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 it’s 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

I wholeheartedly agree with Keith and John, thank you Helene.

Comment is about Infinitely (blog)

Original item by Hélène

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

So beautiful Katerina-thank you.

Comment is about Part of us (blog)

Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis

An interesting and scary poem Hugh, it seems that we are living on a knife edge these days.

Comment is about What’s 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. 😀

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.🌿

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. I’m afraid she only entertains gentlemen, Leon 😇. 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 thre’pence back on my empty pop bottle.
And thanks for the Like, Red Brick.

Comment is about BOP IT ! (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Ha ha indeed

Comment is about Identity Crisis (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

A Victorian era pleasure pier. I know it so well!

Comment is about BOP IT ! (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

You DO have her address John? 😂




LS

Comment is about BOP IT ! (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

😂 This would be funny Rick if it wasn't such a pain in the bum!

( the subject not the poem ) 👍


LS

Comment is about Identity Crisis (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Just the ticket!





LS

Comment is about Part of us (blog)

Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis

Thank you for your thoughts Graham

Comment is about One (blog)

Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis

How beautiful and heart warming. Great stuff! 😁 Well said Keith, too.

Comment is about Friendship by The River. (blog)

Original item by Clare

Beautifully written, as usual 🌈

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.

“Poetry 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.” — 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

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 Hélène

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). 💪

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. 😎

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? 😂
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 Hélène

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 😎👍

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

A chilling masterpiece, Russell.

Comment is about The Unexpected Ballad of Laura and Ben (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

I was deeply moved by this poem, Clare. It has real quality in its spare but flowing style.

Comment is about Twenty Four Hours Can Change a Life (blog)

Original item by Clare

Thank you, Kevin. Rob Burrow's story is one of courage, tragedy and inspiration. This poem is a worthy tribute to his battles and to the support of colleagues, family and friends.

Comment is about Little Rob (blog)

Original item by Kevin Vose

Thanks Manish, your kind words have thus made an indelible print. I am most appreciative and your reviews are most welcome 🌷👍 Freds.

Comment is about manstrocity (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

Keith, I'm truly grateful for your very kind comment! 😊

Kevin, thank you! 😂

John, thank you so much, as always, for the encouragement, it means a lot! 😎

Comment is about Salome (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

Intriguing poem. Has the ring of truth, JD. Painful but I enjoyed it! 👍

Comment is about The Unexpected Ballad of Laura and Ben (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

John, we'll play Leeds in the Premier league when they escape relegation & we go up 😆.... i hope

Comment is about These Boys (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Excellently poem. Vivid, biting, Holden.

Comment is about Salome (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

Thank you, w3sko, I really appreciate it! 😊

Comment is about Repetitious... (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

Thank you for sharing this story with us. Your grandfather was a good man and he taught you well.

Comment is about Twenty Four Hours Can Change a Life (blog)

Original item by Clare