Thanks Ray. You are quite right. It's what I intended. It's a slip of the word processor. No, honestly it is! As you can see I have changed it. 😀

Comment is about History is Bunk (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Thank you, Stephen, for your comment.

And thanks to Ray, Brenda and Aisha.

Comment is about The Lowest of the Low (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Powerfully understated

Comment is about The Lowest of the Low (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

A good grumpy write. Brain defrosted 👍

Comment is about Brain Freeze (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

Hi Frederick. Thanks so much for joining in the fun, it seems to be quite a cherished pursuit after all. I agree with the consensus but my wife was very relieved when it gained control again!

Ray

Comment is about WORKING AS ONE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks all for your likes , much appreciated!

Ray

Comment is about WAR CHANT (blog)

Original item by ray pool

A nice robust pace and no nonsense feel mark this out as a good poem John, and I do like the last line. May I be cheeky and suggest a tiny change to it though. Just a thought - "when then" seems like a sort of stumble to me. "A day in Malton when the sun had shone" I fancy. Choose to ignore if you wish of course.

Ray

Comment is about History is Bunk (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

This reminds me of the photography of Ansel Adams who captured the landscape with such clarity Mike and Yosemite in particular. A nicely expressed piece.

Ray

Comment is about Early Morning in Yosemite (blog)

Original item by Mike McPeek

Thanks Stephen. A typically generous comment! 👍

Comment is about Write Out Loud regular John Botterill airs collection on radio (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Well done, John. The book is very entertaining and I think you have beaten me in the pseudonym department.

Comment is about Write Out Loud regular John Botterill airs collection on radio (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Indeed, MC. And thanks to Frederick.

Comment is about The Lowest of the Low (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thanks K. Lynn and Frederick 😀

Comment is about History is Bunk (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

I do not intend this as a criticism of your poem Mike-I agree with you wholeheartedly.

However, before we start pointing fingers at Muslim /Arabic people in general about slavery and human rights issues......

the Daily Mail has claimed that Liberals-whoever they are- have “mislaid their morals over Qatar”. Tell me, where did the Daily Mail events business DMG open an office in 2017? oh yes, in Doha!

The same year Qatar won the right to host the cup, around £3.4bn of arms were licensed by the UK to Qatar since the Conservatives came to power in 2010-what a coincidence.

Remember the Romans who brought “civilisation” to Britain? Well Roman slaves were actual property under Roman law, had no legal personhood, and were subjected to corporal punishment, sexual exploitation torture and summary execution.

In “civilised” ancient Greece, slavery was an accepted practice, applauded by Aristotle as natural and necessary.

A fundamental part of Viking life was the sale and taking of Franks, Anglo-Saxons, and Celts as slaves in Western Europe.

The Christian Order of the Knights of Malta attacked pirates and Muslim shipping, their base becoming a centre for slave trading, until well into the late 18th century, at the same time as Christian law mandated that Christians could not enslave other Christians yet allowing the enslavement non-Christians!

Hypocrisy anyone?

Comment is about The Ghosts of Qatar (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Thanks for the kind comment in your reply. If that ever happens,
I will do my level best to make sure I'm still around to read it!! 😊 But like your
good self, I've penned some lines, to sum up my thoughts on "eulogies" > attached to a recent WOL item about funerals minus mourners under the "News
and features" byline. If i were to give them a title, I'd choose "Gone but Misbegotten".... ho-ho.

Comment is about Anxiety (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

Good and evil existing (I shrink from the word "living") side by
side. It has been so since time immemorial and it is invariably
the innocent who pay the price for the deeds of evil-doers.

Comment is about The Lowest of the Low (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Voltaire would certainly agree! The pen is an extension of the
workings of the mind - to express what the voice sometimes feels
at a loss to say.

Comment is about My Pen doesn't Flutter (blog)

Original item by Clare

Nice one! Positiivity doesn't recognise passitivity!!

Comment is about Opening (blog)

Original item by Hélène

Really?
On your poetic flow the circumstances don't seem to impinge;
Could it be a chance to see how poetry can whinge? 😊
(tapping this out minus heating but comforted by a warm woolly
sweater and dressing down!)

Comment is about Brain Freeze (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

Today is but a button press away and yet as aptly observed we have in each instance been put in our place, neither here and no longer there. We no longer dance the same way either, like the sudsy dance of hands 🙌🏻 🧼 finger scrolling and pinching 📱 🤏 and poking are quite an established thing. Working together as one and ow working as one alone. Good stuff here 👍🏻 🌷

Comment is about WORKING AS ONE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Your poetic flow seems to be alive and kicking, Julie!

Comment is about Brain Freeze (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

This is inspiring and uplifting, Helène. A terrific narrative.

Comment is about Opening (blog)

Original item by Hélène

Thank you, John, Keith, Helène and KJ. I think your comments speak for themselves and it is hard to add much more. It is so desperately sad that human beings can sink to such levels.

Comment is about The Lowest of the Low (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Sadly another innocent victim.when will it stop.

Comment is about The Lowest of the Low (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Heartbreaking.

Comment is about The Lowest of the Low (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

True Stephen (Gospage). And its quite a badge of solidarity those that go through similar stuff and soldiering on as has been said. Thanks kindly. 🌷🌷🌷

Comment is about new car (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

Thanks for your brilliant responses to this poem, Keith and Stephen. Much appreciated. 😎 Thanks too for the likes, Bethany and John C. 👍

Comment is about History is Bunk (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

We can all see clearly now the ruthlessness of a dictator who is a serial killer, with no regard for human life least of all his own people. The forces of light and darkness are juxtaposed in this poem. We have those who fight to sustain life and bastards who kill babies. It is clear cut.
Thank you for a poem rich in clarity
Keith

Comment is about The Lowest of the Low (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

A most impressive showing!

Comment is about Warm words as Stockport poets add voices to national initiative (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Stark parallels, Stephen, between the deaths of two youngsters - one humanity tried to saver, the other humanity killed.

Comment is about The Lowest of the Low (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thanks for your thoughts, MC and Stephen. And for the Likes, Frederick and Holden.

Comment is about THE RELUCTANT MONARCHIST (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you all for the likes. Not writing much at the moment. Not sure why but hopefully will find my way back soon. 😁

Comment is about Cumbrian Forest (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

Nice one, Frederick. Sad that we have to make these choices in an imperfect world.

Comment is about new car (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

A classy poem, John. The past is another country and someone always controls the content and conditions of access.

Comment is about History is Bunk (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

It was meant definately in the right spirit, you are a stalwart of these pages and someday someone is going to write a lovely verse, I've done my own for myself because I can't wait for others 😄

Comment is about Anxiety (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

I'm in your corner on this, John. The Royals are all right if they give people a bit of a laugh. Chazza falls into this category, just about, but I'm not sure about the next generation, whoever they are. Not sure whether this makes me woke (or Woking?)

Comment is about THE RELUCTANT MONARCHIST (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

This is a fabulous poem, Bryony. It merits several reads but can be digested and understood first time.

Comment is about Silent Wash (blog)

Original item by Bryony Partridge

Hah...RJ - I'll take that in the spirit in which I hope it is intended.
Inspiration for poems is a fascinating subject in its own right.

Comment is about Anxiety (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

To be frank, I;m just surprised to find anyone on this site who's
prepared to put their head above the parapet on this subject.
JC would certainly come to mind though for his willingness to
debate difficult contentious topics. I remain a monarchist when
considering the alternatives. Besides, didn't we try the other
thing and find ourselves with a Lord Protector who aspired to be monarch? The French Revolution found that it faced having
an Emperor after its blood-letting petered out while fighting a
war with a Britain under the indefatigable leadership of Pitt the
Younger and his champion George the Third? Give me the pomp and pageantry and the tourists with their millions in
various currencies. If they know a good thing, why shouldn;t we take the hint and stick with it? God Save The Bling!" 😊

Comment is about THE RELUCTANT MONARCHIST (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

A lot of beautiful hard work Lisa thank you

Comment is about A little girl that got lost (blog)

Original item by Lisa Harris

It is forgotten in these days of aiming for the "easy targets" that
the Arab nations were (are?!) front runners in the history of
slavery and the horrendous reports of numbers alleged to have
suffered/died in the work commissioned for this World Cup seems
to tally with that history. How else to explain the inhumane
disregard for the well-being of those employed?

Comment is about The Ghosts of Qatar (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Welcome to WOL. I hope you find a home with us to express your poetry.
Keith

Comment is about Jorge Castro Esteban (poet profile)

Original item by Jorge Castro Esteban

Mike,
for those acquainted with the gulf states it is a fact that most labourers come from the subcontinent, paid substandard wages and given substandard accommodation by a state which is one of the wealthiest on earth. They are also treated as sub humans because of race or religion. These days of affluence will soon come to an end and the states of that region are in for hard times as they have not invested in a future alternative to oil. Then the boot will be on the other foot.
Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about The Ghosts of Qatar (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

John,
This poem sums up my feelings on the past, present and future. The second stanza says it all. The past is over and done with. To revisit it has little value apart from learning from past mistakes. The future is not ours to know or determine. We are only left with the present moment in which we can make a difference and act positively.
Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about History is Bunk (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

A captivating & thought provoking write.

Comment is about A little girl that got lost (blog)

Original item by Lisa Harris

Thank you for commenting Helene, Keith, Ulilleam, M.C. John B & John C (yes, the nip test is always a good gauge!). Glad you thought it worthy.
And for all the likes! 🌈🌷🌷

Comment is about Family Tree (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Thanks Keith. Lovely comment! 👍

Comment is about An Elegy from a Malton Graveyard (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Thanks John (Botterill) so good of you to point out what its strengths are. 🌷🌷🌷

Comment is about where might you be? (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

Thank you so much, Keith and John, your comments mean a lot! 😎😊

Comment is about Surf... (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

Brilliant Holden. Sheer class! 😎

Comment is about Surf... (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

I love your use of contrasts and your control of language, Frederick. 💪

Comment is about where might you be? (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner