So powerful, my eyes are brimming with tears now.
There is so much in this conflict that is heart-breaking, but the lack of concern for the children and those who are fleeing is hard to cope with.
Thank you for the words.
Comment is about My Little Girl (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
So kind of you to mention me in the title, Julie (I promise not to punch anyone at the ceremony), and for the nice things you said about my poem.
However, this one stands tall in its own right. One thing that bullies and liars don't like is being told that they are bullies and liars. They would almost certainly not see the joke. Great work.
Leon - kind of you to ask but I already have one!
Comment is about And The Award Goes To “Staged Event” By Stephen G (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
These short lines bring to our attention the historical antipathy
between Russia and Ukraine. The reference by Putin to Nazis
is a way of reminding Russians of what their neighbour did in
other days. Not relevant to today but SO easily trundled out
as an egregious excuse for what he is doing now. .
Comment is about EXIT STAGE REICH (blog)
Original item by Joe Marcello
Many thanks for your positive response to this poem, Greg, Leon and Julie. Your kind comments mean a lot to me. Thanks to Rudyard to the like.
I was slightly nervous about putting this on, but I hope I have channelled my anger into some element of irony and satire. The attempts to blame Ukraine would be almost comic if the actions in question were not so horrible.
Comment is about Staged Event (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Pithy and timely. The UN's big weakness is its status of "consent to conflict by committee". Fine in principle but not always adequate when faced with decisions against BIG BULLY BEHAVIOUR that can "lean" on various smaller nations in a
variety of ways that can act detrimentally when an acceptable
(rightful?) outcome to disputes is sought. The world knows which powerful nations
act without proper regard to their own peoples, using power to control and influence their behaviour, and these
need their opposites in power to assure
the world that the balance has to be
contested and some semblance of
peace retained; not always successful,
I'll allow - but certainly better than
nothing offered in restraint of "the beast of war" when it strides out to
subvert and subdue.
Comment is about THE DEATH OF IDEALISM (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Much sense in what you say, Leon. But two words are screaming their silence. Where are the “Peacekeepers”, the “Blue Hats”? They can only intervene against the minnows of the world. While ever any one of Russia, USA, China, France or the UK has a veto the UNited Nations will never intervene among the big boys.
Comment is about THE DEATH OF IDEALISM (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
<Deleted User> (33000)
Sat 9th Apr 2022 14:09
BRILLIANT! but does Stephen get to get the woman at the end?
Pardon the light heartedness but its only to fill the necessary metaphorical cup that cheers and keeps the flags of hope and peace flying.
Thank you Julie-good work!
P&L.
Comment is about And The Award Goes To “Staged Event” By Stephen G (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
<Deleted User> (33000)
Sat 9th Apr 2022 14:01
Too true John. The thing is, it feels as though the free world is being put under Putin's bullying thumb with his nuclear threat but is it a bluff him ( possibly ) knowing it could mean goodnight Vienna for his country or most of it if the looney bugger presses the button/s?
No bloody way should the free world especially Ukraine go on living ( if you can call it that ! ) in the shadow of a !! bully
and of course we cannot shed the blame for all of this on the innocent Russian civilians but there must be millions of them who are totally against what this bloody-handed fool is doing not to mention the conscripted young Russian soldiers.
Kick his arse we say-better to be alive and in the dock than having a very long stay in soil city-ugh! bigtime!
Comment is about THE DEATH OF IDEALISM (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
This poem bowled me over Stephen. I have written a poem as my comment. No comparison but it was influenced by this brilliant write. 👏🏻👏🏻
Comment is about Staged Event (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
<Deleted User> (33000)
Sat 9th Apr 2022 10:32
Magnificent poem of controlled anger, Steve.
Comment is about Staged Event (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I often speak to retired people who tell me that they are busier now than during their working lives.
I'm wishing my life away, because I can't wait to retire.
Comment is about Retirement Time Crush (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Greg.
I absolutely share your anger.
What is happening out there sickens me to the pit of my stomach. I feel ashamed as we sit back and do little or nothing to come to their aid.
Yes if we intervened we would run the risk of being a target too, but I think that it has come to the point where we must take that risk.
Comment is about A ticket to die (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I love this John! Hehe, it was actually a poetry competition that set the task of using the word 'crush' in a ten line poem. Perhaps we should all set each other different tasks like this from time to time to keep our creative juices flowing? A ten line poem with a different word that must be used? I think Stephen Gospage may be keen, as well as some of our other poet friends here!
Comment is about Retirement Time Crush (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Thanks John for your comment. I do try to be honest while staying compassionate and curious. I feel this approach gives room to be more open minded!
Comment is about Where Did The Crazy Acts of Passion Go? (blog)
Original item by Rasa Kabaila
Sit near the back of the room because of my big voice or the back of the bus? 😛
Comment is about Bus Crush (blog)
Original item by Rasa Kabaila
Bullies thrive on support from hangers-on who tend to remain
while "the going is good". A long haul is far from welcome but
with the history between the two countries, it may be an awful
reality. The supply of ample up to date arms and logistical
support is essential to ensure belief and brave resistance in
any land under attack while the world-wide screw of anger
and disgust tightens with each passing day. .. .
Comment is about A ticket to die (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks, Graham and Steve. I hadn't written anything for about three weeks. Then this happened.
Comment is about A ticket to die (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I share your anger,Greg. It's important to get angry and to remind people why they should be angry. It is disturbing that some of Putin's friends (Orban, Le Pen) seem to be doing well with their public.
I think that the West' s level of unity has been remarkable so far, Graham. I'm encouraged by the incremental stepping up if sanctions. We can always do more and I am sure the screw will be turned more and more.
Comment is about A ticket to die (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
And thanks to John C, Holden and K.Lynn for liking this.
Comment is about First Trip To Kyiv, June 1996 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I'm sure you were one of the useful ones, John! To be fair, many of them did a lot of good work, but it's easy for firms and governments to overdose on consultants, as France is now finding out.
Comment is about First Trip To Kyiv, June 1996 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Greg, we all know how to stop it but no-one has the balls to do it. You have to call a bully out and knock him down.
Threatening to take his sweets away isn't enough.
Comment is about A ticket to die (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Moving and poignant, Stephen.
Comment is about My Little Girl (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
I confess to being one of those consultants too, Stephen. In my case, though, in Hungary. I was part of an unsuccessful bid for work in the coalfields of the Donbas. The purpose was to show post-communist economies how to make money. We certainly did that. “Just watch me!”
Comment is about First Trip To Kyiv, June 1996 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks Stephen A for the lovely comment 😊 I suppose I assume a given stance for poetic purposes. My own views keep changing!
Comment is about After Life (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Fri 8th Apr 2022 01:38
Thank you so much for your kind comment, John, it means a lot! 😎
Comment is about Beware the dyads... (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
Spiritual and poetic. A real tonic for the soul.
Comment is about Love Is God (blog)
Original item by Mama Lola
Thanks to everyone for the comments. A few things: firstly, 'consultants' were everywhere, as in all the other FSU countries I visited in the 1990s, and the post-Soviet world often turned out to be more of a 'Land of Opportunity' for them than those they were advising; secondly, Kyiv was unique in having no international hotels, so that they had to rely on lightly refurbished Soviet-era blocks, which had a certain strange charm, and thirdly, the metro really did seem to descend into the bowels of the Earth.
Glad you enjoyed the details, Greg. Yes, it feels like a slice of history and in my subsequent visits I certainly felt that things were changing for the better. Until recently, of course.
MC and Russell - I went to Russia after visiting Ukraine and to experience this wonderful country and its culture makes the current situation doubly sad for me, and for many others, I am sure.
Leon and John -thanks for your comments. Yes, there is an undercurrent of sadness running through this. To be clear, I learned to admire the Ukranian people back, particularly their fortitude, as life was not easy. I remember on a later visit gving a lecture in a room where the temperature was barely above freezing, and some offices were like fridges.
Telboy - well, I still get my monthly cheque from CNN!
Cheers to you all, and thanks to Stephen A, Julie and Rudyard for the likes.
Comment is about First Trip To Kyiv, June 1996 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Love how you've given each emotional state it's own little 'sub-personality' here, such a clever,funny yet deeply profound poem👏
Being a secret fan of 60's music I have now got 'My ship's coming in' The Walker Brothers playing in my mind😁
I also just stopped by to say Thanks for your lovely comment Cheers for listening back😊👍
Comment is about That Sinking Feeling (blog)
Original item by Nigel Astell
Thank you Julie, Stephen & John
It's sad that it's inspired by a news report I saw.
And thanks for the likes everyone 🌈
Comment is about My Little Girl (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
The poet must believe for inspiration. However, the actual person may not...😁 Excellent work as always.
Comment is about After Life (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
A beautiful poem of self discovery 🌈
Comment is about Is it me? (blog)
Original item by Jacqueline L Elias
So much of human life is in this poem, Nigel. Fantastic, if painful!
Comment is about That Sinking Feeling (blog)
Original item by Nigel Astell
Seeking realisation of self-worth through others can be a
fraught business...not least in the effect of self-doubt on the emotions. Maturing is as much a mental process as a physical
one and can be hard to bear on occasions. Experience never
comes cheap, that's for sure. 😐
Comment is about Is it me? (blog)
Original item by Jacqueline L Elias
Superb, Holden. Full of ill-portent and consummate poetry 😎
Comment is about Beware the dyads... (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
Poignant and vivid, Stephen. Super poem. though laden with sadness, of course.
Comment is about First Trip To Kyiv, June 1996 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I was in Moscow in the early 90s and remember the brute of a lady on my floor with my keys, who wanted to know if I was going out to eat, or in the hotel, or staying in my room with a tray, the correct answer was to stay in my room with a tray, I didn't get the message and kept going out, much to her annoyance.
I had a TV but as I had no idea what was happening I never watched it. I got good at solitaire
Comment is about First Trip To Kyiv, June 1996 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
<Deleted User> (33000)
Thu 7th Apr 2022 17:28
A fantastic poem, clearly deeply felt and so true!
Comment is about Is it me? (blog)
Original item by Jacqueline L Elias
Just to come back Mark. I have certainly had tests for the usual suspects but always ok. Yes there is im sure a large element of feeling useless after ceasing useful activities at the beginning of the pandemic including the social framework. An ongoing back problem flared up too. The stomach is a very sensitive animal and I think an overactive digestion depletes the nutritional value retained from the food. Anyway, I do appreciate your concern, it helps to have that sort of support!
Ray
Comment is about UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT LOSS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
This took me straight back to my own visit to Leningrad (as was)
in the 70s - complete with a formidable woman at a desk on the
landing doling out room keys. - but no wide screen TV etc. I do
remember how the brickwork in the shower was unfinished in the Hotel Metropole overlooking the River Neva and the "Aurora"
(fired the shot that signalled the start of the Revolution back in 1917).. An extraordinary view that stays with me, along with
visits to the Hermitage and the amazing rebuild of the Tsar's
summer palace - constructed from what little remained from
Nazi bombardments that besieged the city in WW2. .
Ah.....how the wheel turns as we witness the destruction in Ukraine. at the hands of the Russians of today.
Comment is about First Trip To Kyiv, June 1996 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I could feel the emotions coming through as I read this piece.
Comment is about Is it me? (blog)
Original item by Jacqueline L Elias
Thanks for the likes K.Lynn and Nigel 😀
Comment is about After Life (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Stephen, this is all made up, fake news, dreamt by Western Imperialists to discredit post-Soviet culture!!!
Comment is about First Trip To Kyiv, June 1996 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks for putting this on the site Ruth sounds like everyone had a great time.
Comment is about inCollage_20220318_220911374.jpg (photo)
Original item by Ruth O'Reilly
No, indeed. Just the kind of poem I like, Steve, full of interesting detail. You have preserved something here. Thanks for sharing.
Comment is about First Trip To Kyiv, June 1996 (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
<Deleted User> (33000)
Thu 7th Apr 2022 09:58
Such a beautiful and moving dedication to a beautiful dog.
R.I.P. Woody.
Comment is about For Woody (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Stephen Gospage
Sat 9th Apr 2022 18:07
You have put your finger on something here, John. Actually, I think the UN (within its imposed limits) is doing quite a lot: expelling Russia from the Human Rights Council and the Secretary-General has made very fortright condemnations of the war. However, you're right that it all seems tame and inadequate. The coalition of the willing has to keep racheting up sanctions and supplying arms.
Comment is about THE DEATH OF IDEALISM (blog)
Original item by John Coopey