Graham,
I live not far from Warmington, which is the setting for this poem. I live in a larger town only a few miles away. A delightful county second only to one of its neighbours.
Keith
Comment is about Graham Sherwood (poet profile)
Original item by Graham Sherwood
A well crafted poem which contains a strong element of truth. Only time will tell. We are certainly not masters of our own destiny.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about The end of the world is nigh ,but not all of us are destined to die. (blog)
Original item by hugh
I’m a Northamptonshire boy Keith. Which village are you referring to here?
Comment is about The Village Hall (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
This poem was based on a visit to a nearby village in Northamptonshire. I spent two hours there and experienced feelings which I had thought no longer existed. I was overwhelmed with nostalgia and a profound sense of loss and being disconnected from my roots.
Keith
Comment is about The Village Hall (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Leaves burnt to a crisp.
Comment is about A Golden Autumn Shower (blog)
Original item by Brenda Wells
Thank you Mark, Stephen, Brenda and Keith. I'm glad you found this piece moving Stephen, Wordsworth said poetry was emotion recollected in tranquillity. I don't know about the tranquillity. I am very moved, Brenda, by this song by the incomparable John Prine. Yes Mark the money men prefer space for flash cars to houses for ordinary folk. The lack of social housing in England is a national disgrace. We have become such a selfish nation since Thatcher. Keith, I want to express my sincere thanks for your father's sacrifice in the brutal war against the Japanese. My uncle saw action against the Japanese and was eventually captured. He was a big burly rough sort of man over 6 foot and about 16 stone. He arrived back in England weighing just over 5 stones.
Comment is about Alf (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Excellent Stuff as always, Emer. I may well have done your line break in the second to last stanza and added one to the last stanza but a powerful piece never the less. Brill (:
Comment is about The friend I can be (blog)
Original item by Emer Ní Chorra
A much appreciated evocation of a country that existed (and can
still be found in isolated spots) before change exerted its
influence in so many ways. It is pleasing to read of this sort
of identification expressed in these lines. A refreshing antidote
to the negative naysayers who might be able to spell "pride" but
have little else in common with the word.
Comment is about The Village Hall (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
It would be depressing to learn just how many small English
patches of natural growth have disappeared under the demands
of the car-owners, not helped of course by a hugely increased
use of yellow lines and a population that exerts its own sort
of pressure on space in our limited over-planned hectares..
Comment is about Alf (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
I like the idyllic, yearning quality of this, Keith.
Comment is about The Village Hall (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Sorry to hear that, Julie. You have described it so vividly.
Comment is about Storm Arwen (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Thanks, John. I'm sure you must have raised a few, at least metaphorically. Thank you for your kind comment, Julie, and thanks for the like, Pete.
Comment is about An old man's job (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
A really sensitive piece.
Cultivating a garden is such a very positive and nurturing activity. The growth of concrete across this land so brutal by comparison.
Thank you for sharing this and of course for the music.
Comment is about Alf (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Greg, and thanks for your very kind comment. Who would else would have thought of a 'thumping' crook? (Not me).
Many thanks for your kind words, M.C.
Ray - as a very young boy, I just remember the steam trains on that Fenchurch Street line in the late 1950s. As I said, Westcliff (indeed anywhere on the Thames Estuary) was a big day out then. I can't pretend that I later visited for either of the other two reasons though! So pleased you enjoyed it.
And thanks for the likes, Holden, Rudyard, Keith, Stephen and Graham.
Comment is about Westcliff (On Sea) (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
A good poem which highlights the passage of time as can be seen only in photographs that capture a certain moment, never to be erased.
Thank you for this.
Keith
Comment is about Wedding Photos (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Despite the current contretemps with our illustrious neighbours
across the Channel about "this and that", I can understand their
stance as a nation that has sacrificed so much for their famous
secular state of "Liberty, equality and fraternity" in feeling both
indignant and ill-disposed towards those who choose to reject
La Belle France as a desirable and welcome safe haven.
Not least when a great many others would seek to live and/or
take their valued vacations there in eager anticipation of what is to be found, worked at, achieved and enjoyed.
Comment is about Dunkirk (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
The "wars between the sexes" never quite goes away, does it?
JC - thanks for the link. i enjoyed PA's performance enough to
sign in after viewing and comment/like! She is one class act, isn't she?
Comment is about LAZY WORK (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Style never goes out of style! Nicely done.
Comment is about Westcliff (On Sea) (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Hand washing, indeed, Greg.
“Blame the French”
“Blame the gangs”
“Blame the politicians”
Fundamentally, the problem is that you don’t care and don’t want them here.
Comment is about Dunkirk (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Ah...music!
Medicine for the mind
Salve for the soul.
Comment is about Music Lovers (blog)
Original item by Rick Varden
There is poignancy that both the originals and the photographic
images tend to develop those tell-tale wrinkles over time. ?
Comment is about Wedding Photos (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Poignant for me Stephen, as I went to visit my Nan who lived there in 1953. Steam train from Fenchurch Street and plenty of atmosphere. I remember trolleybuses too. I liked the vignette you present!
Ray
Comment is about Westcliff (On Sea) (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I enjoyed this, Stephen. Reminds me, a bit, of that Betjeman poem about the couple in the tea shop.
Comment is about Westcliff (On Sea) (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks, Telboy, for pointing out my basic mistake. Thanks for almost all the other comments, too, chaps. But 'hand-wringing'? Hand-washing, perhaps
Comment is about Dunkirk (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Sat 27th Nov 2021 02:36
I am selfless
if I say so my Self!
Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Sat 27th Nov 2021 02:33
written in fun.
I am humble
if I say so My Self!
Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)
Original item by keith jeffries
Sat 27th Nov 2021 02:31
All in jest Stephen.
By the way,
what is that cloud thing in your photo?
Is that you?
Comment is about Stephen W Atkinson (poet profile)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Bit of a misnomer Greg as the original Dunkirk was all about repatriation.
Comment is about Dunkirk (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
<Deleted User> (32907)
Sat 27th Nov 2021 00:48
You are very welcome.
Yes, I agree, Great magazine and fab poem.
Comment is about The Beast Of War (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
An eloquently presented, memorable piece, Keith
Comment is about A Ghostly Forest (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Alf, like my father returned from fighting the Japanese. When asked what he wanted of the future he replied, " to smoke my pipe, drink a pint, have a greenhouse and grow roses". He achieved these. As children we were told on pain of death not to enter the greenhouse or walk on the grass. We readily obeyed.
Bless him
Thanks for this john
Keith
Comment is about Alf (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Thank you very much John!
And Ursula for taking time to comment & for reading Poetry Plus!
Some great poets grace the pages & I'm glad you liked my contribution. ?
Comment is about The Beast Of War (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Thank you, John! ?? Yes, road rage can be scary. ?
Comment is about Saved by Silence (blog)
Original item by Candice Reineke
The titular comparison you make to 1939-1945 speaks volumes. Interesting that we can immediately halt the threat of viral invasion from South Africa due due a new strain of Covid-19 but seem powerless to hold back a flotilla of inflatable paddling pools.
As to inequality, the words of a former employer of mine continue to ring in my ears.
If it were possible to divide up equally the global wealth of this planet at midnight tonight, by 00.01am there would be millionaires and beggars.
I'm afraid the UK isn't the end of the rainbow. It is a shame that these unfortunate souls have to endure such hardship and trauma to find that out for themselves.
A thought-provoking poem that stirs the cauldron of emotions in us all.
Comment is about Dunkirk (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Cheers Stephen, yes I was in a right two and eight when I fell down the apples and pears?
Comment is about Replacement Therapy (blog)
Original item by Rick Varden
Powerful stuff, Stephen. It builds and builds. Great ending.
Comment is about The Beast Of War (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Cracking, Stephen.
I confess that although I put in 40 years, I never raised a sweat.
Comment is about An old man's job (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
A very honest and beautiful piece of verse, Keith. I find it sad but fully respect your wishes.
Comment is about A Blinding Flash (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Enjoyed this, thank you Stephen.
Comment is about An old man's job (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
A fine poem, Greg. This needed to be said. The spectacle of politicians trying to pass the buck while people smugglers apparently operate with impunity on their territories is very sad. Let's hope that this tragedy leads to an agreement on some kind of safe passage for the migrants, who are just a pawn in this game.
Comment is about Dunkirk (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Love it, MC.
Of course, the opposition say something similar
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4oydSZTAns
Comment is about LAZY WORK (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
<Deleted User> (32907)
Fri 26th Nov 2021 18:15
Hi Stephen,
I read your poem today in 'Poetry Plus' magazine.
I just loved it so much. Fabulous poem!
I agree with the other comments. Well done indeed, and
thank you.
Comment is about The Beast Of War (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Hello MC. Loved the ad for an Encyclopaedia! Another, I hope involontary piece of irony is /was in Edinburgh Zoo. A snakepit filled with kraits, vipers, cobras, rattlesnakes etc, donated by .............., 'in memory of his parents'?!!!!!!!.
Jennifer
Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Thanks Keith, Stephen G and Holden for the likes. Not to be taken seriously, of course! In case you're wondering, the first wife was 'eaten by ?/ thrown to ? the wolves.
Comment is about Ultimatum (blog)
Original item by Jennifer Malden
MC- Not sure you grasp that while ever we have something that they don’t, whether it be opportunity, safety, wealth, etc, they will continue to try to come.
Comment is about Dunkirk (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Graham Sherwood
Sat 27th Nov 2021 22:37
Ah! I was born in Finedon.
Comment is about The Village Hall (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries