Thank you so much, @Rolph - so glad there was some use to that use of potted plant emoji and its periodic repetition. Very much appreciative that you took the time to journey with the poem. There is a poem there in your considered comment on the process of thought. And yes, it hardly ever is about the plants at all, in a metaphorised landscape. Thanks again and most welcome. 🌹🙏🏻🕊️
Sincerest returns,
Freds.

Comment is about pot plants (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

Thank you for your reading and comment Flyntland.

Indeed, from the individual citizen to the commander in chief we are all capable of bringing existance to an end. All that restrains us is will, all that unbridles us is curiosity and madness.

Consequences are infinite.

David RL Moore

Comment is about The infinity of consequence (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Your therapist would have a field day with that.

David

Comment is about GREEN WITNESS (blog)

Original item by Naomi

Your poems cover a wide range of subjects, and the thing that they all have in common is sensitivity.

This beautiful poem is no exception; I love it. Thank you.

Comment is about GREEN WITNESS (blog)

Original item by Naomi

Rolph,

Thank you so much for your thoughts. I am very encouraged.

Marnanel

Comment is about The top line (blog)

Original item by Marnanel Thurman

This poem puts into words the cold fear of a misstep among the superpowers, it would take so little to provoke narcissistic leaders into unleashing hell on earth.

"the membrane of restraint is gossamer thin
a butterfly wing betwixt heaven and hell
between war and peace"

Your brilliant poem leaves me chilled and anxious, as it should.

Comment is about The infinity of consequence (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Thank you so much, David. It's interesting (and worrying) that Orwell's novel never loses relevance. The Trump administration, with its policy of lying, then lying again until someone believes the lie, seems frighteningly close to the Big Brother state.

Comment is about Angry Man (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thanks for your thoughts, Tom. And thanks for the Like Red Brick.

Comment is about PADS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you Rolph. Your words truly capture the nuance I was hoping to convey.
Your observation about mirroring in nature and the speaker recognizing something shared resonates deeply with my intention.
Thank you for taking the time to articulate your experience with such sensitivity.
Best regards,
Naomi.

Comment is about GREEN WITNESS (blog)

Original item by Naomi

Thanks Graham. There is scope for fictitious film characters as retiree allotment neighbours.
Wallander for instance might be interesting, being a Swede.

Comment is about 007 In Retirement (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

Thank you for reading and the kind comments, means a lot. I have written 5 poetry books about Hillsborough, all proceeds went to the HJC (Hillsborough Justice Campaign) One book was dedicated to Ronnie King one of the survivors who took their own life after the tragedy, his young daughter provided the Foreword. Sadly, Ronnie as with a few other suicide victims are not recognised as part of 'The 97'

Comment is about Nothing Came Easy (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Fascinating RA! I love the idea of film stars and the like taking on allotments. Brilliantly told. A DB5 full of compost!! sacrilege.

Comment is about 007 In Retirement (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

Passionate and true Mike - we'll never forget.

Comment is about Nothing Came Easy (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Thanks for the recent like Hugh.

David

Comment is about Aubade-esque (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Auracle,

In "Prayer", the longing for protection and warmth comes through in such a pure, heartfelt way. It captures the earnest desire to protect and comfort those who are vulnerable. The children’s cries for the rain to stop are universal, speaking to a deeper need for safety and reassurance. It reminds me of the song "Sonne, Sonne, komm' ein wenig runter," (a German children's song that children sang to drive away the many rainy days) where the wish for sunlight is just as simple yet full of hope. Both evoke that same quiet yearning for peace and warmth in times of uncertainty.
Regards,
Rolph

Comment is about Prayer (blog)

Original item by AirlogRigsMaria

Many thanks once again Rolph for your in depth and acute analysis. It is much appreciated. 🙂

Thanks for likes: Red Brick Keshner, hugh, Larisa, Nigel Astell, Naomi & Holden. 👍

Comment is about Better Day (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Rick,
There’s a delightful twist in this poem that shifts what begins as an almost reverential admiration into something unexpectedly endearing. You capture the way fascination can make us feel small, tongue-tied, and yet deeply moved—even by something we might not fully understand. The playful revelation at the end not only brings a smile but also redefines the depth of connection we can feel for something, or someone, who captivates us in such a simple, pure way.
Thanks for the charming surprise.
Chreerio,
Rolph

Comment is about Fascination (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Tom,
There’s a rawness in your poem that captures the weight of inner turmoil—the kind of mental and emotional chaos that feels endless and inescapable. The repetition of "Gonna be a better day tomorrow" doesn’t just echo optimism, but a kind of desperate self-reassurance, a reminder to keep moving forward despite the overwhelming uncertainty. It’s a deeply human struggle, and the way you frame it speaks to that quiet persistence, even when hope feels like the only thing left to hold on to.
Thank you for sharing such an honest reflection.
Regards,
Rolph

Comment is about Better Day (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Frederick,
Your piece hums with quiet strangeness—like a whispered thought just before sleep. The repetition of the 🪴 becomes almost meditative, grounding the leaps between abstraction and earthiness. It feels like thought itself: stuttering, looping, suddenly blooming into something tactile. There’s something oddly tender in that final image—a simple warning, but with layers, like it’s not just about plants at all.
Thanks for the gentle jolt.
Regards,
Rolph

Comment is about pot plants (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

Naomi,
There’s something deeply intimate in this poem—quiet, almost reverent. The gaze here doesn't feel invasive so much as transfixed, caught between admiration and longing. If there’s voyeurism, it’s softened by the tenderness of the imagery—the plant, the droplets, the way the subject is mirrored in nature.
The speaker isn't just watching; they’re recognising something shared, maybe even unmet within themselves. It feels less like spying, more like being pulled into a moment they didn’t ask for but can’t look away from.
It lingers in that grey space between distance and desire, and that’s what makes it so compelling.
Regards,
Rolph

Comment is about GREEN WITNESS (blog)

Original item by Naomi

Hugh,
There’s a quiet tension running beneath this piece—a sense that peace, while celebrated, is also fragile. The poem feels like more than a tribute; it’s a reminder that what’s been held for 80 years can’t be taken for granted. Behind the rhymes and rhythms, there’s a real emotional pull—a mix of gratitude, caution, and hope. It reads almost like a vow, spoken not just to remember the past, but to protect the future.
Thanks for putting this into words.
Regards,
Rolph

Comment is about 80 years of peace since the end of World War 11. (blog)

Original item by hugh

Wow, Naomi — that was blazing fast! Your "like" landed almost before the "ink" had time to dry. Thank you for such swift support—it’s always a joy to see that kind of instant connection. You’ve got the reflexes of a poet’s kindred spirit!
Take care,
cheerio,
Rolph

Comment is about The House At Eaton Place (blog)

Original item by Rolph David

Thank you,
Naomi, Manish, Flyntland, Holden, Hugh, and Red
for liking this poem. It's a quiet joy to see a few lines about water's gentle mysteries resonate with others. Your appreciation means a lot—especially for something so small and subtle, like the tilt of a molecule that holds up the entire world. Grateful for your kindness and attention.
Regards,
Rolph

Comment is about 104.5° (blog)

Original item by Rolph David

Thank you, James R., Holden Moncrieff, Trevor Alexander, and Red Brick Keshner, for your "like" on this poem. Your gesture is especially appreciated, given the heavy, sorrowful content. While the poem speaks of pain and loss, it is through remembering such tragedies that we ensure they are never repeated. Your support helps keep the memory of those lost alive, and for that, I am truly grateful.
Cheers,
Rolph

Comment is about Eighty Springs Since Buchenwald (blog)

Original item by Rolph David

I agree Tom😊Thank you for your comment.

Comment is about GREEN WITNESS (blog)

Original item by Naomi

Oh John - You have got me worried now. Oh well I'll be off to the charity shops one fine day. They are overflowing with Santex pads lol.

Comment is about PADS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

The rain brings danger
But if it stays
Your prayer, your poem
Will bring love
Will bring hope.😊

Comment is about Prayer (blog)

Original item by AirlogRigsMaria

@Auracle dankie vir jou boodskap, ek verstaan wat jy geskryf het. Nederlands is baie naby aan Afrikaans, soos jy die Afrikaans verstaan, het ek begrip vir Nederlands. Ek waardeer jou boodskap opreg. Baie dankie 🙏🏻

Comment is about ñ Pa se liefde vir sy seun (blog)

Original item by Neill Barnard

@Rolph David

Thank you for your message, and a very accurate translation. Appreciate it 🙏🏻

Comment is about ñ Pa se liefde vir sy seun (blog)

Original item by Neill Barnard

Well said Mike, very well said.
As you will well know very many football supporters came to Anfield wearing thier Club Colours and on one occasion a large number of Manchester United supporters came with Tributes.
Tommy
Lfc
ynwa

Comment is about Nothing Came Easy (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Very emotive exotic and erotic.🫂 👏👍

Comment is about GREEN WITNESS (blog)

Original item by Naomi

Maria my pen is on fire. Of your praises I will never tire. 👏🌷

Comment is about Better Day (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Many thanks Maria for your kind comments. They are much appreciated. 🫂🙂

Comment is about Blossom Avenue (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Glad you liked it! 😀

Comment is about Life Is A Porn Movie (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Gonna be better tomorrow,
For hopes and dreams will not be in sorrow,
For I found my hero,
Tom Doolan, will gonna be write again tomorrow,
To ease my April boredom. 😉

Another wonderful piece. Applause!

Comment is about Better Day (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

A heart warming thanks goes to the following:
Nigel Astell
Red Brick Keshner
Graham Sherwood
Tom Doolan
Stephen Gospage
Yanma Hidayah
Naomi

You guys are awesome!

Comment is about Infidelity (blog)

Original item by AirlogRigsMaria

Thanks to the following: Red Brick Keshner, Tom Doolan, and Holden Moncrieff. Really appreciate your effort on reading my piece. CIAO!

Comment is about Prayer (blog)

Original item by AirlogRigsMaria

I felt at peace after hearing the audio. 😍 I love every word of every line. Please continue to write to inspire the poet of the earth. Applause! 🎉

Comment is about Blossom Avenue (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Als geboren&getogen Nederlander(Hollander) kan ik typen dat ik het begrijp.

Het Afrikaans is heel fonetisch.

Het is als een gedicht dat zich langzaam in me opent en ontvouwt.

Ik hoop dat je/u de Nederlandse Taal ook kan waarderen.

Comment is about ñ Pa se liefde vir sy seun (blog)

Original item by Neill Barnard

Thanks for extra likes: Holden, Marla Joy, Manish & Nigel Astell 👍

Comment is about Blossom Avenue (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Hello Stephen,

It might please you to know I immediately recognised the tone and atmosphere of 1984 within the text of this piece.

The imagery of Orwells text is well reflected in your own words. I think the use of the word "Comrade" and the grey hue you have created, coupled with your use of environmental settings conveys the dystopian world Orwell imagined. "Hogging the screen" is perfect when considering 1984.

The transposition of the two dynamics works well and begs the questions, which world are we currently living in and who is Big Brother?

My favourite work of yours, purely for it's provocation of thought.

David RL Moore

Comment is about Angry Man (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Note to English readers:
Neill shared this deeply personal poem in Afrikaans because it touches on matters of the heart that sometimes only one’s mother tongue can truly hold. While the full emotional weight lives in the original language, I’d like to offer a brief reflection for those who don’t understand Afrikaans.
This is a father’s quiet, powerful message to his son during a time of separation and sadness. He speaks of unwavering love, the pain of distance, and a promise of protection. Through confusion, grief, and the weight of circumstances beyond the child’s control, the father assures his son that he is not alone — and that light waits beyond the current storm.
Neill, thank you for sharing something so intimate and brave.

Comment is about ñ Pa se liefde vir sy seun (blog)

Original item by Neill Barnard

Rolph,
Your commentaries are always so insightful and this one in particular is very touching and encouraging.

Thanks so much. (Cheerio)
Marla

Comment is about My Memory Of You (blog)

Original item by Marla Joy

Those memories that sometimes leap out from behind time's ethereal skirts and come back into the forefront of consciousness! Lovely sentiments Marla.

Comment is about My Memory Of You (blog)

Original item by Marla Joy

Reminds me of footy in my day, with an old leather 'caser' we had to slather with dubbin to try to keep it waterproof. Never really worked - it was like heading a cannonball!

Great memories Mike.

Comment is about Memory Lane (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Thanks for likes: Red Brick Keshner, Graham S & Yanma Hidayah. 👍

Comment is about Blossom Avenue (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Ah, Stephen, that’s kind of you to say so -I must admit a big part of the fun is the wide and encouraging community of poets I’ve been introduced to over the last 18 months or so 😊

Comment is about Andy Porter looks forward to debut pamphlet (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Apologies for those who don't speak Afrikaans, this poem is very personal and had to be written in my native tongue

Comment is about ñ Pa se liefde vir sy seun (blog)

Original item by Neill Barnard

Please Close the Door Behind You

Local Stockport drifters
Stench stained bench
Half empty cans
Homeless drinkers gather
Surround poetic circle
Protective art barrier
A Retrospective show
Giving active minds
Creative upper edge
Sunlight hours fade
Following the distant
Tangerine tapering glow
Early Summer visitors
Decide to go.

Comment is about April 2025 Collage Poem: Remove the Thorn (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Thank you for reading and the kind comment.

Comment is about 'Goodnight' (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram