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Stephen Gospage

Thu 29th Jul 2021 17:40

Fascinating poem. A rather abstract notion of absolute liberty still plays a big part in French and European thinking, as seen in recent demos against vaccine passports.

Comment is about "L’homme est condamné à être libre" (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

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Stephen Gospage

Thu 29th Jul 2021 17:30

Impressive and disturbing, Adam.

Comment is about a wave passed along the centipede's legs (blog)

Original item by Adam Whitworth

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Stephen Gospage

Thu 29th Jul 2021 17:24

I have experienced something like this, Nigel, and the poem really brings it home. 'Garden overgrown' has a worryingly familiar ring to it!

Comment is about Sinister Lurks (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

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Stephen Gospage

Thu 29th Jul 2021 17:15

John - Yes, probably best to bite your lip until the needle goes in.

M.C. Glad to hear you know Lord's well. I have missed it for the last couple of years. I was thinking of the incident when David Steele got lost on his way out to bat and ended up in the basement, thus risking being timed out in his first test innings!

Comment is about LES GILETS JAUNES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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M.C. Newberry

Thu 29th Jul 2021 14:26

JC - as I like to say: Onwards and upwards (but not too much of the "upwards" just yet!). ?
SG - stepping across the flagstones that marked famous names like William Wilberforce was in itself worth the need
to visit Westminster Abbey for my second jab. As for Lords - I used to do duty there
during test matches so it was a familiar place in so many ways.

Comment is about LES GILETS JAUNES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Nigel Astell

Thu 29th Jul 2021 13:02

Dark is the love
that no blame
has a stake.

Comment is about Yami / 闇 (blog)

Original item by Your Royal Poetess

Hobo.obo

Thu 29th Jul 2021 02:28

YES

Comment is about Yami / 闇 (blog)

Original item by Your Royal Poetess

<Deleted User> (13740)

Wed 28th Jul 2021 21:56

Is this a metaphor of your life . I've often felt like a lonely cloud , especially when I've been travelling on my own , but I must say sometimes its easier to be part of a group all wanting the same things x

Comment is about LONE CLOUD (blog)

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John Coopey

Wed 28th Jul 2021 19:37

Thankyou, Stephen. I suspect the hi viz is designed for more pencil-like people than me.
What never ceases to amaze me is the number of people who want to argue - "I don't agree with it but the doctor made me come" "It's all a hoax you know" "I don't want it really"
I smile sweetly and think "So why don't you fuck off".

Comment is about LES GILETS JAUNES (blog)

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Stephen Gospage

Wed 28th Jul 2021 18:06

Entertaining, John. And well done for the volunteer work. Will a larger size become available? (I think I know the answer).

The violence of the Gilet Jaunes protests was very disturbing. It started out as a group complaining about fuel tax increases and then every habitual anti-Paris elite discontent from the far left and far right seemed to jump on board. Sadly for the eternal anti-Macron moaners, the increased vaccine take-up and overwhelming support for the vaccine passport suggests they don't speak for most French people.

M.C. I envy your august vaccine locations. I hope you found your way around Lord's better than David Steele in the 1970's!

Comment is about LES GILETS JAUNES (blog)

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Stephen Gospage

Wed 28th Jul 2021 17:49

Many thanks to Keith and John for the kind comments. I must admit that this poem grew on me as I wrote and finalised it. I found the idea of being taken from an everyday experience like gardening into a competely different and mystical world fascinating.

And thanks to Holden, Eric and New Shoes for reading the poem and liking it.

Comment is about Parades (blog)

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keith jeffries

Wed 28th Jul 2021 17:11

Thank you again for your kind comments. As always they are much appreciated. I also enjoy your poetry especially when you use the voice of dissent and opposition. All good poets champion a cause. Many have found themselves imprisoned or worse for their writings. I also like the illustrations you use. The one accompanying Cogitare is particularly good.

Keep up the good work and thank you again

Keith

Comment is about Your Royal Poetess (poet profile)

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John Coopey

Wed 28th Jul 2021 15:47

Thanks, MC. I have surely worked my passage to Heaven. Hopefully not too soon.

Comment is about LES GILETS JAUNES (blog)

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Your Royal Poetess

Wed 28th Jul 2021 14:23

Highly relatable! Well articulated

Comment is about These Year Have Took a Toll (blog)

Original item by Damon Blackery

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Your Royal Poetess

Wed 28th Jul 2021 13:20

I am familiar with the “dark warmth” you speak of! Beautiful poem

Comment is about It lay open (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

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Your Royal Poetess

Wed 28th Jul 2021 13:05

Artwork by: Tselousova Kseniia ?

https://www.deviantart.com/adamasto/art/Dark-Cupid-516252254

Comment is about Yami / 闇 (blog)

Original item by Your Royal Poetess

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M.C. Newberry

Wed 28th Jul 2021 11:36

JC- thanks for the chuckle-ready lesson in Franglais. And well
done to you on behalf of us "double-jabbers" across the country.
I had my first in the hallowed halls of Lords Cricket Ground and
the second in the even more hallowed confines of Westminster
Abbey. History and hyperbole irrevocably entwined!! ?

Comment is about LES GILETS JAUNES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Ghazala lari

Wed 28th Jul 2021 08:12

Well expressed ?

Comment is about These Year Have Took a Toll (blog)

Original item by Damon Blackery

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Ghazala lari

Wed 28th Jul 2021 08:11

Sounds more like me. ?

Comment is about These Year Have Took a Toll (blog)

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John Coopey

Wed 28th Jul 2021 08:01

Thanks, Greg. Personally, I quite like the idea of chain gangs. Consequences, always consequences.
And thanks for the Like, Holden.

Comment is about LES GILETS JAUNES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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New Shoes

Wed 28th Jul 2021 07:32

The phoenix rises from the ashes. It's easy to say, harder to manifest. project the image of where you want to be and be open to the opportunities that will help you arrive. It's okay for dreams to die. we can believe that the only constant in the universe is change and find some peace in that. project the image of love while allowing love to flow through you and everything else will fall away and peace will be in your heart in every changing moment. Your only time is now.

Comment is about In a Rut. (blog)

Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth

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Greg Freeman

Tue 27th Jul 2021 23:54

Good man, John, good on you. Just as long as you don't find yourself on one of Boris Johnson's chain gangs by mistake.

Comment is about LES GILETS JAUNES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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John Marks

Tue 27th Jul 2021 22:55

Thank you dear Keith.

Comment is about People of a lesser vintage (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

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John Coopey

Tue 27th Jul 2021 20:41

Masterful, Stephen. Rich in imagery and metaphysics.

Comment is about Parades (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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The Crescent Moon

Tue 27th Jul 2021 20:04

Thank you for the nice opening move on my recent blog. *winks*
We should play sometime!

Comment is about Dawson (poet profile)

Original item by Dawson

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keith jeffries

Tue 27th Jul 2021 17:59

A mystical experience yet described with natural simplicity. Those souls are never far from us. We glimpse in wonder but what we see was and is are different dimensions of this world

Thank you for this intriguing poem
Keith

Comment is about Parades (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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Stephen Gospage

Tue 27th Jul 2021 17:24

Good point.

Comment is about NIGHT MAIL (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Stephen Gospage

Tue 27th Jul 2021 17:06

Glad to hear you got there, Julie. It sounds a fascinating place.

Comment is about Shetland (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

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jennifer Malden

Tue 27th Jul 2021 16:53

Nice crack John!!! Not being any genius, my Theory of Relativity is quite different from Einstein's!!!!! Think more people would be able to understand mine!
Thanks, Jennifer

Comment is about A Relative Close (blog)

Original item by Jennifer Malden

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keith jeffries

Mon 26th Jul 2021 23:09

John,

May I say that you have an excellent perspective on life in this country as it really is. This poem is magnificent.

Thank you for this,
Keith

Comment is about People of a lesser vintage (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

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John Marks

Mon 26th Jul 2021 20:17

Thank you Holden, Mark, Stephen and Tom. Your support sustains me.

“If people bring so much courage to this world the world has to kill them to break them, so of course it kills them. The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.”
― Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms

Comment is about Somehow there's blue (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

<Deleted User> (30611)

Mon 26th Jul 2021 18:16

Hi CM. Thanks for hitting the like button for two of my recent efforts.

Comment is about The Crescent Moon (poet profile)

Original item by The Crescent Moon

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John Coopey

Mon 26th Jul 2021 17:01

Einstein’s Theory of Relativity never touched on this!

Comment is about A Relative Close (blog)

Original item by Jennifer Malden

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Tom

Mon 26th Jul 2021 16:44

Beautiful John, thanks for sharing. I love the last few lines in particular. ?

Comment is about Somehow there's blue (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

<Deleted User> (13740)

Mon 26th Jul 2021 16:23

Thanks for the pick me up and words of advice , needed to read that today x

Comment is about d.knape (poet profile)

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John Coopey

Mon 26th Jul 2021 15:35

Thanks, Stephen. It is indeed a blot on the name of the Post Office. (Royal Mail, as you’ll know, is a separate company.)

Comment is about NIGHT MAIL (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Stephen Gospage

Mon 26th Jul 2021 15:27

Moving verse. It's always a sad moment.

Comment is about Goodbye FLO x (blog)

Original item by Edbreathe

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Stephen Gospage

Mon 26th Jul 2021 15:18

We are lucky to have your writing shared with us, John. Good health to you!

Comment is about Somehow there's blue (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

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Stephen Gospage

Mon 26th Jul 2021 15:09

Great Rhythmic poem, John. I really enjoyed it. Times have moved on and the service wasn't always perfect, but it was to see how the UK post office descended to the level of the sub-postmasters scandal.

Comment is about NIGHT MAIL (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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John Coopey

Mon 26th Jul 2021 15:07

Thanks, MC. I worked on a contract at Royal Mail. It was only the second time I have come across such timid management. They managed it by permission of the CWU. The only other similar organisation was 24/7, formerly London Electricity, where underlying every negotiation was the knowledge that the union could turn the lights off on London. That was real power. The CWU had the power to stop you receiving your Reader’s Digest.
And thanks for the Like, Jennifer.

Comment is about NIGHT MAIL (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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M.C. Newberry

Mon 26th Jul 2021 13:38

Thanks for the likes! Glad you enjoyed this bit of fun.

Comment is about UNTITLED (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

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M.C. Newberry

Mon 26th Jul 2021 13:22

Having been in "complaint" mode with the Royal Mail about a
failed (ongoing!) delivery, I was consoled by these excellent lines
harking back to the days when the post arrived around
breakfast time and there were two or more visits to deliver or
collect what was sent. Just down the road the post box offers
ONE collection per day - at 6.30pm! One day I arrived at 5.40pm
to post my letter and found the post van there, its driver busy emptying the box. That's modern efficiency for you.

Comment is about NIGHT MAIL (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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M.C. Newberry

Mon 26th Jul 2021 13:02

Illness is, indeed, the great leveller - in a bed and out of it!
We all have to cope as best we can when it arrives in its various
unwanted forms. Good sense, good advice and good treatment
combine to fight it and, hopefully, see it retreat in disarray!
Good health!

Comment is about Somehow there's blue (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

tryingthings

Mon 26th Jul 2021 12:49

Very new to this platform, but very happy to hear that I am not the odd one out, who tries to read, follow and memorize lyrics! And some lyrics really make a lasting impact on me! Thanks for putting this up!

Comment is about Lost in the Lyrics (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

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Ghazala lari

Mon 26th Jul 2021 11:24

Leon and Crim....I'm glad you read this piece. If you're seeking answers seek within or may be in one of my works.

I agree to disagree....everyone has a right to opinion....I respect yours n vice versa.

Peace.
G.l

Comment is about Every day is my day (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

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jennifer Malden

Mon 26th Jul 2021 11:21

Hello John, Interesting to hear about the verger's job. Agree absolutely about remembering ALL who fought with us in the war. I was quite moved to see how many there were from the Indian subcontinent, and then went off to see a friend. A book was open on the table with 'Namasthe', an Indian/Nepalese greeting, written in Italics on the page, and I can't believe it was a coinicidence! The ways of the Gods are infinite'.
Thanks for the comment on The War Cemetery., Jennifer

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

<Deleted User> (30611)

Mon 26th Jul 2021 11:01

It's not often a piece of work or a writer get taken to task on this site. Perhaps we should challenge more?

Comment is about Every day is my day (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

Crimaldi

Mon 26th Jul 2021 09:30

I wonder if you see the irony and dare I say hypocrisy in the line

"Don't force your dreams on others as they may not be their dream"

I am happy for you and your all encompassing belief system, quite wonderful I'm sure.

It is unfortunate that you have not developed a way in which to convey the contentment your belief brings you without making it sound endlessly like preaching to the unenlightened, it creates a condescending tone not uncommon in the self titled pious

You write of wisdom and growth yet in the sum of your writings on this site I have seen little or no evidence of progression of thought whatsoever, just a surrendering of self.

PS, What is the penalty for apostasy?

Comment is about Every day is my day (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

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John Coopey

Mon 26th Jul 2021 07:51

Thankyou, Ray. And for the Like, Leon.

Comment is about NIGHT MAIL (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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raypool

Sun 25th Jul 2021 23:04

Greg got there ahead of me, but those lines were inspired! Great read almost feels as if you are on the move. Very enjoyable read John.

Ray

Comment is about NIGHT MAIL (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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