Reminds me of a similar occasion in my rugby career, except I was the full-back being menaced by two ginormous forwards bearing down on me under our posts. Being somewhat averse to hospital food, I reckoned the safest option was to play for an interception that would result in less pain to the body. I mean, both these guys were about twice my size. Imagine my amazement when the ball landed in my speculatively outstretched hand, whereupon I rapidly launched it to touch. Of course I was lauded as a hero, but I knew it was born of sheer cowardice!
Comment is about REGRETS? I'VE HAD A FEW (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
The Guillotine chop chop chop,
not long enough and even its
sharp blade became dull under
the betrayers tongue.
Hear hear.😊
Comment is about We Don't Trust Them (blog)
Original item by Chris Bunton
Thank you Stephen and Uilleam.
Comment is about On The Road To Samaria (blog)
Original item by Jonathan Humble
¡Holà!
What a story!
Also sprach la plume de ma tante!
Vive le Québec - et la différence!
¡Qué vida loca indeed😊!
Comment is about Family History (in 2 parts) (blog)
Original item by Hélène
It is indeed complicated, Stephen, and I fear entrenched in our anthropology. I am reminded of Ed McCurdy’s (Simon and Garfunkel) “Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream”.
Comment is about SOBIBOR (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
My thanks to Frederick, Stephen, K Lynn and Purplemoon for liking this poem.
I accept that there is no alternative to sending tanks to help Ukraine but I cannot rejoice at the prospect of more belligerence and more killing. Yes, it's a simplistic, abstract revulsion to war as such, but I'm afraid I can't help it.
Comment is about Sending Tanks (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
A crisply written poem with a broad sweep and great images, Jonathan. I enjoyed it very much.
Comment is about On The Road To Samaria (blog)
Original item by Jonathan Humble
Of course there is only one answer, John, and ad-hoc pacifism is probably never going to work. The nation state, with its strongman leaders and propaganda, has too much of a grip on the minds of its citizens, especially those who are thrown into battle to be killed. I am reminded of the TW3 sketch with the General: 'Don't worry, men, I shall be behind you. A long, long way behind you.'
I don't know what the answer is, but I do know it isn't war, with all its horrible consequences. So we will have to start somewhere to stop this sort of thing happening again.
Comment is about SOBIBOR (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
untouched by the sweat of first person lives;
A great line.
Comment is about On The Road To Samaria (blog)
Original item by Jonathan Humble
Do I really need to be my true self?
Yes.😊
Comment is about Am I really being me? (blog)
Original item by Shreyas Singh
Thank you Flyntland. I think everyone needs hugs at this time of year.
Comment is about HUG (blog)
Original item by Flyntland
Thanks for reading Red Brick and Stephen. An obscure piece about a bare fist fighter who became an actor - he appeared in Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Ray
Comment is about LENNY (blog)
Original item by ray pool
The pornography of cruelty says it all! It leaps off the page.
Taking Reggie’s comment above, I find I cannot write anything worth posting about The Holocaust even though I have tried on many occasions.
I’m not a denier by any means but I cannot collect myself enough to capture the horror. For me it’s remembrance.
Comment is about THE COLOUR OF DEATH (blog)
Original item by ray pool
A haunting, eloquent poem. Sad, but beautiful, Layla.
Comment is about Ask Me (blog)
Original item by purplemoon
Surprisingly this is the only original Holocaust piece so far on this Holocaust Memorial Day, (John Coopey's and mine are both re-posts.)
Comment is about THE COLOUR OF DEATH (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Thanks for the likes and the kind comment Stephen.
Comment is about Spectacular Show (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
It’s an interesting idea, Stephen. But it takes two to tango. If Britain’s armed forces laid down their arms, would the Nazis have done likewise? Or would it have been a green light for Hitler? Likewise if the soldiers of Ukraine laid down their arms, would Russia do the same?
And thanks for the Like, Ghost and Stephen A.
Comment is about SOBIBOR (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A tough read but beautifully written, Ray. 'The economy of gravity' almost unbearably apposite. I must say that BBC 'Pure Drama' sometimes has its share of colourful violence.
Comment is about THE COLOUR OF DEATH (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Some lovely images here, Hélène 'Fluid like a river' is a good example. Thanks for this.
Comment is about Waiting for Heaven (blog)
Original item by Hélène
An interesting one, John, and an illustration of how war dehumanises everyone. Which is what warmongers ultimately rely on, I suppose. In an ideal world, the foot soldiers on each side would throw down their weapons and tell the generals to go to hell. However, in the real world, the dilemma you raise is a genuine one.
Comment is about SOBIBOR (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you so much, Hélène. Yes, peace is what is needed. I am not starry-eyed about such things, but one day weapons will have to be laid down and Ukraine restored to peace with honour.
And thanks to Nigel.
Comment is about Letter from Ukraine (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thankyou, Kevin and Helene. Yes, high minded principles aren't worth a can of beans unless there's a cost. And there can be no higher cost than the daily threat to your life.
This is a re-post which was prompted by the case of a Detroit car-worker, John Demanyuk, who was extradited to Germany to face charges of being a Ukrainian guard at Sobibor.
Comment is about SOBIBOR (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I think of each poem you write on Ukraine as a fervent plea (prayer) for peace, & we as readers joining you in that. Thanks Stephen for your ongoing writing on this.
Comment is about Letter from Ukraine (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Powerful, heartbreaking, wise. Seeing from a deep perspective. Thanks John.
Comment is about SOBIBOR (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
One of your better ones John.
And it's a fair question "what would you have done?"
It's easy, when in comfort and safety to think that we are morally higher, and that we would behave differently.
But I doubt many of us would.
Survival is a natural instinct, and I personally wouldn't blame anyone for doing whatever they needed to, to stay alive.
Comment is about SOBIBOR (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you, Greg. It's awful that we are approaching one year of war in Ukraine. So many wasted lives, so many families torn apart.
And thanks to Manish and Julie.
Comment is about Letter from Ukraine (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you, John, well remembered
Comment is about At the local butchers aged 10 & 3/4 (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
A satisfying insight into our pasts, Russell. All butchers had a stubby pencil at the back of their ear. They parceled up your meat and scribbled a sum on it of your purchases’ prices which was both your bill and your receipt.
Comment is about At the local butchers aged 10 & 3/4 (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Thank you, Graham, remember those days fondly.
Comment is about At the local butchers aged 10 & 3/4 (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Thanks Manish, much appreciated.
Thanks also to Stephen, Stephen, Holden and John for stopping by to read and click like.
Comment is about Holy Hell In An Airport Hotel (blog)
Original item by Tom
AAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!😬
Comment is about NAKED ATTRACTION (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thanks for your thoughts, Stephen and Uilleam. And for the mentality of those who watch it, Uilleam.
My secret beef is that although Our Gert is satisfied with ours, it makes me poorly to see what all the blokes are packing.
And thanks for the Like, Red Brick.
Comment is about NAKED ATTRACTION (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A Bullworker eh! Remember mine well.
Everyone in our village had a 'book' too. Paid for religiously on Saturday mornings when dad had been paid. Groceries delivered in a soap powder box and left in the outside toilet. Internet shopping deliveries (bah!) nothing new!
Comment is about At the local butchers aged 10 & 3/4 (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Late to the plate sorry folks.
I'm deloited that you loiked me poem (phonetically speaking).
Thanks Reggies Ghost, oim glad it worked for it.
Graham, I can't see Clarkson and Pam bonding somehow. An irksome presence.
Mark, Bourton is seething nowadays with foreigners pointing incredulously at the common swans! Still it's money in the bank. Classic cars mentioned, lovely!
Thank you Stephen times two . She does earn good money at the game, if populist. Good on her I say.
Red Brick Keshner, Jordyn and Tom thanks for liking.
Comment is about I'M PAM AYRES (blog)
Original item by ray pool
"...in reality, it’s nothing of the sort but simply an opportunity to show us a variety of tits and cocks and fannies on the telly."
Spot on. Speaks volumes of the mentality of "the powers that be".😏
Comment is about NAKED ATTRACTION (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Very powerful final line, Steve, in an already powerful poem. As all yours are on this subject.
Comment is about Letter from Ukraine (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
An extraordinary life. And Peter Pears seemed to still be playing Peter Grimes, except for the shorts perhaps.
Comment is about Writer and poet Ronald Blythe dies aged 100 (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
You do a pretty good job at describing it with words, Julie!
Comment is about Spectacular Show (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Makes you yearn for the days of Noel's House Party, John.
Comment is about NAKED ATTRACTION (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A lovely poem, Hélène. It makes me ashamed that I sometimes see such growths as a nuisance. Never again.
Comment is about Tiny Drops (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Thanks, John and Julie, for your encouraging comments. I shall keep plugging away at this, although of course it is so tragic that this conflict is still going.
And thanks to Tom, Hugh, Stephen, Holden, Purplemoon, John B and Rudyard.
Comment is about Letter from Ukraine (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Enjoyed this, Branwell. Great rhymes and rhythm.
Comment is about Another Day, Another Rhyme (blog)
Original item by branwell kent
Thank you Stephen, & Julie. Yes, i propose every working day be cake day! With a nice cuppa tea...& some nibbles followed by dribbles. 🤤
And thanks for the likes Frederick, New shoes, Hugh, Holden & K Lynne
Much appreciated 🌈🍰
Comment is about Then, let them eat snowflake (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Wed 25th Jan 2023 17:42
Thank you so much, Hélène, for your lovely comment, it means a lot! 😊
Comment is about Senseless... (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
So much intimacy. Nicely written Tom!
Comment is about Holy Hell In An Airport Hotel (blog)
Original item by Tom
John Coopey
Sun 29th Jan 2023 14:43
You see, Trevor, this has been a memory for you to treasure for a lifetime. Whereas mine is a haunting.
Comment is about REGRETS? I'VE HAD A FEW (blog)
Original item by John Coopey