Thank you Mark. I'd like to wish you a happy Yuletide and New Year. You express so well the dilemma that has afflicted humanity since Homer. You call it a " tragedy yet a blessing - depending on how charitable one felt about the infliction of nature's whims on our fragile minds and bodies." Why do the wicked prosper? Why do the innocent suffer? GM Hopkins in one of his terrible sonnets asks God:
"Why do sinners’ ways prosper? and why must
Disappointment all I endeavour end?" Answer was there none.
John

Comment is about Forget-me-not (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Hate it when people move the goalposts!

Comment is about 2051 A Space Oddity (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Too much whiskey
words were spoken
all then forgotten
till a text
yes I will
get here now
but still dumbfounded
the address unknown
words sent back
happy new year.

Comment is about The gift of words (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

Thanks, all for the comments and likes. Glad it tickled your fancy. ?

Comment is about Weekly Sessions (blog)

Original item by kimberly

I’ve decided to give you 20 more years Brian?

Comment is about 2051 A Space Oddity (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Fantastic writing Mika. Says exactly just enough. Now, this is the sort of poetry reading I’d like to attend ? Thanks for sharing. T

Comment is about Weekly Sessions (blog)

Original item by kimberly

Thanks M.C. thanks Po, I'm working through a series of prompts, I've got another seven to go so I'm glad you enjoyed it. And it's so true, if we allow the people we genuinely love more than life itself to piss us off by acting like dicks and don't tell them that they're acting like dicks and need to sort their attitude out, what chance have they got in society, where most people genuinely couldn't give a shit about them.

J. x

Comment is about Love Doesn't Always Mean Like (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

? ☺ ?

Comment is about Weekly Sessions (blog)

Original item by kimberly

Donny dear, me no fear, when Don n Po are near!! ? more virtual rides plz!!

Comment is about (blog)

Hey Po, Wise words from the sage's mind, indeed!! Wisdom in every word you speak. My strength, my motivating force, my virtual guruji ? my inspiration, my virtual hero n everything ☺

Wa iyyak

Comment is about (blog)

At my time of life, P.O., hanky still has its attractions. But panky is more problematic.

Comment is about LE PERE FOUETTARD (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Demons are best left behind
Fill space with laughter, smile
These two they have a well-known knack
Of sending gloom exile.....

Comment is about (blog)

Golly gosh Mika! From ants to this! Sheesh!.....

Now you need to get to know me and take me the right way. If I see a glimmer of bait for my sort of humour I'll bite. No offence to you or your poems meant. OK?


Eth?.....

Yes luv?......

Maybe if you read me some poetry I might rise to the occasion?....Worth a try?.

It'd need to be racy in the extreme to make you even quiver luv.......

Just a thought......

Hey Eth? Read me some of that offbeat guys stuff. I know it won't stiffen me up but it might fix the vertigo...

Dunno...worth a try luv

What do you suggest?.......

Will have to consult the person who created you......

God? You completely baffle me at times Eth.....

?

Comment is about Weekly Sessions (blog)

Original item by kimberly

Should you wish to join the Like-Minders Society and ride the rollercoaster around its Theme Park (to Stops of offbeat poetical interest) contact its creator and our Leader Don Matthews.

We guarantee a fun-filled ride. We have an onboard bar with Barlady Thalia serving cocktails of the day. The roller has passed strict Rollercoaster Safety Board requirements. We wouldn't want wheels falling off. Imagine the paperwork?

Our Leader has finally got his license back after running off the rails during its test run. He thought he was a racing driver.

Come and join us. We currently have 15 offbeat poet members. No riff-raff or doomy gloomers please. We run a tight ship.

Lucy L (Head of LMS Publicity)

Comment is about Supertramp. Ahead of Their Time (1974) (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Thanks, Don. Glad you enjoyed it. ?

Comment is about Climbing up the Walls (blog)

Original item by kimberly

I knew it was about ants. Wanted to push my mind for other scenarios via my characters.

Forgetting Ethel and Bert, this was a clever, well-thought-out poem Mika. I enjoyed it

?

Comment is about Climbing up the Walls (blog)

Original item by kimberly

True story, inspired by ants but could relate to so much more!

Comment is about Climbing up the Walls (blog)

Original item by kimberly

Wot's this all about Eth?

Ants luv.....Obviously

Why not those people who climb Evrest?.....

No pet.....ants

If you say so Eth....

?

Comment is about Climbing up the Walls (blog)

Original item by kimberly

Eth?.....I nod off in two jiffs...my brain doesn't get in the way like Patsy's.......

Maybe you haven't got one luv.....Remember, God forgot to look at the plans when you were constructed?......You said he might have been cavorting with the angels?......

I don't remember saying that?......

Proves you don't have one luv.....

If you say so pet.....

?

Comment is about SLEEPLESS NIGHTS (blog)

Original item by Patsy Harris

Eth?.....You say Po went to school?....

Yes luv, why do you ask?....

Hasn't he spelled spelt wrong?....

Now you've confused me pet.....

Just asking Eth?......

A good sign Bert. Ask questions and you will learn....

Why Eth? Is that important?....

?

Comment is about A really bad day... (blog)

Original item by Patsy Harris

On a serious note:

To answer question (yours Po)
Is half-wit such a thing?
It's witwit cut in half (you twit)
Ring a ding a ding

Eth?.....

What luv?.....

Even I knew that.....

And you didn't go to school....

Does that make Po a half-wit Eth?.....

No pet, a complete half-wit....

Wot does 'complete' mean Eth?......

Go back to sleep Bert...

zzzzz.... snore......

?

Comment is about A really bad day... (blog)

Original item by Patsy Harris

Ah Patsy. Am so pleased to see you come on the scene. I think more humour is needed on the site. Too much doom and gloom.

Your bio caught my attention:

'A totally natural poet that writes what I feel. It may not make sense to you, but that's the beauty of poetry.. to the right person it will make sense and that's who i write for. This is for them.'

What I write doesn't make sense to many. However, to those in the Like-Minders Society it makes a lot of sense, and to use your words 'to the right person it will make sense and that's who i write for. This is for them.'

What is the Like-Minders Society? Po belongs, and enjoys our rollercoaster rides around the Theme Park. He's disappointed the Toilet Stop has been closed these last two times but is learning to go before coming just in case it's closed again. We invite toilet poets to read their work but to me they're all a bit shitty at present. I'm on the lookout for cultured poets with class. Nothing but the best for LMS We welcome new fun-seekers.

As creator and runner of the Society I will get our Head of Publicity Lucy L to contact you.

(What sort of WOL madcap world have I let myself into thinks Patsy?.....)

Welcome here dear Patsy
A poet bringing fun
I also am a rhymer
Sending gloom on run

People think I'm silly
Silly as a wheel
Don't give a damn what others think
I'll write just what I feel

?

Comment is about A really bad day... (blog)

Original item by Patsy Harris

Don't worry Patsy...it'll all come out in the wash!

Right, that's kicked off the laundry jokes...who is going to top it?

Comment is about A really bad day... (blog)

Original item by Patsy Harris

Good story line and well explained

Comment is about Men In Homes (blog)

Original item by d.knape

'That sense of unpredictability means sometimes several may appear on one day, depending on the whims of the Grim Reaper - three in a day is the most I've ever done, or hope to ever do': well, Andy's turned out three today, on Kenny Lynch, Nicky Henson, and Peter Snell https://otwituaries.blogspot.com/

Comment is about How Andy Jackson's 'Otwituaries' provide special send-off (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

As my father would often quote:

'buggered if you do, buggered if you don't'.

The main problem with Socialists is they only want the will of the people if it agrees with their views. When Socialists vote Conservative it's time to inspect the fluff in one's navel and go and have a hot bath.

Comment is about Democracy (blog)

Original item by Chris Armstrong

Hi Jennifer. I saw that you had been having trouble so it's good to have it sorted, so I'm so pleased you liked this - I find it easier to be brief in words . It's been a while since I posted anything, had other priorities , so thanks for looking in!

Po, your message comes at an opportune time in the calendar. We certainly all need comfort and hope , a good mix indeed!

Glad to be of assistance Don, cheers.

Season's greetings and i'll put a word in to the Almighty.

Ray

Comment is about STRANGER THAN FICTION (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Actually, surprisingly, I haven't heard much gloating.

The Project Fear movement hasn't been silenced though, but if pissing into the wind is your thing then be prepared to wash many pairs of trousers.

Comment is about Democracy (blog)

Original item by Chris Armstrong

Thanks MC, you're right. I suppose I was 'inspired' rather than just casually thieving. ? And hope is an important thing. I couldn't decide whether I found the protagonist in this poem a bit annoying and that's why I sabotaged the ending... and yet, sometimes being told that "everything will be okay" is exactly what I (and presumably others) long to be told.

Comment is about There Will Be Birds In The Morning (blog)

Original item by Tom

Very sad and a cautionary tale in a way. Great writing DK. I hope everything is okay with you and yours.

Comment is about Men In Homes (blog)

Original item by d.knape

I bet that took the dull ache away, MC.

Comment is about THE BODY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

depressing
but it happens
too often.

Comment is about Men In Homes (blog)

Original item by d.knape

JC - he did say sorry! It was a long time ago now and I hope he is
that much wiser as well as older.

Comment is about THE BODY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

The election result reminded this Englishman of G.K Chesterton's
"Secret People" ("We haven't spoken yet") with their "Unhappy lords", pursuing a political mandate they had never been granted,
now held to account and rejected.
P.S. The Scottish result is interesting but then that nation has a
long history with "Europe" in one form or another, not least the
behaviour of Scottish nationalists in the dark days of WW2.

Comment is about Democracy (blog)

Original item by Chris Armstrong

An evocative title that speaks of hope. In the same way that the
sun in the morning (often unseen but still up there glowing) is a
metaphor for hope. And, of course, there is no "copyright" in a title
(as any songwriter will testify). I used flowers for a poem of
hope ("Still the flowers grow") and see the appeal of such things
as indicators of better times around the corner. ?

Comment is about There Will Be Birds In The Morning (blog)

Original item by Tom

Fact can be stranger than fiction on occasions! And shit happens
(as a saying I recall reminds us). It's just preferable to be above rather than beneath when it does. ?

Comment is about Meeting Turns to Crap (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Wise words to the young - of any generation! I think many of today's
parents appear to have lost the ability to pass on this sort of guidance.
Pleasing rhyming too!

Comment is about Love Doesn't Always Mean Like (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

I have a spiritual affinity with the idea of writing this sort of thing,
having been moved (some years ago now) to write about the
death of the equally famous Denis Compton.
The heroes are all going now
And we are left to grieve;
A fond farewell, a final bow,
Too soon they take their leave.....(extract)
The subject of this news item is to be encouraged to continue on his
path toward adding to the spectrum of entertaining and imaginative poetry.

Comment is about How Andy Jackson's 'Otwituaries' provide special send-off (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Yes it will be just in time to be fully out of the EU Brian! Cheers

Comment is about 2051 A Space Oddity (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Yes it will be just in time to be fully out of the EU Brian! Cheers

Comment is about 2051 A Space Oddity (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Thankyou for your first effort as Head Of Publicity Lucy. It can take a while to 'get into' a new job.....keep at it.

?

Comment is about Ethel and Bert (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Po, I am glad you are no longer on the WOLMIA list. I love your reasons for being here. You welcome new poets and always give thoughtful feedback. You are a treasure to our WOL community. ? Welcome “home”❣️

Comment is about Savaged Soul (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

Thanks for your thoughtful feedback Po and Graham. I am grateful for this platform and hope it will be around for eons! It’s a wonderful place to share our work with welcoming and receptive poets that have a variety of backgrounds and experience. I agree that we walk a fine line when sharing POV pieces and comments. It requires public etiquette. Respect for all that have to make the one in a thousand call. Write on!

Comment is about Savaged Soul (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

Very good Dominique. I've just noticed the perfect/slant-rhymes....nice

Comment is about Lost Dreams (blog)

Original item by Dominique Lucas

Jason says should check myself
Each day, have I improved?
I just seem to get sillier
As each day goes, it proves

? I'm doomed....

Comment is about Cracked Pot and Scuffed Pan (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

I like short poems Ray. Well done.

Jennifer, don't take this the wrong way but your computer is still a little wonky. It's created a new word which doesn't appear in the dictionary. 'saythat'. On the other hand we could say your telephone company lady has imparted a hitherto new unknown creative streak to your computer. I would encourage it's new talent to take us into the realms of 'unknown' poetry.

What's that? It's just a typo?....

I was just trying to help.......

Trust you to go spoil my fun.....

?

Comment is about STRANGER THAN FICTION (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Welcome Dominique! I like your writing style. It’s raw and real. A lot of us survivors can relate. I think you will find WOL a warm and receptive place to share your art. Write on❣️

Comment is about Dominique Lucas (poet profile)

Original item by Dominique Lucas

Thanks chaps, it is true, comparing yourself to others is a fools errand, but I do think that you should compare yourself to who you were yesterday, just to check if you're a little bit better or wiser.

J. x

Comment is about Cracked Pot and Scuffed Pan (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Only another twelve years? No need to make provision for my old age then.

Comment is about 2051 A Space Oddity (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Hi Ray! computer has recovered slightly after 40 mins spent testing its speed with a nice lady from the phone company, so I can now saythat I liked this. Short and with every word perfect, very evocative.Jennifer

Comment is about STRANGER THAN FICTION (blog)

Original item by ray pool