Really like the contrast between the clouds (floating feathery vs storm gathering) & the last 2 lines are powerful (self destruct vs tempered steel). Thanks for this poem...many of us can relate to the described experience dedicated to the fellow you named.
Comment is about RUNNING THE GAUNTLET (blog)
Original item by Flyntland
So would an Englishman reffing a match involving a former colony such as India or Kenya or Canada be “a worrying connection” MC? Or maybe we English are just more intrinsically honest.
And thanks for the Like, Raypool.
Comment is about RESPECT THE REFEREE (A VILLANELLE) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
We Americans are waaay behind UK on having a health care safety net. I am hugely jealous of UK & Canada's national health services. US made large improvement in health care accessibility with the Affordable Care Act (passed under Obama as Pres) for which my family is hugely grateful (people can buy insurance with reduced monthly premiums based on low income; insurance companies can't decline applications for coverage based on pre-existing conditions; government-paid insurance expanded for super low income). Long live the NHS & may its efficiency & equity improve as the years roll by. But at least it exists! I wish we had NHS in the US!
Comment is about Claps Won't Pay Bills (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
JC - refs. in both matches had a worrying connection with one
of the two sides playing. Latin America was largely developed
by Spain and Portugal, so why, for example, choose a Spanish referee to oversee a match involving a Latin American country?
Trust has to be earned by common sense and a sense of fair play...something not always apparent in the decisions of those running international events.
Meanwhile I'm spurred towards writing a poem called "Kane Unable!" 😃
- a tale of biblical ramifications!
Comment is about RESPECT THE REFEREE (A VILLANELLE) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
In reply -
1. Too much largesse to managerial staff at the likely expense
of the sharp-end staff. Too many reported failings by the
former in cases that involve haphazard" lessons will be
learnt" tosh that we see too often.
2. Use of the NHS by visiting non-nationals should be by
use of travel insurance. There are frequent reports of
abuse. Whether or not these are always reliable, it is the
perception and the need to avoid both occurence and
possibility that should be pursued and enforced.
3. Private medical treatment is not to be sneered at when it
can provide a very welcome prompt alternative to an
over-loaded and over-stretched NHS workforce at any
given time. I would "go private" as a pensioner when
and if the circumstances arose. My ethos in "saving for
a rainy day" would then come in handy at no cost to the
NHS.
4. The NHS is self-explanatory in its title. Its essential
object was surely to provide a health "safety net" for
UK citizens who ultimately contribute to its continued
existence.
P.S. I have appreciated my own experiences at the sharp end
of occasional hospital visits, always as an out-patient.
In life, I have always been mindful of self-care and that
has paid off in terms of requiring more serious medical
attention in later years when so many seem to have
abandoned that principle, with the results all too obvious
and -arguably - largely avoidable.
BUT too many people wanting attention brings its own cycle
of illness and death, also arguably avoidable - more's the pity.
Comment is about Claps Won't Pay Bills (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
You can’t trust Johnny Foreigner, MC.
Comment is about RESPECT THE REFEREE (A VILLANELLE) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Some nice alliteration there!
Comment is about RUNNING THE GAUNTLET (blog)
Original item by Flyntland
I like:
"November draws her blackened leaves
back into the earth."
Out on a walk in woodland a few days ago, I could smell the leaves and the earth on the pathway becoming one great compost heap, ready for mother nature's great leap into Spring.
Comment is about What's Past Is Prologue (blog)
Original item by Adam Whitworth
Hello and thank you MC.
What precisely do you mean by:
1. "blighted by mis-management."?
2. "some sort of international "come and get it" freebie."?
3. "just as long as it doesn't become a default service under the NHS banner." ?
4. "those for WHOM it was originally intended." ?
I'm intrigued!
Comment is about Claps Won't Pay Bills (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
Very good Rose! I will bear that advice in mind! 💋😀
Comment is about The Christmas Card (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
The "mechanics" of the economics involved in running the NHS
appear awry. It's a multi-;layered conception employing many
"layers" of services and keeping some balance in how cash is
allocated seems forever blighted by mis-management. Like
the legal fraternity, the medical profession wields considerable power and influence. Handling these bodies requires political will and skill
that seem to have been lacking for
years, not least in the recruiting and pay that has been applied
to what was designed as a NATIONAL health service and has been permitted to expand inexplicably into some sort of international "come and get it" freebie. A Royal Commission
is long overdue to investigate how it is being planned and run
if it is to survive. In the meantime, a sensible alternative use
of "private healthcare" is not irrational or wrong-headed, just
as long as it doesn't become a default service under the NHS
banner. There are TOO many people now seeking attention
from the nation's health service and it's high time the reality
was faced and the situation addressed and actively adapted to
retain its effectiveness for those for WHOM it was originally
intended.
Comment is about Claps Won't Pay Bills (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
Interesting that an ex-Met police officer feels qualified to offer an ill-informed opinion on sexism - have you read the book, MC? - even after the appalling murder of Sarah Everard. If you had read the book, MC, you would have seen that the 'ism', as you term it, is examined pretty rigorously. Here's the link again to my review, at least, just in case you didn't bother to read it before posting your comment https://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=118816
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> (9882)
Sun 11th Dec 2022 15:16
I'm certainly no poetical judge Flyntland but in my humble opinion I would say that this poem is certainly taking you in the right direction-great stuff!
Rose 💋
Comment is about RUNNING THE GAUNTLET (blog)
Original item by Flyntland
<Deleted User> (9882)
Sun 11th Dec 2022 15:12
Couldn't resist adding this adapted for the purpose piece of Scroogesque advice JB-------
A fiver in the card can be worth manyFOLD £'s
in the recipients will!
unless you beat them to them thar Pearly Gates! 😂
Rose 🎄💋 ( batteries OR tongues not included 😈 )
Comment is about The Christmas Card (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Like the ref. watching Messi block a pass with raised arm - and keeping his cards firmly in his pockets; reminding this viewer
of Maradona's upper body parts use in other days..
Comment is about RESPECT THE REFEREE (A VILLANELLE) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thanks for the tip, Bethany. Good advice! 😂
Thanks for the comments and likes Flyntland, Keith and Uilleam. A good Christmas card covers up a multitude of neglect, I suppose, but I'm with Keith. The money can do more practical good.👍
Merry Christmas Everyone 😁❤️💯
Comment is about The Christmas Card (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Some distant islanders back in the day
Didn't welcome visitors who came their way;
They clearly didn't like their look
And promptly slew poor Captain Cook! 😦.
Comment is about 'Well, you know' (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you keith, no I am not an impressionist my only claim to artistic fame is that all my greeting/christmas cards are hand painted.
I am not even sure where the poem came from - it arived in one piece completly out of the blue - I am sure many of you know the feeling of 'where did that come from?'
Uilleam it's cold outside - no excuses - get those paints out.
MY further thanks to those who read and liked.
Comment is about MINDLESS MEANDERINGS (blog)
Original item by Flyntland
Poor old ref; always gets cast as the villanelle of the piece. OUCH!😕
Comment is about RESPECT THE REFEREE (A VILLANELLE) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
<Deleted User> (33540)
Sun 11th Dec 2022 13:36
Don't put any money in the card John ' just in case she IS! '
Comment is about The Christmas Card (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Thanks, Uilleam. I over-egg it a bit. (But not much!)
Comment is about RESPECT THE REFEREE (A VILLANELLE) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I enjoyed this poem as I am no longer a Card sender, not since postal charges have gone through the roof. I would prefer to give any money spent on cards and stamps to a good charity which helps the homeless at Christmas. We all differ on this subject but I have noticed a decline in card sending over recent years.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about The Christmas Card (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
“Why ‘a’n’t ‘e ‘ad an early bath?”
Love i'.....glo''al stops an'all!
Comment is about RESPECT THE REFEREE (A VILLANELLE) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Had a right good laugh at the last line!
It's the thought that counts isn't it!
😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
Comment is about The Christmas Card (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
An amazing poem drawing out life's innate contradictions. Great!
Comment is about LIFE (blog)
Original item by Begum Burak
For now I ain't awaiting anything more
Not that I'm ungrateful, rather my platter is full
Admirable sentiment!
Comment is about It's enough for me (blog)
Original item by N.B
Thanks Graham.
Whether or not the so-called Labour Party would have performed better is not my point.
The Tories have have been intent on the destruction of the NHS since its inception, and Blair was equally as guilty as them, saddling the NHS with astronomical amounts of debt.
For his part in that, Blair won the admiration of Thatcher, as being "probably the most formidable" Labour leader since Hugh Gaitskell.
The current Labour party bears no resemblance to the original and traditional Labour Party.
Blair, Starmer and their followers are traitors to all the Labour party once represented.
Comment is about Claps Won't Pay Bills (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
Hi Stephen, thanks for your message. Happy to hear that too 😃
Comment is about LIFE (blog)
Original item by Begum Burak
Hi Bethany Thanks for the message. I am happy to hear that 😃
Comment is about LIFE (blog)
Original item by Begum Burak
Sun 11th Dec 2022 02:19
Thank you so much, John, your kind comment means a lot! 😎
Comment is about Casualty (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
Whilst I agree with the general sentiment in this piece I honestly think the Labour Party wouldn’t have performed any better if not worse.
It’s time the NHS was taken out of the political spectrum and made an all party entity. Nobody’s football!
Comment is about Claps Won't Pay Bills (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler
whoever is led astray by them is not wise
Oh so true.
Comment is about Wisdom (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Thanks for that Keith.
The NHS saved my life on two occassions, at my birth in 48, the inception of the NHS, and 20 odd years ago when I got a gangrenous appendix.
Numerous operations on my hands enabled me to continue to earn a living working in the public's service.
It has been remarked that the NHS almost has the status of a religion...I would say those who are seeking to destroy it for love of money are downright evil.
Comment is about Claps Won't Pay Bills (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
A strident approach to pay claims in the NHS is evident in this beautifully crafted poem which is rich in its eloquence.. When I look at this government and the Tory Party one thing occurs to me "I would not piss on any of them if they were on fire." Thank you Uilleam, we are in full agreement.
Thank you
Keith
Comment is about Claps Won't Pay Bills (blog)
Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
Thanks MC
A fool and his money are soon parted
another good one and often proven to be true.
Keith
Comment is about Wisdom (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Sexism? Could well be argued that it is "selection by dismissal
of qualities or abilities on offer". Like other "isms" it demands
rigorous examination when raised. But £10.000 is consolation.😇
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
Add "Fools seldom differ" for those so often seen in public life
today!
Where wisdom is sweet
For some, so is deceit!
P.S. I prefer "The LOVE of money is the root of all evil". Money can also be a huge
force for good.
Comment is about Wisdom (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Yahoo---it sets the scene anew
Christmas snow will always do!
But in terms of getting about:
I'd rather be inside - looking out.
(at my age) 😋
Comment is about Ho Ho Ho, We Have Snow (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
<Deleted User> (33540)
Sat 10th Dec 2022 16:58
A lovely poem julie. I suppose its down to personal choice and circumstance's whether or not we are happy to have it snowing
on one hand its great for the kids and traditional part of the season but then on the other hand its difficult for the elderly and roadways etc and that is the way it will always be I expect. Maybe just a fairly short period of it would be acceptable all round think.
Comment is about Ho Ho Ho, We Have Snow (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Great concept. Kim was on 6 Music last Sunday..
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
A Poem which captures the season perfectly.
Thanks
Keith
Comment is about Ho Ho Ho, We Have Snow (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
<Deleted User> (34737)
Sat 10th Dec 2022 13:49
being two full time doddering grinches we would rather have
NO NO NO WE DON'T WANT SNOW
Comment is about Ho Ho Ho, We Have Snow (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
I think women are more generally spiritual and perceptive than their male counterparts. Church congregations reflect this with a preponderance of women. Grandmothers are people who are more accepting of life's trials and this poem speaks well of them.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about Healing (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Reading between the lines am I right in thinking that you are an impressionist? An intriguing poem.
Thanks
Keith
Comment is about MINDLESS MEANDERINGS (blog)
Original item by Flyntland
I enjoyed your journey, Keith and how you took us with you. We can't control control everything. Sometimes we have to have faith 😀👍
Comment is about All will be well (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
A commentary on our times. Very impressive, Holden. 😎
Comment is about Casualty (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
Sun 11th Dec 2022 17:46
The ethnicity/nationality of a match official would be the least of my worries these days.
Given the potential for obscene amounts of money to change hands in the world of football sponsorship, I would be much more concerned about the ability of betting companies and their "sponsorees" to throw a match one way or the other.
Comment is about RESPECT THE REFEREE (A VILLANELLE) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey