d.k.,

Thank you for your wise and well thought out comment.

Keith

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thanks for all the kind comments.

Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)

Original item by penguin

Hi Cynthia,

Emotions are fleeting, but the true nature of all matters are revealed through study of the finer details.

A thoughtful piece that I'm glad to have read,

Rachel

Comment is about Depressive Moment (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

This is such a moving poem. I feel your liberation in reading this. Congrats and I hope to be as lucky or at least smart enough to let time heal.

Comment is about Needless Burdens (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

"This is a humor-free workplace"

I'm pleased you made the distinction between a workplace and a site..

Comment is about For everyone’s benefit (blog)

Original item by Robert C Gaulke

the Jewish state is the ONLY Democracy
in the Middle East.
All the other country's are run by dictators, kings, or religious fanatics.
I'm on the side of Democracy.

Comment is about penguin (poet profile)

Original item by penguin

people who use children
to fight their wars for them,
strapping explosives to their chests
are not Freedom Fighters.

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

All this political Correctness is a bit suspect

Comment is about For everyone’s benefit (blog)

Original item by Robert C Gaulke

'Man has to lose himself to find himself'

So there's hope for me yet? I was beginning to get worried......

Comment is about Woven song titles (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

Like the rhythm
Like the rhyme
Like non-fragile
All the time?....

Comment is about Call me Rhett! (blog)

Original item by Chrystel Roberts

Ray

To me you have simply presented two extremes and how they both now live. How they came about is left unsaid, and is not the point. Eva and Stanley could have worked hard to afford their present lifestyle. Derek could have inherited a fortune but been a wastrel resulting in his present lifestyle. Who is the 'better' person?

You concentrated on comparing the extremes with no mention of how they came about. I liked this approach Ray.

Comment is about HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I like the way the mind can jump from the thing under discussion to another thing not in the discussion....

Comment is about Americans Don't Understand English (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Thanks for your prompt and full assessment Brian. I am certainly in emotional territory with this, and am offering no solution nor judgment, simply pointing out that life can be a matter of extremes. I agree with you about the obvious conclusions that will be drawn , in the same way existing prejudices can be drawn out if the bait is dangled in that direction. Obviously Eva and Stanley don't need help but they get choices with their money while Derek would have trouble improving his lot. I don't think I can be accused of over simplifying social differences, but nor would I shrink from them. I just think the distinction between the characters here form an idea. However i'll admit I bought a copy of Hello yesterday and was quite aghast at the standard of journalism in it and how trite and self congratulatory the magazine is. But it sells - I bought one( just the once).
Enjoy the estate worker.

Ray

Comment is about HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Ray - many people who read this may decide that Eva and Stanley are wicked people who have amassed an obscene fortune by exploiting the downtrodden working class.

They may also decide that poor old Derek has been badly treated by a non-caring society and has ended up where he is through no fault of his own.

Part of the reason for these assumptions is because of the nature of the WOL community, but also partly by the skill of the writer in his choice of names and description of lifestyles.

It's a particularly British trait to despise the striver and lionise the skiver. Of course I could be barking up the wrong tree entirely, and Eva and Stanley are in fact a couple of capitalistic pigs who have put Derek and others like him in the gutter as your piece seems to imply.

Anyway, have a good evening. Me...I'm off to roast an Estate worker.

Comment is about HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I once worked with a teacher from UK who asked all the students to take out their rubbers. That was a fun moment for her I think.?

Comment is about Americans Don't Understand English (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

‘stay on higher ground'

I hear you Raj. Thanks for the sage advice!

Keep smiling

Comment is about Chakraj (poet profile)

Original item by Chakraj

Chrystel,
Stay on the higher ground where you belong. The climate's better there anyway.

This is your poem. You own it. So Celebrate it.
Don't stoop.

Comment is about Huh??? (blog)

Original item by Chrystel Roberts

Enjoyed Reading your 'When the devil smiles' poem in the Autumn Edition of Printed words. You have a talent for turning a random news story into a totally different creative piece.

Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Thanks a lot guys

Keith
I am with you in the Maigret. its very much that era. I have to say your request for more has set my creativity going with a follow up which I have just written. watch this space for its posting soon

Devon
You have mentioned one of my favourite artists in Hopper and of course the inimitable Bogart. Who can forget the Maltese falcon and Casablanca. strangely enough I dug out my old Ricki lee Jones album which set me off writing a piece about her who was apparently Tom waits girlfriend at one time

Jason
I am so please you liked it does as you say have said it has a real Marlowe feel about it which I had not picked up on immediately. I now picture him solving another case.

Once again thank you so much

Comment is about Smoky joints and hard bitten smiles (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

I'm partial to a beanie
Upon my head
Beans in a tin
When I need to
Be fed
When I was young
And still at school
I'd watch Rowan Atkinson
Playing the fool
My thoughts
On beans
Could go on an on
But Beanz Means Heinz
Was the best Slogan

Michael McIntyre riding that imaginary horse was something I need to erase though :D

Comment is about Americans Don't Understand English (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Thank you Nigel ?

Thanks For reading Do.Rothy Yeah I got a medieval romantic fantasy vibe to it as it came to me.

Don - Being Lost is one of the most creative places to be....I've begun to like when I find myself there....in this poem though, just like Sister Sledge I was Lost in Music. The music of the week of being my muse, just a bit of free writing with a printed prompt that's all.

As Ghandi once said 'Man has to lose himself to find himself'

Added to that I'll say he may find even more aspects to himself when he returns!

Comment is about Woven song titles (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

Hey Leon,

I appreciate your comment.

I feel like this is the second time within 7 days that I've had to explain my work! lol, it fazes me NOT!

Some people like my poetry and others don't; fair enough. We are all entitled to an opinion. Diversity makes life interesting.

However, there is a difference between constructive criticism and ‘throwing shade'. I would certainly never do the latter to a fellow poet.

I do not take myself too seriously and remain unapologetic about my work.

Keep it real, Leon!

Comment is about Huh??? (blog)

Original item by Chrystel Roberts

Don and Ray,

Thank you for your comments as they are much appreciated.
Keith

Comment is about The Final Blast (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thanks Don for that. You're being very nice to me.....

Ray

Comment is about WHEELER DEALERS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Hi Keith. I especially like the first line - the sort of invasion of humans in the overall time frame you describe so well. I could almost imagine a war poem coming because of that. A nicely turned sentiment that we can all respond to in our own way. It is hard these days to get away from that distant sound of traffic, but this gives us that impression!

Ray

Comment is about The Final Blast (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thanks for the likes, Jon and Kate.

Hi Trevor. It's easy to try being clever with the sound of word bites which can be tempting, but you're right I started with a view and hope it came across succinctly. Your point with the last line would certainly tidy up the poem, but it does for me punctuate the philosophy of a grudging acceptance of sobriety with its lack of pleasure I suppose. Thanks for that though.

Ruth, it can be quite surreal to be the only sober person, but I can act a bit squiffy and blend in. I've got to be quite good at it. Being a pianist I have seen the rise of comfort zones at functions over the course of many evenings.

Cheers Don. I like it 'cause it saves time....

Ray

Comment is about THE CURSE OF A NON DRINKER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Hi Trevor. Although I recall your earlier version of this (I hope I'm right!) it's always a pleasure to share with your observations, keen and detailed but delivered in brush strokes with a back story such as is here presented. You have captured an atmosphere that I felt when staying in the area. There is up the east coast a sort of lost kingdom by the sea which is reflected in a perceived delicacy especially sculpted by the light which seems so serene. I think of Benjamin Britten in Aldeburgh for example whose mysterious view of life was personified in the area.

Ray

Comment is about OUT HERE ON THE COAST [revised and re-posted] (blog)

Original item by trevor homer

Ok, on one hand I see what they mean, I'm dyslexic and it's a bit harder to read like this, on the other hand, if this is the style you prefer then of course you should stick with it.
Although to be fair, I don't think anyone was suggesting you change, just voicing a preference.
Either way, loved it.

J. x

Comment is about Sweet sorrowful sparrow (blog)

Original item by Myescape

Nicely penned. Serious thoughts.

Comment is about WHEELER DEALERS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Interesting thought Nigel...

Comment is about Soul Searching (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

I'm lost.....

Comment is about Woven song titles (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

Thanks for your like Franziska

with this unpredictable weather we are having at the moment
I feel I am being ambushed every day!

Comment is about The Ambush (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Top best selling songs - - -
but I choose this poem as my number one!

Comment is about Woven song titles (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

Thanks everyone for their likes.

Comment is about Yesterday Stays Only a Dream for Tomorrow (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

I think that many poets need a site like this to build themselves into true self-belief.

thanks for that Ruth

Comment is about Soul Searching (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Hi Devon. You make a good point re sociopathy. Sociopaths are hot wired to exploit opportunities at any cost I believe, and so many make high positions in business. They are hard to control as they are often in control and can bite back!

Hi David. Thanks for your thoughts - I hesitated on putting Christian ethics in as it does have a sub text, it should have been in quotes really! Your observations are dead right - in rising up you need the reverse of a clear conscience, which is no conscience. Two powers are essential to the wheeler dealer - blinding confidence and a thick skin.

Thanks for stopping by Jon.

All the best, Ray

Comment is about WHEELER DEALERS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

You may have a personal story behind this poem Chrystel, so I've taken it as it reads, and it does so in a way I love. Cheers.

LS.

Comment is about Huh??? (blog)

Original item by Chrystel Roberts

Penguin,

A poem worthy of real acclaim as it accurately describes what can be found in most towns and cities. Dysfunctional people for whatever reason herded together in what becomes a ghetto. Well done

Thanks
Keith

Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)

Original item by penguin

d.k.,

Noble sentiments in a well rhymed poem. Penguin raises an interesting point about freedom fighters. The Israelis regard the Palestinians as terrorists but others see them as freedom fighters. Having said that I stand firmly alongside the pro democracy movement in Hong Kong which faces a dictatorship.

Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about I Hear Freedom Singing (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Totally agree with previous comments. ?

Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)

Original item by penguin

The poem itself uses English in quite a novel way. Apt, I suppose. I couldn't watch the video. Ross and McIntyre is too much this early in the day.

Comment is about Americans Don't Understand English (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

I'd have liked the poem to be more specific, rather than about "Freedom fighters everywhere" . Fighters for freedom often end up on opposing sides, after all. In short, whose side are you on?

Comment is about I Hear Freedom Singing (blog)

Original item by d.knape

For Freedom Fighters everywhere
whoever they may be
a reminder it takes courage
to fight for Liberty.

Comment is about I Hear Freedom Singing (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Keith - thanks for taking the time to comment. For me it is a comment on the present and a snapshot of thoughts on a recent visit to Kent. I'm very much of the here and now.

Comment is about OUT HERE ON THE COAST [revised and re-posted] (blog)

Original item by trevor homer

It would be a huge error of judgement not to consider democracy anything but a fragile construct.

Comment is about WHEN HITLER BROUGHT THE HOUSE DOWN (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Excellent JC. I read in Geldof's voice as well.

D

Comment is about Cat Nap (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Jeremiad - clever....

Comment is about penguin (poet profile)

Original item by penguin

Ah Jason, you've beaten me to it. Yes, a masterpiece. To me.

Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)

Original item by penguin

Dark. But so damn good. As a rhymer I enjoyed the clever use of the technique.....

Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)

Original item by penguin

That penguin, is a proper little masterpiece. There's so much that I absolutely love about this poem. We all have an estate like this somewhere in our town or city, and many of us have at one time or other lived on or near one. The real joy is that you've done such a good job of describing this one, whether it's real or just exists in your head you've painted the picture perfectly. Excellent!

J. x

Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)

Original item by penguin