Mother nature and the great outdoors-good for the soul.🌷

Comment is about Full Moon (blog)

Original item by Matilda Simakaj

Very poignant JD, thank you.
"There’s a deathly pallor'd silence."...is very effective.

Comment is about I forgot how to love you (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

Much more dangerous are the common men and women,
Ready and able to act without question,.
Yes, plenty of these in our nation.

Who are
Repeating the rhetoric,
Repeating the lies,
Repeating the dog-whistles.
With total impunity-unquestioned-uncriticised.

Comment is about Final solution (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Love will always find a way Kevin no matter what💗

Comment is about Kindness and Love (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Thanks Kevin

I think at the time of her passing everyone was affected and felt a loss of someone special who was always part of our lives.

Comment is about The Golden Angel Gates (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Decades of rooting around in second hand book shops have left me with shelves full of un-half-read books on all kinds of subjects.
They're up there on my left, haunting me, like the missus looking over my shoulder when I'm cooking in the kitchen.

Comment is about Reluctant Reader (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Thank you all most kindly for your encouraging comments and likes.

I'm due to submit a copy of my first book of poems to my publisher within the next few months, but I'm continually beset by self doubt. Possibly I'm suffering from a severe case of impostor syndrome brought on by my traumatic childhood?

All of you at WOL have posted what in my humble opinion is great poetry; but what exactly IS a poem?
If any of you could be so kind as to supply me with a "working definition" I would be most grateful.
XXX
XX
x
Uilleam
💓

Comment is about Not the Masque of Anarchy (blog)

Maybe email Andy Jackson directly, Sarah? I'll DM you with his address.

Comment is about A poem in place of a headstone: poet Andy Jackson talks about the Lonely Funeral project (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Beautiful article, beautiful poem.
Is there a link to offer support?

Comment is about A poem in place of a headstone: poet Andy Jackson talks about the Lonely Funeral project (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Sensational description, Matilda. You took us on your journey with you!
I felt the sense of your well being through the power of your writing 😎

Comment is about Full Moon (blog)

Original item by Matilda Simakaj

Done, thank you Bethany😀

Comment is about I forgot how to love you (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

I’ve met some of these old warriors when visiting France in the past. I reckon if the call came they’d still storm the beaches again! True heroes! A title too easily banded about these days. You poke our remembrance again Stephen.

Comment is about Normandy Veterans at the Airport (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thank you for these generous comments John, Keith, Greg, Uilleam and Kevin.
I was deeply moved by the sight of these wheelchair-bound centenarians preparing to leave Atlanta airport, but it is also chilling to realise that even the bravest of us will eventually be conquered and brought down by time, which is why remembrance is so important.

And thatnks to Manish and Stephen for liking.

Comment is about Normandy Veterans at the Airport (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thank you Stephen, Clare, Kevin, Uilleam and John. Yes you identified the painting correctly Uilleam. Pre- Raphaelite, an unconscious inspiration for the poem. "Fear of the open and of the naked. Hide reality, shut out nature. The revolutionary art movement of Charles's day was of course the Pre-Raphaelite. They, at least, were making an attempt to admit nature and sexuality."
John Fowles, The French Lieutenant's Woman.

Comment is about The solitary rose of your breath (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

suggestion JD-use the full title as your last line-for me that would round this brill poem off nicely

Comment is about I forgot how to love you (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

Thanks Keith for the typically supportive and interesting comment. 😀
My problem with reading in the toilet is that I might not just get piles of books! 😂
Thanks for the likes Clare, Manish and Stephen A . 😀

Comment is about Reluctant Reader (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Thanks very much Kevin, Matilda and John for generous and enlightening comments.
Kevin: I have never been accused of sincerity before. Thank you! 😁
Matilda : I am impressed by your range of quotations and by your fascinating reflections on my poem. Thank you. Not sure that Marie Antoinette is the guru I want to follow, although I I do like cake. 😂
John : I can't refuse to die because
I have books I still need to read, as I can never finish a book. The last one I finished was 'Janet and John, Book 5, This Time it's Personal' 😂

Comment is about Reluctant Reader (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

John,
thank you for this poem in which a lot of truth lies hidden. A dear old gentleman I once knew had a similar hoard of unread books in an attic. He transferred them regularly to a small bookcase in his downstairs toilet where he read them at his leisure. He also invited his guests to take one or read when concealed in the loo. This reading venue became well known and was in fierce competition with a council mobile library van which came weekly. After his death I inherited quite a few good books.
Excellent poem.
Keith

Comment is about Reluctant Reader (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

The change of format does not make it this repeat any more attractive.

Comment is about Not the Masque of Anarchy (blog)

Thank you so much, Kevin, I really appreciate it! 😊

Comment is about Captainless. (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

Taking me back to worrying about all the books, movies, TV, music I've got to get through before I can't.

Love the idea!

Comment is about Reluctant Reader (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Thanks all for the comments and likes 😁

Comment is about Quality Punditry (blog)

Original item by John Gilbert Ellis

Thanks Kevin. I do hope those hands will evaporate back into the mist from which they came...

Thanks to Uilleam, Stephen, John, Kevin, Holden, Hélène, Manish and Bethany for reading.

This is the first poem I've managed to "finish" in about 6 months, so I am very much hoping I remember how to do it and can finish some more soon...

Thanks to everyone who read.

Comment is about Phantom Hands (blog)

Original item by Tom

Thankyou, MC, Uilleam and Kevin.
Good grief, Uilleam! What on earth are you doing introducing common sense to this thread?

Comment is about BREAST FEEDING IN PUBLIC (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you for your poem John!
I think at this moment it was like a storm of captivating ideas...
I read years ago: If you want a new idea, just read a old book!
I don't know why but reading your poem my mind was wondering what old book can I read?!😂😂
Reading: "Until a message from my mobile phone, Sees me scrolling down, happily, All on my own!" my rumination ran to a quote of Marie Antoinette: "There is nothing new except what has been forgotten!'' 😂😂
How this quote is related to your last stanza? I don't know.😂 Maybe because sometime during the day I scroll on my phone but I don't find something new.😂

Comment is about Reluctant Reader (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Blimey-it's not been posted two minutes and I'm already getting requests!
Ta muchly Kevin; I'll see what I can rustle up.😁

Comment is about Not the Masque of Anarchy (blog)

Loved this one, Matilda. Beautifully written.🌻

Comment is about Full Moon (blog)

Original item by Matilda Simakaj

You paint a lovely picture JD.
I also love the damsel flies down the park around the ponds-beautiful.

Comment is about Ode to a Dragonfly (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

On a serious note-might I suggest the following.

Would it be beyond the bounds of reasonablness for large enough public venues such as restaurants to be be encouraged to provide a designated (temporarily screened off ) safe space for nursing mums?

After all, we don't expect customers to relieve themselves in a corner out in the back-we provide sanitary and safe private spaces.

Comment is about BREAST FEEDING IN PUBLIC (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

One might observe with some justification that there's a time
and place for everything. I recall that old word "modesty" that seems so out of fashon these days. 😏

Comment is about BREAST FEEDING IN PUBLIC (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Although not a footie fan as such, I have a family interest via
a late brother-in-law's support of Arsenal and since they
blinked when it mattered and lost the chance of the league
title, I'm now looking forward hopefully to the strong possibility
of a famous "treble" from this extrordinary Manchester City
team. Excellence deserves its reward.

Comment is about The cup final between City and United (blog)

Original item by hugh

Thank you all, Kevin I'm honoured with you comment.

Comment is about Ode to a Dragonfly (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

Thankyou Greg for your thoughts.
Perhaps I have been a little unclear. I fully support a woman’s right to breast feed in public. It is her right. But I don’t think there is a right for her to require people not to look. Is there?

Comment is about BREAST FEEDING IN PUBLIC (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Something about the words "Rolling down to London" brought
thoughts of G.K Chesterton. So many make the journey with
so many varied reasons. It can seem like the tide washing in and out to us locals.

Comment is about Rolling down to London (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Hello Grace, Kevin and UOC - thank you for your comments.
My appreciation too for the "likes" shown here.
One of the benefits of retirement is the luxury of a lie-in and
these have occasionally produced poems. Something no doubt
to do with enabling the mind to wander, as well as concentrate
on editing mentally for the eventual posted result.

Comment is about SPIRIT (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thank you Stephen, for speaking up for those who are unable-or unwilling-to do so.
Anger and Sadness in equal measure are what I feel on observing scenes such as this.
"If any question why we died/ Tell them, because our fathers lied".
Kipling

Comment is about Normandy Veterans at the Airport (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Serve her right for going into Wetherspoons in the first place, eh, John? Knowing it's full of dirty old men like yersel? I echo Graham's thoughts on this. Shame she didn't whack you over the head. As a new grandfather, I certainly would have done.

Comment is about BREAST FEEDING IN PUBLIC (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

You wouldn't catch Philip Larkin going on a demo, Tim! But echoes of The Whitsun Weddings here, all the same ...

Comment is about Rolling down to London (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

A fine poem, Stephen. Thank you.

Comment is about Normandy Veterans at the Airport (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thank you MC.
I agree entirely.
As J.C. would doubtless now say
"Socialism now;
For the many, not the few;
Yeah man-right on!
All yer need is love".💓

Comment is about SPIRIT (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Stephen,
Thank you for this reminder of those who are still alive who fought a bitter conflict to earn the freedom we enjoy today. Also of blessed memory of those who paid the highest price and did not return. A poem which speaks not only of days past but to new generations who live free lives thanks to these valiant men.
Thank you for this,
Keith

Comment is about Normandy Veterans at the Airport (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thankyou, Kevin and Stephen.
I do feel a little conflicted about Spoons. But if he’ll sell me unlimited coffees for £1.25, I’m happy to take advantage. Particularly if there’s a floor show.

Comment is about BREAST FEEDING IN PUBLIC (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

When I was little it was a parade of the young men and the old men. Then there were no old men. Then there were no young men, only old men.
Now the Falklands veterans are the old men and the Iraq and Afghanistan verse the young ones.
The beat goes on.

Comment is about Normandy Veterans at the Airport (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Oh dear,
'Spoons and Brexit;
I'm your best mate, Boris!
What a combination!

Comment is about BREAST FEEDING IN PUBLIC (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Fantastic poem, KJ. I love Rocky Horror and still have the urge to play Brad Majors one day.

Comment is about The Rocky Horror Picture Show (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

Thanks John.
"The Soul of the Rose", by John William Waterhouse if I'm not mistaken?
A beautiful piece.

Comment is about The solitary rose of your breath (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

The last time I was in Wetherspoons, I sat opposite a man reading Nigel Farage's autobiography. He may also have been an Arsenal supporter. You see where these things can lead, John.

Comment is about BREAST FEEDING IN PUBLIC (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Well done, Tim. Keep fighting! The world needs you.

Comment is about Rolling down to London (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Thank you for taking out your time and reading my poems, I'm glad that you liked it, Holden. It means a lot to me.🌻

Comment is about Holden Moncrieff (poet profile)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

I think our hearts will always go out to others in need Kevin and for us who can do it sometimes inside poetry for others to join in with us is what life is all about.💗

Comment is about When Hope Calls (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell