Thank you Rose, Graham and Flyntland for your generous comments. I think that you have honed in on the central point of this poem, probably better than I did.
I am not completely cynical about celebrities, as many do a lot of good work. I'm just a bit suspicious of the check-list process (footballer, woman from TV antiques programme, minor royal, comedian who isn't funny, etc). I'm glad that you all enjoyed this write.
And thanks to Keith for liking.
Comment is about Scrapheap (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
The honesty and the accompanying photo contribute to the
emotional effect. KJ is right about the courage involved in any
such declaration and the risks it entails in this life.
Comment is about Blue (blog)
Original item by Qdrya
A sensual description of intimacy between two men beautifully portrayed. Merry Christmas Michael.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about Love letter (blog)
Original item by Michael Rios
Out of touch springs to mind - what a sad and selfish world we live in. I used to feel angry now just depressed. Do I donate? what do you think?
Comment is about 俳 句 General strike now! 2 (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
There is a story and a rhythm to this poem that gives the feeling of a song to work to - it,s a strange one - i really like it.
Comment is about If I Were A Wolf. (blog)
Original item by Clare
Thanks for comments and likes.
You couldn't make it up!
Penny Mordaunt, Leader of the House of Commons did!
She's opening food pantries whilst promoting her new book,
“Greater: Britain After the Storm”.
she wants quote: “every ward” in her constituency to have a food pantry.
She’s got the wrong title for her book, it should be
“Knackered: Britain after the Tories”
Comment is about 俳 句 General strike now! 2 (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
It takes courage to express one's inner most feelings especially at the risk of being rejected. The reaction can have a devastating effect. There are other ways less blunt which can express such emotions and often they provide a better introduction to the subject.
Thank you for this poem
Keith
Comment is about Blue (blog)
Original item by Qdrya
Exposing hypocracy - well done.
Those who do impact the lives of the needy do so silently without bragging,
Comment is about Scrapheap (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thu 15th Dec 2022 01:35
Thank you so much, Rose, that's extremely kind of you!😊
Comment is about Abyssus Abyssum Invocat (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
Thu 15th Dec 2022 01:34
Thank you so much, John, I truly appreciate your very thoughtful comment! I really don't aim for 'mystical encryption', but I suppose I end up with that!😄
As for 'infomania', I can't take credit for it, not my neologism!😎
Comment is about Casualty (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
Thu 15th Dec 2022 00:46
Thu 15th Dec 2022 00:42
Last three lines are the truest confession. Second choice is always the first😉
Comment is about Grewing (blog)
Original item by Keith Byrne
Celebrities always seem to want recognition for their attempts to advertise charitable work. Smoke and mirrors explain it perfectly. Another 'Great Gospage' piece here Stephen. Well done!
G
PS: I think I might have inadvertently coined a new genre.
Comment is about Scrapheap (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Sound advice, Stephen. Wouldn’t want to get too excited this late in life.
Comment is about HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
<Deleted User> (9882)
Wed 14th Dec 2022 22:17
I had just logged off Stephen but I had a very good reason for logging back on straight way and that reason was for having seen this gem of yours-yes!
those flash-in-the pan rememberances and for me celebrities in charity appeals are a definite no no-too cheesily false most of them. Really enjoyed this poem-11/10! 👍
Rose 💋
Comment is about Scrapheap (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
<Deleted User> (9882)
Wed 14th Dec 2022 21:47
Take it one highlight at a time, John. I must confess I have a pillbox too.
Comment is about HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
<Deleted User> (9882)
Wed 14th Dec 2022 21:44
Brilliant as per Holden 👍
Rose 💋
Comment is about Abyssus Abyssum Invocat (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
A charming and moving poem, Stephen.
Comment is about A Christmas Bauble (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
<Deleted User> (9882)
Wed 14th Dec 2022 21:37
When the flippin heck will society ever get the social balance sorted out-don't answer that Uilleam!
Rose 💋
Comment is about 俳 句 General strike now! 2 (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
<Deleted User> (9882)
Wed 14th Dec 2022 21:34
A very very nice poem indeed Clare
Rose 💋
Comment is about If I Were A Wolf. (blog)
Original item by Clare
A poem with powerful language which recalls savagery on an appalling scale. The desecration of Constantinople continues. This citadel of Byzantium fell into the hands of infidels neither Christian or Muslim but to those who pay lip service only and today remains so. A tragedy yet to be fully realised.
Thank you for this.
Keith
Comment is about CONQUEST: May 29th 1457 (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
You can, indeed, be excused, Bethany. You have a 9 year start on me, MC.
And thanks for the Likes, Stephen A, Helene, Kevin.
Comment is about HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Lovely! Bittersweet, life's stages
Comment is about A Christmas Bauble (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
JC - might this be alternatively titled "Observations on Ageing"?😉
MC (negotiating 79th year with 2 tablets daily).
Comment is about HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Brutality is inexcusable whatever and wherever its source. No
one who has dealt with it can or would make any excuse for it.
Whether it falls solely within the definition of "sexism" is a
matter for examination and debate. The culprits are more
likely to be blameworthy via their basic sociopathic leanings
and inclinations, regardless of gender. This enables their
attacks on those weaker and more vulnerable,...with control
and a disregard of suffering foremost examples of their mental deviations towards humanity. They "select" those who can
offer least resistance - in certain cases also driven by lust and
opportunity - the latter exacerbated by cunning and planning,
disguised via various convincing ploys that makes them so
dangerous. One afternoon as custody officer, I sat with an
escaped inmate awaiting return to a prominent mental institution. Our conversation was nothing if not enlightening
as an example of the "butterfly" ability ol a mindset to flit from
one "escape" from responsibiliity to another. When his escort
arrived, he.paid me the dubious compliment of how much he
had appreciated my understanding. An object lesson for me
in what may be termed "lateral thinking" when confronting
and conversing with guilt and all its ways and means of living with the consequences. A lesson still vivid in my 79th year.
Comment is about From PhD thesis on everyday sexism to award-winning poetry collection: Kim Moore wins £10,000 Forward prize (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
<Deleted User> (33540)
Wed 14th Dec 2022 16:41
Aw I shouldn't laugh John so if I can be excused? Thank you.
Comment is about HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
<Deleted User> (33540)
Wed 14th Dec 2022 16:35
Thank you Uilleam for your comments on Calendrical conclusions that I accidently deleted and I will look up the meaning of Calender. Thank you.
Comment is about Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh (poet profile)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
<Deleted User> (33540)
Wed 14th Dec 2022 16:32
Very much enjoyed Stephen. Thank you.
Comment is about A Christmas Bauble (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
<Deleted User> (33540)
Wed 14th Dec 2022 16:27
Thank you for your like on Calendrical conclusions that I accidently deleted.
Comment is about Stephen W Atkinson (poet profile)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Snap right back at ya! We were on the same dancing wavelength 💞
Comment is about Dance (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Thanks all for your affirming comments. Greatly appreciated! Okay, let's go have an unbridled day even though we are stuck in these bodies. Lol. That's what I love about poetry...we can fly in our imaginations.
Comment is about Imagination (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Thank you Flyntland, what a bittersweet comment. I'm so sorry the dogs have gone and I do hope you can get out in the woods again one day... but, if not, let the memories rain down instead.
Comment is about If It Rains... (blog)
Original item by Tom
Ah! Thank you Flyntland, Stephen and John, I'm so pleased you found this one. This was based on a real day this summer where death seemed to lurk at every turn. Quite surreal in its own way and gently sobering.
Comment is about Day of Death (blog)
Original item by Tom
Thank you Flyntland and Kevin, I really appreciate you reading/listening and the generous comments.
Comment is about Like Someone Who Knows Me (blog)
Original item by Tom
Wed 14th Dec 2022 15:01
I've just been out to top up the feeder... From me and the birds in my garden; thanks MC 😃
Comment is about FOR THE BIRDS (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Like Brentford next, eh Graham. Be thankful H has come back uninsured.
I’ll buy that Flyntland. But cream teas are a garden centre treat for us.
And thanks for the Likes, Stephen, Tom and Jennifer.
Comment is about HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you for your very welcome Like Holden
Comment is about RUNNING THE GAUNTLET (blog)
Original item by Flyntland
Beautiful and as ever sensitive and gentle.
Comment is about Like Someone Who Knows Me (blog)
Original item by Tom
I don't recollect a poetry book of that name, but I'll check it out. Thanks.
I have never swum in the River Loire, and what a shame having walked its full length!
The only time I got wet -soaking wet- was on my way into Nantes in the pouring rain!
Best wishes with your studies.
Comment is about 俳 句 General strike now! 1 (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
I love this poem - and would love to be able to walk my dogs again through the rain-washed woods - the dogs are gone now and walking in woodland no longer possible but you poem revived the joy of it. Thank you
Comment is about If It Rains... (blog)
Original item by Tom
I have only just 'found' this poem and I agree with Helene it is a great poem.
We used to have a small holding - life and death was part of our every day life - each treated with care and respect - as it shoul be.
Comment is about Day of Death (blog)
Original item by Tom
I too share your highlights but I am lucky in that I have one more,
Tesco's delivery day - food to unpack - and scones with our coffee.
Comment is about HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
By the way, I almost forgot to ask you: have you ever read 'Walking To Santiago' by a poet called Neil Curry? I think it a fantastic collection - it shows real dedication to walk that pilgrim trail. They say if you're going to write about a river you should swim in it first, but that's nothing compared with walking all those miles. I think you'd really like Curry's book.
Comment is about 俳 句 General strike now! 1 (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
And of course the twice-weekly disappointment (in the season) of our beloved THFC screwing up against tawdry opposition that they should have mullared!
Comment is about HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Tory gvt policy has a lot to answer for on every level! The idea that you can cut benefits and tax to the rich at the same time is just fundamentally wrong. When I realised the Tories were traditionally bigots, racists, homophobes, sexists, and the like - I turned to the left as a beautiful compassionate emotion to explore. A more fair, free and equal society seems to preclude all manner of Tory gvt policy.
Comment is about 俳 句 General strike now! 1 (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
M.C. Newberry
Thu 15th Dec 2022 16:27
I recall that the Bible itself tells us that the poor will always be
with us. It is for our humanity via good government and good
will to address inequalities when they present a deleterious
situation in anyone's life. Before the advent of the Welfare State, the family held the responsibility of care and that still has an enormous importance today. However, I suspect that there are many who don't measure up in that respect. Another Biblical extract asks "Am I my brother's keeper?" - and so the
conumdrums continue down the ages about the who, the how, and the how much? Not least in this age of "entitlement" and
unreal "expectations". I wonder what Dickens would make of
today's concept of "poverty" compared with his own era?
Comment is about 俳 句 General strike now! 2 (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh