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Stephen Gospage

Sat 6th Feb 2021 17:00

Interesting piece, John. I suppose all drama has the right to be slightly economical with history for the purpose of entertainment (e.g. the first four series of the "The Crown" on Netflix or the film "Monuments Men"). Let's not mention JFK.
A bit of poetic licence, I suppose. However, as far as I know, MG is not a poet and he seems to have taken quite a lot of licence. Having one's cake and eating it might be better, in a roundabout way.

Comment is about THE ANTI-CHRIST OF HISTORY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Stephen Gospage

Sat 6th Feb 2021 16:51

Yes. A perfect poem.

Comment is about Jack Of All Trades (blog)

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Stephen Gospage

Sat 6th Feb 2021 16:49

This is a remarkable poem. It is sad but I love it.

Comment is about He’s Gone (blog)

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Stephen Gospage

Sat 6th Feb 2021 16:47

Thanks to everyone for the likes and the comments.

Aviva, Brian and Shifa - I am most grateful for the kind words and perceptive analysis. You have seen where I was coming from and you are already way ahead. Yes, the frustration of ambition (glad you enjoyed the line!) and a descent into cynicism is a major element of this world, which is both dystopian and real.

The noble professions of police and postman are embedded in my family, so they both get mentions.

Many thanks to everyone!

Comment is about In the woods (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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keith jeffries

Sat 6th Feb 2021 15:41

Delighful.
Keith

Comment is about Jack Of All Trades (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

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keith jeffries

Sat 6th Feb 2021 15:36

JD.,

This poem certainly answers the question but from a Christian stand point, which I share but others might not. Love is an innate human quality and to display it often requires courage and perseverance. To make it one's mission in life is to make a valuable contribution to the world about us. Love takes many forms all of which are beneficial. Sadly the world is often misguided and love is forgotten in order to exercise greed and prejudice. We are engaged in spiritual warfare and the weapon in our armoury is love.

Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about Why am I here? (blog)

Original item by J.D. Bardo

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J.D. Bardo

Sat 6th Feb 2021 15:17

You damn sure master poetry!!

Comment is about Jack Of All Trades (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

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keith jeffries

Sat 6th Feb 2021 11:28

A problematic subject for a poem such as this. It encompasses many issues and poses many question for which answers are not available. I believe that it is only within the structure of a belief system that there is some explanation. We shall never know for certain until the days dawns or the night closes in.

Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about I Cannot Cling (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

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julie callaghan

Sat 6th Feb 2021 10:01

Thanks for the comments and likes everyone.

Comment is about Feeling Blue? (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

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keith jeffries

Sat 6th Feb 2021 08:26

Stuart,

Thanks for the advice. Most kind.

Keith

Comment is about Stuart Vanner (poet profile)

Original item by Stuart Vanner

<Deleted User> (18980)

Sat 6th Feb 2021 07:46

Thanks for your kind words Joshi. Recently some of my pieces are less poem-like than my older stuff, so please feel free to read back.

Comment is about D Joshi (poet profile)

Original item by D Joshi

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New Shoes

Sat 6th Feb 2021 06:56

That a girl

Comment is about Temporary Fool. (blog)

Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth

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Nigel Astell

Sat 6th Feb 2021 01:58

Golden heart orange sun
lifts sky feeling blue
white faced silver moon
removes shades of grey.

Comment is about Feeling Blue? (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

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Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Fri 5th Feb 2021 23:41

Thank you Brian, I appreciate your comment and thanks for the 'Like' too. Your writing always has great style.

Thanks also to D Joshi, branwell kent and Holden Moncrieff for their 'Likes'. ?

Comment is about Perspective (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

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keith jeffries

Fri 5th Feb 2021 22:33

Philipos, your secret is safe with me. Grandpa was a dear old soul of whom I have the fondest of memories. Thank you for your comment

Keith

Comment is about Grandpa (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Philipos

Fri 5th Feb 2021 22:21


Keith - shush, don't let them know I just crept in just for a moment to say great poem.

I read extensively about the Boer War and all the Generals of those times.

Having lived in South Africa for 8 years, I saw the book shop shelves still sagging under the weight of memorabilia.

?



Comment is about Grandpa (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

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Brian Hodgkinson

Fri 5th Feb 2021 21:51

Great meditation material. Like it, and style is smooth.?

Comment is about Perspective (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

<Deleted User> (18980)

Fri 5th Feb 2021 20:27

I like Russets when in season...now.

Years ago we had a Laxton Superb tree in our garden. Huge and tasty.

Comment is about Pink Lady (blog)

Original item by J.D. Bardo

<Deleted User> (18980)

Fri 5th Feb 2021 20:23

I like this sort of black humour...I assume it's humour Simon.

I plot all the time about leaving my wife but I know I never will. Still, it's good to have an interest.

Comment is about Spokes (blog)

Original item by simon lucan

<Deleted User> (18980)

Fri 5th Feb 2021 20:17

Like it, but if you're still using a metal tennis racket you're seriously out of date Joshi. (It's okay, I know it's poetic licence)

Comment is about The Key to the Lock (blog)

Original item by D Joshi

<Deleted User> (18980)

Fri 5th Feb 2021 20:13

I'm guessing this is not really about the woods, but describes some sort of dystopia. As a ex-postman myself the 'work in threes' made me smile and is almost true already for parts of our inner cities. Great work Stephen.

Comment is about In the woods (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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Hugh

Fri 5th Feb 2021 19:39

My name is Hugh,
I never feel blue.

Comment is about Feeling Blue? (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

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Hugh

Fri 5th Feb 2021 19:32

"If he's not careful he won't get anywhere near 57!"
But variety he will achieved on his way to heaven.

Comment is about A saucy regret (blog)

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Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Fri 5th Feb 2021 18:31

This has got an enthralling rhythm which fairly pulls you through the poem at a pace. That just makes the kaleidoscope of imagery and association even more impactful. It feels like part of the woods are in the workplace and part of the woods are in the home and part in the wilder side of neither of these (the streets). 'Ambition peels like bark and rots away' is the pinnacle of the piece, not just poetically but also I think as it is the cumulative effect of exposure to the woods.
Oh did I forget to say... I like this poem!

Comment is about In the woods (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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John Coopey

Fri 5th Feb 2021 18:02

I did over 20 years, Stephen. Not as an ‘orny-‘anded ‘ero, mind. I was a pappy-‘anded office wallah. And thanks for the Like, Kevin.

Comment is about WRONG ROAD ROUND - AN URBAN VILLANELLE (blog)

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Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Fri 5th Feb 2021 18:00

Thanks Stephen for commenting.

Thanks to Stephen, J.D, and Nazia for the 'Likes' ?


I think this poem is pretty basic in how it poetically presents the concepts but meditatively it was just how it needed to be.

I quite like how I made use of the words better and worse in a new way in the final verse that I added today, I think it improves the poem a bit and presents a different perspective too but some might think it makes it worse since it has a different rhythm and flow than the other verses.

Comment is about Perspective (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

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M.C. Newberry

Fri 5th Feb 2021 17:41

My copy has arrived - excellent service - to provide a nice follow-up
to my Covid jab also just received this Friday 5th February.

Comment is about The Call of the Clerihew: ed. George Szirtes and Andy Jackson, Smokestack (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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Stephen Gospage

Fri 5th Feb 2021 17:36

Thank you, Ray. I think my poem is a more Michael Portillo (except for the redundant branch lines) than George Galloway or Nigel Farage. I think both our efforts add to the mystique of the place, in a strange way.

Comment is about Essex (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Fri 5th Feb 2021 17:35

Thank you Stephen.

Comment is about Tongue Tied (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

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M.C. Newberry

Fri 5th Feb 2021 17:35

A worthy nod to Capt. Sir Tom and the old adage:
"Cometh the hour, cometh the man".

Comment is about Captain Sir Tom Moore (blog)

Original item by Aisha Suleman

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Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Fri 5th Feb 2021 17:29

Eyes like saucers, that.

Comment is about A saucy regret (blog)

Original item by hugh

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M.C. Newberry

Fri 5th Feb 2021 17:26

If he's not careful he won't get anywhere near 57 ! ?

Comment is about A saucy regret (blog)

Original item by hugh

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raypool

Fri 5th Feb 2021 17:21

A nice touch Stephen. The beast from the east has yet to be discovered, best leave well alone. Remember my effort: Essex has Fallen. We can't both be wrong.

Ray

Comment is about Essex (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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Stephen Gospage

Fri 5th Feb 2021 17:12

A hell of a life, John. Thanks for the poem and the explanations.

Comment is about WRONG ROAD ROUND - AN URBAN VILLANELLE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Stephen Gospage

Fri 5th Feb 2021 17:03

This is a beautiful poem, with so many vivid images.

Comment is about Tongue Tied (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

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Stephen Gospage

Fri 5th Feb 2021 17:01

A very interesting poem which makes one think and certainly not rush to judgement.

Comment is about Perspective (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

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D Joshi

Fri 5th Feb 2021 16:59

Loved reading this!! ?

Comment is about The State of World (blog)

Original item by Stuart Vanner

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Stephen Gospage

Fri 5th Feb 2021 16:57

An impressive poem. Feels uncomfortably close to home.

Comment is about Twister (blog)

Original item by Brian Hodgkinson Jr.

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Stephen Gospage

Fri 5th Feb 2021 16:50

An inspiring poem, Stuart.

Comment is about The State of World (blog)

Original item by Stuart Vanner

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D Joshi

Fri 5th Feb 2021 16:42

Thank you for your lovely comment Tom,
and yes i can add WriteOutLoud to another of my lockdown discoveries ?

Comment is about Tom (poet profile)

Original item by Tom

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victoriavautaw@gmail.com

Fri 5th Feb 2021 16:35

My pleasure Erika. Poetry has the power to go deep into the soul and heal us from the inside out. Write on!

Comment is about Vautaw (poet profile)

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Tom

Fri 5th Feb 2021 16:27

Well said Joshi. I wholeheartedly agree. ?

And welcome to WriteOutLoud! Hope you're settling in.

Comment is about The Key to the Lock (blog)

Original item by D Joshi

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Stuart Vanner

Fri 5th Feb 2021 13:48

Dear Keith
I don't many pieces by Rachmaninoff but understand that they are quite difficult to play. A lot of Beethovens music is difficult too, but if you wanted Beethoven then I would suggest the Fur Elise, which short and pleasant to play.
However, I would generally recommend Mozart as most of his works are easier to play, such his Sonata in C , also known as his easy sonata. There are many other pieces by Mozart which are very nice and yet not too demanding.

If you need any more help or advice then let me know and I shall try to get back to you.
I hope this helps.
Kind regards from Stuart

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

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J.D. Bardo

Fri 5th Feb 2021 11:38

Yes Julie I do know, it has to do with our blood flow. Your face will take on a blueish hue, When your loving, beating heart, no longer has anything to do.

Comment is about Feeling Blue? (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

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keith jeffries

Fri 5th Feb 2021 11:26

Stuart,

I see from your profile that you play the piano. I am a beginner, presently without my teacher due to Covid. I play scales endlessly. Any suggestions? I like Beethoven but Rachmaninov is my favourite.

Keith

Comment is about Stuart Vanner (poet profile)

Original item by Stuart Vanner

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julie callaghan

Fri 5th Feb 2021 11:24

Thanks for the likes, Stephen A, Aviva, Raquel, Nazia, Holden and JD.
Thanks for the lovey comment Nigel.

Comment is about The Lovebirds (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

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keith jeffries

Fri 5th Feb 2021 11:22

Stuart,
What a good poem as you pose some interesting questions. The need to prove oneself or to be highly competitive might stem from some inadequacy. Stress is certainly a product of this behaviour. The final stanza of your poem suggests that the pandemic might result in a change of attitudes and values. Let's hope so.

Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about The State of World (blog)

Original item by Stuart Vanner

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keith jeffries

Fri 5th Feb 2021 11:17

Julie,
Perhaps it is easier to say blue than melancholy. A little like saying fall instead of autumn, perhaps.

Keith

Comment is about Feeling Blue? (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

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keith jeffries

Fri 5th Feb 2021 10:39

Andy, a poem which sums up my feelings when it comes to birthdays as it is the only day in the year for the individual. Well said.
Thanks
Keith

Comment is about Birthday Poem (blog)

Original item by andy simons

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keith jeffries

Fri 5th Feb 2021 08:41

I have always thought the description of an apple as being a pink lady was quite inappropriate as I always think of apples as being reddish and slightly tart. Certainly not Golden Delicious. Yet there again it also a question of taste. Yes the darker skin has more of an appeal.

Thanks for this
Keith

Comment is about Pink Lady (blog)

Original item by J.D. Bardo

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