Thanks again John.
One of my regrets in life is that I never got to be a teacher.
What a wonderful profession-teaching a subject one loves; to inspire inquiring young minds.

One of my fondest memories of school as a nine or ten year old was our teacher, at the end of the last lesson, reading Black Beauty.

It was something I always looked forward to; I think that fired my imagination and gave me a love of reading.

Comment is about The Reluctant Reader Returns (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

A beautiful poem, Clare.

Comment is about Fly High. (blog)

Original item by Clare

I know a place in St John's Wood where they do discounts on a latte macchinato, John. And you still get change of a twenty.

Comment is about I WENT DOWN TO THAT LONDON (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

My thanks to Graham and John B. Yes, these were truly brave people.
And thanks to Hugh for liking.

Comment is about Normandy Veterans at the Airport (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thankyou Uilleam and Stephen. Yes, I was lucky to get back with all my fingers.

Comment is about I WENT DOWN TO THAT LONDON (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Stunning and gorgeous. One to treasure. 💐

Comment is about Fly High. (blog)

Original item by Clare

Gilt edged Tennyson, Bethany? Perfect adornment for a shelf 😀 probably wouldn't read it though.
Thanks for your comment. Loved it 😁

Comment is about Reluctant Reader (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

And a beer with no 'ead on it! And couldn't find any peas pudding to go wi' me 'am ☹️

Comment is about I WENT DOWN TO THAT LONDON (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I definitely won't be going to that there London.

Comment is about I WENT DOWN TO THAT LONDON (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Takes some doing that Hélène; and some humility too.

Comment is about Eyes of Eternity (blog)

Original item by Hélène

Well done Hugh. There's a campaign going to encourage people to not mow their lawns and to leave cemeteries untended etc. Good idea!👍

Comment is about My wild and wonderful garden (blog)

Original item by hugh

When I shake a six Bethany I want my treasure buried with me like Tutankhamun. You've had your fist wrapped round that ten bob note so long, Kevin, it's no longer legal tender.

Comment is about I WENT DOWN TO THAT LONDON (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

a fiver!!!!!!!
bloody hell, you're pushing the boat out.
you'd need a spanner to get ten bob out of my mit.

Comment is about I WENT DOWN TO THAT LONDON (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Bethany Sallis, Thankyou. 🌻🌻🌻

Comment is about Fly High. (blog)

Original item by Clare

Like the old advert used to say Clare-' because you're worth it '

💐

Comment is about Fly High. (blog)

Original item by Clare

Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, Manish and Bethany. Digging deep is painful but necessary at times. I truly appreciate your support. 🌻🌻🌻

Comment is about Fly High. (blog)

Original item by Clare

Know EXACTLY where you are coming from John ( almost ) being poetry book swamped myself but I'm sure I would be kicking myself if I sent even a few of them packing especially my gilt edged Tennyson! great read matey!

Comment is about Reluctant Reader (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

ohhhh! its only money John and you can't take it with you but knowing you you'd probably give it a bloody good try 😂

Comment is about I WENT DOWN TO THAT LONDON (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

If someone had told me 10 years ago I’d pay £3.50 for a cup of coffee, MC, or £2 for a bottle of water, I’d have told them they wanted their bumps feeling.
And thanks for the Likes, Hugh, Ghost, Clare and Russell.

Comment is about I WENT DOWN TO THAT LONDON (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Lots of us are on the same thought trip today Helene-lets hope it never ends

Comment is about Eyes of Eternity (blog)

Original item by Hélène

Ditto! ( re Manish ) 💓

Comment is about Fly High. (blog)

Original item by Clare

Hallowed ground eh what Hugh? 👍

Comment is about My wild and wonderful garden (blog)

Original item by hugh

Know the feeling JC! When I had a pint of Guinness in my local
pub recently, I was charged £7.50. Just as well I'm now an
"occasional drinker" in retirement. The old advert. told us that
this particular drink was "good for you". Maybe, but that doesn't
refer to my bank account these days!

Comment is about I WENT DOWN TO THAT LONDON (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Very true, Hélèna. I completely agree with this.
Thank you.

Comment is about Eyes of Eternity (blog)

Original item by Hélène

I absolutely loved this poem, Clare. Beautifully and skillfully written, as always. Every stanza is so evocative and emotional.
Thank you.🌻

Comment is about Fly High. (blog)

Original item by Clare

Great poem, Jordyn! Full of wild wanderings and musings.

Comment is about April. (blog)

Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth

Absolutely fantastic, KJ. Loved it all. You are back with a bang!
Make sure it goes into your new book! 😀😎

Comment is about The Rocky Horror Picture Show (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

A magnificent tribute, Stephen. Thanks for keeping these fires burning. 💪

Comment is about Normandy Veterans at the Airport (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

A self help mantra.
It has to get better
It must.
Love it.
A poem for Spring 😎

Comment is about April. (blog)

Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth

Many thanks to everyone who has commented and liked this one.
It's much appreciated.
Cheers Kevin

Comment is about The Rocky Horror Picture Show (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

Thanks for the comments and likes all of you. You may have guessed I wrote this in real time as I was travelling from Harrogate to London in April for the climate demos at Westminster. Three 7-line stanzas over the course of a 3 hour journey is about my rate of writing.

Greg: yes, the Whitsun Weddings was probably rattling around in my subconscious as I was writing it. Larkin was a fine poet but not noted for his activism!

Comment is about Rolling down to London (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

I know that feeling, Uilleam. I have made lists of books I must read before I shuffle off, but I just lose the lists haha. I am a sad embarrassment to the English teaching profession! Thanks for your comments, as ever. And thanks for the likes Nigel and John C

Comment is about Reluctant Reader (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Thanks Jordyn.
I am as mad as a hatter and so I must be truly delirious with happiness😊

Comment is about April. (blog)

Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth

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