but it is a today poem isn't it? 'And so some lines to spike centenary prattle' puts it in the here and now - the style is of the world war 1 poets - but the voice is of today - I think it is absolutely appropriate that a modern topic is the catalyst for the remembrance. But as you say - us poets.....

Comment is about A Centenary War Poem for my father Bill Baine (1899-1968) (blog)

Original item by Attila the Stockbroker

Well I could see what MC meant by omitting Gove and using politician instead. The reference to Gove makes it very much a 'today' poem, whereas if you are looking for something that stands the test of time, politician is better. It all depends upon what you are after, I suppose.

Another change I'd make would be

'These words a sole surviving soldier's son's'

Us poets, what are we like? Can't agree on anything and nit pick over a noun or an adjective LOL

I must admit to always having believed the 1st WW was down to German aggression - though I'm no history expert. It will always be remembered for its senseless slaughter of young men though - decisions made and stuck to with no heed to death toll.

Comment is about A Centenary War Poem for my father Bill Baine (1899-1968) (blog)

Original item by Attila the Stockbroker

*A young Adolf Hitler was with the German army and his determination to avenge German defeat was a decisive factor in his own participation in yet another attempt by Germany to seek a dominant role in world affairs.*

Quite unlike Britain of course, which never invaded anywhere... ;-)

http://angloboer.com/crimes.htm

Comment is about A Centenary War Poem for my father Bill Baine (1899-1968) (blog)

Original item by Attila the Stockbroker

I enjoyed reading this and particularly liked the rhyme.

Comment is about Faulty (blog)

Original item by alan barlow

superb - tonally very similar to the 'I was there' authenticity of the original war poets. the final two lines NEED to remain as they are - not watered down as MC suggests - if we do not challenge individual's mindless prattle then we have learnt nothing at all.
I doff my hat to you sir!
Ian

Comment is about A Centenary War Poem for my father Bill Baine (1899-1968) (blog)

Original item by Attila the Stockbroker

I found this very moving - a wonderful tribute to your father - a poem for a poet.

Comment is about A Centenary War Poem for my father Bill Baine (1899-1968) (blog)

Original item by Attila the Stockbroker

I looked up the words attributed to Michael Gove
and his main point seems to be that it is too
easy to believe the revisionist views of that
horrendous conflict - the first real example of
impersonal industrial warfare whose generals on
both sides were completely untrained and experienced in such things, still trapped in an
era of cavalry charges. Like their subordinates
they had to adapt as best they could in a series of hideously costly examples of attrition.
But the fact was that the war was the fault of an expansionist Germany, intent on making itself
felt in invasive influence across much of the
western hemisphere. A young Adolf Hitler was
with the German army and his determination to avenge German defeat was a decisive factor in his own participation in yet another attempt by
Germany to seek a dominant role in world affairs. It is part of the mentality - set out
in the Prussian tome "On War" which gives a huge insight into the pervading mentality - e.g. what
can't be had by peaceful means is to be won
in war - with the two interchangeable where
necessary.
That this occurred twice within 25 years means it's hardly a slur on the country or its
people...merely the thinking made manifest.
My father's generation was of different stuff
and many went off to fight because they had an
idea of what Germany was up to and had a fierce
belief in themselves and their country. Many
were old pals regiments, fighting and dying
together - and inordinately proud of "The old Empire" and what Britain represented in their world.
There is a place fought for by the Devonshire Regiment, with grievous losses that was marked with the words: "The Devonshires held this trench. The Devonshires hold it still".
Very matter of fact - with pride before self-pity...as was their style. God bless them.
Lest we forget.

Comment is about A Centenary War Poem for my father Bill Baine (1899-1968) (blog)

Original item by Attila the Stockbroker

thanks for commenting on 'grievous angel' Alan- glad you liked it - much appreciated
Ian

Comment is about alan barlow (poet profile)

Original item by alan barlow

thanks, very much appreciate it im still learning and hope i continue for many a year to come thank you for your input

Comment is about Faulty (blog)

Original item by alan barlow

Lest we should forget!

Great article Greg - life and death - the legacies and the lies - you don't get more real than this - and I like poetry that deals with reality.

Comment is about Protest poet's tribute to father remembers first world war deaths (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Agreed - on all points - a very fine poem. That senseless carnage should never be forgotten or allowed to be watered down by politician's prattle.

Very moving, as was the very last episode of Black Adder on the same subject, which Greg's home page article reminded me of. The only comedy ever to make me cry, in fact.

Comment is about A Centenary War Poem for my father Bill Baine (1899-1968) (blog)

Original item by Attila the Stockbroker

Chris,
got the glasses okay this morning.

Thanks heaps (I`ll see you both at the next
Spoke)

Thanks again

Comment is about Chris Co (poet profile)

Original item by Chris Co

Who can really know what it is to witness the
death and dismemberment all around while
under continual bombardment...face it hour after
hour...only to "break" in a moment's unimaginable mental torture.
I like to think that many others were
saved from themselves by the actions of their
comrades who really were "all in it together".
They were different times and the thinking at
the end of the day was that such conduct -
however explainable to day - was likely to
affect the morale of the rest and, perhaps,
see mass retreat - with the prospect of ultimate
defeat. Unthinkable - hence the awful military
resort to the firing squad. But remember -
there have been others since - like the Soviet
officers employed behind their advancing troops
to shoot the less enthusiastic, let alone the
deserters in the battles of WW2. Again, the
ultimate need for victory decided the tactics.
Such is the tyranny of war!

Comment is about FACE A GUN (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

Is it called Beyond Wrods this month? That's actually pretty cool.

Review is about Beyond Wrods on 4 Feb 2014 (event)

With a father who survived the Western and Italian Fronts (1917/1918) and a maternal uncle who was
killed in action with The Rifle Brigade in 1916,
these lines come as a jarring reminder of the
human cost during and after the slaughter...yet
with hope insofar that the subject lived on to
create opportunity in life for others. From
the carnage of conflict comes the continuance
of the human spirit to comfort us all.
As for the reference to Gove - in the wider
context of perpetuity, the poem probably deserves
to omit the personal reference and substitute a
more general term: e.g. "a politician's prattle"

Comment is about A Centenary War Poem for my father Bill Baine (1899-1968) (blog)

Original item by Attila the Stockbroker

Me on the syllabus?
Gove would have a heart attack!
Now there's an idea :)

Comment is about A Centenary War Poem for my father Bill Baine (1899-1968) (blog)

Original item by Attila the Stockbroker

Superbly crafted, very moving piece, and extremely important. Should be on the syllabus.

Comment is about A Centenary War Poem for my father Bill Baine (1899-1968) (blog)

Original item by Attila the Stockbroker

It's always a pleasure to bring pleasure!
JC - a niece made a similar comment about the
tune. If I find a stronger one, I'll go to it!!
In the meantime, it pleases me.
As for the line kindly referred to: I was torn
between "memories" and "visions". Such is the
hardship and toil of the lyric writer! I'm still
unsure which is best, with the appeal of the
alliteration lurking in the latter. Decisions...decisions!

Comment is about FALLEN ANGEL - a song (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Your glasses Harry - I sent them via registered post. They should be with you today, but will need to be signed for. If you miss that/if nobody is in, you can pick them up from your sub post office or habe them re-delivered.

Best of

Chris

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Hi MC, thanks for your comment on my profile, many apologies for not answering this sooner, I have only just noticed it. Yes, I do understand your views, and I agree there are some people like you describe. However, the other side of the coin is that many have paid into the system for years on end, and then they become disabled, only to have Atos tell them they are fit for work, and their benefits stop completely while they await tribunals. It is not fair that many people who cannot find work are having their money stopped altogether for between a month and three months due to unfair procedures at the DWP.
Anyway, respect for your story, MC.

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I enjoyed this, MC, and agree with John about the best line.

Comment is about FALLEN ANGEL - a song (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

As soon as I heard about Gove's comments on the first world war, I thought: "What would Owen and Sassoon say? Has he not studied any first world war poetry?" You make the point quietly, but these lines make you want to weep - "His comrades formed their line, then came the whistle /
And then the news that every one was dead." A fine poem, in a great and honourable tradition, Attila.

Comment is about A Centenary War Poem for my father Bill Baine (1899-1968) (blog)

Original item by Attila the Stockbroker

Wow! I really connected with this. There is a kind of madness to do with being in the mountains and you've expressed it so well. I've been frightened on the East face of Tryfan and jumped Adam and Eve (53" apart but feels so much more). Been battered by wind and hail more times than I can remember but KEEP COMING BACK, keep loving it. Last time I tried Crib Goch, the soles came off my boots and we had to cut down to the Pyg track by the Pinnacles. Hairy - as so often - but it won't stop me and it sounds like nothing will stop you.

Comment is about Just a bit of mountain fun (blog)

Original item by SPACEGHOST

Nice to see the audios being posted again, MC.
I liked the "darkness brings that heavenly gleam and memories of a vanished dream".
If I had a minor issue it was that I felt the melody a bit shy compared with the lyrics.

Comment is about FALLEN ANGEL - a song (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks MC,
I'm sure those blinkered restrictive practices they had didn't help but I think the problems were more complex than that.
The reality has been for a long time that you couldn't buy a "British" car - only one assembled in Britain from (literally) foreign parts.

Comment is about MORRIS 1800 (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Ha-ha! This brings memories flooding back.
I stayed with older S/H cars as a youth - tried
and tested, with owners who had cared for them -
Sunbeam-Talbot, Triumph, M.G. (sports) and
Austin-Healey, to mention some favourites.
Any workforce lead by the nose
By that red-hot crack-pot "Red Robbo"
Deserves to see its own death-throes
With the appropriate appellation "Knobbo"!!

Comment is about MORRIS 1800 (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I'm a fan of verse that tells a story and scans
well in the main. Good to see this post.
Two points: I would have been tempted to use
""Too self-absorbed, I neglected to care" instead
of "Mostly self-absorbed (etc.,) - to keep the rhyming rhythm going...and sought to use "derange"
instead of "mumbling rage" to the same end.

Comment is about Faulty (blog)

Original item by alan barlow

yes 2013 was a good year, got much writing done
which has carried over to 2014

Comment is about Scandals, royalty, and a great loss: poetry's big news in 2013 (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Trapped

Is that my shadow breathing
on that dark deadly spot
or does this ghost mirror
have a spirit trapped inside
waiting to take my place
when fast asleep in bed.

Comment is about The Mirror (blog)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

An intriguing piece. Nice one Winston.

Comment is about Preen (blog)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Thx Ian, read this at the shindig last night. seemed to go down well, thx for your comments

Comment is about Preen (blog)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Thanks for the kind comment on 'The Ides' Alan. It was a real off-the-cuff one, as much of my poetry is, come to think of it. :)

Comment is about alan barlow (poet profile)

Original item by alan barlow

i enjoyed this a lot great piece and rip Cecil

Comment is about Grievous Angel (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

a very evocative write, thank you for sharing it

Comment is about The Ides (blog)

Original item by David Blake

Hello Dave,
Thank you for your nice comments on my poem "The Sea Haiku" (stretched out). This is not my best work but I do like experimenting with the formats of my poetry.

Thanks,
Shirley

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

"silver-scintillant arc" - I had to look it up, Harry. Liked it before I understood it; loved it after.
Love the ambivalence of this.

Comment is about Fiesty old pro-choice Celia`s dream (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Our sympathies too Paul.Ours jossed it recently and we are now on a new Packard Bell.The keyboard of which is like typing on a sponge cake,and the cursor has a mind of its own.Makes us feel as if were defusing a bomb.Bring on the paracetamols!That said,our old one comes back occasionally to visit us,in its death throes-so keep tapping-who knows?

Comment is about Disaster (blog)

Original item by Paul Sands

but I am going to bide my time and hang onto the hard drive in the pff chance

Comment is about Disaster (blog)

Original item by Paul Sands

Because I scattershot a lot around sites like here some I should be able to find and I have three entries out for competitions containing 15 poems so they at least are retrievable

Comment is about Disaster (blog)

Original item by Paul Sands

I shall be there with a small Marsden contingent, including Jean Bennett whose nursery rhyme about the child who starved to death last year was such a feature of last year's poetry jam. should be a cracker!

Comment is about New host promises surprises at Write Out Loud Sale (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

My sympathy Paul,

Even when mine works, I don`t know how to use the bloody thing correctly.

But you can`t just let immortal stuff die,
Give up the wine and spend the £700.

Comment is about Disaster (blog)

Original item by Paul Sands

Thank you very much, Gray, Dave and Solar :)

Dave, you are not wrong. Many people are being left with nothing to live on. My daughter was tricked by someone at DWP and sanctioned for not applying for a job that he said he had given her details of, but he never had. She had no money for a month and has a 9 year old daughter to support. These are the true fraudsters - the DWP!

Comment is about Democracy is dead (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Thankyou David and Lynn, for your thoughts.
I must say, when the telemarketer introduces himself as "Hello my name is Colin", I'm always enormously tempted to say, "Oh no it's not!"

Comment is about The Telemarketer (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

nicely crafted Lynn!x

Comment is about Democracy is dead (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Well done Lynn and thanks for comment on mine. My wife has just got back from a days training with the CAB. She is upset - saying they're making it harder and harder to claim benefits. People who've done nothing any normal person would cal 'wrong' are regularly being left with nothing to live on. Of course that drives them into the arms of the likes of Wonga who prey on the poor. I wonder which way the shareholders in Wonga vote?

Comment is about Democracy is dead (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Brilliant, John - great ploy, I shall have to remember that one!

Comment is about The Telemarketer (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I enjoyed this, Harry, definitely shows potential.

Comment is about While waiting for inspiration (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Love this. The Coronation Street comment says it all, really.

Comment is about The Telemarketer (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Impressive so far Harry. I like the 'farce with a heart' angle too. I tried writing a play once but got stuck after the first scene, I just don't think I was disciplined enough to keep within the conventions of script-writing!

Comment is about While waiting for inspiration (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Obviously this is something you feel passionate about. War is truly a horrible thing. This is very sharp and biting, it questions and makes you think. That's what I like about it.

Comment is about FACE A GUN (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER