In a perfect world I would agree with you. However, at the moment I find that every time I go running I'm thinking of Ahmaud Arbery and what 'allegedly' happened to him and feel uncomfortable in my white skin if I don't speak of this in some way, even if only within the smallness of a poem. Take care.

Comment is about White Silence (blog)

Original item by Hilary Walker

It is one of my many failings that I tend to do my research afterwards. I have now discovered the reference was to “Breaking Down The Walls of Heartache” and not “Tearing...” The original was done by Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I29K-gRUJM8

Comment is about TEARING DOWN THE WALLS OF HEARTACHE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks Po

Comment is about Time's Three (blog)

Original item by Kealan Coady

Many thanks, each.

Comment is about TEARING DOWN THE WALLS OF HEARTACHE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Sadness beautifully penned. You are good.

Comment is about Grasping at straws (blog)

Original item by Brainy26

HW - your point is taken. But that is also too facile for those who
have sacrificed much in the cause of the law. Each case deserves
detached deliberation and we fail each other and society if we
assume rather than ferociously and fearlessly examine. ?

Comment is about White Silence (blog)

Original item by Hilary Walker

Lashings of good fun here!
If flagellation is your thing
Dial this number and let it ring.?

Comment is about Therapy (blog)

Original item by simon lucan

Ha-ha. She must be a loving wife indeed to permit such an edifice in the first place ! Did your image have feet of clay, I wonder? ?

Comment is about Toppling Statues (blog)

Original item by d.knape

A comprehensive consideration of the dichotomy prevailing in attitudes today. It is difficult to resist joining a fashionable
passing parade that deploys righteous indignation as its cause.
Who doesn't enjoy participating in virtue in action? In truth, the
hardest thing is to retain a detached view of difficult contentious
circumstances until ALL the aspects have been examined in detail
"in the cold light of day"..Unfortunately, by that time judgements
have been arrived at, not by the above but by hearsay, assumptions, agendas - and prejudice itself, inflamed by politicial demagoguery and media demonisation.
We hear much of the term "police brutality". It is such a
familiar mantra, slipping off the tongue so easily yet hardly comprehensive when it fails to address the complete scenario that
led to the need, let alone the extent of its employment. This sort
of emotive issue is essentially for the determination of the courts.
Let the witnesses be called and their testimony tested! Then let
us be satisfied that the law has taken its proper course.

Comment is about TEARING DOWN THE WALLS OF HEARTACHE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks so much everyone for commenting on this and those who 'liked' it. I appreciate you all taking the time to comment
Ian

Comment is about Sell Me Something More Than Snake Oil And Lies (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

A deserved tribute for all that HRH has meant to Her Majesty and for
what he himself achieved in his life of public service. Never one to
hold back on his opinions, the tongue was as often as not very firmly in the royal cheek - a realist who knew life at the sharp end of war
and understood the value of recognising the worries of ordinary folk.
- the personification of Kipling's man who could walk with kings yet
keep the common touch.
He is a man, my son!

Comment is about Happy birthday to our Duke of Edinburgh (blog)

Original item by hugh

The poem is looking at the argument that says silence on racial injustice allows oppressors to continue to oppress. Surely the point is that we are not confident that circumstances will ever be fully established and verified ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ in the first place.

Comment is about White Silence (blog)

Original item by Hilary Walker

Thank you, Julie Callaghan, for hitting a like!

Dr. Kishore

Comment is about Gratitude (blog)

Original item by Dr. Kishore R. Nikam

Thanks, Moon.girl, for a like!

Dr. Kishore

Comment is about Gratitude (blog)

Original item by Dr. Kishore R. Nikam

I like your poems when you look back at these special times

For getting it wrong
please write a hundred lines
Five foot two and I use the Ladies Loo!

Comment is about First Job, First Day (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

"White noise" describes unintelligible sound. Silence is surely
appropriate to circumstances until these are fully established and
verified "beyond a reasonable doubt" and the verdict rendered
for the public's information and opinion. It does not, of itself, mean
acquiescence or approval.

Comment is about White Silence (blog)

Original item by Hilary Walker

Thanks to you both. I remember a party when one celebrant made a big deal of savoring every sip. I'm one of those people
who just like what they get.

Comment is about Fine Wine (blog)

Original item by David F. Freeman

I note that Farage's LBC contract wasn't renewed.
Well, shut my mouth and call me dumb! ?

Comment is about Sell Me Something More Than Snake Oil And Lies (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Thanks. It took some sleuthing to get the info, then it was fun to write..

Comment is about Astronomer's New Year (blog)

Original item by David F. Freeman

Tom and Anna, We were married for 66 years. My feet stayed warm all that time.

Comment is about Cold Feet (blog)

Original item by David F. Freeman

Here it's June and I'm just finding out how to comment. This poem came from memories of a great loss.

Comment is about Grief (blog)

Original item by David F. Freeman

Anna, It's nice to know that you can get my poems this way too.?

Comment is about I Will Never Lie (blog)

Original item by David F. Freeman

Your and my poems must be stories of romantic love remembered after years. Memories are so precious.

Comment is about Young Love By the Sea (blog)

Original item by David F. Freeman

Anna, It was fun watching the ravens in the Grand Canyon or our trip out west years ago.

Comment is about Canyon Raven (blog)

Original item by David F. Freeman

What a beautiful moment to capture. Thank you for sharing this!

Comment is about Canyon Raven (blog)

Original item by David F. Freeman

Thanks M.C. I wanted to try and be pragmatic rather that reactionary. And I agree with you completely that we should not get swept up in trends. But once your eyes have been opened to something, it's best not to shy away from taking the necessary action.

And thank you for stopping by and reading my work, I really appreciate it.

Comment is about Step Change (blog)

Original item by Tom

Well put, Ian. It's a vexing situation, on both sides of the 'history ' coin. I totally agree with M.C.'s comment, one not often mentioned.

I can only conclude that this 'glorious arena' of British history is best served with statuary in institutions like museums, where a choice is made to view and review, or not. History is always complex, and manipulated for purpose. How can we possibly ignore that it happened? Or the very complex results, globally?

Comment is about Sell Me Something More Than Snake Oil And Lies (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

A great poem Mr Morgan x

Comment is about The Poet Laureate reads........... (blog)

Original item by Dave Morgan

We feel your pain, Becky. Well, some of us anyway ... Hope you felt better after you'd written it!

Comment is about "Devoir anglais" (blog)

Original item by Becky Who

Remembering this made ME smile. So,I thought somebody else might get a chuckle too. I enjoyed bringing it into 'being', as 'narrative poetry', quite blithely following no particular rules of construction, just fun with words. Yes, I KNOW, it's long!

Comment is about First Job, First Day (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Exhilarating times, Ian, when a dramatic gesture such as this is made. Some throw their hands up in horror; others, such as me, applaud. What is actually happening is change. And then we hear that Nigel Farage has lost his job at LBC. A good day.

Comment is about Sell Me Something More Than Snake Oil And Lies (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Thanks, MC. How she gets the power into her voice from that little frame beggars belief.

Comment is about LA VIE EN ROSE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Philip Wroe is an astonishingly accomplished artist living in Manchester. His work has appeared everywhere and it is a huge compliment to me and my work that he agreed to illustrate my circus poems.

Comment is about me by Phil Wroe (2).jpeg (photo)

Original item by Brian Wake

Graham, Tom Brian and Stephen, much appreciated.

Thank you Ghazala. I have to own up to you that this a deviation of the Walt Disney song When you wish upon a star. So I have altered some words to denote irony, and mostly the lyrics are not my own. If only!! It is a beautiful song in its own right....

Ray

Comment is about WORDS WITHOUT A SONG (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Ah - an exploration into the reality of "difference".
Protest about what you feel is wrong
Join a crowd and string along
Enjoy the freedoms that others gave -
So far from tyranny and its mass grave.

Comment is about Its A Pushover (blog)

Original item by simon lucan

Sweetheart we will see blue skies again and so will Ma xx

Comment is about Eric Crane. (blog)

Original item by Nicola Byrnes

Alan you are on my mid, rest xx take a leaf out of my book rest x ?

Comment is about Alan (blog)

Original item by Nicola Byrnes

Hey wanna have a meeting if the minds how u been Queen

Comment is about Ebonie Camp (poet profile)

Original item by Ebonie Camp

If only there was a way to help you, I can only give advice, that's my downfall I guess ?

Comment is about Olivia (blog)

Original item by Nicola Byrnes

A sensible considered approach to a contentious topic. As I have
remarked elsewhere, I think of the statues as markers of a time and
place that should be available, like books, for historical reference in agreed conditions.
But history is not always universally comforting and we must tread
warily if we are not to be seen as cultural vandals knee-jerking to
the pressures of a forceful factional demand "of the present".

Comment is about Step Change (blog)

Original item by Tom

I love this.

Comment is about Cold Feet (blog)

Original item by David F. Freeman

We mustn't neglect inclusion of the role played by tribal Africa that
saw its own people participate in what occurred...not addressed
within or beyond the black community two hundred years after Parliament outlawed that odious trade "of its time". Enslavement
has been a global feature of history. Was any "empire" free
from its practice and its financial benefits?. And it is still a
practice that occasionally gets a mention in the wider context
of immigration from lands that have a history of it - as occasional
police investigations into allegations of its existence seem to show...
The statues are merely markers of a time and place and like books
should be kept "available" in agreed conditions for historical reference..
If "truth" and "accountability" are the aims, then let "the truth, the
whole truth and nothing but the truth" be the result.

Comment is about Sell Me Something More Than Snake Oil And Lies (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Po

You make a good analogy between the blacked out windows of prison transport vans, limos and those inky eyes.

One is unable to penetrate the reflecting mirror coating the outside of those enigmatic eyes.

But OMG how they do reel you in!

Thanks for the like Po.

Abdul

Comment is about Tempting smile (blog)

Original item by Abdul Ahmad

I'll quote Old Will Shakespeare
To make my view quite clear
Measure for measure
You're a WOL treasure
Guaranteed to bring us cheer!
Bon chance, mon ami.
P.S. Thanks for the Piaf clip -superb. It also reminded me of my fondness for another
French song used to great effect in the film "Das Boot" - "J'Attendrai" (I Will Wait For You").

Comment is about LA VIE EN ROSE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Tom,
We actually lived for 44 years in Chapel Hill, NC in a house we dreamed and had built. The house had an office we both worked in. We sold it in 2007. The cottage is at Kerr Lake, an hour's drive away. Many memories came from there. We had to sell it in 2015

Comment is about A Bell and a Boy (blog)

Original item by David F. Freeman

Beautifully expressed write. Sounds and feels amazing.

Comment is about Solitude (blog)

Original item by Joseph Matondo

? We seem to be on a similar track at present. Nice one Ian!

Comment is about Sell Me Something More Than Snake Oil And Lies (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Ray this is beautifully fantastic.

"Though your heart is in your dream

some requests are too extreme

when you wish upon a star

as dreamers do."

Too deep a meaning, one can relate. Loved it!!

Comment is about WORDS WITHOUT A SONG (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Fantastic and evocative. I have written one quite similar recently called Chalk-White Moonlight. Though, I think yours is more romantic.

Comment is about Young Love By the Sea (blog)

Original item by David F. Freeman

Wow, David what a great life to have led (and are continuing to lead). I'm going to really enjoy working through your writing and finding more treasures. I'd love to build my own home and live by the water. Seems like an impossible dream here in modern-day UK but... we'll have to see. ?

Comment is about A Bell and a Boy (blog)

Original item by David F. Freeman