You have taken Wolfgar's mantle. He seems to have gone quiet of late.
Comment is about War Graves (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
A beautiful poem, JD. Loved it!
Comment is about Accept me as I am (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Stephen,
You have paid another great tribute to the fallen. Your poetry on the subjects of war and remembrance are beyond compare, rich in compassion and with a clear message that all war is futile. Those young men and women who gave their lives did so to buy the freedom we enjoy today. We shall forever be in their debt.
ZTC Space hits on a number of facts which also need to be taken into consideration. Most of our politicians today have had no personal experience of wearing a uniform and serving their country. This is apparent in the abysmal amount of money given to ex servicemen as pensions for their service and the appalling fact that the size and numbers of our Armed Forces are at an all time low. And all this, as a war rages in Europe. What kind of leaders do we have? Perhaps National Service/Conscription might wake a few from their slumber and bring them to their senses.
Stephen, thank you again,
Keith
Comment is about War Graves (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Another magnificent poem, Stephen, as always. Brings in a lot of things into perspective to ponder on.
Thank you.
Comment is about War Graves (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
A superb poem full of reverence, respect and nobility. I live rhythm and the rise and fall of the cadance, Stephen. It is sad that countries are still sending their younger generations out to die.
Comment is about War Graves (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you all so much for your likes and kind comments. You guys keep me writing!đ
Comment is about Friendship by The River. (blog)
Original item by Clare
............Hello Stephen,
I like this poem.
As a veteran, it is a different occupation in this day. where once to be a soldier would be thought of as a condition for sacrifice, it has now a lesser meaning. Politicians further careers by being war prime minister for post office foreign dignitary occasions. chemical companies vie for position to test injections none descript and never sanctioned, and those many charities on the back drop of conflict that hope one day to fulfill a ceo wage akin to the ceo of high street charity outlets.
films at still of a romantic inclination, slow mo bullets and adagio for strings, or singing mickey mouse songs on patrol - all venture the romantic, except of course the Russian 'Come and See.'
yet the words are bought, words bought by thespian to give a grand recital. today, if Wilfred Owen can be taken every eleven eleven, dusted off and given a fresh thespian to sport their skill, then all is well.
Over 100 years of modern conflict, and still the soldiers statement is never really heard. If it were, it would at last be conducive to a Global Cessation of all forms of Conflict.
But it is not, as warfare is sexed and rammed down our childrens throat till they look across the living room with contempt at mum and dad in their teenage years.
The soldiers plight is never acknowledged to those in positions of power. It still means something to you and I, and service families, but where once a local would shout 'Bring them back,' it is now replaced with..........' send them back ! '
How many apart from service families visit those fields of green adorned with white crosses and headstones???
so much is lost to complacency and still our rulers do not understand............. in a society where children are killing themselves more and more............ there needs to be 'understood,' a desperate need for change.
Until that day, a soldiers sacrifice actually means........... nothing!
be well Stephen.
God bless and great poem.
Comment is about War Graves (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
A wonderful, life-affirming poem, Clare.
Comment is about Friendship by The River. (blog)
Original item by Clare
One can't get away from Tory MP's, eh, John? (Not sure which, or both, maybe).
Sorry, a bit perliddical, as Tony Blair would say.
Comment is about BOP IT ! (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you, John. It is remarkable how nature reasserts itself.
Comment is about Hickleton Main (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
This is great, Mike. Liverpool did Ukraine and the whole of Europe proud.
Comment is about The Party Is Over (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
I think instinct is a massively underrated characteristic. I think itâs the only paranormal entity that we all believe in. You make us think Katarina!
Comment is about Part of us (blog)
Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis
Grace Meadows
Mon 15th May 2023 20:37
I wholeheartedly agree with Keith and John, thank you Helene.
Comment is about Infinitely (blog)
Original item by HĂ©lĂšne
Grace Meadows
Mon 15th May 2023 20:35
And I agree with both previous comments Clare such a lovely pi piece of writing, thank you.
Comment is about Friendship by The River. (blog)
Original item by Clare
Grace Meadows
Mon 15th May 2023 20:30
So beautiful Katerina-thank you.
Comment is about Part of us (blog)
Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis
Grace Meadows
Mon 15th May 2023 20:24
An interesting and scary poem Hugh, it seems that we are living on a knife edge these days.
Comment is about Whatâs coming next ? (blog)
Original item by hugh
Correct about the fossil fuel, John. I wanted to honour the miners and celebrate nature at the same time. A tricky juggling act.
Thanks for referencing my use of metaphor, Manish. I was inspired by Clare( as I often am) and her superb Tenter Hooks series.
Thanks too for the like, Keith. đ
Comment is about Hickleton Main (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Loved the way you conveyed the message metaphorically, of a covered up mining ground (nature's bruises) to that of a battered person's wounds.
A very elegant poem this, John B.đż
Comment is about Hickleton Main (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
John, a poem which spoke to me in many ways. Bells send messages and almost speak. A tolling bell at a funeral, the clarion bell at the elevation of the host, the Angelus to tell the time of day and to remind us of the incarnation and wedding bells which peel out their joy. I also love the sound of bells on the continent as their sound is quite different to our bells. The bells in Rome on a Sunday morning. Dare I say that they ring in my head. We seldom hear them these days but thank you for a poem which once again ignites their significance.
Keith
Comment is about Angelus Bell (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
I had 20 years in the mining industry, John, and I owe it for my character, memories, wages, pension and my wife (I met her while she was splitting lumps with her head). Nevertheless, it is good to see the use being put to reclaimed sites, not to mention the benefit of abandoning dirty fuel.
Comment is about Hickleton Main (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Thankyou Leon and Uilleam. Iâm afraid she only entertains gentlemen, Leon đ. Yes, Uilleam, we were there for a wedding over the weekend. We must go back again for a few days - I need to get the threâpence back on my empty pop bottle.
And thanks for the Like, Red Brick.
Comment is about BOP IT ! (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A Victorian era pleasure pier. I know it so well!
Comment is about BOP IT ! (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
<Deleted User> (35565)
Mon 15th May 2023 00:48
<Deleted User> (35565)
Mon 15th May 2023 00:46
đ This would be funny Rick if it wasn't such a pain in the bum!
( the subject not the poem ) đ
LS
Comment is about Identity Crisis (blog)
Original item by Rick Varden
<Deleted User> (35565)
Mon 15th May 2023 00:42
Thank you for your thoughts Graham
Comment is about One (blog)
Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis
How beautiful and heart warming. Great stuff! đ Well said Keith, too.
Comment is about Friendship by The River. (blog)
Original item by Clare
Beautifully written, as usual đ
Comment is about The may flower (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Thank you Leon. Your words encourage me more than you can know. So, thank you kind sir.
âPoetry is the journal of the sea animal living on land, wanting to fly in the air. Poetry is a search for syllables to shoot at the barriers of the unknown and the unknowable. Poetry is a phantom script telling how rainbows are made and why they go away.â â Carl Sandburg, from The Atlantic, March 1923.
Comment is about The may flower (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Clare, thank you for a continuation of this poem which is an insight to a world few see or experience, especially men. It is an illuminative piece of writing and brought to pen and paper from the heart.
Thank you for this,
Keith
Comment is about Friendship by The River. (blog)
Original item by Clare
<Deleted User> (35565)
Sun 14th May 2023 12:53
As always John, an absolute pleasure to read your poetry
thank you sir!
LS
Comment is about The may flower (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
This could be used a mantra for mindfulness, Helene. Stunning!
'The heart gathers it's scattered remnants of sorrow '
Wow!
Comment is about Infinitely (blog)
Original item by HĂ©lĂšne
I want to tell you that your series has been a highlight off my WOL experience, Clare. Much as people used to wait by trains for a new installment of Dickens' latest novel to be drpped off, I click on WOL to look for your Tenter Hooks poem.
A triumph. Thank you for writing it ( though I'm sorry you had to experience it first). đȘ
Comment is about Thank you! (blog)
Original item by Clare
I agree with everything you said Clare about WOL and so appreciate your heart-wrenching, transformative Tenter Hooks series and other poems. Poetry really can be a form of therapy and part of the road to healing (it is for me). Blessings on all involved with WOL.
Comment is about Thank you! (blog)
Original item by Clare
Really good! An inspiration. Lookly deeply into what motivates unkindness can sometimes turn it around. Thank you Clare.
Comment is about Kindness. (blog)
Original item by Clare
Clare, WOL is a wonderful resource but is only so because of it membership. People like you! We thank you for your thanks and hand them back a hundredfold.
Comment is about Thank you! (blog)
Original item by Clare
As will I Keith. And thank you so much for your continued encouragement of my work. The thin days of May pass so quickly, while the thick days of November linger so chillingly.
Comment is about A blackbird sings on Blue bird hill (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Clare, you have enriched us all at WOL with your poetry. Please don't stop writing as you are a very gifted person.
Keith
Comment is about Thank you! (blog)
Original item by Clare
Fabulous poem. There is much truth in what you have written. Maybe some people do use unkindness as a defence mechanism. Your approach is admirable and strong, Clare. đ
Comment is about Kindness. (blog)
Original item by Clare
Your poetry is truly amazing, Clare. Spare, succinct and absolutely on the money. I am fascianated by this series of poems. Great!
Comment is about Twenty Four Hours Can Change a Life (blog)
Original item by Clare
Thanks Manish, Keith and Stephen for your kind comments. I wanted to write a poem about a different subject and a snippet from the Shakespeare miscellany jumped out at me. It's my tribute to the genius who changed the world with his pen. But, maybe the playwright was really Sir Francis Bacon or the Earl of Oxford, after all? đ
Thanks for the likes, too. It means a lot.
Comment is about Mr Plague (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
A poem which has a very profound opening stanza which then begins to explore our emotions. I must admit that I found a good deal of myself in these words. A good poem borne out of experience.
Thank you for this,
Keith
Comment is about Kindness. (blog)
Original item by Clare
A very well crafted poem which accurately describes those dark hours which cast a shadow on our souls.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about Infinitely (blog)
Original item by HĂ©lĂšne
John,
It may be the month of May but as your poem says November is ever present, if only in our psyche. The language in all your poems is highly descriptive and in this poem it is excelled. The line which deals with wine guzzlers and laudanum tipplers takes me back to the Yates Wine Lodges? Do they still exist? I recall two; one in Blackpool and the other on the Strand in London.
Thank you for this. I shall continue to cherish the month of May.
Keith
Comment is about A blackbird sings on Blue bird hill (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
it may be someones teuth but its just an imagined story for me, thank you for the comments much appreciated đđ
Comment is about The Unexpected Ballad of Laura and Ben (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Thank you, Keith, Manish and John. Your kind comments mean a great deal to me. I fully agree that Putin and co need to be put in the dock. We should never forget who started this senseless conflict. In the end, war is a tragedy for everyone, especially the foot soldiers who have no say and just serve as cannon fodder, as well as their families. 'Collateral damage', as some would say.
And my thanks to Nigel, Holden, K Lynn and Grace for the likes.
Comment is about Retreat (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
It's wonderful to see this kind of original work being aired at national events to a massive audience.
Comment is about Poem by Daljit Nagra lights up the Coronation Concert (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Ah, the arbitrary nature of things, John! A case of what might have been, or not. What if Mr Plague had turned right? Our civilisation might have collapsed, or never existed at all. Or some other writer may have come to the fore.
A beautifully written and rhymed poem.
Comment is about Mr Plague (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Graham Sherwood
Tue 16th May 2023 15:53
Your war grave picture reminds me of a unintentional visit to a war grave site in France that my wife and I made with some friends. I had a conversation with a man lying on a mattress full length in front of one such grave and noticed he was re-outlining the lettering on the stones with a tiny drill to remove algae /moss etc. He said it was his full time job (with another man) and that they covered all of France throughout the year. They were immaculate and perhaps as they were occupied in the war have a stronger reason for such respect.
Sadly as your poem rightly points out the souls of those boys are forever young. Well done yet again Stephen.
Comment is about War Graves (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage