hello Molly welcome. I have a grandson who lives with autism and he is a great little boy! Room for everyone here!

Comment is about Mollypips (poet profile)

Original item by Mollypips

Thanks Uilleam. I’m afraid the situation is pretty dire for refuges now. I consider myself very lucky to have been able to access one when I needed it - my heart breaks for women today.
My experience goes back over 20 years and I have a very good life and partner now. But I dread to think what might of happened if there had been nowhere safe for me to go.

This is a new project for me, I have written bits and pieces before but never attempted to write a whole series - it just seems to have come out of nowhere! I don’t mean to make people sad, or angry. Hopefully as it continues you will start to see the strength of these women and how they able to rebuild their lives. For me it’s not so much about the abuse it’s more the aftermath. So many agencies intruding into your life when you are at your most vulnerable.
Anyway, thanks again for taking the time to comment☺️

Comment is about Tenter hooks and Pitiful Looks. (The Refuge) (blog)

Original item by Clare

A call to arms of great power, clarity and accuracy, Keith. Terrific (and terrifying!) 💪

Comment is about Autocrats (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Beautiful cynicism, Red Brick.
I'd vote for you as Poet Laureate. ( if we got a vote!)

Comment is about coronated (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

Thanks David.

The fascist's enforcer, Mr Plod of the Met, will make sure the plebs stay in goose-step.

Comment is about King Charles is more Important than You (blog)

Original item by David R Mellor

Thanks Red button.

What an utter obscenity.....Britons ‘need to accept’ they’re poorer, says Bank of England Chief economist Huw Pill who was paid
£88,000 for his first five months and 24 days, taking his annual salary to £180,000.

We old folk are being forced to pay for a billionaire’s Royal gig, at the same time as being told to turn our heating down.

Comment is about It's all over (blog)

Original item by Red Button

Thank you Hugh,
I think you nailed it in the first two lines.

"There is no planet B"
-as they say these days.

Comment is about A big thankyou to our Creator (blog)

Original item by hugh

So glad this poem spoke to you, Clare and John. I wrote it as a bit of a prayer for a family member working through a quite profound mental health challenge. Thanks all for your much appreciated "likes."

Comment is about Mind and Body Sleep Mode (blog)

Original item by Hélène

Just, wow!!

Comment is about The Dance of Life (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Ouuuuuuch!😰
Whatabouterry doesn't work.

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/683E/production/_124668662_gb_councillors_scoreboard-nc.png.webp

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-61344176

Comment is about Tory Haiku (blog)

A powerful stream of convoluted consciousness Katerina!

Comment is about One (blog)

Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis

Thank you Stephen.

The more I see of Picasso's Guernica, and have it's art explained to me, the more I understand the importance and the power of the arts, and hopefully, of our ability to use the arts to help understand conflict, and so to prevent the horror of war.
💓💓💓💓💓

Comment is about Purfleet (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thank you Leon. RBK Pete and Hugh & also thank you Keith. Also thank you to Roy Harper who has provided, to me, the true passion of the lyric. Thank you so much Roy.

Comment is about September rain (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Thank you Clare.
I always feel terribly sad, and angry, when I read pieces like this.

I remember writing some years ago about domestic violence and the cutting of funding for women's refuges.

I don't know what the current situation is, but here are some quotes from an article dated March 2018.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/mar/23/council-funding-womens-refuges-cut-since-2010-england-wales-scotland

"Council funding for women's refuges cut by nearly £7m since 2010".

"Funding is down at two-thirds of local authorities across England, Wales and Scotland".

"The fall in financial support comes at a time when the government is planning to remove refuges and other forms of short-term supported housing from the welfare system."

"In the year to March 2017, about 1.2 million women in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse, according to official estimates."

Comment is about Tenter hooks and Pitiful Looks. (The Refuge) (blog)

Original item by Clare

I'm with you on this one, Keith. There is a lot to be said for culture and tradition when the alternative is Trump or Putin or Macron.

Comment is about A New King (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

A gripping poem, Michael. Nature, red in tooth and claw. I like it!

Comment is about “Too much to bare” (blog)

Original item by Michael Morales

I agree with Clare. I think we all have a lot to learn from you, Helene.

Comment is about Mind and Body Sleep Mode (blog)

Original item by Hélène

Love it, Stephen. You tell a great story. I was right there with you!

Comment is about Purfleet (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thanks so much you guys for liking and commenting. Uilleam (great name) I am I pleased that you saw it through to the end! Keith you made me smile! If only we could leave our conscience on the bedside table - how much better we would sleep! 😀

Comment is about Crown (blog)

Original item by Clare

Yes it's a great angle which got Armitage out of the need for any faux sycophancy, The Pepys inclusion is quite inspired too. I wonder whether HRH went back and watched it all on the TV too.

Comment is about 'An Unexpected Guest': Simon Armitage's poem to mark coronation of King Charles III (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

A truly remarkable poem from the vantage point of an unsung hero who stood with the illustrious of the land to see her King crowned. The imagery and descriptive quality of this poem brings together a majestic moment in the presence of us ordinary folk.
God Save the King.

Comment is about 'An Unexpected Guest': Simon Armitage's poem to mark coronation of King Charles III (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

What ain't there not to absolutely love about this delicious slice of poetry?



LS

Comment is about September rain (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

👍!!!! here's to human nature and all of its ups and downs!


LS

Comment is about Sweet Sorrow (blog)

Original item by Yasoda

Big fan of Stanley Holloway, Once recited Albert and the Lion from memory, one of my favourite films is Passport to Pimlico, so funny,
This poem was very enjoyable to read, loved it

Comment is about How Bert became King ( or an homage to Stanley Holloway ) (blog)

Original item by Edbreathe

I think John Donne might forgive me this clumsy intrusion:

"...Each man's death diminishes me,
Especially if I was responsible for it,
Or I could have prevented it,
For I am involved in mankind..."

Comment is about Poet provides poem at first 'Lonely Funeral' in Scotland (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Phew!
I started reading what I had taken to be an admonishment.
Thanks Clare, for a lovely poem -I'm in full agreement.

Good advice about the crown Keith.- though I prefer to rinse mine in something minty, first thing at morning and last thing at night.

Comment is about Crown (blog)

Original item by Clare

Clare,
How true that nature gives us the best of all beauty as it is freely given and nothing man made can surpass it. Another first class poem. Incidentally crowns should not be worn in bed. Far more sensible to take it off and put it on your bedside table next to the alarm clock.
Thank you for this,
Keith

Comment is about Crown (blog)

Original item by Clare

And so say all of ME! 👍 Uilleam

Comment is about Citizen Not Subject (blog)

How poignant the two opening lines of this wonderful poem
well done and thanks Clare.

Comment is about Crown (blog)

Original item by Clare

Thank you Ulleam and Neil for your kind words! I don’t often write in this way, but it struck me as I was in my way home. I appreciate your support and I will keep writing about Love indeed 😉

Comment is about Hear My Thoughts (blog)

Original item by Jason Phillips

Great stuff. Hope you are reading this out on Thursday m8

Comment is about Sex On A Water Bed (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Climate change is the most important issue of our time and, as you say, Tim, poets must not stay silent. Thanks for this.

Comment is about Today (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Thank you, Uilleam. Strange how the meaning of poems evolves, depending on the day!

And thanks to Nigel, Adam, Clare, KJ, K Lynn and Manish for liking.

Comment is about Purfleet (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thanks Kevin
Hope you drowned in laughter😄

Comment is about Sex On A Water Bed (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Thank you to all who commented and liked this poem. I appreciate the time and interest you have afforded it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It draws on our innate senses.
Thank you,
Keith

Comment is about A Book and its Cover (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thanks KJ, Kevin & Manish. Yes, I think poets must not stay silent about the climate catastrophe. We have a voice and we must use it.
KJ - Of course I don't, but I have my house insulated to the maximum I can afford, I get part of my power from solar panels, I don't fly any more, I never drive if I can use public transport and I don't use public transport if I can walk or cycle. I could do a lot more if I lived under a government that cared about our children's future. May I ask what you do to help out in this crisis?

Comment is about Today (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

There is something very special about this. I want to memorise it and use it as a daily mantra. Thank you for this, Helene.

Comment is about Mind and Body Sleep Mode (blog)

Original item by Hélène

Have compassion, care and a timely tear
For people while they're living here;
What use to maudlin mope upon
Their presence when they're dead and gone?
Or - as John Pudney wrote in other dangerous days...
Better by far
For Johnny the bright star
To keep your head
And see his children fed.

Comment is about Poet provides poem at first 'Lonely Funeral' in Scotland (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

How very true and Wise, Keith. Love this poem. A classic.

Comment is about A Book and its Cover (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

I'd like to comment but I'm laughing too much. There's no such thing as bad cake, only cake. I also have a brew to go with my cake.

Comment is about Through the Abbey’s great doors (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

I agree, Kevin. Poetry can be powerful, healing, transforming. Keep on writing and sharing, Neil, and never give up.

Comment is about Unreachable (blog)

Original item by Neil Miller

Powerful. Thanks for sharing Jamia. Sending Light & Love to the new growing life and their mama. Thanks also to Russell for highlighting this poem on his blog.

Comment is about Jamia (poet profile)

Original item by Jamia

So well written, thank you for bringing this work into our lives, You are so right. To paraphrase ''The hurt they may feel will never define who they may become.''
Beautiful words, beautiful sentiments

Comment is about Jamia (poet profile)

Original item by Jamia

Words do have power.
Why are you taking about curses? Maybe you misunderstand something I've written. Maybe I can clear that up for you. Through my poems I attempt to instigate understanding and joy. I don't do curses.

Comment is about How To Make A Frog (blog)

Original item by Jed

Thought provoking and well written.
I assume that you live in an unheated home, and travel everywhere on foot.

Comment is about Today (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Good to see the spirit of Stanley Holloway is still alive and kicking.
A belter of a poem.

Comment is about How Bert became King ( or an homage to Stanley Holloway ) (blog)

Original item by Edbreathe

Rule No. 1.
When in doubt-brew up.
Rule No. 2.
When not in doubt-brew up.

I've got a big pint mug specially for the job.
Cheers to Charles!

Comment is about Through the Abbey’s great doors (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

Kevin.
Cake IS good, but not always. There's a saying: "You can't have your cake and eat it".

A demonstration of that truth, is that in the UK, an epidemic of "cakeism" broke out, which continues to rage to this day.

Its victims are mostly the Brexity Gammonati, who, like alcoholics, are in denial and unable to accept that the thing they desired most in the world turned out to be an utter and complete disaster.

Comment is about Through the Abbey’s great doors (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

It's not just cake, it's M&S cake 😁

Comment is about Through the Abbey’s great doors (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

😏👍

Comment is about Through the Abbey’s great doors (blog)

Original item by JD Russell