As a subscriber, I had heard about this. It is really sad. Although not all the content was to my taste, Ambit was always a good read and encouraged challenging work. Briony Bax was kind enough to publish my poetry when she was the poetry editor of the New European, a post which is sadly no more.
My thanks to everyone involved and best wishes.
Comment is about Ambit ends publication after 64 years with issue 249 (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thank you, Graham and Keith, for your kind comments. We are now approaching the first anniversary of this terrible war and there seems to be no let up. As you say, Putin seems hell bent on continuing his delusional path, one which is littered with all sorts of danger for humankind. So, as you say, there seems no alternative to providing Ukraine with weapons to defeat his troops, in spite of the horrendous cost in terms of human lives.
And my thanks to Aisha, Holden, Stephen, K Lynn, John C and John K for the support.
Comment is about The Late Show (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Within his path
love and prayer
heart to beat
soul to live.❤
Comment is about 2 minute reflections - Part 1 (blog)
Original item by Sunshine
Love this! Yes, writing is so wonderful for the heart & mind. Thanks Aisha for this lovely ode to sitting in nature, getting uplifted, & then writing,
Comment is about Back To Writing (blog)
Original item by Aisha Suleman
The closure of such a venerable part of poetic life is always to be mourned. Yet poetry survives and that is always a cause for
celebration and continued optimism. Congratulations and appreciation are extended for what has been achieved. Take a bow as you withdraw behind time's descending curtain..
Comment is about Ambit ends publication after 64 years with issue 249 (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Your last verse JD sent a shiver down my spine!
Comment is about The road to oblivion (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Exactly Nigel. To be one with God almighty is the biggest joy of life. ❤
Comment is about Divine path (blog)
Original item by Sunshine
Stephen, once again you take the reader to the reality of this conflict. It breaks my heart to see such indiscriminate killing. I agree with Graham's comment about Putin, the serial killer and his nodding brainwashed audience of sycophants.
A really good poem with a magnetic quality
Thanks
Keith
Comment is about The Late Show (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thankyou, Charlotte. And thanks for the Like, Holden and Aisha.
Comment is about I JUST LOVE MONDAYS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
You have a very incisive way of portraying this horrible mess in Ukraine. How waiting for loved ones to come home (no matter what their age) is such an anxious experience in normal life, let alone in a war zone, crystallises this piece perfectly. Great talent Stephen.
PS: having seen the deranged idiot Putin making a two-hour speech to the converted tonight, I am convinced now that he must be 'pushed' out of Ukraine. Nothing less will work.
Comment is about The Late Show (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
This might just be my new favorite song. 😊
Comment is about I JUST LOVE MONDAYS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thanks Uilleam, I never thought about "fill year boots", I may have to rewrite the ending, as the current one seems a bit lame.
I always find the etymology of words interesting, and so many of our phrases have a naval origin.
Comment is about Armadillo... Draught British Sherry (blog)
Original item by kJ Walker
Hope in the carnage, Stephen.
Comment is about The Late Show (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
A timely plea, Hugh.
Comment is about Toegether we will conquer hatred and live in harmony (blog)
Original item by hugh
I would imagine Bob Geldof has changed his mind about Mondays now he’s 71, MC.
And thanks for the Like, Steve.
Comment is about I JUST LOVE MONDAYS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you so much, Hélène. I appreciate your kind comment. Yes, a sad anniversary is approaching. And my thanks to Nigel and Steve.
Comment is about The Late Show (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Like Bob Dylan on Librium! 😉 But I like it for all that.
Comment is about I JUST LOVE MONDAYS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Really really good. Inexpressible sorrow, but still--love & hope. Thanks Stephen for your Ukraine poems.
Comment is about The Late Show (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you Moonlight, Aisha, Holden & Stephen. This poem has passed through several iterations over the years. It is finished now.
“Long enough have you dream’d contemptible dreams,
Now I wash the gum from your eyes,
You must habit yourself to the dazzle of the light
and of every moment of your life” Walt Whitman, 'Leaves of grass'
Comment is about Resist much, obey little (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Beaten Before You Start
Growing up is hard enough
dealing with this yourself
trying trying to understand
those explaining are themselves
working with little knowledge - - -
making this book so uplifting
for those suffering right now.
Comment is about Reflections on how I would have dealt with diabetes at an earlier age (blog)
Original item by Andy N
A well told story kJ. Love it, #
About the expression: fill yer boots lads!
Hope you don't mind my posting this-it may be doubtful:
https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/7139/what-is-the-etymology-and-meaning-of-fill-your-boots
At the HMS Victory museum in Portsmouth UK, you can buy a thick leather cup lined with pitch. This is a replica of the sailor's mug used on board in Nelson's time, and it was used (among other things) for the rum ration when issued. This cup is called a "boot", and when things were good and you got an extra rum ration, sailors were told "Fill Yer Boots"!
Comment is about Armadillo... Draught British Sherry (blog)
Original item by kJ Walker
Thankyou, Stephen. We are, indeed, the Golden Generation.
Comment is about I JUST LOVE MONDAYS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you, Graham and John. Yes, like you, I am always aware that nature will win out at some stage. And it is alarming, but also reassuring in a way, to see how quickly it reasserts itself when left to its own devices.
I hope you won the battle with the floor, Graham. I feel your pain.
Allotments, eh, John? A labour of love. Like you I enjoy seeing them.
Comment is about For Sale (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks, KJ. I checked it out. An absolute gem and very seventies. Yes, it does sound like Kenny.
Comment is about Armadillo... Draught British Sherry (blog)
Original item by kJ Walker
Thanks John, Keith and Stephen.
Bazaar as it may sound this is just about a true story.
The advert had a song loosely copying Tony Christie's " is this the way to Amarillo". And the voiceover sounded a bit like Kenny Everett. There is a clip of it on YouTube but I'm not savvy enough to copy it into here
Comment is about Armadillo... Draught British Sherry (blog)
Original item by kJ Walker
Another masterpiece, KJ. Loved it. That wasn't the one Orson Welles used to advertise, was it? Him or Arthur Mullard.
Comment is about Armadillo... Draught British Sherry (blog)
Original item by kJ Walker
A cracker, John. Mind you, our generation might have had the best of quiet Mondays too, what with hybrid working, the four-day week coming etc.
Comment is about I JUST LOVE MONDAYS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Yourself wellcomes
all before
never alone
rejoicing birth
footsteps taken
never ever alone.❤
Comment is about Divine path (blog)
Original item by Sunshine
I'll drink a schooner of medium dry to this. Another brilliant poem Kev. Thanks indeed.
Keith
Comment is about Armadillo... Draught British Sherry (blog)
Original item by kJ Walker
Cheers Yvonne for your comment on "The Paint and the Past"
Appreciated.
Tommy
Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)
Original item by Yvonne Brunton
Cheers MC for your comment on "Paint and the Past"
Appreciated.
Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Classic, Kevin.
Comment is about Armadillo... Draught British Sherry (blog)
Original item by kJ Walker
Thanks, Kevin. It was a bugger to sing and play. Luckily I have the voice of an angel.
Comment is about I JUST LOVE MONDAYS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Very much enjoyed. This is beautiful, Trevor.
Comment is about Those Nights We Danced (blog)
Original item by Trevor Alexander
A belter.
I don't remember it from first time round, so thanks for reposting.
Comment is about I JUST LOVE MONDAYS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Scarcely “working”, Uilleam. Merely taking plenty of money from the pockets of companies in return for letting them know what I think. The joke being they could have heard what I thought down the pub for free. “By hand and brain” as the Labour Party would say.
Comment is about I JUST LOVE MONDAYS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I think this poem sums up the old expression "I'm alright Jack" and an inability to empathize within society. Most of us can be manipulated by what most affects us, and we have to live with a wide variety of what's acceptable and rejectable without going completely bonkers.
Ray
Comment is about Jack's Story (blog)
Have I got the picture right? Is it:
...wearing nothing upon my fiery head but a mudstained hat?
or wearing nothing but a mudstained hat...?😊
............................................................................................Yours respectfully.
Comment is about Wild Woman (20.) (blog)
Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth
How very dare you John Coopey!
Working all those years just so you can enjoy your pension.
Why don't you just do the decent thing and stop being a "Burden on the State!
Thank God for "Working 'til you drop" -now literally coming to a workplace near you!😟
Comment is about I JUST LOVE MONDAYS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Let me know when and where, Jordyn. I'll sell a few tickets.
Comment is about Wild Woman (20.) (blog)
Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth
Wildernesses comes in all shapes and sizes.
Equally, I love to see allotments; there's something deeply noble about a little man both battling and harnessing nature.
Comment is about For Sale (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Isn’t it strange how we covet a tidy garden ourselves but also equally relish seeing a near unspoilt wilderness (not that many exist these days) when we go for walks and such.
Personally I like to see where buildings have been built and where tiny weeds/flowers are springing up through the cracks. Makes me realise that nature will win out after we are all gone!
Thank you for this piece Stephen, which I missed on Saturday whilst fighting with a new wooden floor in the spare bedroom. Could be inspiration there? Well done!
Comment is about For Sale (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Hello Richard.
I've just come across your profile, and the title of this post caught my eye because of current events.
Thank you for your poem, which makes for harrowing reading in its stark statement of facts.
We in the UK smugly and complacently forget -at our peril- that during the last 70 + years, politicians within the UK government-including women-have been complicit in cosying up to murderous totalitarian regimes, in the Americas and in many other parts of the world.
To those who point accusing fingers at "Socialism", I say that word means nothing more to me than putting into practice the original, unperverted-I stress the latter 2 words- message of Jesus, and of many other such prophets.
Comment is about Memorial Day in Moscow (blog)
Original item by Richard Hartley
I admire the breadth and ambition of this, Rob. A fantastic read.
Comment is about drowning in brain waves (blog)
Original item by Rob Cohen
Adam Whitworth
Wed 22nd Feb 2023 20:25
Good advice
Comment is about Trust (blog)
Original item by Hélène