Happy is he who's content in his mind,
Content to search...content to find.

Comment is about The Hermit (blog)

Original item by josh

What goes around, comes around. In the mid-80s, I saw prices
of UK property rise to a level that sounded warning bells, with no
interference in the free market that buying and selling property
occupied. I took the decision to sell just about anything of value I owned at that time to raise the deposit on a top floor studio flat
in a side street near my present address, prepared to endure the
long term penance of repayments that would benefit the mortgage
lenders three times over. As retirement approached, and the £££
demands of the leaseholders increased, I decided to return to
renting in my solo situation. By that time the sale value had almost
(but not quite) trebled - but, of course, so had the prices of other properties so the only beneficiaries were the freeholders and the lenders..unfetterted by government policy at that time.
I've not regretted my decision because it suited my freedom of movement and, as long as the rent stays affordable (with personal
sacrifices, of course), nothing will see my stress levels affected
regarding the costs of property maintenance and the possibility
that I might wish to move to somewhere a lot cheaper where
rent is concerned. A double advantage at my own late time of life.
We are all victims of rising property prices at some time or other
but I certainly sympathise with today's buyers in the knowledge
of just how "vested interest" from the market manipulators has
pushed up prices towards impossible levels when compared
with incomes.

Comment is about The Problem of Wanting to Increase Birthrate (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Nature reveals a reality we ignore at our peril in various extended
ways: too much too soon can overwhelm..

Comment is about All Of The Above (blog)

Original item by d.knape

We are all in that market place called "humanity". It is a sad reality
that we are more often let down by those closest to us in many ways
rather than by those who lean in to help and advise.

Comment is about What COVID-19 taught me (blog)

Original item by Poetique

Many thanks, Po. Sorry I was a bit slow to react. Looking forward to reading everybody's stuff.

Comment is about Stephen Gospage (poet profile)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

how do you change the sillohuette
on my poem home page?
That outline looks stupid in my estimation.
I don't know where it came from
or how to change it.
thx.

Comment is about Graham Sherwood (poet profile)

Original item by Graham Sherwood

Thank you both so much, I enjoyed this one. It was prompted by a question about my late Father. We all have the capacity for incredible darkness within us, but thankfully, generally, we all lean towards the light.

J. x

Comment is about I Lean Towards The Light (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Well, if a poem is not "understandable"
what's the point?
Should we just write Riddles?
hahaha
?

Comment is about Graham Sherwood (poet profile)

Original item by Graham Sherwood

So you think you can tell heaven from hell. The Floyd.

Comment is about Pain (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

Thank you so very much for all the time you've spent reading and liking my poems.

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”
– C.S. Lewis

Comment is about Vautaw (poet profile)

Original item by Vautaw

Last four lines sums it all.....more strength and power to you!! Strong write.?

Comment is about I Lean Towards The Light (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

So good Jason....

Comment is about I Lean Towards The Light (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Writing will get you through the storms of life, help you see rays of light. ? Write on Mil. Welcome to WOL. ❤️

Comment is about mil (poet profile)

Original item by mil

David,

There is a real sustained tempo to this text. Well done,
Jeannot

Comment is about I Will Never Lie (blog)

Original item by David F. Freeman

We can see our little granddaughter's house from ours. She sat on the front lawn banging wooden spoons on saucepans because clapping isn't loud enough! Thank you for this Greg! It's teaching us to feel humble.

Comment is about A long way back from the front line (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Don, I have deleted that mixed up poem from earlier on but thanks for commenting. Ta loads!

LS

Comment is about Don Matthews (poet profile)

Original item by Don Matthews

Interesting thoughts, MC. I didn’t know you’d be familiar with Game of Thrones.

Comment is about CLAIM OF PHONES (5G) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

No, you're not, Brian. Good man! I'll be clapping for you, too.

Comment is about A long way back from the front line (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Greg ..I did my first NHS Volunteer task today by collecting a prescription for an 80 year old. She told me she would be clapping me at 8pm this evening. I felt such a fraud.

Comment is about A long way back from the front line (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Entertaining and topical. To which I add - just because they say
you're paranoid, it doesn't mean they're not out to grab your lives.
Note that this coronavirus problem is being countered by the spending of vast amounts of public money (from taxes & the small man/business) whereas the rich as Croesus brigade see their
private riches secure and able to influence and enact on a global
platform over which they preside. Vast wealth has always been the
prime mover and source of power. Go to history. Monarchs - heavily dependent
on wealthy supporters for their incomes - repaid with social leverage and
influence.
Fast forward and we see the equivalent
- but far more circumspect - in action. Now we have media moguls, business and and banking
barons replacing the old order. of king-makers but the aim remains: power
and influence, but on a global scale of
ambition.

Comment is about CLAIM OF PHONES (5G) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I'm sure Cole Porter would manage a grin of complicity at the use of a certain famous song, plus its subject matter, of course. I enjoyed
this modern "take". It gave me a kick !!

Comment is about Kicks with Joe (blog)

Original item by mike booth

Powerful recollection. P. ?

Comment is about Coming Home After an Exile in Marriage (blog)

Original item by Maria Malinowski

Thanks for the kind remarks on my profile page 'V'

Comment is about Vautaw (poet profile)

Original item by Vautaw

Thanks for the Likes, Greg, Cameron and It’s justme.

Comment is about CLAIM OF PHONES (5G) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thankyou for your likes and comment

Comment is about Seeking, Asking Answers (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Thanks ?

Comment is about The Ancient Tree (blog)

Original item by Dean Fraser - The Quantum Poet

A much under-rated poet and songwriter. All the plaudits will come, now he's dead.

Thanks, as ever, Cathy.

Comment is about Speed of the sound of self-isolation (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

this one needed to be released.

the call of a poet Mika....

Comment is about (Un)Covering Wounds (blog)

Original item by kimberly

Another legend gone. May he Rest In Peace. What a great way to honor his passing John. ❤️

Comment is about Speed of the sound of self-isolation (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Erudite as always and there are some interesting strands to engage us John. Incredible that after the passage of so much time the minds of learned and intelligent people can still pass muster. And so we make a mark, however transient it may be.

An enjoyable read.

Ray

Comment is about Philosophy or Poetry (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

What a reflection of curiosity of what all of this is! Thank you!

Comment is about Seeking, Asking Answers (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Love this, it is written with love! Also my Birthday!!

Comment is about Monday February 10, 2020 (blog)

Original item by hk

I love this,
It is a time of true thankfulness to be surrounded with nature’s beauty.

Comment is about Thank god for a welcome companion (blog)

Original item by Abdul Ahmad

I enjoyed this poem too, Abdul. Wonderfully detailed observations of nature. And a nice twist at the end with the robin.

Comment is about Thank god for a welcome companion (blog)

Original item by Abdul Ahmad

Greg, Creaking Gate, yes don't we all hope it isn't that ongoing. But then these events have been around for rather a long time - didn't I read somewhere about the 'seven plagues of …. in one of the ancient texts? Heaven forbid. P

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Love it!

Comment is about The Ancient Tree (blog)

Original item by Dean Fraser - The Quantum Poet

John,

Very interesting. I have thought about this question in the past and I tend to agree with the straightforward view of the American poet William Carlos Williams who said: “Philosophy is about ideas; poetry is about words”.

I say let’s keep playing with words, humbly.

Thanks,
Jeannot

Comment is about Philosophy or Poetry (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Ian

A delightful vignette. Made more dramatic by the absence of music. It would have distracted the attention from the essentially visual spectacle.

Abdul

Comment is about Strictly Bin Dancing (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

I missed this earlier D.K

I agree with your sentiment about the need to explain ones work. However, I don't think it should always been understandable, or at least not immediately so.

Some poets write for themselves and not an audience but if an audience 'gets it' so much the better.

I do consider that much poetry is in the 'throwaway' mould which I think is a shame. Part of the art of writing (for me) is the consideration of a piece, before pen goes to paper.

Comment is about About This Poem (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Thank you all for your comments as they are always appreciated.
Keith

Comment is about Infection (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thanks to all who liked this and to the person who thinks I'm a 'good egg'

?

Comment is about Puzzled Supermarket Shelf (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Ode to little Easter egg

I am a little Easter egg
Chocolate through and through
Oh no, someone's just rushed me off the shelf
My friends are gone - boo hoo ?

Comment is about Puzzled Supermarket Shelf (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

it's just that so much of it is garbage.
it's like people just throw words together
whether they make any sense or not
and then call it poetry.

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks Tom and Cynthia, and all those who liked this poem. This one was brewing of frustration after seeing someone do nothing but expose their emotions over and over again without changing the situation, and sometimes you have to say “Enough!” I try my best not to give in to those instincts to respond but this one needed to be released.

Comment is about (Un)Covering Wounds (blog)

Original item by kimberly

If there is a re print I have an offering, should you be interested.
Keith Jeffries

Comment is about Popular poetry group launches anthology after being flooded with pandemic poems (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Wonderful poem. I look forward to reading more. Keep writing. ??

Comment is about The One Who Got Away (blog)

Original item by josh

Thanks Hannah, and thanks Cynthia. Yes the anymore thing was deliberate, I nearly wrote, "I'm sorry I couldn't love you anymore," and toyed with a few possibilities. But in the end I hoped that people realised I meant, "Any more," and, "Anymore," given the possibility that if it was me leaving never to return I would mean both. I couldn't find a way to give the duel meaning in text, but trusted it might come across in spoken word. And thank you, because yes, I really did mean it when I said I like it when people ask.

J. x

Comment is about Goodbye At The Door (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

John,

This is a good poem of exploration and comparisons. I have always regarded poets as people who are in varying ways philosophical. Poets often explore the truth and challenge the mind. I shall read this poem again a few times. Plato wrote at a time of antiquity alongside some of the greatest poets. Homer being perhaps the greatest.

Well done John. As usual you rake the grey matter
Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about Philosophy or Poetry (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Sea, tá Emer a cuid ceoil chomh hálainn agus chomh brónach.?

Comment is about Vanishing point (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Hannah
Appreciate your generous comments on this poem. The robin is solitary territorial bird by nature. It is well known for forging bonds with gardeners. It benefits from this relationship by finding easy prey in freshly disturbed soil.
Abdul

Comment is about Thank god for a welcome companion (blog)

Original item by Abdul Ahmad