Impossible not to like this, RA. Written with such verve and joy!

Comment is about If Dogs Were Made World Leaders (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Carlton. Like you, I am often concerning about the way disasters and suffering are covered. I understand the need to show the extent of the trauma to the public, but there is a sense that grieving people are being used for entertainment. I would also agree that we should respect the views of those suffering and not try to make an issue of it.

And thanks to Stephen A, Holden, Rob, Steve and Manish for liking this one.

Comment is about Bad News (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

You're welcome! It's a fine poem. And I've never gave the explanation to a poem for a while. I believe it's called laziness 😀. Thanks again

Comment is about Wordseffectbrew (poet profile)

Original item by Wordseffectbrew

Thank you Uilleam & Stephen - chihuahuas can be feisty, not to be tangled with - and as for Tibetan Terriers… but that’s another story!

Comment is about If Dogs Were Made World Leaders (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

Powerful poem about a mom's presence. I often thought throughout my adult life "I can't live without my mom!" but, alas, the day arrived when she passed at age 84. It has been 10 years since she died, I am now 69 years old, and I miss her every day. But I know she is with me! Really like your poems, Bernice.

Comment is about A Thought for the Future (blog)

Original item by Bernice

Wow, epic. I love this Bernice. Great writing.

Comment is about One Day (blog)

Original item by Bernice

my heart.

Comment is about Maybe in Another Universe (blog)

Original item by Bernice

Hi Stephen, thanks for the ‘like’ on my brand new poem ‘Red Laces’ birthed yesterday. I enjoyed reading your making of ‘about some of the poems’ section, it makes me wonder if I too should reveal my poems secrets…

Kind regards,
Wordseffectbrew

Comment is about Stephen W Atkinson (poet profile)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Thanks all for the likes and comments.
Stephen Atkinson
Holden Moncrieff
Carlton Creme
Reggie’s

I'm definitely NOT making up my achy knees, nor the number of miles in sleet and snow!💪

Comment is about 1000 MILES IN 2024: 1st Running Total (blog)

Change is the only permanent in this temporary world

Comment is about Change (blog)

Original item by Robyn

Thanks ceallaigh and Nigel

Comment is about I know what love is (blog)

Original item by Sunshine

Divine blessings forevermore Nigel

Comment is about Fear dissipated (blog)

Original item by Sunshine

Thanks
Philip Stevens
Holden Moncrieff
Steve White
K. Lynn
Manish Singh Rajput
Tim Higbee
Carlton Crème
for your likes and comments, most appreciated.

I was strictly brought up in the Christian faith, spending a decade or so studying with the church. Therefore, I now find it particularly galling that many of the so-called “Great and the Good” both within and without the church, whom I was taught to respect and admire, have turned out to be the most abject “whited sepulchres” to which Matthew 23:27 refers.
I've good mind to go round to our local parish church on Sunday, to remind them that the both the "temporal" and "spiritual" leaders of their church have recently been outspoken in their support for that fascistic genocidal regime which is Israel.

Comment is about Cant(erbury) and Hypocrisy (blog)

Thanks Jan.
Nearly missed the play on words!

Comment is about Passiondale (blog)

Original item by Jan Theuninck

Thank you, Ghazala.

“The truth will set you free”.
Quote from John 8:32 in the New Testament of the Christian Bible…Vēritās līberābit vōs.

Trouble is, there’s a preponderance of evil people who, through their mendacity, seek to enslave us. We continue to believe them at our peril!

Comment is about Truth shall set you free (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

Thanks Uilleam,

I appreciate you checking back in and your comments.

Comment is about A Town Without a Book Shop (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Carlton.
Glad to see you got your post back; shame about loosing the threads of our conversations.
What's a town without a Bookshop?
I'd qualify my original answer with the following:

Less civilised…because I think the arts in general, poetry etc, serve as both mirrors and windows through which we view the world becoming (hopefully) more in touch with our collective and individual “higher” natures, our better mental health?

Comment is about A Town Without a Book Shop (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

You're barking mad! But, a fine pedigree of a poem 👏

Comment is about If Dogs Were Made World Leaders (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

Thank you, Manish. I'm humbled that you think so. 😊
And thank you, Tim. Glad you liked it!
And thanks for the Likes everyone 🌈

Comment is about A Genesis? (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

"...making it up"?

but of course I am Reggies, that's the whole point of composing a poem-creation...a bit like God-apparently he made this whole kit and caboodle, the universe and all that out of-well, nothing, according to my school teachers and our parish priest! 😐

Comment is about 1000 MILES IN 2024: 1st Running Total (blog)

You're making it up Uilleam!!! Lol

Comment is about 1000 MILES IN 2024: 1st Running Total (blog)

Correction, 11.7.

Comment is about 1000 MILES IN 2024: 1st Running Total (blog)

Thanks Hélène, it’s always good to be able to let go, making room for more important stuff?

Comment is about Let the River Flow (blog)

Original item by Hélène

Thanks Stuart. It's always nice to give someone pleasure like that.

Comment is about Giving Gifts (blog)

Original item by Stuart Vanner

Excellent Andy-but it'd be a dog's life for us-would that be a change for the better?
A chap in my local was recently bitten by an old lady's Chihuahua whilst walking through town-he’s never lived it down, and we don’t intend to let him!😀

Comment is about If Dogs Were Made World Leaders (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

Birth of a new day
a new you
clears troubled thoughts away
a new you
lights up your mind
lights up you.❤

Comment is about Fear dissipated (blog)

Original item by Sunshine

This is the opposite of my previous poem, Dubiety. Enjoy.

Comment is about Hope (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

Thanks Reggie’s.
The plan is based on an average of 2.74 miles per day, over 52 weeks. The odd day missed, injured or actually legless doen't matter.
I started on 4th Feb ’24 so it will carry over to next year. With any luck I’ll end up walking a far greater average mileage. For now, as the song goes “One mile at a time, sweet Jesus”. 😇

Comment is about 1000 MILES IN 2024: 1st Running Total (blog)

Well done U. Always good to stay fit and healthy. Can we see your plan as it appears you have a bit of catching up to do.

Comment is about 1000 MILES IN 2024: 1st Running Total (blog)

I have attended the the old courts on many occasions. Great host, great crowd, great poets, great night..

Review is about WOL Wigan @ The Old Courts on 8 Feb 2024 (event)

I agree and disagree with parts of your poem.

Art is subjective but sometimes as you describe it feels intrusive and irrelevent.

People speak of things in the strangest terms sometimes. I recently rewatched the documentary "Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse" about the making of "Apocalypse Now" There is a section in it where Coppola's wife speaks in terms of the beauty of the scene in which a Water Buffalo is slaughtered, she speaks like a colonial fool romantacising the perceived mystical practices of a savage culture, completely disregarding the horror and suffering portrayed in the scene.

Sometimes our intrusive coverage of suffering feels and looks like that to me. I have the misfortune of knowing what it feels like to be such an observer, to be despised and cursed when the intention of your presence is to help.

Periodically art is dead to some, rarely forever. In their moments of despair (as you suggest) I would be inclined to agree with the accusation of the sufferer and not argue the point.

Comment is about Bad News (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thank you for the likes.

It's reassuring to retreat into nature every now and then (frequently) With a little bit of abstract thrown in.

Comment is about Habitat (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

I suspect some people will be repelled by this vision, some people will be reluctant to comment on it. It is so direct and descriptive that the tone of the writers intention is unclear, this may be purposely so.

It seems to be the landscape of abuse, anger, guilt and resentment. It's pretty fearsome.

I would say I admire the forthright nature of the work. It is shocking in the environment of this site, I would add that I am not shocked.

Comment is about Burn Baby Burn (blog)

Original item by Jain Gawne

Thankyou for your thought, Stephen and Tim. And for the Like, Pete.

Comment is about BLACK SHEEP (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Take care of yourself, John. Try an electric scooter or you'll be told it was your fault for riding the bike!

Comment is about BLACK SHEEP (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

You capture a lot of the spirit of the time in this, Ray. Cigarette smoke and remarks like 'I drove home and I don't remember a thing about it.'

Comment is about BACK IN THE SEVENTIES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I like the imagery of this, Stephen. I also like the nod to Dylan in there. Great job.

Comment is about A Genesis? (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

as the one-eyed box which did my attention steal

I became the armchair devout and loyal believer,
of anything which floated in from the ubiquitous ether

Love the transition from attention stolen to devout and loyal believer. I often feel that we have been enchanted by that one-eyed demon. How true Keith, how true.

Comment is about The Armchair (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Lovely poem. Saying so much in the silence.

Comment is about A Silent Poem (blog)

Original item by Aisha Suleman

I am blessed to have parts in double
For when I'm in the hospital with trouble
I can sell off one part to pay the bill
And hope it's enough to keep one still
If they ever mention my brain or heart
Good luck for payment boys, it's a single part.

With the list you mentioned John you're looking at more like hundreds of thousands. (That is, if your insured.) If not, don't worry, they can use the slush fund from overcharging people with insurance. 😀

Comment is about BLACK SHEEP (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Exactly!! Why try to explain, just enjoy it.
Great poem Mike

Comment is about Reasons (blog)

Original item by Mike McPeek

Oh how funny - seems that it is often a reoccurring theme in this life! Thank you so much for reading!😉

Comment is about Zeitgeber (blog)

Original item by Katherine Page

Thanks ray.
sleaze on the rise
-and now at the heart of government.

Comment is about BACK IN THE SEVENTIES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

In 2005, Jeremy Hunt as Health Secretary, co-authored a policy pamphlet called “Direct Democracy: An Agenda For A New Model Party”; effectively a blueprint for replacing the NHS with an insurance market system, calling for the private sector to be brought in.
Amongst its other authors was Kwasi Kwarteng, who having crashed the economy, is now leaving the sinking ship, probably to get a lucrative job with a private health company.

Comment is about BLACK SHEEP (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks Katherine.

The oscillation between two opposing sentiments,
One good and one bad.

I'm just watching a documentary on mannerist art, with a mention of our Jeckyll and Hyde characters.😊😖

Comment is about Zeitgeber (blog)

Original item by Katherine Page

Thanks John.
I will be doing this on Thursday, hopefully you'll join in with the chorus.

Comment is about The Thirty Six Hour Erection (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

Great stuff Uilleam, and +1 for Carlton's comments too.

What would Jesus* do? vs. what will the established church do? should be asked every Sunday. Ironically, there will be plenty in the congregation praying for an end to the genocide in Gaza.

*Other prophets are available.

Comment is about Cant(erbury) and Hypocrisy (blog)

True believers love this armageddon stuff. Moving toward the rebuilding of the third temple to enable the second coming and the end of humanity. Why would those nutters wish for peace when destruction will bring them their god and eternity.

Ironically, if Jesus were here today he would oppose all the bystanders and warmongers.

You know, If I was the Pope or any religious leader with compassion and faith I'd put my best dress and silly hat on and firmly plant myself with the greatest amount of publicity under the bombs and bullets in Gaza. I truly believe that is what true leaders of faith should be doing to protect the innocent children of their gods. Maybe they don't consider those children to be of their God.

Or maybe your use of the word "Cowardly" fits better.

Comment is about Cant(erbury) and Hypocrisy (blog)

Uilleam - The Tories always denied they intended to privatise health provision. They would have done that by stealth. I could promise not to sell my car. But I could sell the headlamps, then the radio, then the doors, wheels, engine etc. You get the idea? “But I haven’t sold the car”.
What spared us from this was, ironically, Covid.
And thanks for the Likes, Graham, Stephen, Cadence, Holden and Carlton..

Comment is about BLACK SHEEP (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

The not enough
Longing so much
To make sure
The wanting stays.💕

Comment is about What's Wrong With Me? (blog)

Original item by purplemoon