I was born in Warwickshire and am glad to hear that Mr Plague took a turn which spared the Bard. A good poem John.
Thank you for this,
Keith
Comment is about Mr Plague (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
A poem that speaks of the dire "plague" times. Witty, grippy and a great impersonation of a disease into a person.
Thank you.
Comment is about Mr Plague (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
I sincerely hope Sunderland go up. Great city, great fans. I saw them draw with Bristol City earlier this season when we visited a friend in Millfield. Go up, take our place. You deserve to.
Comment is about These Boys (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Thank you, Stephen, for keeping the focus on a a grim, brutal, senseless war still raging on the European continent.
Comment is about Retreat (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
So very wise, Helene. I can learn a great deal from your poetry.
Comment is about A Hardy Conversation (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Stephen, once more you highlight the misery of war, the indiscriminate killing which takes place as the perpetrators sit back as spectators.
Does it matter whose side they were on, what does it matter, you still have to step over them. Powerful words which bring home the reality of a senseless war. Another excellent poem which reflects the war we are now witnessing. There needs to be a tribunal when this conflict is over, with Putin and others in the dock.
Thank you Stephen,
Keith
Comment is about Retreat (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I had to manage a great deal of organizational change when I had a proper job.
The one thing change needs is time! Most times change is forced upon people too quickly who feel powerless and only have one weapon to defend themselves ‘resistance’
Immigration, social change, a sense of belonging are all classic examples of how not to manage change
Comment is about Black to Britain (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Stephen, you've completely moved me by this poem. It hurts bad when a person belonging to someone, especially a family, loses his life by a panzer, without getting a chance to fight back. "The politicians giggle" is a hard-hitting true fact.
Thank you.
Comment is about Retreat (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
What should also be mentioned but rarely is - that an older
England (the primary destination) was a land formed by small
suspicious communities into villages, then larger entities that
viewed anyone from a few miles away as a stranger, to be
treated with due suspicion until they became known, earning
trust and good neighbourliness. Many had themselves earned
their place in hard times and often originated from other lands
where life and danger were interwoven. Even now, on a more
jocular note but one still based in historical reality, there is
occasional jibing between various parts of the UK, with the old
"counties" still vying for one-upmanship. As a Devon-born lad
I'm not unused to the banter between Devonians and our
Cornish neighbours who actually see themselves as akin to a
foreign breed - the people of Curnow within the larger Realm. Loyalties
and acceptance are hard won but
time and things in common are usually the common factors that oil the gears
of a cohesive society.
Comment is about Black to Britain (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Lost for Words
Condemned man whispered
To his close friend
Please make it quick
Don't let me suffer.
The Hangman replied
For old time's sake
Neck cracked and snapped
In less than ten.
Comment is about May 2023 Collage Poem: The Country of Lost Things (blog)
Original item by Stockport WoL
Wow. You are a really good poet, RBK. Loved this one.
Comment is about manstrocity (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
Thank you for this interesting poem. Thank you also for being clear. I am also gay. Have a nice day,
Keith
Comment is about Faggot (blog)
Original item by Alita Moore
This poem conjures up images of the conspiracy to kill John the Baptist. The last two lines provide a fitting climax to an excellent piece of writing.
Thank you for this,
Keith
Comment is about Salome (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
Thank you Hélène.
AsamusicstudentIlearnedthatinapieceofmusic, the silences (rests) between the notes were just as important as the notes themselves.
Silence is golden!
Comment is about A Hardy Conversation (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Thanks Keith.
I think my first awareness of racism was when I was in my early teens. Two of my fellow "religious" students -themselves sons of Italian immigrants- made a point of habitually and loudly mocking the accents of a couple of my fellow students who hailed from Nigeria...low level stuff you may say!
Then came the news from Ireland of "The Troubles"- My fellow Christians bombing others who were the "wrong sort" of Christian.
It ought to go without saying (unfortunately it doesn't) that anyone, be they Jewish, Muslim, Trans or Gay, can be a racist or a bigot.💗
Comment is about Black to Britain (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Thanks Stephen (Gospage) indeed! What to do once spoilt for choice and modcon options? 🌷
Hey Uilleam, that is an "I do" from many a point of view. We've crossed the threshold where sci-fi has become commonplace and mainstream in most if not all continents.🌷
Comment is about life from home (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
Oh John (Botterill), if we got a vote. I'm afraid the likes of me are not at all palatable in that echelon of society. You much appreciated estimation is all the laud required to get us through our day to days. 😊🌷
Comment is about coronated (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
Thanks for the clarification Tim; no fault of yours.
Some of my most beautiful memories as a 5-6 yr old are of picnicking in the sun with our mum and my sister in fields full of buttercups and bluebells on the moors above our home.
Precious memories of the precious gift of nature.
You have my full support.
Comment is about Green sheets (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
Thanks for your comments both Stephens, John, Uilleam & Kevin. Uilleam, you are welcome to post links under my poems as far as I’m concerned although others might not appreciate it. I use poetry quite a lot to express social, environmental and political opinions and speaking for myself I’m happy for my blog to be used as a forum to discuss any ideas. I have in fact written a few poems in the past about hen harriers and raptor persecution, and I once performed at a Hen Harrier Day protest rally. I fear though that you may have somewhat misinterpreted the line “while farmers poisoned the lot” (possibly my own fault!) I’m referring to the practice of “improving” biologically diverse ancient pasture by spraying weedkiller then ploughing and reseeding with a single high yielding grass species, which destroys breeding habitat for ground nesting birds such as curlews. I’m not suggesting that farmers deliberately poison curlews.
Comment is about Green sheets (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
Splendid, Tim. An absolute tour de force and a wake-up call.
Comment is about Green sheets (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
I just turned 70, Rick, and really enjoyed this. I keep telling myself that age is just a number - unfortunately it keeps getting bigger!
Comment is about Age is Only a Number (blog)
Original item by Rick Varden
Thank you, Keith. A very moving poem. An uncomfortable tale told with passion and , ultimately, hope.
Comment is about Black to Britain (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Thank you so much Peter for this.
What a rich tapestry of language and music we have, in this small space which is the British Isles; Irish (Gaeilge), Scottish (Gàidhlig), Welsh, Cornish, Manx, etc.
I'm no monarchist, but I was moved by Bryn Terfel's Welsh "Kyrie Eleison".
https://youtu.be/piYmpYiWFbo
Purely as a very amateur musician, I have long been interested and amazed by, the connection between language and music; especially the effect music has on the well-being of those with dementia. and related conditions.
Just my opinion, but keep listening to radio 3; far better than the commercialised saccharine dross which is Classic something or other, posing as culture!😊
Comment is about Language and Music (blog)
Original item by Peter J Donnelly
You forgot to mention the Irish, Keith. No Coloureds’ no dogs, no Irish, no tinkers. I remember these signs very well. As a child it always struck me because most of the patrons in our local pub were Irish.
This is a lovely recognition of all those that have been used and abused by British society over the years. My heart is heavy having seen that not much has changed.
Comment is about Black to Britain (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Thank you to everyone that took the time to read, like and comment on this.
I realise it is a very heavy subject and that it may elicit some strong feelings. (Isn’t that the job of a writer?)
This is a project very close to my heart - I would like to point out that I was in this situation over twenty years ago and that I am happily married to a wonderful man☺️ In addition to my own personal experiences, I have worked supporting DV survivors for many year's. The aim of this project is to explore some of the issues faced after leaving. I hope I can do it justice - it’s a huge subject! Thanks to all.
Comment is about Kind gestures and suspicious looks. (The First Morning) (blog)
Original item by Clare
This leaves me breathless. Absolutely stunning piece of writing. You are fast becoming my guru!😊
Comment is about A Hardy Conversation (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Thanks Stuart, you make some good points there.
However I must disagree with you on multi-tasking.
I am expert at drinking beer whilst talking complete claptrap, AND helping to keep the UK economy afloat- in the process😊
Comment is about Men (blog)
Original item by Stuart Vanner
On second thoughts, just point out which bits you disaprove of, and I'll delete them.
Comment is about Green sheets (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
Hi Kevin.
Could you please explain what you mean by "spam the comments"?
Are you refering to what I have written on this particular post (Tim's)?
Thank you.
Comment is about Green sheets (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
Stuart, an interesting poem which demands some considerable thought by the reader. A significant number of men are inhibited as they believe in a 'macho code' which accentuates their masculinity and must be followed at all costs. However, I believe this to be skin deep and most men are vulnerable creatures. They may love being the king of their castle but all the work undertaken behind the walls is invariably done by women.
A good poem and thank you.
Keith
Comment is about Men (blog)
Original item by Stuart Vanner
<Deleted User> (35565)
Thu 11th May 2023 16:07
Nothing less than wowsing! nice one Ralph
LS
Comment is about There is Still Time (blog)
Original item by Ralph Dartford
<Deleted User> (35565)
Thu 11th May 2023 16:05
It's easier that way ain't it? To walk in silence and avoid the complexities and miseries, taking no pride in reversing someone's opinion according to your beliefs. Life's simpler minding and mending our own lives.
Thank you for this wise poem.
Comment is about A Hardy Conversation (blog)
Original item by Hélène
"They can’t see me here, in tears. Freed by the prayers I whisper." A beautiful, powerful line. A poem of compassion. Good and evil, blurred lines, pain suffered, pain inflicted, we judge, we forgive, we live, we die. This poem drops the reader into the suffering. Powerful poem, Ralph.
Comment is about House (blog)
Original item by Ralph Dartford
We weep, we try to understand why, but we can't, not fully. Perhaps these are questions that can only be answered on the soul level, when we have left our physicality. Clare, this poem is so vivid I could almost smell the sadness and desperation. The kids and the tentative friendship beween the women in the shelter provide a spark of hope...life goes on and there are breakthroughs...including the poetess who got away. Thank you Grace for sharing your sister's story....people going through family heartbreak appreciate knowing they are not alone. Blessings on all.
Comment is about Kind gestures and suspicious looks. (The First Morning) (blog)
Original item by Clare
Russel
3 Hapence a foot is one of my favourites!
Comment is about How Bert became King ( or an homage to Stanley Holloway ) (blog)
Original item by Edbreathe
Thanks for all your comments I’m glad you found it amusing
It stems from a thought I had whilst watching the coronation , that it would be hilarious if some one in a wheel chair or scooter suddenly zipped across the floor and the mayhem it would cause .
Comment is about How Bert became King ( or an homage to Stanley Holloway ) (blog)
Original item by Edbreathe
Thanks Keith.
I have often been guilty of conforming to the:
"My five year old could have done that"
mindset - especially on being challenged by some examples of the the visual arts.
I remember someone suggest, about the likes of Tracy Emin's Bed, or Rachel Whiteread's "House", that at least, "if they made us think", then they could be judged to be a success?
Comment is about The Subversive Artist (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Thanks Rick.
When our 3 and 1/2 yr old recently commanded "come on, dance grandad", I joyfully, but briefly did so.
I agree with you Rick - age is indeed a number, ie 2 achy-breaky knees!
Comment is about Age is Only a Number (blog)
Original item by Rick Varden
Thanks for that Tim. I can almost smell the vegetation, and feel the wind on my face.
"...rank meadows and curlews hung sobbing
while farmers poisoned the lot,"
Suspicions have been raised for several decades, that the forces of law and order have been turning a blind eye to the activities of "the hang'em, shoot'em and flog'em brigade".
From:
https://community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/science/posts/illegal-killing-major-cause-of-death-in-hen-harriers
A new RSPB study published today in Biological Conservation shows that annual survival of Hen Harriers in Britain is unusually low, and that illegal killing is a dominant cause of death, accounting for up to 75% of annual mortality in some age classes of birds.
It provides convincing evidence that illegal killing is primarily associated with areas managed for Red Grouse shooting, indicating the widespread and ongoing role that persecution on some grouse moors continues to play in limiting modern-day raptor populations in Britain.
Comment is about Green sheets (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
Government funding of refuges ought to be a priority, in a nation which calls itself "civilised"; it is perhaps no coincidence that a high profile abuser has recently been recommended for a knighthood!
It has been callously sugested (also in these pages) that abused women could "walk away" from such abusers.
However physical and emotional control / abuse involves fears about financial security and acess to shelter, and other factors; personal safety, and that of children coming second to other considerations.
Comment is about Kind gestures and suspicious looks. (The First Morning) (blog)
Original item by Clare
Thanks for that.
Yes, I saw a documentary about contraception for the Grey squirrel.
A few years ago, I heard a radio presenter suggest that we should be allowed to shoot them for food.
But such a solution could only be safely confined to those with the largest of back gardens, or vast country estates; and I don't fancy going for a walk in the woods whilst someone is wielding a weapon.
I wonder whether a similar (contraceptive) solution might be applied to the nuts in UK government?
😒
Comment is about OVER THE HUMP (blog)
Original item by Short Attention Span Poetry
Wonderful cynicism and humour enlighten a worrisome subject 😎
Comment is about Gestures (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
keith jeffries
Fri 12th May 2023 20:56
Clare, this poem resonates with me. When I was a school boy an aunt turned up in the middle of the night, dishevelled and in her bare feet. My uncle, who I thought was a good bloke had beaten her up and she fled the house. The door was opened by her father, my grandfather. My nan put her to bed as she was distraught. My grandfather, a veteran of the Great War went to see my uncle the following day. He took me along. As my uncle opened the door my Grandfather pushed his way inside and pulled a huge carved knife which he had concealed in his waistcoat. He threw my uncle against the wall and placed the knife at his throat. My grandfather said quite calmly," do this again and I will kill you." I learned something new that day and your poem has brought it back to life. This kind of behaviour needs severe punishment.
Thank you Care,
Keith
Comment is about Twenty Four Hours Can Change a Life (blog)
Original item by Clare