Quite right Keith. The most reliable source with regards to climate change is the IPCC.

Comment is about MANIPULATION (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks so much Clare. In fairness, my wife says I escape my brain quite often, calling me 'brainless' when, like Helene, I write poetry at 3 in the morning 😂

Comment is about Early Morning Quietude (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

People have said I'm two faced, Clare. Never three 😂 Great poem, again!

Comment is about The Three Faces of Me. (blog)

Original item by Clare

A Superb poem, Clare. An inspirational tapestry woven from the core of our creative being!

Comment is about Preparing to Leave. (blog)

Original item by Clare

Another corker from you! I feel your pain, if only we could escape our brains. 🤣

Comment is about Early Morning Quietude (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

This is wonderful. If only more people could share your generosity of soul - how much better life would be! Beautifully written, inspiring piece. It’s so reassuring knowing people like you exist. Xx

Comment is about A Soul's Journey (blog)

Original item by Hélène

Thanks Stephen, Russell and Grace. It’s the first of 30 poems I wrote one-a-day in April in an online poetry group. I’ll be posting them all on Writeoutloud once I finish editing them. You may have guessed this one was partly inspired by the Rolling Stones song.

Comment is about Under cover of the night (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Why am I only seeing this through the comments section - it makes me think that I am missing out on a lot of work being published here! Wow, what a powerful piece! I sense cathartic release in this. It’s a wonderful release of emotion. Thankyou so much for waking me up !

Comment is about I Hate You. (blog)

Original item by Samantha Bunyan

Thank you for liking and taking the time to comment on this. I imagine many, if not all of us have a face for different occasions - or perhaps it’s just me!😉

Comment is about The Three Faces of Me. (blog)

Original item by Clare

This poem doesn't hold it's invective back! I like it!

Comment is about I Hate You. (blog)

Original item by Samantha Bunyan

A good poem MC., as politicians along with the media do their best to manipulate us. Sadly many are taken in by them. One has to remain clear headed and well informed from reliable sources to form one's own opinion and perspective of life.
Thank you for this,
Keith

Comment is about MANIPULATION (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

wow... im at a loss for words...

Comment is about I Hate You. (blog)

Original item by Samantha Bunyan

A lovely, generous spirited, wise poem. Beautiful, Helene.
One last thing. Actually All Roads Lead to Malton. (it's the title of my book!) 😂

Comment is about A Soul's Journey (blog)

Original item by Hélène

IThanks Uilleam, Keith and Helene. I am fascianated by your responses and to learn that my methods are so similar to your own. I shouldn't be surprised! The best lines come unannounced, in all honesty. I ruin poetry when I try to direct, clarify or over explain.
It's poetry that something hidden from us chose! 😂 Ps I write on my cell phone Helene as the muse dictates! Thanks too for the likes!

Comment is about Early Morning Quietude (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Thank you so much Manish, Kevin (yes we are!) Uilleam (if i called my wife a doll, she'd probably machine gun me lol) Russell ( I've been punching for 30yrs 😆)And our constant source of encouragement, Stephen. Much appreciated
And thanks for the Likes Clare, K. Lynn & Helene 🌈

Comment is about Precious Stone (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Do not confuse "empathy" with "emotionally illiterate". Donne reminds us about sending to know for whom the bell tolls
("It tolls for thee"). We are surrounded every day by the
dying - the process is an unavoidable fact of life - and the
passing from this world is supposed to be to a better existence
beyond our ken, so perhaps it should actually be celebrated
when it comes. I take the position that "the mourning" is for
those left behind, each "passing" allotted that attention according to circumstances. The dead have no such interest.
In any event, any life and its meaning is best known to those
familiar with it along the way. I have no particular objection
to anyone choosing to make a "ceremony" of the circumstances
described here but think it's more about making a gesture
than anything - but to whose benefit? One striking example
of this can be a war hero whose life and deeds would
othewise be unknown. There have been some noteworthy
examples that I'm aware of when publicity incurred public
interest and attendance in appreciation of what was done
by that person on behalf of us all.

Comment is about Poet provides poem at first 'Lonely Funeral' in Scotland (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Excellent, touching, honest poem.

Comment is about The Three Faces of Me. (blog)

Original item by Clare

A wonderful exposition of the poetic muse stretching her/his arms in the early morn to wake the words in the poet's mind. I have a cell phone that I use to compose poetry in the middle of the dark night (often 3am-ish; hubbie will stir & ask, what are you doing?; writing a poem I confess to him). Then at rising, sitting in comfy chair with coffee & oatmeal, the muse often speaks as I hold pen and journal. Great fun, great therapy. Thanks John for this delightful poem for comrades in poetry!

Comment is about Early Morning Quietude (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Celebrate and enjoy King Charles 111 big day😀

Comment is about God bless King Charles 111 (blog)

Original item by hugh

I knew nothing about that old chap down the road who had died alone; whether or not he (or any one else) is dead does not prevent my feelings of empathy with/for that person.

I feel we are fast becoming an emotionally illiterate society.
Empathy for others is not a weakness, it is a strength which binds society together.

Comment is about Poet provides poem at first 'Lonely Funeral' in Scotland (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

John,
you describe well my thoughts at the very beginning of a day. I now go to bed with a note pad. For some inexplicable reason my mind is very active at the point of waking. Your poem is one I can easily relate to.
Thank you for this,
Keith

Comment is about Early Morning Quietude (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Crikey John.
You've just described my personal experience to a to a T.
Head racing like a train at many a "False Dawn".
Eventually rising and getting to my PC; then asking myself: "now what was that potentially world-famous line I thought of three hours ago? 😐

Comment is about Early Morning Quietude (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

How did the poem describe the man's life when the poet knew nothing about him?

Comment is about Poet provides poem at first 'Lonely Funeral' in Scotland (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thrillingly described and written, Tim. I really enjoyed this one.

Comment is about Under cover of the night (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

'You can see it in his eyes'. I think you put this very well, Keith.

Comment is about A Book and its Cover (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

A beautiful poem, Stephen.

Comment is about Precious Stone (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Very vivid, I need to get a camera.
Thank you for this. I loved the repetition.

Comment is about Under cover of the night (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Thank you kindly for all your comments and likes. I am not used to being popular.

"I want to taste and glory in each day, and never be afraid to experience pain; and never shut myself up in a numb core of nonfeeling, or stop questioning and criticizing life and take the easy way out. To learn and think: to think and live; to live and learn: this always, with new insight, new understanding, and new love."
Sylvia Plath,

Comment is about May day (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

A time when our fates are truly in the lap of the God/s. Well written JD.

Comment is about Last breath (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

Wonderful and wise words Helene, well done!

Comment is about A Soul's Journey (blog)

Original item by Hélène

A great read Tim.

Comment is about Under cover of the night (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

I totally agree with Keith's comments ( good question Keith )

Comment is about The Three Faces of Me. (blog)

Original item by Clare

A poetic self analysis which is honest. I wonder how many see themselves in such a light? I enjoyed this.
Thank you Clare,
Keith

Comment is about The Three Faces of Me. (blog)

Original item by Clare

Thanks Manish, Keith and Stephen. Really loved your comments. Much appreciated.😀

Comment is about A Chance Meeting (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Thank you Keith, it's good to see some old material standing the test of time. Ofg course it has religious symbolism but it's more elemental than that. Made me re-read Steve and Ray's comments. There is always a temptation to find a killer last line whether a poem needs it or not. If I had omitted the last two lines would it have made any difference?

Comment is about The Table (blog)

Original item by Dave Morgan

Great interview. What an insight into a creative mind. Feast and famine in the writing department but an incessant desire to spread and promote the word. Sounds familiar.

Comment is about David Cooke looks back on poetry stops and starts as he unveils a bumper volume of poems (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Perhaps old age is the best thing, something to look forward to, not run away from (an impossible task in any event). Wisdom before oblivion? A thought-provoking, well-scribed poem, Jordyn.

Comment is about Oblivion (blog)

Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth

A beautiful, beautiful poem Hélena. "It's okay to be addicted, it's okay to be mentally ill, it's part of the journey." I've learnt that being hard on yourself to get back on your feet during a mentall illness kind of gets on your mind, and it only eats you up more mentally when your body doesn't give in equally. When I pass you on your path,

"When you enter my space,
I see nothing but a beautiful soul growing and learning at your own pace."

These are the lines that a person going through mental issue needs to be hearing from a mentor or a parent.
A lovely poem Hélèna.
Thank you for this.

Comment is about A Soul's Journey (blog)

Original item by Hélène

I think this poem will be what most people feel as they approach the end of their mortality. The heart stops beating and a new episode begins, far removed from this mortal coil, or so I believe.
Thank you for a poem to reflect on.
Keith

Comment is about Last breath (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

Thanks Uilleam! Yeah, that hurly-burly is driving me loca. But we carry on.

Comment is about A Book at Dawn (blog)

Original item by Hélène

I seem to remember actress Gillian Taylforth enjoyed coq au van.

Comment is about THE BEST OF TIMES... (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

The latest in Meals on Wheels-Chicken in the Basket's so passé!

Comment is about THE BEST OF TIMES... (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks Manish and Russell.
It's a hastily somewhat clumsily-written piece on a subject that's been preoccupying me for a while.

Several decades ago, I came to the conclusion that as far as UK politics were concerned, the terms "right wing" and "left wing" were, for my purposes, now redundant.

I now see some people in the UK supposedly on what I naively once considered to be traditionally the "far / left", espousing philosophies and causes which are equally popular with people on the traditional "far / right".

I refer in this specific case, to their hypocritical suppport for, and their personally profiting from Apartheid regimes in several countries, and to their "dog-whistling" to racism in general.

Those very same people are amongst the first to loudly cry "racism", in their efforts to denigrate innocent people in a malicious, specious, and slanderous way.

Comment is about Lover of South African Apartheid (blog)

Basket case Britain...let's put it to good use.😕

Comment is about THE BEST OF TIMES... (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Cock au Van on the A6 - a tasty dish for the upwardly mobile.

Comment is about THE BEST OF TIMES... (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Honest !

Comment is about THE BEST OF TIMES... (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I worked in Zambia during Apartheid. technical advisor to a conference held by the ANC in Lusaka. The descriptions of the atrocities moved me to tears and towards inclusion for all.
Loved Zambia and Botswana, maybe one day I'll get to see South Africa

Comment is about Lover of South African Apartheid (blog)

That was so touching and respectful of your 'She.'
There comes a time in every man's life when he realises he's punching above his weight. 😁

Comment is about Precious Stone (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Lovely Keith, I enjoyed that. People-watching is a favoured pastime of mine and through their eyes you get a sense of the person walking towards you, soft or harsh, friendly or disregarding.

Comment is about A Book and its Cover (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

You are a vibrant sun, and your poetry is your flecks of happiness.😊

Comment is about Oblivion (blog)

Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth