It's funny how the meaning of poems can change over time. I wrote this the day after the 2019 British election result that confirmed Brexit. I accept that the whole issue of Brexit is over now. But I looked at the last line of this poem - "their brazier a beckoning beacon, bright" - and I thought of the EU's generous approach to Ukraine refugees, and compared it with the UK's, and the EU's uncompromising approach to Russia, compared with the UK's slowness in cracking down on oligarchs, for whatever reason. And how Ukraine wants to join the EU. And I'm sorry, but I felt proud of that last line, and believe it still to be true.
Comment is about The morning after (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
75% of student loans are never repaid, so allowing 'everyone' to attend university is clearly not working (literally).
Comment is about Zephaniah warns against plan to cut access to student loans (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thank you Clare. You are very kind.
Comment is about Seeing things (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Hi Greg, thanks again for your recent comments. Much appreciated you stopping by to read. And thanks for the invite to Write Out Loud Woking's Zoom event. I'm traveling next week Wednesday but will drop you a line in due course. I'm mostly keen to get to a live event too and see there is now one in Worcester, so I may even pop along to that next time I'm in that neck of the woods. 😃 Thanks again, Tom.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
A very interesting poem, John. Godot was written soon after the war, when Beckett and his partner were forced to flee occupied Paris to avoid German arrest, because of their affiliation with the French Resistance. It has been suggested that some of the details in Godot reflect their journey through France. "Vladimir was not, of course, as clever as he thought." Indeed.
Comment is about Merely a Player (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
I haven't seen such comments on my screen, Moonlight, thank goodness. Only ones praising the heroism and defiance of the Ukrainian people.
Comment is about Cowards (blog)
Original item by Sunshine
Thank you for the lovely comment Greg and the like Holden.
Comment is about Two Hands (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Thank you everyone for your kind words. For a first poem I’ve definitely felt the warmth it can provide. Hoping this continues with my next endeavours 😃
Comment is about Can you see me? (blog)
Original item by Robert Shersby
Thanks, Holden. Your kind comments mean a great deal to me 😊
Comment is about Merely a Player (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Tue 1st Mar 2022 22:51
A lovely poem, John, full of clever metaphors! 😉
Comment is about Merely a Player (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
<Deleted User> (32907)
Tue 1st Mar 2022 20:38
Well expressed. Great poem, Robert. Keep up the writing. We surely can see you. Well done🌷
Comment is about Can you see me? (blog)
Original item by Robert Shersby
Everything about this post is stunningly beautiful.
Comment is about Seeing things (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
I see you Robert. As a care leaver (many years now) I see you. Love how you have written these experiences with such power.
Comment is about Can you see me? (blog)
Original item by Robert Shersby
Wow, Rob. This is a turn-up for the books! See you tomorrow.
Comment is about Can you see me? (blog)
Original item by Robert Shersby
You're right, Julie, these are heartrending scenes that we are seeing on our TVs. You capture this beautifully.
Comment is about Two Hands (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Yes, a lovely poem, Stephen. The night sky is a collection of pure treasure.
Comment is about Night-time Serenade (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Thanks for posting this, Greg. The Baltic States must be worried at the moment, as we all should be. Stag tourists seem positively benign at the moment.
Comment is about Tallinn (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks to John C, Greg, Tom, Steve, Julie, John B, Aisha, Holden and Brenda for liking this poem.
Comment is about A Time to Write (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Another unfortunately all too timely poem from my new collection, 'The Fall of Singapore'. Felt impelled to post this after seeing heartrending TV scenes of Ukrainian families separating at borders yesterday - women and children heading for safety, fathers turning back to join the fight against Putin's Russia. The image is of a suitcases sculpture outside Tallinn's Museum of Occupations in Estonia https://www.vabamu.ee/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/01/ukraine-neighbours-nato-lithuania-poland-slovakia-latvia-estonia-romania
Comment is about Tallinn (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Nigel you are absolutely right....he has taken over the media limelight....war sensation😀
Comment is about Zelenskyy - The real super hero (blog)
Original item by Sunshine
Zelenskyy will create history.....setting examples on a brighter note....Greg I totally agree with you.
Comment is about Zelenskyy - The real super hero (blog)
Original item by Sunshine
Sale is another kind of expedition...men won't understand. Tried Creating serious humour....😉
Comment is about Don't judge (blog)
Original item by Sunshine
Turning the page reading a few lines discomfort grief shock and anxiety - - -
could have sent her anywhere - - -
reading it my mind was rushing all over the place too.
Comment is about Don't judge (blog)
Original item by Sunshine
Storm builds up
most die out
this is different
walking stick could
snap and break
the old man
never getting up.
Comment is about After the storm (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
Tue 1st Mar 2022 00:22
Such a beautiful poem, Stephen, lyrical and evocative! 🌷
Comment is about Night-time Serenade (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Tom, come and join us at Write Out Loud Woking on Zoom on Wed week (March 9)! Email me at gregfreem62@gmail.com to voice interest, and I'll send you the Zoom link, in due course.
Comment is about One Last Affair (blog)
Original item by Tom
Little Great Britain was big when it mattered, persuading the
mighty USA to join the fight to the finish - or see itself caught
between the Nazi and Nippon empires that, once linked and
free from any threat from the British Empire, would surely have
become all-powerful, creating the abyss and perverted science that Churchill warned the world about.
Comment is about War Games (blog)
Original item by d.knape
John, thank you 😃 Glad you liked that suggestive but (I like to think) restrained imagery.
Greg, I've never been to a poetry night (can you tell?) but in my mind they all go this way. 😃 I have promised myself that in 2022 I'll not only attend one but also read a poem or two. Rather terrifying but should be a good experience I think. Maybe I'll try and meet some other WoL folk there too.
Thanks also to John, Aisha, Greg, Kim, Holden, Stephen, Julie and John C for reading and the 'likes' too. Much appreciated 😃
Comment is about One Last Affair (blog)
Original item by Tom
Thanks for your lovely reflections and discussions friends. 😃
Kind regards,
Rasa
Comment is about Where Did The Crazy Acts of Passion Go? (blog)
Original item by Rasa Kabaila
Thank you for reading and responses.
Comment is about Cup Final You'll Never Walk Alone (For Ukraine) (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
I think proper respect and support for Ukraine was shown by both clubs and sets of fans at the final today.
Comment is about Cup Final You'll Never Walk Alone (For Ukraine) (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
Thanks for reminding us of the sunflowers, Julie
Comment is about I Stand With Ukraine (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Thanks kJ, means a lot.. Wasn't planned this way must admit but sometimes the poems almost want you to do something different to what you planned.
Thanks also to Holden Moncrieff and Moonlight - means the world to me you enjoyed these (:
Comment is about 4 Memories at the edge of Darkness (blog)
Original item by Andy N
All the more effective for being so simple, MC.
Comment is about A WEB TALE FOR TODAY (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
I always think how awkward it must be when someone proposes to their other half publicly. The enormous pressure to accept it places on the woman and the enormous pressure it puts on the man that he might be rejected. All in full view of an audience, sometimes even a nation.
Comment is about Where Did The Crazy Acts of Passion Go? (blog)
Original item by Rasa Kabaila
Indeed, Stephen. I suppose the advertisers are keen not to imply to their potential customers “Look. You are as old a git as this one”.
I regret I am now shedless, Graham.
Carefully pronounced “ annusol”, MC.
And thanks for the Likes, Holden and Clare.
Comment is about ONLY ME! (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Interesting theme, stimulating a range of reactions. I guess that
It's all a matter of the mental state. Passion is experienced in youth and experience found in age. 😐
Comment is about Where Did The Crazy Acts of Passion Go? (blog)
Original item by Rasa Kabaila
Hey - you forgot "Anusol" in your list. Always useful for any pain
in the arse. Or so I've been told. 😙
By the way, I think radio is the loser for
not employing your oh-so-comfy vocal tones. Surely ideal for leading a listener to their mid-afternoon nap?
Comment is about ONLY ME! (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thanks GS - now slightly amended to avoid using ""fly" twice -
but without losing the essential point.
Comment is about A WEB TALE FOR TODAY (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Get back in that shed for goodness sake and make something, anything, even a coffin! That'll save you a few bob! Even Countdown puts me off these days with the wizened witch i/c.
Comment is about ONLY ME! (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A fascinating poem, Rasa. I suppose that acts of passion can tip over to obsession, which, as you say, may make the other party uncomfortable or afraid.
Comment is about Where Did The Crazy Acts of Passion Go? (blog)
Original item by Rasa Kabaila
It's interesting that so many of the 'elderly' in these ads posing for chair lifts etc look as though they could pop out and run a marathon. For the old but not by the old, I suppose, John.
Comment is about ONLY ME! (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A fine poem, Clare. Thank you.
Comment is about What Will Happen To The Women (blog)
Original item by Clare
A very moving poem, Brenda.
Comment is about The Bitter Night of the Soul (blog)
Original item by Brenda Wells
That just about sums it up nicely MCN!
Comment is about A WEB TALE FOR TODAY (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Thanks Steph for lovely comment
Comment is about The Sirens Ringing Out (blog)
Original item by David R Mellor
John Botterill
Wed 2nd Mar 2022 11:42
Re: Merely a Player
Thanks so much for your comments, Greg and for providing the historical backdrop of which I was unaware. It makes sense of the journeying aspects. Much appreciated!
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman