It is true, M.C., that Ukraine was occupied in WW2 and that some elements collaborated with the Nazi regime and its odious policies.
However, Russia has sought to cast the modern Ukrainian democracy (an imperfect one, of course), as a Nazi regime and to use this as an excuse for its unprovoked, murderous invasion. This is palpable nonsense.
The need for a unified Western position in support of Ukraine has never been greater. This poem satirises the opportunism of US Republicans, many of whom would now like to pretend that the war has nothing to do with them and wish that it would go away.
Comment is about Slackers, or The View from Washington (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Rainy days never end
Sat 30th Sep 2023 16:04
I think it would be a fine thing to produce a special memorial edition of Networds, celebrating Paul and his contribution to NW grassroots poetry.
For those that don't know, Networds is an e-zine promoting Bolton and NW writing which Paul helped to found and manage.
https://networds.org/
Comment is about Poets pay tribute to Paul Blackburn - a founding father of Write Out Loud - after death at festival (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Over my long life, I've always been aware that the women in the
family have a greater commitment to such things than the men.
The latter really have no excuse(s) and resort to "leaving it to the
girls". - as if it was somehow a feminine thing to do and that
men were somehow absolved from any such caring aspect in
this life. Lazy and long on what is basically a "cop-out"!!
Comment is about MY MUMMY (blog)
Original item by ray pool
The combustible history between Russia and Ukraine doesn't
promise anything to be over soon, more's the pity for the innocents caught up in the conflict. Russia hasn't forgotten the
part taken by their neighbour on the Nazi side in WW2 and
that massive land has a long memory of invasion from outside
its borders and no reason to trust any "Western" opinions and
actions for that reason. A situation exacerbated by the ongoing centralised grip on power by its Kremlin overlords,
with their ability to play on paranoia, to keep control of the in-country narrative and thus fuel the historically influenced fearful suspicions of its people, especially the older ranks.
Comment is about Slackers, or The View from Washington (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you for the likes Stephen, Ferris and K. Lynn.
That's a nice coincidence Graham - same hymn sheet as they say! My wife is on the ball with all the family current occasions thank goodness, but I think we mostly remember our own close members don't we.
Most gratifying Helene that you clicked with this, thank you.
Ray
Comment is about MY MUMMY (blog)
Original item by ray pool
The final line of this piece is inspired.
A beautiful poem
Comment is about Here Not There (blog)
Original item by MsUnLuv
Thank you, John. I think "clueless maggots" sums them up rather well.
Graham - let's see how things go. I still believe that Ukraine can win the war with continued Western support, whether or not it becomes a NATO (and perhaps an EU) member. It will last a long time and take an awful toll in terms of casualties on both sides. A terrible prospect whatever happens.
And thanks to John C.
Comment is about Slackers, or The View from Washington (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Poetry opens yourself to others
Lines revealing information under control
Always when telling hold back
Secrets always staying within yourself.❤
Comment is about Information (blog)
Original item by Sunshine
It was a huge shock to hear of his death. I remember his appearances at the Dead Good Poets Society at our old Everyman Bistro venue and our Blackburn House residency.
I think of his snapping Jazz fingers. Funniest memory was at Blackburn House. Paul and a few others from Bolton took the performing stage... and proceeded to fire imitation firearms at us! I remember thinking "Wish I'd thought of that!".
This was during my short lived acrostic phase which... yeah.
I saw the pictures of him happy at the Morecambe festival. And then a couple of days later his death was announced.
Always meant to catch up. Had no idea he'd done so much.
Thanks for making this page. All the best to his family and love.
Comment is about Poets pay tribute to Paul Blackburn - a founding father of Write Out Loud - after death at festival (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
<Deleted User> (13740)
Fri 29th Sep 2023 20:30
So sad to read this. A talented guy who will be missed by many. I remember him from the old days and the early days of write out loud. This site is a saviour to many. I last saw him 3 years ago just after lockdown and he remembered a poem I had written and had published in an ezine during lockdown. So clever of him to remember. Rest in peace Paul. X
Comment is about Poets pay tribute to Paul Blackburn - a founding father of Write Out Loud - after death at festival (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I logged in to write out loud as I have done for the past four years
After reading a beautiful tribute I tried to hold back tears
A photo of a gentleman of whom I never met
A rather sombre feeling an ache of slight regret
Learning of this man I kind of felt at loss
To hear of what he did for me... to learn our paths will never cross
His wonderful contributions to keep the story tellers creating
Because of his existence we are writers in the making
Paul Blackburn
To hear of your dedication and your role in write out loud
I'm honoured to have discovered you
Blessed and feeling proud
Your physical life this time on earth has sadly passed
Your words they did not die for eternity they shall last
Love and healing sent may you rest in peace 🙏
Comment is about Poets pay tribute to Paul Blackburn - a founding father of Write Out Loud - after death at festival (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I am saddened to hear that Paul has died. I met him at Spotlight in Lancaster on a few occasions when he seemed to bring half of Blackburn with him. I have a happy memory of Paul.
Cherish the happy memories,
Banish the sad ones.
Comment is about Poets pay tribute to Paul Blackburn - a founding father of Write Out Loud - after death at festival (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Provocative or not, I now think it is time to bring Ukraine into NATO and give Russia a four-week timescale to vacate the lands they have improperly occupied and fight over.
There really is no other way other than to search out Putin and do away with him. Even then the West could not be certain that another idiot wouldn't do the same!
Comment is about Slackers, or The View from Washington (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Well put Stephen.
If the clueless maggots get in, this isn't finishing in any planned timeframe.
Comment is about Slackers, or The View from Washington (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks to Nigel and Manish.
This was inspired by a statement from the Republican House Speaker, who, pandering to MAGA twits opposed to US aid, said that he needed to see 'a plan to win the war' i.e. get on with it and save us some money, you slackers!
Easy to say from the Capitol, of course.
Comment is about Slackers, or The View from Washington (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Any twit can chop down a tree, Stephen, and sadly one of them did.
It's horrible that two hundred years of service to the planet is wiped out in a few moments.
Comment is about Sycamore Gap (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Some really nice lines and images in there. Particularly like 'the night was frightened' and 'a trumpet wails out a cry of hunger'.
Comment is about Blackened Blew (blog)
Original item by Ferris Ty Taylor
Feels like this is where we are (at least in the UK!). Like 'a migration woven in a languageless tapestry'. Thank you.
Comment is about Taking on the light II (blog)
Original item by Gray Nicholls
Fri 29th Sep 2023 13:39
Hey Russell, it is indeed about one's lost of youth. Thank you for your comment!
Comment is about Inner Child (blog)
Original item by Yasoda
Thank you Stephen, what a tragedy; I've been up there, on the Pennine Way.
A 200 hundred ? year old tree whose felling, like millions of others around the world, was motivated by crass stupidity, greed, evil, you name it....?
On the positive side, I wonder whether shoots may possibly grow from the stump? Of course that’s a matter for the expert naturalists…but as a lesson to children who live in and around the area, I propose that be each invited to plant a tree to form a protective copse around the stump, so that they be given some “ownership” over and protective feelings towards nature in general.
Comment is about Sycamore Gap (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
These lines manage to capture the void left by a senseless act
that would have horrified Gerald Manley Hopkins. For my own
part, I recall the words of WB Yeats from "The Second Coming"
(from memory which might err) -
What rough beast, its time come round at last
Lurches towards Bethlehem to be born.
Comment is about Sycamore Gap (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Totally cool poem, Mike. Loved it (enriched by Russell's comment as well)
Comment is about Burying the Dragonfly (blog)
Original item by Mike McPeek
Blessings on your birthday, Nadia. Keep writing!
Comment is about 21st birthday (blog)
Original item by Nadia Coia
Good poem, Jaya! I agree...wisdom of the body. I really enjoyed reading this.
Comment is about smaller (blog)
Original item by Jaya Papaya
Really lovely! Love the lines "I can see her as sharp as a pin, I know she must be looking in." Superb poem, Ray.
Comment is about MY MUMMY (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Thanks Chris.
Yes we've been well and truly shafted by this government. I might have considered retiring now if they hadn't ruined the economy and decimated everyone's pension pots.
On a happier note, it's lovelt to hear from you. I hope you and yours are well. Give my love to John. It would be good to see you around some time.
X
Comment is about Despair on fiscal policy (blog)
Original item by Isobel
I loved this poem. So beautifully written with great imagery.
Thank you.
Comment is about The Hidden Essence (blog)
Original item by Dalia Sophia Jayes
Beautiful, Dalia, and illuminating. Loved it!
Comment is about The Hidden Essence (blog)
Original item by Dalia Sophia Jayes
Very timely Ray! I still use a written diary and have only just (yesterday) transferred all my birthday and significant dates into it, including my father's and mothers birthdates and deaths. For personal consumption only!
Comment is about MY MUMMY (blog)
Original item by ray pool
So sad to hear about Paul he was a giant among the poets and so kind to us up coming poets he had time for everyone who ever you were he will be sadly missed he was a genuine lover of life.
Comment is about Poets pay tribute to Paul Blackburn - a founding father of Write Out Loud - after death at festival (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Lovely pissy poem so apt after all the shit running down our rivers into the sea while the fat cats lick the cream
Comment is about Despair on fiscal policy (blog)
Original item by Isobel
The loss of something so beautiful is a metaphor for the many times we will lose things in life, our youth, our relationships, and our loved ones. This a beautifully crafted poem which opens the mind to other scenarios.
Comment is about Burying the Dragonfly (blog)
Original item by Mike McPeek
Superb at imagery and beautifully written. You are a star sir!✨
Comment is about Viva La Vida (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Niall Bradley
Wed 27th Sep 2023 23:30
Such sad news. Thank you Julian, you rolled back the years to the Old Man and Scythe, to the Sweet Green and to the Howecroft. Paul was ever present and ever fun. He will be truly missed.
Comment is about ‘A huge contribution to Write Out Loud’: Julian Jordon recalls the generosity, enthusiasm and knowledge of Paul Blackburn (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Yes, those Russians have a lot to answer for.
Comment is about Her Final Solution (blog)
I really enjoyed this, Stephen. I love the wry sarcasm and the cynical tone. It did me good
Pressing kisses against the reinforced glass
It describes the world we live in!
Comment is about Young Man, Dancing (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Very sorry to hear of your personal loss, and the poetry world's.
I met Paul a few times and know what a difference he made to poetry events.
Comment is about ‘A huge contribution to Write Out Loud’: Julian Jordon recalls the generosity, enthusiasm and knowledge of Paul Blackburn (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
You've said it all Julian. I can imagine how hard this must be for you and all the original team. How do you sum up the nature of a person in a few words?
It's a lovely tribute that you've written though x
Comment is about ‘A huge contribution to Write Out Loud’: Julian Jordon recalls the generosity, enthusiasm and knowledge of Paul Blackburn (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
This is such sad news. I feel like I'm repeating myself because I've commented on a number of threads about this loss, but it takes some time to process that it's actually happened. I also think the magnitude of our loss needs to be acknowledged. Paul was so well loved in the poetry scene and so active and supportive of everyone.
I have very warm memories of Paul. Can remember once jumping off a commuter train to Manchester to throw my arms round him in Bolton and then jump back on the train. He was very bemused by it... I probably ticked him off a bit in my early days on WOL but he forgave me for it...I hope..
Comment is about Poets pay tribute to Paul Blackburn - a founding father of Write Out Loud - after death at festival (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thankyou, Stephen. Funnily enough, I do have a Dave Clark Five parody about the Salisbury Novichok murders entitled “Vlad All Over”.
https://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=76910
And thanks for the Like John G.
Comment is about ACHING ALL OVER (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
That's a thought, JC. I used the simpler arrangement to place
the lyric in the foreground rather than let it be submerged in what is a pretty "heavy" instrumental setting.
Comment is about CHRISTMAS SNOW-ORCHESTRAL (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
This brought back a visit to that part of the Riviera back in the
1960s. A motor caravan holiday when I was young. Happy days,
not least the memory of the warmth of the sea!
Comment is about Viva La Vida (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
I love the idea of 'used tourists', John. A nice reversal.
Comment is about Viva La Vida (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Hélène
Sun 1st Oct 2023 10:09
Far away in California, USA, I really appreciate this discussion on the heartbreaking war, guys. You all are educating me. Since joining WOL and reading your Ukraine poems, Stephen, I have felt "up close and personal" the sorrow and pain of such a horrific, dragging-on, war violence, so close to home from the UK vantage point. As Americans far from the death and devastation, US politicians and US folks can fail to see/feel the full picture. (My grandmother left Germany after WW1 and moved to Mexico, ultimately settling in Calif. with my Scottish immigrant grandfather. She felt the pain of WW11 from afar; her German family was mostly anti-Nazi, but there was at least one pro-Nazi (sympathizer) relative; the latter being a horrible stain/shame on my ancestry). I watched a biographical drama movie about Russia's starvation of Ukraine in the 1930's, and also have read about Putin's childhood trauma and his extreme paranoia. What a f_____ mess, per usual on planet Earth. Again, I appreciate reading your political analysis comments, guys, triggered by Stephen's illuminating Ukraine poems.
Comment is about Slackers, or The View from Washington (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage