That is so sad, beautiful and touching. So sorry for your loss. Stay strong.
Comment is about My...... (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
I continue to be overwhelmed by the generous comments on this series of war poems. Although I feel sad, and often angry, when I write one of these poems, I have shared some of them with Ukrainians (include some of those I help teach English to in the evening) and the response has usually been positive and understanding.
All the comments keep me going and inspire me to write on on this subject.
So thanks to Greg, Keith, John, KJ, Uilleam and Manish for your comments and to Nigel, Tom, Hugh, Your Royal Poetess, Pete, Michael, Stella and Rudyard.
Comment is about Fortunes of War (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Time for me to open my dictionary and mark these fabulous use of words. I fully agree with John B here.
Thank you.
Comment is about Soothsayer. (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
Brilliant stuff, Stephen. Conversational, impactful and very well written.🌻
Comment is about Fortunes of War (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
William's lucky to have you around, John B. You're amazing and funny! Loved this poem, my friend.🌻
Comment is about A Pocket Full of Rhyme (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
In what way are "these mundane days of inadequacy", MC?
Ah-you mean there's less pink on the map of the globe?
Actually there are people doing amazing things all the time, all over the world.
Comment is about WE KNOCKED THE BASTARD OFF (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
In the interests of fairness one ought to mention:...Mr. Jamling Norgay (Mr. Tenzing's son), says Sherpas are the "unsung heroes" of Mount Everest and with the advent of large commercial climbing expeditions their job has gotten more dangerous.
"The Sherpas risk their lives more than anyone else. On an average climb, a member of the team would go to the South Col, which is the last camp at 2,600 feet (8,600 meters)," he says. "The average Sherpa would make about eight trips to the South Col to drop supplies, so their risk is a lot higher."
https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-a-2003-05-28-31-conquest-67309747/381337.html
Comment is about WE KNOCKED THE BASTARD OFF (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Tey a poem from a viewpoint that's alien to you. It might be
a challenge but useful for seeing another POV.
Comment is about Souvenir Larkinesque de la Rive Gauche (et de l’Aile Gauche-seulement avec la permission des flics) (blog)
There's room for verse and prose poems. The important bit is
that they must be worth reading and, perhaps more relevant,
worth recalling/reciting! 👍
Comment is about Rhyming Rant! (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
No surprise that "Nigel Farage" would appear. That would
chime with a recollection of GF's glee at the man losing his job with LBC.
Yes, I remember Clacton, the name,
Because one afternoon of heat
The memory drew me there,
It is late June... 😍
Comment is about Clacton (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Maybe not, but they chose to be more interventional rather than
neutral. Hence, the suspicion, with much justification, that the
"Special Relationship" was more of an illusion than a reality.
Remember when the USA chose to send its troops into Grenada -
British territory - without so much as a "by your leave"?
Comment is about WE KNOCKED THE BASTARD OFF (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Not sure it was the USA’s responsibility to prop up our Empire, MC.
Comment is about WE KNOCKED THE BASTARD OFF (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A useful reminder in these mundane days of inadequacy,
Suez...ah yes, a salutary lesson about our US ally, with the
name Dulles at the forefront with a dig at the British Empire.
Ther were two of that name in US politics, with the other having
a very questionable position in the matter of what went down
before, during and after the murder of JFK.
Comment is about WE KNOCKED THE BASTARD OFF (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Ha-ha. Thanks for the chuckle, Hugh! As I head for my 80th,
adjusted to lumbar spinal stenosis, sustained when the front
tyre of my bike (pedal variety!) deflated without warning and
sent me crashing to the tarmac, I am free, so far, of any other
physical impediments or invasive aches/pains worth a mention.
As you say, if you don't mind, it don't matter. Remembering
other welcome hearty chuckles, courtesy of "Monty Python"
Always look on the bright side of life. With a special nod to
your last line!!! So, onwards and upwards...but perhaps with
less emphasis on the "upwards" just yet. 😇
Comment is about Old age does not come alone ,thoughts of an old man having a moan. (blog)
Original item by hugh
Those early 50’s must have seemed like World Order Restored. Germany defeated, rationing ending, swathes of pink still around the globe, wonderful new queen, Roger Bannister, Everest, Festival of Britain etc. You remember, Graham.
At least until Suez brought us up sharp.
Comment is about WE KNOCKED THE BASTARD OFF (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Good to see this important anniversary recorded and remembered JC. I'm half way through a piece about it too, so you've beaten me to the finishing line somewhat. Ah well! Good on yer!
Comment is about WE KNOCKED THE BASTARD OFF (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thanks once again Stephen. This is a truly harrowing and haunting piece-pun intended.
This reminds me of a poem I read a while back, but I can't for the life of me remember who the author is.
Comment is about Fortunes of War (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
On reading this again, the phrase
"neither rhyme nor reason"
has just ocurred to me.
Apparently it appears in Shakespeare several times.
Do we need a reason to rhyme?
No-just do it.
Comment is about Rhyming Rant! (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Lovely that Tom. What a journey! I'm going to have to read this more carefully to do it justice.
Comment is about Day Off (blog)
Original item by Tom Harding
Thanks Ed.
But with gentle caress, creeps over detritus,fingers of hope reclaiming
There's a SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest just down the road from us. Orchids now grow on what was formerly toxic chemical detritus, rendered less harmful by weathering etc.
Comment is about Or kids (blog)
Original item by Edbreathe
Thankyou Uilleam and Kevin for the Like. 70th anniversary just passed.
Comment is about WE KNOCKED THE BASTARD OFF (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
As a kid I was regularly turfed out of the local library, for being too dirty.
They'd send me home to wash my hands, but as we had no hot water in the house, and as the muck was so ingrained I rarely passed inspection.
I think libraries are a fantastic institution, but my memory of them as a child is slightly marred.
Comment is about A Library (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well.👍
Comment is about Palace (blog)
Original item by Ankita Srivastava
Reaching for the stars in the year of the rabbit.
🎇
Comment is about WE KNOCKED THE BASTARD OFF (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Keep up the good work Stephen.
You are fast becoming the number one in this genre.
Comment is about Fortunes of War (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Wow. Sends shivers down my back, Holden. Crackles with tension 😎
Comment is about Soothsayer. (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
Deep into right wing territory
It's a wonder you didn't get lynched
Don't stop to ask directions
Unless you want your jam jar pinched
Just like Brexit it'd be daylight robbery
With a sprinkling of political snobbery
Comment is about Clacton (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks for your comments, Keith, Uilleam, and Graham. I feel I ought to mention that this poem can be found in my collection Marples Must Go!, which charts our recent troubled times. Endorsed by, among others, Brian Bilston.
Comment is about Clacton (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Stunning, Stephen, in both content and delivery. Stunning 😔
Comment is about Fortunes of War (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Enjoyed this Mike. I think we've all been there at some point. We all need to exorcise a mean one from time to time,
Comment is about A Mean One (blog)
Original item by Mike McPeek
This poem reminds me of why I was drawn to WoL all those years ago. Harry certainly knew how to turn a phrase and his mastery of scansion was second to none. I miss his thoughtfulness and his astute intelligence. John
Comment is about Mea Culpa (blog)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
Fashion? Consider the context to refer to a particular style
confined to a particular mental/political attitude without the broader benefit of good humour.
Comment is about Bread and Roses for All (re-post with open letter to Labour NEC) (blog)
YRP - your most recent stricture noted. No comment.
Comment is about HOPE AWAY FROM HOME (blog)
Original item by Your Royal Poetess
Summer nights Poynton Arts
Vocal verse creative words
Festival lovers please call
Snap Tin wellcomes you.😀
Comment is about Stockport Write Out Loud to host open-mic night at arts festival (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Reminds me of 'Stop all the Clocks' by Auden. It is SO good, Tom. Majestic in its sweep (one could reconstruct North London using this poem) whilst conveying inner despair.
One of the best poems I have this year. Congratulations.
Comment is about Day Off (blog)
Original item by Tom Harding
Gorgeous. Full of depth, wisdom and spirit. You keep knocking these epics out, Clare. So profound 😎
Don't stop! I, for one, am seeking to learn from your skill 😊
Comment is about Ode to Love. (blog)
Original item by Clare
Clacton! Went there for a day once. It’s never tempted me back.
I do remember really good fish and chips, eaten inside because it was raining!
A nice glimpse of pre-Brexit Britain, gone forever.
Comment is about Clacton (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
This gave me the chills. Firstly, because it is a great poem and secondly I am currently writing an almost identical piece!! I guess I will have to go back to the drawing board after reading this!🤣. Fab poem.
Comment is about Day Off (blog)
Original item by Tom Harding
Thanks Greg.
Some of us think we had nowt in them days;
it's 2023 and at a school in Luton 40% of pupils are on free school meals.
The number of children in poverty rose following austerity policies, to 4.2 million by last year, caused by benefit cuts stripping £37bn mostly from families with children.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/22/george-osborne-austerity-children-covid-inquiry
Comment is about Clacton (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Horrifically I have thought for a long time we are gradually becoming the next new state of the USA. My granddaughter terms me a guy! Asks for candy and watches families of gobby loud yank families on YouTube making a buck from her patronage. I’m keeping the drawbridge tightly shut. Hell yeh!
Comment is about Anthem for all all these damned Youngsters (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
A journey rich in descriptive quality. I loved every line and shall read it again. I am not often drawn to long poems but this is the exception. Tom you have used your innate imagination to observe the intricacies of life in the street and combined them with emotions. An excellent piece of writing.
Thank you indeed for this,
Keith
Comment is about Day Off (blog)
Original item by Tom Harding
Thanks for that John; thought I might be out on a limb with this one-a lot of sensitive souls out there!😉
Comment is about Souvenir Larkinesque de la Rive Gauche (et de l’Aile Gauche-seulement avec la permission des flics) (blog)
I've had a word with our local village Bobby, and with the Electoral Commission, and they agree that seeing as how we fought at least one World War for freedom, we're allowed to talk about politics in poetry.
Comment is about Bread and Roses for All (re-post with open letter to Labour NEC) (blog)
John Coopey
Sat 24th Jun 2023 17:18
“He who pays the piper…”, MC. And we found out with Suez that we weren’t the piper anymore. The US was.
Incidentally, besides the US and the USSR, the UN deplored the Anglo-French- Israeli invasion. In fact, other than we 3 only Australia and New Zealand supported us.
Comment is about WE KNOCKED THE BASTARD OFF (blog)
Original item by John Coopey