Thanks both. You probably mean Longbridge, not Northfield, RG. I'd be astonished if "the Company" were acting altruistically.

Comment is about Dominoes (blog)

Original item by Ray

Thanks Ray 👍 encrusted habits do keep us where we’re at. Totally get that!

Uilleam! Thanks mate. That’s a lifelong pressure to live with. What I usually do is stop my ears and go la-la-la-la quite loudly…or at least that’s the kind of inner response I attempt even if it may fail. 👍

Comment is about Beneath the Armour: Reaching for True Strength (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

I remember going into Northfield in the 90's and became aware of a large number of people whose jobs had been made redundant but they had been kept on for special projects etc, or just to twiddle their thumbs. I remember thinking 'that's good of the Company...but it's gonna cost them'

Comment is about Dominoes (blog)

Original item by Ray

Well John, there's only one solution to that---if indeed you object to it---?
Use it or lose it..the church, that is!

Comment is about Early winter's day (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Not the finest endorsement of the democratic will, Uilleam. And thanks for the Likes, Tobani and Red Brick.

Comment is about IT AIN'T ME, BABE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

More likely to hear a muezzin with the call tp prayer (the adhan) in many northern cities.

Comment is about Early winter's day (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Thank you Pragya for the like

Comment is about She Says Goodbye (blog)

Original item by Tobani / Nataiella

Ha ha yea, so many memories, Thank you for your comments.

Comment is about Sweet Memories (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Thanks one and all: Red Brick, Hugh, Aisha, John, Tom, Trevor and Uilleam for your support in reading.

Glad this appealed David ! I thought he was a candidate for support in his hours of need and of course for his massive skill set and obvious sensitivity to outside influences. None of which are apparent in the average dead from the neck up politician. I know it's irony . I enjoyed Rossiter in Le Petomaine, a real classic vignette of the French performer. I'm sure he was edgy and not an easy person . But Sellers was the same. We will watch him recede into the nylon world of B and Bs. Keep well!

Thanks Uilleam for that observation, one I agree with.

Thanks Stephen - Very much a character of his time in Reggie Perrin, full of angst!

Ray

Comment is about VOTE FOR RIGSBY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

You keep coming out with that one, John.😏
I'm afraid that at my age, I have neither the energy nor the resources with which to stand.
I would certainly be incapable of fighting the vile smears and lies perpetrated in recent years, by politicians and their client media on behalf of a fascist genocial regime; lies which deprived the UK citizens of a just socialist government.
There are however, people waiting patiently in the wings, and our time will come.💗

Comment is about IT AIN'T ME, BABE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Enjoyed this, the rhyme and rhythm don't disappoint.

Comment is about Exile (blog)

Original item by Eduardo

Enjoyed the poem, nice sentiments. Perhaps you don't need "grand" at the end of line 5?

Comment is about "Greatness Is Just A Beacon" (blog)

Original item by Sourajit Nandi

Ah yes, very nice indeed.

Comment is about '71 El Camino (Needs Paint) (blog)

Original item by Mike McPeek

Two sonnets in one, I suppose. I'm exactly the kind of man this is about, but old habits...

In trusted friends or a professional's care,
Healing starts when you begin to share.

You might consider reversing those lines.

Comment is about Beneath the Armour: Reaching for True Strength (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

Enjoyed the read. Mostly it has a nice rhythm, but towards the end some lines are very much longer han others - like this one
This is a woman I have never hurt or disrespected in any way.

Comment is about She Says Goodbye (blog)

Original item by Tobani / Nataiella

Wow that's great Ray.
What a picture you paint, so many aspects of a life different from my own, yet familiar in other ways.

Comment is about Dominoes (blog)

Original item by Ray

The solution is obvious, Uilleam. You should stand yourself. All you need are another 20,000 people to agree with you.

Comment is about IT AIN'T ME, BABE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Ah the penny mix bag, or whatever it was called.
Sweet memories, Rick...and the waggon wheels were twice as big as they are now...weren't they?

Comment is about Sweet Memories (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Not like that- like that!😁

Comment is about Wearing The Fez (blog)

Original item by Reggie's Ghost

Thank you, Andy.
At my age, all I can offer by way of advice is generous dollops of good-humour and Fiery Jack, well-massaged in with the odd dose of Uisce Beatha, preferably Irish!😁

Comment is about Sashaying to Byzantium (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

Thanks RBK.
I continually struggle with an all-pervading sense of "failure", of not having lived up to the expectations set for me in my early teens by my parents, relatives, and teachers etc.

Comment is about Beneath the Armour: Reaching for True Strength (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

Is it "verboten" John?
We used to hear them practising even during the week, up the road from here.

Comment is about Early winter's day (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Thank you John , Hugh, Trevor, Larisa, Stephen, Aisha, Manish for the likes.

Comment is about Hanging On By My Fingertips. (blog)

Original item by Tobani / Nataiella

Thank you Tom.
Much as I object to the militarisation of Christianity, I have to admit the Sally Army do a great job....which wouldn't be necessary if our government did theirs.
💗

Comment is about Embedded traditions (blog)

Original item by TOM T. E. MERTON

Thanks John.
No, we didn't defeat the Tories. The other cheek ( which I didn't vote for) is still in power.
Let each contribute according to their means; the only way to a just and peaceful society.
That's Socialism in my book.

Comment is about IT AIN'T ME, BABE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you.
Mental illness, is at times an invisible illness, and sadly neglected by a society obsessed with outward, superficial appearances..

Comment is about Labelled (blog)

Original item by Ursula Galvez Allam

"cometh the hour, cometh the man."

Comment is about "Greatness Is Just A Beacon" (blog)

Original item by Sourajit Nandi

Thanks for the likes to RBK, Aisha, RA Porter and Auracle.

Also to RA Porter and Auracle for their generous comments , much appreciated.

David RL Moore

Comment is about War in Season (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Thanks a lot.
Removed the comma.😁

Comment is about Whom To Make Proud (blog)

Original item by Sourajit Nandi

I think what you're doing is really relevant and important. I just can't prove it...

🌷The meter or rhythm is incredibly flowing. That is quite extraordinary, to keep that intact.

It captivates me, to further analyse your poem. Perhaps it's the video, with recitation and explanation included.🌷

I think what you're doing is really relevant and important. I just can't prove it...

Comment is about War in Season (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Gave me more than a smile, Reggie's Ghost.

Comment is about Wearing The Fez (blog)

Original item by Reggie's Ghost

Very brave. 💪

I hope this production will bring you more than immense joy.

From me, I can truly say that I appreciate this production, with the recitation at its apex.

Comment is about Song of the Earth (blog)

Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

the ultimate itch hiker-
they get on my bloody blood sucked nerves
and how they really tick me off!

Comment is about Starting a business from scratch (blog)

Original item by hugh

Many thanks for the Likes, Redbrick, Greg, Tom, Branwell, Aisha, Stephen and John.

Comment is about METHANE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Rick how dare you not mention Uncle Joes mint balls-tins of broken biscuits-sawdust on the shop floor-the hovis boy on his cobbled-street uphill struggling delivery bike

I could say BAH! HUMBUG!
but I'll just say humbug cos I love em! 😜

Comment is about Sweet Memories (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

love this poem-just like that! 😁

Comment is about Wearing The Fez (blog)

Original item by Reggie's Ghost

Great poem John. Yep its going to prove to be a difficult thing to do from now on but lets bite the bullet and ENJOY!

Comment is about Early winter's day (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Thanks Uilleam and I'll leave you to do the news watching etc now the general situation is getting more grim by the day across the country-god help us

And thank you folks as in Hugh Stephen and Aisha

best of regards all

Comment is about Anticipations of a typical Janu(gh!)ary (blog)

Original item by TOM T. E. MERTON

I love this, such beautiful, lyrical imagery and linking the inevitability of the seasons to the inevitability of war is both poignant and timely.

Comment is about War in Season (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Thanks for likes: Manish, Red Brick Keshner and hugh. 🇯🇲 👍

Comment is about Party Party (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Superb stuff, Graham. I like the part where you stop blinking and stare intently to see the colour change, "switch, swap, change
copper grey, grey copper."

Comment is about Willow Pattern (blog)

Original item by Graham Sherwood

Thanks for the likes
Red Brick Keshner
Hélène

Comment is about Song of the Earth (blog)

Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Yes, Uilleam, that’s the most recognisable image of Chatterton. My problem with men’s health is that it is a bit of a joke to many, we are hardwired not to cry, to be strong, and to soldier on. And when our capacity to be these things wanes that’s when everything unravels. It’s particularly notable in ageing and retired males. And the longer the life expectancy the surer are we to go through those waters in time! Thanks kindly for entertaining my poetic ratings. 👍🌷

Comment is about Redressing the Chatterton Effect (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

Thanks both. I only wish there were a planet B, where we could send Elon Musk and his ilk with a one-way ticket.

Comment is about Doing The Maths (blog)

Original item by Ray

But how many planets shall we require
at some future date?

There is no plan-et B😕

Comment is about Doing The Maths (blog)

Original item by Ray

Did they send you away with a flea in your ear?

Comment is about Starting a business from scratch (blog)

Original item by hugh

Thanks Hélène. A friend who liked writing poetry advised me with this acronym: KISS, “keep it simple, stupid!”

Comment is about Simple (blog)

Original item by Hélène

Very touching, John.

Comment is about MEG (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Thanks, RBK. What a tragedy, at merely 17 years old! But perhaps his poet’s voice is not after-all, lost, and that we even now, learn lessons from him?

Thanks for raising the subject of mental health, and of mens’ in particular. I have often wondered (having been raised a Catholic) whether or not the role of Christianity and of religion in general, was a help or a hindrance to good mental health; and is the secularisation of today’s society a factor in good / bad mental health?

The name Chatterton rang a bell, and sure enough, Wikipedia tells me:”The Death of Chatterton is an oil painting on canvas, by the English Pre-Raphaelite painter Henry Wallis (1830–1916)”. However, I’m assured by she who must be obeyed, that Wallis was NOT a Pre-Raphaelite....!

Comment is about Redressing the Chatterton Effect (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

This poem makes me want to continue writing and reading poetry. Lovely!

Comment is about Where You'll Find It (blog)

Original item by Mike McPeek