Thanks for all the kind comments, keep on spreading kindness and keep our communities fresh and alive.😊
Comment is about The spread of kindness (blog)
Original item by hugh
Thanks for the link, Steve, I must make time to watch this. 'The bitter-sweet humour is a symbol / Of a dying England, still stuck in a war / Which could never be won or put to bed.' Still true today.
You mention Pinter. For me, G&S's greatest achievement was Steptoe. And that harks straight back to Beckett, with all the rubbish, the cluttered set, the sense of being trapped. And more warmth and affection in Steptoe, somehow.
Comment is about The Reunion Party (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you so much, Uilleam. I am completed enchanted by your full name, by the way. So beautiful!
Comment is about These Jeans Do Well (blog)
Original item by Rasa Kabaila
A poem of thrills and joy, Laura. How can one not enjoy it?
Comment is about in the dance (blog)
Original item by Laura Taylor
Your poetry comes from the heart and from the soul, John. Another stunning piece.
Comment is about STUTTERER (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Happy St Patrick's, Uilleam!
Comment is about Scríobh Amach Os Ard É!-Write It Out Loud! (blog)
Indeed Hugh. Topical and timely.
Always have a mind
To be kind
And you may find
Others so inclined.
Add words written in my childhood autograph book by a wise
teacher whose name I still recall: Helen M.. Tarry, bless her memory.
The Value of a Smile
It costs nothing but creates much
It enriches those who receive
Without impoverishing those who give..
How very true!!
Finally, avoid vexatious people..
Cheers.
Comment is about The spread of kindness (blog)
Original item by hugh
I like the conclusion that we can never walk or be alone, Keith. We need to feel something, otherwise we are purely selfish beings, which can sometimes translate into extreme loneliness.
Comment is about The Presence (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
As the dad of four daughters (and one granddaughter, so far) I endorse every syllable Thank you Laura.
Comment is about On Reflection (blog)
Original item by Laura Taylor
Thank you so much Laura, Stephen & Keith. I do not often write autobiographical poems but this is one. Now I know that stuttering is ok because what I have to say is worth repeating!
Comment is about STUTTERER (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
In this day and age, kindness is a radical act. Love the sentiment in this poem. So true.
Comment is about The spread of kindness (blog)
Original item by hugh
Hello John, long time no speak!
Great poem this. ice cream sellers melting away, ha. It flows, sounds amazing, lots of pertinent points in there. Loved it.
Comment is about TINDERBOX (blog)
Original item by john short
Ohh, this is a sumptuous read, absolutely loved it. Angry on your behalf. I live with and madly love a stutterer, and he's one of the greatest poets/lyricists I know 💗
Comment is about STUTTERER (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Thank you Graham. It was inspired by something a friend said earlier this week.
Comment is about in the dance (blog)
Original item by Laura Taylor
Laura, I'm not an aficionado of your work by any means but for me this is one of (if not the) best works of yours that I have read.
Comment is about in the dance (blog)
Original item by Laura Taylor
Stockport's Pyramid
This is no necropolis
despite the desert sky
no Sphinx to guard a pharaoh
no tombs to catch the eye,
just a couple of Coop caskets
in the cellar, empty lie.
😉
Comment is about Paul_Coates005.jpeg (photo)
Original item by Stockport WoL
Than you for a fascinating piece Mirabel.
I've just been looking up "alknost" and some associated articles.
I was brought up a Christian, and the connection between present-day Christianity and the ancient religions never ceases to amaze me.
I now view the disparaging use of the word "Pagan" by past and present Christian "authorities" to be ridiculous and dishonest.
Given the current state of the world, it seems the Pagans were much more in tune with, and respectful of nature than we appear to be.
Best Wishes.
Comment is about The Celtic sea / (blog)
Original item by Mirabel
John,
The penultimate stanza is a masterpiece, the words of which I echo. I can more than relate to it as it became an impediment in my own life. Excellent piece of writing.
Thanks
Keith
Comment is about STUTTERER (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Hugh,
These noble qualities are lacking in today's world where we now find ourselves in fragmented communities and a dysfunctional society. It is up to each of us to try to rebuild lost values.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about The spread of kindness (blog)
Original item by hugh
Manish, thank you for your like.
Uilleam,
Thank you for an interesting response to this poem. I agree that we need to draw a clear distinction between religion and spirituality. The Institution of religion is man made and this is borne out by the manner in which it operates. I believe that we are all made up of three component parts: body, mind and spirit. It is the poet, a person of independent mind who is in touch with his inner, spiritual self who writes poetry from a source which is unique. The heart speaks and not the mind which results in an outpouring of a language not often seen.
Thank you again
Keith
Comment is about The Presence (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
So, primary schools in the UK have “limited poetry book stock” and there are “many barriers” to the teaching of poetry...surprise, surprise!
Given the attacks on the Humanities funding over the last few decades...the knock on effect will be an even more "limited poetry book stock", and even more barriers to the teaching of poetry especially if the politically correct Poetry Thought Police continue to have their way.
https://youtu.be/6aYpH-TqkG4
https://youtu.be/5mo-B9JVIlo
Comment is about Pupils 'missing out' on poetry in primary schools (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks Keith.
After many years I've arrived at the belief that what we as individuals, and as a society need is not "Religion", which can be an allegiance to a Football team; to the amassing of wealth for its own sake; or to so-called "Celebrity", or to a Church of whatever description..
I think what we need is an understanding of true "Spirituality", of what makes us tick as human beings...the spirituality that moves us to write poetry, or music, for instance?
Comment is about The Presence (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
I can no longer bear to watch documentaries on the Holocaust and such horrors.
What is terrifying is to listen to lies and hate in high places and realizing that we are a hair's breadth away from inflicting such horrors on others today.
Comment is about Genocide (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Thank you Mike.
I've never seen an angel with wings either; but there are plenty out there disguised as humans, that's for sure; I know that from personal experience; and they're often the people you'd least expect!
Comment is about Personal Notes on Angels (blog)
Original item by Mike McPeek
Thanks Hugh.
Every word so very true.
I wonder; is there such a job as Parliamentary, or No. 10 Chaplain or "Counsellor"?
A copy of this in high places might well work wonders for the well-being of the UK, instead of the deliberate and blatant hatemongering which is going on at present.
Comment is about The spread of kindness (blog)
Original item by hugh
Thanks Keith, I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.
Comment is about The Retreat (blog)
Original item by Neil Fawcett
Thank you Keith."The first time it was reported that our friends were being butchered there was a cry of horror. Then a hundred were butchered. But when a thousand were butchered and there was no end to the butchery, a blanket of silence spread.
When evil-doing comes like falling rain, nobody calls out "stop!"
When crimes begin to pile up they become invisible. When sufferings become unendurable the cries are no longer heard. The cries, too, fall like rain in summer."
Bertolt Brecht, Selected Poems
Comment is about Genocide (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
A poem borne out of an aspect of humanity which is difficult to comprehend. I often wonder if genocide sucks the Faith out of those who once believed and were murdered for it. What must have raced through the minds of those believers as the doors of the gas chambers were slammed shut?
One of your best John.
Thank you
Keith
Comment is about Genocide (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Exquisite in style and highly descriptive in content, but also unusual. It has a haunting quality which compels the reader to read it two of three time more.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about The Retreat (blog)
Original item by Neil Fawcett
Thanks for all your interesting viewpoints, obviously I touched a raw nerve with the oldies in particular! We deserve respect, but it has to start within us, a difficult task sometimes . It's lovely to see how your individual sensibilities have risen to the comments. That's Keith, Mark, Stephen, Graham, John and Uilleam for the psychological support !
And thanks for liking the poem Aisha and Poemtheart.
Ray
Comment is about COSTUME DRAMA (blog)
Original item by ray pool
his empire
that terminated at the compost bins.
A lovely turn of phrase there Greg.
Comment is about Black gold (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Ouch my knees!
Thanks for this insightful piece Ray.
Comment is about COSTUME DRAMA (blog)
Original item by ray pool
I like this, thanks:
Our pagan leaves
And celtic vines
Of traditions and mannerisms
Intertwined
Comment is about These Jeans Do Well (blog)
Original item by Rasa Kabaila
Thanks Chris-some nice alliteration there.
Comment is about Consequences (blog)
Original item by Chris Armstrong
And thanks to Pete, Nigel, Uilleam, Hélène, Rudyard and Poemtheart for liking this one.
Comment is about Circumstances (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you poemthe, Aisha, Uilleam, Keith & Stephen.
Being born amoung the working people
I know povery is a hard old hag,
and a monster, when you're pinched for actual necessities.
And whoever says she isn't, is a liar. DH Lawrence
Comment is about Northern Morning (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Thanks, Klementa Abela.
That was an unforgettable day...lol, how can I forget!...
Comment is about The Library (blog)
Original item by Elijah enenche peter
Thankyou for your thoughts, Uilleam, and for the Likes, Aisha and poemthe.
Comment is about MATCH OF THE DAY - CANCELLED (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
You now have a lot of us thinking of our fathers in these terms Jason. A very good write. Well done!
Comment is about Dad (blog)
Original item by Jason Phillips
Refugees=people seeking refuge.
Hatemongers=people who sell hate.
Tory slime=Tory corruption (13 yrs worth of it).
Comment is about MATCH OF THE DAY - CANCELLED (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Well written, highly descriptive and a good read.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about Dad (blog)
Original item by Jason Phillips
Jason,
I begin everyday with prayer. Spring is forever present.
Keith
Comment is about Consumed (blog)
Original item by Jason Phillips
Very well written.
You are lucky to have such a man as your dad.
Mine was.
A Newt
A Rat
A Snake
And a Gorilla
Comment is about Dad (blog)
Original item by Jason Phillips
Your comments are very much appreciated Keith I’m glad you liked it
Thanks
Comment is about Our friends (blog)
Original item by Edbreathe
Thanks for writing so well on these important subjects, John. More power to you.
Comment is about Northern Morning (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
Sat 18th Mar 2023 08:57
Thank you Stephen.
It seems some of us still hanker after the "good old-bad old days", and are determined to repeat them.😕
Humour and piss-taking appears to be the only remedy, at least for me.
Comment is about The Reunion Party (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage