Graham and Rose,

Thank you for your comments as they are much appreciated. Graham raises a good point in that to overthrow one elite is often to pave the way for another which could possibly be worse. Yet it is in those countries where there is a semblance of democracy that apathy needs to be addressed so that the elecorate can exercise real power and clip the wings of the elite. The present lack of real leadership in most western countries is, in large part, due to apathy. People can overcome these elites by participating more in local and central government rather than let the elites continue with their uninterrupted regimes. The power lies not in violent overthrow but the ballot box.

Thank you again
Keith

Comment is about The Elite (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Hello all! Thank you all for taking the time to read!

Adam, you are being neither encouraged nor discouraged. When I write "stroke, kiss, caress" etc it's not an imperative form. Perhaps it's misused...
My intent wad to expose a situation. A trap that even the brave ones get caught in sometimes. There's no lesson to be learnt here. Just an ugly situation brought out in the open! Thank you for seeking deeper understanding, never apologize for that!

Jason, that's exactly my point. It happens to everyone. I'm not pointing fingers, as I explained to Adam. If anything it comes from rather an inner dialogue as many of my poems do. And if it's anything it's self-critical. Thank you for the constant support my friend!

Thank you all friends ?
Mae

Comment is about Appeasement (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

I like the circularity of the piece, I am a great fan of repetitions, they are very effective. For me there is no ambiguity here, we have a saying where I come from..."nothing bad empty of good". Free translation ?
Anyway the point in, that every journey through hell, is still a journey. It has a destination and challenges and at the end you're alive and a little bit broken but wiser.
That is the feeling I get from that! Great work Adam ?
Mae

Comment is about Thank You (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

reusing the guillotine comes to mind Keith. Barbaric maybe but so is the way they treat the ' unfortunate '

An absolutely fantastic poem!





Rose ?

Comment is about The Elite (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

reading this Adam gives me a great feeling of the need for us to always remain positive keeping the negative not forgotten but held at very long arm's length. Much enjoyed.









Rose ?

Comment is about Travel (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

Whilst there is little in this that I would disagree with and your language Keith is eloquently and colourfully written, there is, for me a hint of unintentional hypocrisy.

How many revolutions have toppled Royalty/Tyrants etc only for the leaders of the revolution to place themselves into the same position of power/privilege/luxury/wealth as the people that they have helped to depose.

Power corrupts everyone, privilege is keenly protected and wealth tarnishes most.

We should be careful to include all such elite in our castigations.

Comment is about The Elite (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Adam, these moments are brief but precious as they often pass us by. Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about Crux (blog)

Original item by Adam Whitworth

Thank you all for your comments. They are much appreciated. Historically poets and writers have often been the voice of dissent and the voice of the impoverished. We must continue to speak out and write. When we do this you will observe that the elite will begin to burn books.

Thank you again
Keith

Comment is about The Elite (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

'With senses taken': so, open and perceptive to what 'we half-perceive/Half-create'. This flows marvellous well, Adam. John

Comment is about Crux (blog)

Original item by Adam Whitworth

It is the arrogance born of unquestioned privilege. They assume they were born to rule: even though their wealth is often inherited and they hav done nothing but receive. They make me sick. Well-penned Keith.

Comment is about The Elite (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

I felt this transient state of sounds and colors all passing by seen but not remembered. I so enjoy poems which put my mind into a state like that of Coltrane jazz...yours seem to.
Thank you.

Comment is about Crux (blog)

Original item by Adam Whitworth

I can't tell what I am being encouraged or discouraged from doing here. Is it...I will only appear as subservient while I wait to take away what you really want, my affection? Or is it...that if I do act the coward then I am a snake and my shame stops my rest. I just wasn't sure but was sure that it made me think about my response to despots large or small and that I really liked the last two lines. Always like to read your work.


I often feel that I am not completely consistent in the message of my imagery...I asked about what readers thought the purpose was I alluded to in Thank You and there were definitely different answers. So as always forgive if my comments seek deeper understanding.

Adam

Comment is about Appeasement (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

I like alliterative commentary. Especially when so true and plainly spoken.

Supported by spurious wealth and sycophants

Comment is about The Elite (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Wanna watch her
She might get
Snatched up by
The biker set

When you see her
"Are you Gert?"
One I last saw
Wearing skirt?

Don't think she has
Skirt below
Table leant on
Ho ho ho

She does look
Austere, skin bare
Despite the rose
Poked in her hair

Nuf of me
Rambling on
Gert deshabille'd
Sorry John

?

Comment is about THE TATTOOED LADY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

"Stroke the tiger according to the direction of his pelt," something we've all done and continue to do, we're just uncomfortable admitting it because we like to think we're braver. But for the most part we're not. Kissing hands and ruby rings, opening shirts to be whipped. We'd all like to be braver, but when you're stroking a tiger you understand the truth about bravery, it's rare.
I loved this Mae, when it comes to poetry you have my worship and liking.

J. x

Comment is about Appeasement (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

Not sure, Don. I haven’t seen her this deshabille for a number of years.

Comment is about THE TATTOOED LADY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

We all recognise this as absolute truth, which is what makes it so sad.

J. x

Comment is about The Elite (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Is that Gert?....

Comment is about THE TATTOOED LADY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I'm conspiring with my mind
To write a piece of verse
Relating to our dk's here
That's really quite perverse

We can't think of anything.....

Comment is about Conspiracy Theories (blog)

Original item by d.knape

"That no one is better than you and no one is less.
You interact as equals"

We are all different on WOL but no-one is better and no-one is less. We all interact as equals......

Comment is about Social Respect (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I like this.....

Comment is about Crux (blog)

Original item by Adam Whitworth

Thank you Keith?I appreciate it!
Mae

Comment is about Appeasement (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

'Call it as we see it'
As poet I like this
The greed elite would say the world's
Insane, so what? So be it......

Comment is about Get Up Off Your Fucking Arses! (A 7-Up) (blog)

Original item by Richie Muster

True, and well written Keith.......

Comment is about The Elite (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Plainspoken and True, Keith. The pigeon image jumps right off the screen.

D

Comment is about The Elite (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Cheers Keith. I wish I could have said it better though. The world is going insane and we poets need to step up to the plate and call it as we see it.

Comment is about Get Up Off Your Fucking Arses! (A 7-Up) (blog)

Original item by Richie Muster

DK, your poems always make me smile. Thanks for sharing. D

Comment is about d.knape (poet profile)

Original item by d.knape

A well thought out and constructed poem. I enjoyed this

Thanks
Keith

Comment is about Appeasement (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

Adam, thank you for being a REAL member of the ( questionably ) human race and for putting so much appreciated work into this very very powerful poem-cheers mate!

Comment is about Upon Hearing of an ICE Raid: we want the country back (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

like what happened to having to wait until you are talking face to face with whoever you need to or will they need to know you are just scratching your arse at this very moment.

Do me and this planet, a fucking, humungous favour you ungreen idiots and get the fuck REAL!

Comment is about I Am Your Master, You Are My Slave (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Mirror mirror
Selfie me
You rule me
Oops, I rule ye

Mirror mirror
You've made me
Phone addicted
Look, you see?

Mirror mirror
Crash boom bang
Didn't see
Car, mustang

Now I'm up
In heaven high
No mirror
Damn says I

Moral - don't look down when taking selfies......?

Comment is about I Am Your Master, You Are My Slave (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

"Mirror, mirror in my hand."

J. x

Comment is about I Am Your Master, You Are My Slave (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Every nation on the planet walks a line between aspiration and pragmatism. We would pretty much all aspire to be open, patient citizens of the world, but must also protect our own values and way of life from those that want to destroy it because they don't understand it.
Every nation walks a line, and each line is both fulcrum and tipping point.

J. x

Comment is about Upon Hearing of an ICE Raid: we want the country back (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

I tend to think of the subject matter as not so much tripe or rubbish,
as pretentious, unintelligent, frivolous and worst of all...boring.
But then all writing is subjective in its appeal, the when and how it
is met having the most effect on its importance and its retention.
When I was a lot younger than now, and a keen angler, I recall
a publication called "Mr Crabtree Goes Fishing"...a Bernard Venables
comic strip in which a lad is taught how to fish for various freshwater species across the seasons. The real enjoyment of following that
clever and entertaining way of imparting knowledge remains with me still, some sixty years on.

Comment is about Confessions of a tripe addict (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Another excellent thought-provoking blog from this source.
It helps to be bold
When you grow old;
You know the score,
Seen and heard it before
Try to pass on the best
Before going to your rest.
………………………………...

Comment is about Old People (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

The other side of the coin - or border?
Who are the victims here? Where are the barbs aimed at the
countries whose inhabitants seek to move to America without the
usual courtesy of obeying the law of that country...encouraged
by a media that reports matters as if there was some sort of right
to behave in that way.
Who are the failures here? Where are the arrows that should be
aimed at the countries in, for example, South America...largely
run by those of certain origins - sunk into centres of wholesale
corruption, crime, indolence and violence & busy exporting those
unappetising traits elsewhere. Like a certain church organisation, not unknown for sanctioning violence, they seek extension of their influence by force of uninvited numbers.
Who are the guilty here? Those who cry "Enough"?
Discuss!

Comment is about Upon Hearing of an ICE Raid: we want the country back (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

Quality poem this. Alas some of us oldies who visited the Amazon ports around Para circa the mid 50s, weep at the Junk Mail which has probably contributed to what is now an unrecognisable place through deforestation. The world left to me by my grandparents will not be the one I pass on to my grandchildren. It saddens me greatly that and the GPO insist on pushing the stuff your letter box in spite of notices to the contrary and protestations. Shame on them I say. (Some postmen privately insist they have no choice). Here endeth. Brave of you to single out a particular generation though. It is my teachers of the past that I continue to hold in reverence and awe. They helped me understand a world that sometimes needs a huge amount of human understanding. ?

Comment is about Old People (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

This obsession is encouraged by big business that seeks a market
and creates the atmosphere of "need" to make it happen.
These devices have their uses according to circumstance but the
sight of folk wandering around with them on "permanent attention
mode" is hardly likely to encourage a feeling of confidence in the
mental agility to anticipate and/or deal with sudden unexpected
occurrences of any sort, especially those of a threatening or
hazardous nature.
I own a "dumb phone" - which I willingly admit to having its uses...
most conveniently AS A PHONE! ?

Comment is about I Am Your Master, You Are My Slave (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

A few words but you have said it all.
Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about Get Up Off Your Fucking Arses! (A 7-Up) (blog)

Original item by Richie Muster

Adam,

This poem is exceptional in its content and composition. A hymn of patriotism mingled with tragedy. Sadly all you say is true even from those of us who live on the other side of the pond. You are not alone in this ghastly predicament as we too have no one in government who has the necessary qualities of leadership and those who represent us are self seekers and guilty of racism and corruption across all parties. It is a low point in the history of our two great nations. Eighty years ago we fought fascism and today that insidious cancer has taken root in our own societies. Your poem is a wake up call not only for the US but the UK also. We must stand firm and be alert and pray that this period of our history will be short lived.

An excellent poem which sends a clear message. Well done!
Thank you for this

Keith

Comment is about Upon Hearing of an ICE Raid: we want the country back (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

A big concern all this electronic controlling of our lives. Totally unnecessary of course - I put my phone on 'no notifications' as if that works. Your frustrations are certainly known about and shared. Well put. It's not like you can put your phone in the water - like you oughta - is it? I mean - even the bloody sat-navs want to give you a hard time. Watch out for the next generation of gizmos they'll be offering to wipe your nose next. Pesky things.

Comment is about I Am Your Master, You Are My Slave (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Adam - if a writer can drag at the emotions of readers, and themselves, they have achieved their goal. You have achieved this with me.

The techniques you used also had a great effect on me. The use of alliteration at the end 'punched' it all home. The rhymed verses 'full stopped' with a short non-rhyme statement.

I'm only a lowly rhymer but I was impressed......

Comment is about Upon Hearing of an ICE Raid: we want the country back (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

I gotta have my phone
Always in front of me
Cos someone might be texting
A bomb when driving, see?

I went and left it home today
I took this poem's advice
A text said friend had heart attack
And now I'm paying price

I'm 'dicted to my mobile
Hold it in my left hand
Dances with me when I groove
Selfies also, damn it's grand

So how do we now overcome
Addiction to our phones?
Mine's always with me – pocketed, unseen
(But he's my slave, I'm his master....)

Comment is about I Am Your Master, You Are My Slave (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Thank you all so much! I wasn't sure about this one and it sat in a computer document for a long time while I debated changing or adding to it. It's certainly a fun one and that was the intention to have the light cheerful sounding poem filled with a dark idea.

Comment is about Clickity Clack (blog)

Original item by Heart of Lead

Got a little emotional. Sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed. This helped.

Comment is about Upon Hearing of an ICE Raid: we want the country back (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

Don, Jason and Leon
Thank you for reading. It means a lot to me.

Comment is about Thank You (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

Vautaw,

Really nice compliment. Thank you for reading.

Comment is about Thank You (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

I use the ABCB scheme nearly all the time. It's got a catchy beat to it which resonates. The last line is like a deafening full stop to the verse if you know what I mean....

Comment is about Thank You (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

Enjoy the moment
Of each day you're fed
Because tomorrow
You could be dead

Have your dreams
Rake the leaves
The trees won't mind
Do what you please

But don't run hither and thither ad infinitum Vautaw - you'll get 'dizzy-disease'.

Comment is about Third Eye Blind (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

lol, glasses for the third eye, good one Lisa! I changed that last line several times, I first put raking leaves, like doing something that may look good on the surface, but doesn't contribute to anything significant and may even damage the internal ecosystem. I ended up using chasing dreams because I think we can get so caught up in chasing dreams that we forget to enjoy the moment and the beauty beyond the chaos. Thanks so much for reading and your feedback. ?

Comment is about Third Eye Blind (blog)

Original item by Vautaw