IThanks Uilleam, Keith and Helene. I am fascianated by your responses and to learn that my methods are so similar to your own. I shouldn't be surprised! The best lines come unannounced, in all honesty. I ruin poetry when I try to direct, clarify or over explain.
It's poetry that something hidden from us chose! 😂 Ps I write on my cell phone Helene as the muse dictates! Thanks too for the likes!
Comment is about Early Morning Quietude (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Thank you so much Manish, Kevin (yes we are!) Uilleam (if i called my wife a doll, she'd probably machine gun me lol) Russell ( I've been punching for 30yrs 😆)And our constant source of encouragement, Stephen. Much appreciated
And thanks for the Likes Clare, K. Lynn & Helene 🌈
Comment is about Precious Stone (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Do not confuse "empathy" with "emotionally illiterate". Donne reminds us about sending to know for whom the bell tolls
("It tolls for thee"). We are surrounded every day by the
dying - the process is an unavoidable fact of life - and the
passing from this world is supposed to be to a better existence
beyond our ken, so perhaps it should actually be celebrated
when it comes. I take the position that "the mourning" is for
those left behind, each "passing" allotted that attention according to circumstances. The dead have no such interest.
In any event, any life and its meaning is best known to those
familiar with it along the way. I have no particular objection
to anyone choosing to make a "ceremony" of the circumstances
described here but think it's more about making a gesture
than anything - but to whose benefit? One striking example
of this can be a war hero whose life and deeds would
othewise be unknown. There have been some noteworthy
examples that I'm aware of when publicity incurred public
interest and attendance in appreciation of what was done
by that person on behalf of us all.
Comment is about Poet provides poem at first 'Lonely Funeral' in Scotland (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Excellent, touching, honest poem.
Comment is about The Three Faces of Me. (blog)
Original item by Clare
A wonderful exposition of the poetic muse stretching her/his arms in the early morn to wake the words in the poet's mind. I have a cell phone that I use to compose poetry in the middle of the dark night (often 3am-ish; hubbie will stir & ask, what are you doing?; writing a poem I confess to him). Then at rising, sitting in comfy chair with coffee & oatmeal, the muse often speaks as I hold pen and journal. Great fun, great therapy. Thanks John for this delightful poem for comrades in poetry!
Comment is about Early Morning Quietude (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Celebrate and enjoy King Charles 111 big day😀
Comment is about God bless King Charles 111 (blog)
Original item by hugh
I knew nothing about that old chap down the road who had died alone; whether or not he (or any one else) is dead does not prevent my feelings of empathy with/for that person.
I feel we are fast becoming an emotionally illiterate society.
Empathy for others is not a weakness, it is a strength which binds society together.
Comment is about Poet provides poem at first 'Lonely Funeral' in Scotland (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
John,
you describe well my thoughts at the very beginning of a day. I now go to bed with a note pad. For some inexplicable reason my mind is very active at the point of waking. Your poem is one I can easily relate to.
Thank you for this,
Keith
Comment is about Early Morning Quietude (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Crikey John.
You've just described my personal experience to a to a T.
Head racing like a train at many a "False Dawn".
Eventually rising and getting to my PC; then asking myself: "now what was that potentially world-famous line I thought of three hours ago? 😐
Comment is about Early Morning Quietude (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
How did the poem describe the man's life when the poet knew nothing about him?
Comment is about Poet provides poem at first 'Lonely Funeral' in Scotland (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thrillingly described and written, Tim. I really enjoyed this one.
Comment is about Under cover of the night (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
'You can see it in his eyes'. I think you put this very well, Keith.
Comment is about A Book and its Cover (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
A beautiful poem, Stephen.
Comment is about Precious Stone (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Very vivid, I need to get a camera.
Thank you for this. I loved the repetition.
Comment is about Under cover of the night (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
Thank you kindly for all your comments and likes. I am not used to being popular.
"I want to taste and glory in each day, and never be afraid to experience pain; and never shut myself up in a numb core of nonfeeling, or stop questioning and criticizing life and take the easy way out. To learn and think: to think and live; to live and learn: this always, with new insight, new understanding, and new love."
Sylvia Plath,
Comment is about May day (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Grace Meadows
Thu 4th May 2023 22:21
A time when our fates are truly in the lap of the God/s. Well written JD.
Comment is about Last breath (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Grace Meadows
Thu 4th May 2023 22:18
Wonderful and wise words Helene, well done!
Comment is about A Soul's Journey (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Grace Meadows
Thu 4th May 2023 22:16
Grace Meadows
Thu 4th May 2023 22:14
I totally agree with Keith's comments ( good question Keith )
Comment is about The Three Faces of Me. (blog)
Original item by Clare
A poetic self analysis which is honest. I wonder how many see themselves in such a light? I enjoyed this.
Thank you Clare,
Keith
Comment is about The Three Faces of Me. (blog)
Original item by Clare
Thanks Manish, Keith and Stephen. Really loved your comments. Much appreciated.😀
Comment is about A Chance Meeting (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Thank you Keith, it's good to see some old material standing the test of time. Ofg course it has religious symbolism but it's more elemental than that. Made me re-read Steve and Ray's comments. There is always a temptation to find a killer last line whether a poem needs it or not. If I had omitted the last two lines would it have made any difference?
Comment is about The Table (blog)
Original item by Dave Morgan
Great interview. What an insight into a creative mind. Feast and famine in the writing department but an incessant desire to spread and promote the word. Sounds familiar.
Comment is about David Cooke looks back on poetry stops and starts as he unveils a bumper volume of poems (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Perhaps old age is the best thing, something to look forward to, not run away from (an impossible task in any event). Wisdom before oblivion? A thought-provoking, well-scribed poem, Jordyn.
Comment is about Oblivion (blog)
Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth
A beautiful, beautiful poem Hélena. "It's okay to be addicted, it's okay to be mentally ill, it's part of the journey." I've learnt that being hard on yourself to get back on your feet during a mentall illness kind of gets on your mind, and it only eats you up more mentally when your body doesn't give in equally. When I pass you on your path,
"When you enter my space,
I see nothing but a beautiful soul growing and learning at your own pace."
These are the lines that a person going through mental issue needs to be hearing from a mentor or a parent.
A lovely poem Hélèna.
Thank you for this.
Comment is about A Soul's Journey (blog)
Original item by Hélène
I think this poem will be what most people feel as they approach the end of their mortality. The heart stops beating and a new episode begins, far removed from this mortal coil, or so I believe.
Thank you for a poem to reflect on.
Keith
Comment is about Last breath (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Thanks Uilleam! Yeah, that hurly-burly is driving me loca. But we carry on.
Comment is about A Book at Dawn (blog)
Original item by Hélène
I seem to remember actress Gillian Taylforth enjoyed coq au van.
Comment is about THE BEST OF TIMES... (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
The latest in Meals on Wheels-Chicken in the Basket's so passé!
Comment is about THE BEST OF TIMES... (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thanks Manish and Russell.
It's a hastily somewhat clumsily-written piece on a subject that's been preoccupying me for a while.
Several decades ago, I came to the conclusion that as far as UK politics were concerned, the terms "right wing" and "left wing" were, for my purposes, now redundant.
I now see some people in the UK supposedly on what I naively once considered to be traditionally the "far / left", espousing philosophies and causes which are equally popular with people on the traditional "far / right".
I refer in this specific case, to their hypocritical suppport for, and their personally profiting from Apartheid regimes in several countries, and to their "dog-whistling" to racism in general.
Those very same people are amongst the first to loudly cry "racism", in their efforts to denigrate innocent people in a malicious, specious, and slanderous way.
Comment is about Lover of South African Apartheid (blog)
Basket case Britain...let's put it to good use.😕
Comment is about THE BEST OF TIMES... (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Cock au Van on the A6 - a tasty dish for the upwardly mobile.
Comment is about THE BEST OF TIMES... (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I worked in Zambia during Apartheid. technical advisor to a conference held by the ANC in Lusaka. The descriptions of the atrocities moved me to tears and towards inclusion for all.
Loved Zambia and Botswana, maybe one day I'll get to see South Africa
Comment is about Lover of South African Apartheid (blog)
That was so touching and respectful of your 'She.'
There comes a time in every man's life when he realises he's punching above his weight. 😁
Comment is about Precious Stone (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Lovely Keith, I enjoyed that. People-watching is a favoured pastime of mine and through their eyes you get a sense of the person walking towards you, soft or harsh, friendly or disregarding.
Comment is about A Book and its Cover (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
You are a vibrant sun, and your poetry is your flecks of happiness.😊
Comment is about Oblivion (blog)
Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth
Octopus: so-called because it can run eight times faster than a cat!
Sorry😕
Comment is about ATE FEET AWAY (blog)
Original item by Short Attention Span Poetry
A thought-provoking poem that has moved me. The racial segregation by the South African government was one of the most unfair and unjust decisions ever. This poem depicts the backdrop and emotional trauma behind the decisions taken.
Thank you for this.
Comment is about Lover of South African Apartheid (blog)
Not me, guv! I was in Pizza Express!
Comment is about THE BEST OF TIMES... (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
This is so well written, John. It reads beautifully. Thanks.
Comment is about May day (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Roombas? What would we do without them?
Comment is about life from home (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
My thanks to everyone who commented on or liked this poem. (Thanks, Greg - it's a long time since I saw the Holy Grail). The Eric and Ernie joke (yes, it was expletive, of sorts) lives on, happily uncensored.
I don't object to a monarchy. We have one here in Belgium which, like the UK version, has no power but is reasonably popular. It is much less costly and more discreet that than in the UK, as most European royal houses are. Maybe the British monarchy, with its rather bloated pomp and entourage, will have to slim down to suit the mood of the times.
There is something to be said for an elected head of state, even one with little power, who can bring something to the role which a hereditary monarch can't. Take the example of Michael D. Higgins in Ireland. But somehow I can't see the British crown disappearing for a while, as long as they give people something harmless to smile about.
Thanks once again for the interesting exchanges.
Comment is about Monarchs (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks, Uilleam. I recollect studying “Isabella or the Pot of Basil” by Keats for “O” level. Personally, I prefer chicken in a basket.
Comment is about THE BEST OF TIMES... (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Was Ernie's "Monarchs!" meant as an expletive?
As in: Monarchs to you too!
Just sayin':
https://artsandculture.google.com/story/judith-and-her-maidservant-with-the-head-of-holofernes-by-orazio-gentileschi/IALSeR2eXmAeIQ
Comment is about Monarchs (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you Hélène.
Your writng is always a calming presence when the hurly-burly's done.
Comment is about A Book at Dawn (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Speaking of heads in baskets...😏
By a "timely" coincidence, last night I watched a documentary involving a painting titled:
"Judith and her Maidservant with the head of Holofernes" by Orazio Gentileschi.
https://artsandculture.google.com/story/judith-and-her-maidservant-with-the-head-of-holofernes-by-orazio-gentileschi/IALSeR2eXmAeIQ
Comment is about THE BEST OF TIMES... (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thanks Stephen.
I'm a little puzzled with this.
Your first word is She...I've heard a child speak to a doll as if it were a real person.
It's the words "clay" and "porcelain" that make me think of a doll.
Metaphor or Literal?😏
Comment is about Precious Stone (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Thanks Keira.
At my age I'm increasingly conscious of my own body's limitations-lack of strength, mobility etc.
And then I remember what an amazing thing the body is, and how fortunate I am to have what I have.
Contrary to what current media propaganda would have us believe, there is of course, no "perfect" body.
Comment is about My Unflattering Form (blog)
Original item by Keira Anne
John Botterill
Fri 5th May 2023 18:50
A lovely, generous spirited, wise poem. Beautiful, Helene.
One last thing. Actually All Roads Lead to Malton. (it's the title of my book!) 😂
Comment is about A Soul's Journey (blog)
Original item by Hélène