Thanks all you likers ! Stephen, Stephen, Branwell, Holden, Stephanie and Pete.
Glad you enjoyed this Graham. It is one I post once a year to coincide and "reflect" on the occasion. You have picked that verse, which I did fret about myself. Thank you.
Ray
Comment is about HUNTER'S MOON (blog)
Original item by ray pool
A challenging poem particularly for those of us who have crossed the threshold to become pensioners. I have spent most of my life pursuing a regime of regular activity and some adherence to a sensible diet, forever conscious of what may lie ahead in the twilight years. Then last year I was struck down by the need for open heart surgery to replace my aorta valve. This had a profound physical and mental affect. I agree with your words on line three but also feel that as time is running out I might as well allow myself some over indulgence when it comes to wine and pipe tobacco. Line two I agree with as it can be the cause of some anxiety. A brief poem for some serious meditation as we make our way toward the ultimate destination.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about SICK (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Yep , might do another one purely on keys ?I’ve got hundreds !!
Comment is about PLAs-sTiCK (blog)
Original item by Edbreathe
Well, something is needed to change British society, that's for sure. I wonder if this is it. Went to a writers's group last night, sitting fairly close together, no one wearing masks. Felt uneasy ... due for my booster jab in a week's time.
Comment is about MMXX (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
Thanks MC and Greg. The poem, like the one I posted onWednesday, is from 2020. I wrote it at the height of the first lockdown so it may have passed its “use by” date now. It’s adapted from Larkin’s poem MCMXIV (1914) which was about how WW1 changed British society forever. I think the covid pandemic will have a similar historical impact on society. Some changes will be for the better, others for worse.
Comment is about MMXX (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
Yes, really good. I can also relate to what you describe, Pete. You never know when you might need things and then 'if only' pops into your mind.
Comment is about PLAs-sTiCK (blog)
Original item by Edbreathe
Asophie Maga
Fri 22nd Oct 2021 08:48
Nice article...you can also check <a href="https://selectiondc.com/secondary-school-abridged-curriculum-for-uganda/">Secondary School Abridged Curriculum </a>
Comment is about Grade 6 OIB class of 2018 Lycee Jules Verne (poet profile)
Original item by Grade 6 OIB class of 2018 Lycee Jules Verne
Thanks to Stephen and Bramwell for the likes.
Comment is about Messiah (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I can relate to this.
I have stuff in my drawers that have been there for so long that I can't remember what they are, but I daren't throw them for fear I'll need them at some point.
I also have keys which don't seem to fit any lock.
Nicely written, I enjoyed that one.
Comment is about PLAs-sTiCK (blog)
Original item by Edbreathe
Some brave expressions in this piece, hysterically nonreactive, hyperbolically mundane, deafeningly monotone for example. You always manage to convey your message frankly. I want to say securely insecure but it sounds like an insult.
Comment is about Undetectable (blog)
Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis
This is a departure from your usual style Alexandra. Such a clever juxtaposition in brevity. A heavyweight punch! Bravo.
Comment is about See Her (blog)
Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis
This is a wonderfully evocative piece Ray ( I think one of your best). The last verse is standout stuff, it sings.
Comment is about HUNTER'S MOON (blog)
Original item by ray pool
When we holiday in a warm country, the first lizard always makes you feel at home.
Comment is about Lizard (blog)
Original item by d.knape
A difficult and testing period for you all, Julie. Wishing you all the best.
Comment is about A Month Of Mixed Emotions (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
A lovely poem, Ray. It encapsulates the passing of time. When my dad was getting very old, I found a photograph of him as a little boy, sitting on a wall with his brothers and sisters. It made a great impression.
Comment is about PRIDE (blog)
Original item by ray pool
The recording venue: "All Saints, Tooting" will be found on many
classical CDs. My own personal visits include St. James in Piccadilly, St. Johns in Waterloo, not too far from the main station entrance,.and (just before Covid arrived) St. Barnabas in W.5. -
the "home" of the excellent pro-am Ealing Symphony Orchestra.
It's something of a miracle that so many survived the onslaught of WW2 Nazi bombing. Ditto the cinemas from those days.
Bringing to mind a play on words that have an apt connection:
For what we have inherited, may the Lord make us truly grateful!
Comment is about REEL STREETS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Thanks to Holden, KJ, Keith and MC for the nice comments. I couldn't resist the Handel pun, I'm afraid.
This poem was prompted by a certain managerial resignation announced yesterday, so basics may be in short supply, I fear, MC, back or Bach!
Thanks again to everyone.
Comment is about Messiah (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Have to confess have a passion for them too, but try to resist! Agree about the dog alert, also for salted peanuts, very bad for them! Prefer the classic, just salted ones. From the interest you sparked seems that few can resist them. Nice one.
Jennifer
Comment is about CRISPS - THE FALLOUT (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Really enjoyed this one! So evocative, and loved the icecream smear note. People definitely aged more quickly in those days I think. We weren't so conscious of diet and keeping reasonably fit. The cinemas were more comfortable though, you could have a snack at the cafè, and the usherettes' trays were full of high calorie goodies. The greasy shine of cobbles in rain and the washinglines bring it all back too.
Jennifer
Comment is about REEL STREETS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Did he go into ballet Ray? Or perhaps life drawing?
a wonderful snapshot of 1936, before the bad stuff started to happen! I hope he was smiling.
Comment is about PRIDE (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Hi Mark. You make a very good point about accoustics, the sensitivity to unamplified instruments and voices is a major benefit, a good example would be the Kings College Cambridge choir in situ. There can be problems with amplified sounds often though, as I discovered in the Natural History Museum. Thanks for raising the point!
Ray
Comment is about REEL STREETS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Perhaps we should think of these strange times as our modern
version of The Great Depression and remember that bad times
never last. The only constant in life is change!
Comment is about MMXX (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
I had my flu jab at my very efficient local pharmacy. Is it beyond
governmental organisation to extend this excellent widespread
high street service to include the provision of booster covid jabs.,
not least when pharmacies have been under threat of cut-backs and have found it necessary to canvas their customers for
support to keep them in existence? After all, a jab is a jab is a jab
etc. Hardly rocket science!
Comment is about Booster jab delays !! (blog)
Original item by hugh
Perhaps a good reason to get Bach to basics in the great English
game!
Comment is about Messiah (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I hear what you're saying, Tim. But come on, cheer up ... the government is planning a festival of creativity next year!
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/oct/21/ten-projects-chosen-for-unboxed-creativity-in-the-uk-festival
Comment is about MMXX (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
We just have to be patient. The NHS is stretched to the limit I’m afraid.
Comment is about Booster jab delays !! (blog)
Original item by hugh
Thu 21st Oct 2021 12:59
You lost the R on the end of your name. (jeinif
hope you find it soon.
?
Comment is about Jennifer Malden (poet profile)
Original item by Jennifer Malden
Thanks MC and Stephen. The poem is an allegory on the Covid crisis in the UK which I wrote a year ago after a weekend hillwalking in the Lake District. Several poetry competition judges this year failed to spot that it’s allegorical so I thought I’d make it public now, especially since we seem to be in exactly the same position we were a year ago: cases on the rise again and the government just ignoring it and refusing to take the necessary action to prevent a third peak this winter (or is is 4th or 5th? I’m losing count!)
Comment is about The second peak (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
Well written. I agree with Kevin.
Thanks
Keith
Comment is about Messiah (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thu 21st Oct 2021 04:27
Thanks for reading "First Sign".
This is the first sign of life from YOU.
but it's something.
At least you are alive
and not a Zombie.
?
Comment is about Jennifer Malden (poet profile)
Original item by Jennifer Malden
Thu 21st Oct 2021 04:24
Sounds like you have been through a lot.
A parking lot.
At the hospital and the doctor's office.
will await your next post or pest
but remember
if you want to leave a comment, you must log in.
It says so,
therefore it is!
Comment is about Jennifer Malden (poet profile)
Original item by Jennifer Malden
Thu 21st Oct 2021 00:48
Thank you for the comments, Nigel and Stephen, much appreciated! ?
Comment is about Dilemma (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
Thu 21st Oct 2021 00:36
Topical/timely! Perhaps it's hoped to reduce the number of jabs
required via a comparable reduction in the population?
To adapt an old saying:
Slowly slowly...catchee mortality. ?
Comment is about Booster jab delays !! (blog)
Original item by hugh
The secret of a happy marriage, Kevin? A shed or two.
And thanks for the Likes, Stephen A, Stephen G and Holden.
Comment is about STORMING OFF IN A SHITTY (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Girls used to build houses rather than dens, with branches curved over and then covered with other greenery. Nice one,
Jennifer
Comment is about Hide-Out (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Great writing, one of your best. Have always liked autumn, but found many don't as it is the prelude to winter. I like the relief from the heat, the different air, the colours, new wine, new oil persimmons, and roast chestnuts sold in the street!
Jennifer
Comment is about First Sign (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Couldn't agree more!!!!!!!!! Am not on any social network as when I read the drivel, in atrocious English usually, which most of the content seems to be written in, I can't think why anyone should spend a considerable amount of time reading it and commenting. There are so many other things I prefer doing in my free time.
Also why should anyone be interested in my daily life, which is what most people seem to go on about?
Jennife
Comment is about Friend Me (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Thanks, Nigel and thanks to Holden for the like.
Comment is about Village (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Hi DK, hoped you'd got rid of me did you!!!? I WILL BE BACK.
Have been busy, (a euphemism for up to my neck in it), with family health problems. Nothing that can't be cured/treated, luckily, but everything seems to come all together. What with making appointments, having and organising various tests, consoling, minimising, comforting, the nitty gritty etc. etc. haven't had a moment for myself. Have two or three pieces of doggerel to put on when I have time. Had you already dug another hole for me?! Can' t wait to catch up on what I've been missing. I always enjoy your stuff. Jennifer
Jennifer
Comment is about d.knape (poet profile)
Original item by d.knape
I like happy endings, Mike! A proper, sophisticated poem.
Comment is about Lovely Afternoon (blog)
Original item by Mike McPeek
Glad you're back safe and sound, Tim. A wonderful poem. Thanks.
Comment is about The second peak (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
A brilliant piece of verse. It says so much in so few words.
Comment is about See Her (blog)
Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis
Thanks for the "likes!". I'm now having fun putting the words to
a tune for a planned recording. Show songs have always found
a place with me and I got the inspiration for this ballad lyric from
that genre of words and music and have now made some slight amendments "to
suit" the vocal delivery,
Comment is about NEVER AGAIN - an old style ballad lyric (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Ah...politics was ever thus.
Comment is about Come down from the Hill (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
The challenge of the hills well caught in these lines. I recall
something similar to the content in the last line on one occasion...
not a comfortable feeling!!
Comment is about The second peak (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
raypool
Fri 22nd Oct 2021 16:12
Your like is appreciated Jennifer, thanks.
Graham, that was a little touch that I found amusing. He did have a penchant at mirror conducting in later life. He actually became a teacher, and retired at 50, lucky sod. I agree there is a very distant feeling in the poem.
Stephen, we can all respond in our own way to the vagaries of time; I have been an archivist for all my predecessors old photos.
Ray
Comment is about PRIDE (blog)
Original item by ray pool