of Palestinians who are maimed, physically and mentally by recent events. What next?
Thank you for the poem and video clip.
Keith

Comment is about On The Ner River (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

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

Comment is about France. (blog)

Original item by RudyardK

For context:

I would recommend revisiting "Shoah" at this point in time. It helps bring context and perspective to what is happening now in Israel, Gaza and The Occupied Territories. It does so without excusing anyones current behaviour. In fact it highlights areas those on all sides should re-focus on

I've been watching Claude Lanzmann's Shoah again (in parts) This scribble is inspired from the opening scene were a former prisoner returns to Chelmno and relates a story about his experience. Someone once complimented Lanzmann telling him this particular scene was beautiful. To say he was upset would be putting it mildly. The scene is beautiful but the story horrific. I wanted to convey something of that tranquility and peace whilst relating it to horrific events.

Apart from the title there is really no clue what this scribble might be other than a picture of nature.

I can't imagine the damage this man experienced as a child and how it might have bled into associations in every day life.

Chelmno is now a relatively quiet hamlet you would speed through in about 20 seconds not knowing anything so hellish ever happened there.

The clip is linked here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN0J2GWUWIM&t=212s

There is a long read in but if you jump to 03.00mins it picks up the filmtrack.

The read in provides context so is worth it. The text refers to the River Narew but apparently these events occured on a tributory caller Ner.

Comment is about On The Ner River (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Thank you, John.
Thus speaks the alleged “God of Love”!
One might be forgiven for thinking we lived in the 19th century; but even today, I see and hear such bigotry, displayed by some clergy of the Roman Catholic church, an organisation under whose “guidance” I spent many of my formative years.

Having been moved to tears when watching Jeanette Winterson’s “Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit” on TV, it strikes me that some people’s priorites are somewhat perverted. What consenting adults get up to under the duvet, is apparently, of more concern to our spiritual sheep-herders than the UK’s state-sponsored murder of babies in far-away places.

Comment is about THE CHURCH OF THE HECTORING ZEALOT (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

The first stanza of this is inspiring and much food for thought in the poetry sense of things. Can I steal the idea of it for a further work? Well done Jeff!

Comment is about At The Ledge (blog)

Original item by Jeff Bresee

Thank you for the likes this morning.

Comment is about On The Ner River (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Thank you Holden. Love.

Comment is about France. (blog)

Original item by RudyardK

Thank you Uilleam for joining in. Great fun! And thanks all for the likes. So appreciated.

Comment is about Poetry! (with an invitation) (blog)

Original item by Hélène

A fine poem to mark a dreadful anniversary, Steve.

Comment is about Two Years On (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thank you Keith, Bethany and Carlton

Comment is about Not my will, but Allah's will (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

Thank you Keith, your spiritually uplifting comments are appreciated. I'm glad you liked the poem. 🌷

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thanks for your thoughts, Stephen. And for the Likes, Carlton, RG, Stephen A and Holden.

Comment is about THE CHURCH OF THE HECTORING ZEALOT (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you so much, Bethany and Manish, for your truly lovely comments, they are a genuine source of encouragement! 😊💖

Comment is about Sisyphus winks... (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

My fear is that our resolve to support Ukraine will falter long before that of Putin.

Comment is about Two Years On (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

A powerful piece, Keith. The writing brings out the claustrophobic nature of this horrible situation.

Comment is about Hell's cul de sac (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thanks, John. There's something to be said for soft centrist views after seeing people like this.

Comment is about THE CHURCH OF THE HECTORING ZEALOT (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

The title about the Greek legend had grabbed my attention even before I could read the poem, and the poem turned out to be brilliant as always, Holden.🌷

Comment is about Sisyphus winks... (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

Yes indeed Aisha, the eyes really ARE windows to the soul

loved this piece thank you!



Beth

Comment is about Hidden Feelings (blog)

Original item by Aisha Suleman

I hope WOW! will suffice Holden? so cool and then some matey



Beth

Comment is about Sisyphus winks... (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

Thanks Hélène.

Food of love,
Chalk and cheese,
Music for the eyes,
Food for thought,
Sugar and spice,
Phonemes syllables,
Rhyme and rhythm,
Sometimes muddled,
Sturm und Drang,
Chiar Oscuro,
Lines in Sand,
Love proclaimed,
Lines on line,
Pencil paper,
Lines by hand,
Eraser, please,
I could go on,
But I’m hungry,
And when I'm hungry
I get angry,
Cake now, PLEASE!
🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂
Oh, Pizza's here!

Comment is about Poetry! (with an invitation) (blog)

Original item by Hélène

Thank you Keith.
A Hell's cul de sac indeed...one created by the corruption cowardice and complicity of our temporal and so-called spiritual leaders, who preach comforting platitudes to us on Sunday mornings from the safety and comfort of their pulpits and rostrums, promising us "civilised" folks heaven, whilst trying to persuade us that there must be a good reason (perhaps it's God's will!) for bombs and bullets made in Britain to be blasting innocent babies and their families to bits.

No-it's not "a complicated conflict". Murder is murder whether it's carried out in the Holocaust or over the course of the seventy-five year long Nakba.

To paraphrase my heroine Clare Daly Irish MEP Dublin, addresssing the European Parliament:
“I don’t know if God will forgive you-I won’t”.

Comment is about Hell's cul de sac (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thanks Holden, my number 1 writer.

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by RudyardK

Thanks for that Jeff.
I think I've come to realise that no-one is can be "a saint" or "an angel" until we accept and address the failings that come with our humanity.
I remember a teacher once told us about some saint or other (long dead of course) who is reputed to have prayed: "Dear Lord, please make me a saint-but not just yet!" 😇

Comment is about Broken Halos (blog)

Original item by Jeff Bresee

Thanks John.
I’ve twice visited the Alhambrah palace in Granada, also the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, shared by Muslims and Christians. Beautiful reminders of the immense contribution of the “Moors” to European philosophy, poetry, music, medecine, science and cuisine; not to forget architecture, eg. Manchester city Cr. The English words for musical instruments; lute, rebec, guitar, and naker are derived from the Arabic.
What cultural wonders were achieved when Muslim, Hebrew and Christian once collaborated there!

Comment is about THE MAGNIFICENT MOORS (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Many thanks Holden, re Fallen milestones.


Beth

Comment is about Holden Moncrieff (poet profile)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

What a poem indeed John! Blasphemy of blasphemies. to murder in the name of God-watch out for His wrath-ouch! bigtime!

Beth

Comment is about THE MAGNIFICENT MOORS (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

John,
This poem carried me away to Andalusia and the Al Hambra as if it was a stones throw from my heart. Thence to Cordoba and the amazing Moorish islamic art and architecture now turned into Christian churches and cathedrals as in Sevillia. What a poem John. Every word and your thougths in writing this poem resonated in the very inner part of my being. Indeed thank you for this,
Keith

Comment is about THE MAGNIFICENT MOORS (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

WOL has been unusually quiet on the subject of Navalny's death.

Comment is about Disinterred (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Thanks beth, i am back and im glad to hear from you. You write
without doubt like the best here. Love.

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by RudyardK

I have responded to your post privately Graham. I feel that is an appropriate avenue to pursue at this juncture.

Comment is about Disinterred (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

brave and getting braver?

Comment is about Disinterred (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

https://wolfgarwords.com/2024/02/19/three-poems-about-stuff-with-video/

Comment is about Disinterred (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

What is the punishment for an act of apostasy and/or the indulgence of homosexuality?

I am guilty of neither (should guilt be applied) having never embraced the slavery required to fullfil the former condition.

How far does your Gods grace extend?

I am speaking of The Scripture not a modern interpretation of it.

Comment is about Not my will, but Allah's will (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

Beautiful!



Beth

Comment is about WHERE THE RIVER MEETS THE SEA (blog)

Original item by jean lucy thompson

Surely Ghazala. the poor deceased victims of the Holocaust must be rolling in their graves about what terrible crimes their countrymen are commiting against thousands of innocent people

Hitleresque without any doubt
thank you for a very well written poem.

Beth

Comment is about Not my will, but Allah's will (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

Enigmatically brilliant Rob 👍


Beth

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by RudyardK

Helene, you have always had the knack of infusing your poems with such a loveliness. sweetness and in a lot of cases gorgeous cosiness-love them!


Beth

Comment is about Sitting in the Kitchen (blog)

Original item by Hélène

An exquisite poem to uplift a weary heart. A poem which rings out our joy in its conquest over the misery which so often clouds our world.
Thank you for this,
Keith

Comment is about No more tears in my eyes (blog)

Original item by Pushkar Bisht

Stellar poem, Jeff. Captures angst so common for many of us....but we keep on going.

Comment is about New Day (blog)

Original item by Jeff Bresee

A poem well expressed about the will of God. The words of the Lords Prayer which Christ taught his disciples to say has one line which is of supreme importance. "Thy will be done". These words are of a most sacred significance and I have found great value in them.
Thank you indeed for this poem,
Keith

Comment is about Not my will, but Allah's will (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

Thank you, David. A fun trip down memory lane.

Comment is about Tea Cards (blog)

Original item by David Cooke

Indeed, Graham.
We are either incredibly thick, or simply unfortunate; but we do seem to have a propensity for voting for posh-voiced, smiling assassins on the one hand, and populist gobshites on the other hand, who talk like the pissed up thug in the pub, with nothing but their own self-interests at heart.

Comment is about Walking the Streets (blog)

Thank you for the comments and likes.

These days I am inclined (not always) to refrain from naming people or the specific events which are the subjects of my scribbles. I had that in mind when I wrote this scrawl. I find naming events and people often detracts from the subject matter at the heart of the topic, people get hung up on characters and geography instead of focussing on deliberate actions and their possible reasons. It's not a problem if people do, we interpret things in our own way and that is healthy (mostly).

I am unsure if in my attempt at subtelty whether I over-egged it in this case. To be honest I didn't think the piece at all subtle, merely unspecific.

Part of the definition of the word "Disinterred" means "To bring from obscurity into view"

This piece of writing was a reference to the demise of Alexei Anatolyevich Navalny whilst imprisoned by The Russian State. It is my belief that his likely murder has somewhat magnified his case on the world stage and brought it more clearly into view from obscurity. Whether or not that makes any difference internationally is another matter. I do though think that it will maintain and give weight to the momentum of those seeking change domestically within Russia. I suspect his murder (for I believe it was) was a message to a specific individual or to a group for a specific reason, I do not believe Putin does anything without calculated reason. The reason may have been extremely specific or broadly general but Putin would have seen it as necessary at this specific moment. I hope it will hinder his leadership rather than help.

The importance and significance of a human body after death is something I have knowledge of, its treatment and status can have huge relevance politically. I have unfortunately been involved with the repatriation of bodies from hostile States. On almost every occasion the bodies have been interfered with by use of Formaldehyde and an in country independent autopsy refused. The host nation claiming it was done to afford preservation and expedite repatriation. In effect it negates any purpose of additional autopsy which might disclose cause of death should it not be readily apparent. Enough of that.

The poem is meant to highlight where the power of the State truly lies and where it should lie.

Navalny's corpse is the vessel in which there is a seed of Russian change. Irrespective of what the State wish to do with it. However they abuse it and his family they have removed it from a place of obscurity into sharper focus.

It will be a long road but this part of the journey will be remembered.

I would not be suprised if The State refuse to surrender the body and possibly dispose of it. It is likely that Putin may not even permit its burial within Russia. He understands power.

And this is just a scribbled thought which will have no bearing on any of the above.

Comment is about Disinterred (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore