The thing about Trump is that he tells people what they want to hear. It doesn't matter if he is telling them lies because 'they' can't see how the lies are made and they hope that what they hear WILL be true. Boris Johnson is another, feeding on English prejudice against foreigners and telling 'them' that all their problems will be solved if they can only get rid of foreign influences. Which is just what Hitler did in Germany in the 1930's, his tack being to give the impoverished middle classes somebody to hate (the Jews) and somebody else to blame for their defeat in WW1 (the Versailles treaty and the Weimar Government). And we all know what happened next.....
Comment is about Writing poems in the sleep of reason (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
My foremost advise to those in the brotherhood... Going to a party or protest march... Stay sober and write her a poem.! Well done John perfect recall..
Comment is about THEM AS LIVES LONGEST LEARNS MOST (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
That year was memorable for me too Peter. You bring an episode to life with the gentlest of coercions and a sense of that extreme act of nature when the reservoirs were low and spirits were fleet. Wonderful evocation altogether. A sort of bonding and then its examination which can never align completely but contains lessons for us.
Ray
Comment is about PERFECT EQUILIBRIUM (blog)
Original item by Peter Taylor
Thank you Wayne! I did try to stay true to the spirit of nursery rhymes; what Jason called "sinister undertone". "Ring Around The Rosie" the original famous nursery rhyme which inspired mine is actually very interesting, I'm sure you know; the history, the words, the intelligence of it... As is my personal favorite "A man of words and not of deeds"! Great poem that one...
Anyway, I appreciate the support, dear Wayne, thank you ?
Mae
Comment is about Ring Around The Poison Ivy (blog)
Original item by Mae Foreman
Devon Brock
Wed 26th Jun 2019 23:03
Nice work Tom. In those moments, you are the witness.
Comment is about How To Be Alone (blog)
Original item by Tom
Devon Brock
Wed 26th Jun 2019 23:01
I never realized this Jason. I just thought it a peculiar way of signing off. I never made the connection. Thanks for the education.
And Mae - jaja - to a German means "yeah, whatever, go away" Pronounced "yaya"
Comment is about Peculiarly British X? (blog)
Original item by Jason Bayliss
Devon Brock
Wed 26th Jun 2019 22:56
A solid commentary DK. I know we probably sound like geezers crying about the youth. But times are vastly different now. Tech has turned us all into click machines, much to their bankrolls.
Comment is about Common Sense (blog)
Original item by d.knape
I appreciate the work that's gone into writing this piece Mae.
Really enjoyed it.
Thanks for sharing
Wayne
Comment is about Ring Around The Poison Ivy (blog)
Original item by Mae Foreman
Thank you "H"! How much are you loving your new nickname?! Jaja!?
It baffles me why nursery rhymes should have to be scary...I wouldn't read this kind of stuff to my kids but I sure fancy reading and writing them! I tried singing it too, intentionally slightly off key...It reached a whole new level of creepy!!!
Write away dear Jason, scare me, scare you...!
Thank you?
Mae
Comment is about Ring Around The Poison Ivy (blog)
Original item by Mae Foreman
Once again, I have to say I love this. Most nursery rhymes have a deeply sinister undertone and this captures that beautifully.
Oddly I was thinking about this very subject today. Maybe we could take it in turns trying to scare one another? Great poem Mae.
H. x
Comment is about Ring Around The Poison Ivy (blog)
Original item by Mae Foreman
Words.....sooooo many words!!!!
You speak (write) true Martin.
Comment is about Sometimes (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
I can see I've made a rod for my own back here???
Hason x
Comment is about Mae Foreman (poet profile)
Original item by Mae Foreman
It's a great moment of clarity when that realization hits you! I've had it too and I agree with my friend Hason here (?) it's a bit of both and I think that those who are comfortable alone are pretty lucky
Thank you ?
Mae
P.S. The laughing emoji has nothing to do with you or your lovely piece Tom!
Comment is about How To Be Alone (blog)
Original item by Tom
Oh, oh! Be wary my friend, I might just start calling you that! Jaja! ?
h. h. ?
Mae
Comment is about Peculiarly British X? (blog)
Original item by Jason Bayliss
Actually Mae, I would say your intricate understanding of English is excellent, I don't think there are many (if any) colloquialisms you miss.
I just realised, my name in Spanish would be "Hason."
H X ?
Comment is about Peculiarly British X? (blog)
Original item by Jason Bayliss
It's interesting! The language barrier! Always makes me sound a bit stupid every time I don't catch a colloquialism in English! Another fun example is Spanish people spell "hahaha" "jajaja" because "j" is pronounced like an "h" ! ?
Comment is about Peculiarly British X? (blog)
Original item by Jason Bayliss
Thank you John! I'm glad you like it?
Mae
Comment is about Beast in Pain (blog)
Original item by Mae Foreman
Hi Mae, yes you're absolutely right, it's an informal sign of affection between friends or can be much more, dependant on context but I didn't realise, as John pointed out that in America for instance it's quite provocative. I mean, either way, I'm not gonna stop doing it, but it is handy if people realise that you're not continually trying to come on to them.?
J. x
Comment is about Peculiarly British X? (blog)
Original item by Jason Bayliss
Excellent! So much said in so few words, my favorite!
Thank you for it ?
Mae
Comment is about Souls' Worth (blog)
Original item by DeVaughn
Thanks for the support MC, Jason, John.
Comment is about THEM AS LIVES LONGEST LEARNS MOST (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I always thought it stand for "kiss", a peck on the cheek or maybe more; to be interpreted by the context! When someone who isn't flirting with me writes x. I interpret it as a friendly greeting!
Comment is about Peculiarly British X? (blog)
Original item by Jason Bayliss
It's dangerous stuff that Crema Catalana - it's why we need Brexit, Boris went to Spain once, look at what happened to him!
Comment is about Sweet meat (blog)
Original item by Graham Parker and his musings
well poised. expressive and exposing.
Comment is about Beast in Pain (blog)
Original item by Mae Foreman
This was a lot of fun! It is fascinating noticing differing cultures and their vernacular usage differences that can infer different meanings.
To be honest, living in the USA, signing of with XXX would totally be provocative. Maybe it’s your secret way of giving a wink and a nod! ? thanks for sharing!
Comment is about Peculiarly British X? (blog)
Original item by Jason Bayliss
Reminded me of one of my favourite overheard conversations ever. Two old boys sat at the bar in a pub I used to drink in discussing their, "Glory days," one said, "I remember when I could have pushed it through steel plate." To which the other replied, "And these days you'd be lucky to make a dent in butter!"
J.?
Comment is about THEM AS LIVES LONGEST LEARNS MOST (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Bit of both Tom, I think. I'm very comfortable in my own company, but there was a time I wasn't and I have to say I was much happier once I'd learned how to be. Really like this poem, probably because I can relate to it so much.
J. ?
Comment is about How To Be Alone (blog)
Original item by Tom
Ah, right, no, it denotes a kiss. Now it's true to say that people who are very close might end messages to each other like this, but to us Brits it is also the equivalent of a peck on the cheek that friends might share, and as the years have gone on it has come to represent just general affection as well. A bit like a suitable emoji. It all depends on the context of the message it's attached to.
J. x
Comment is about Peculiarly British X? (blog)
Original item by Jason Bayliss
Always a relevant theme in life. Good rhythm and use of words...
although the rhymer in me would have tried for something like
"Deep down inside a voice makes its case:" to lead to the next line.
But who can deny the truth of our adjustments?
We are all things to all men;
Not just occasionally,
But again and again and again!
Comment is about Masks (blog)
Original item by Cayn Bevan
As KJW observes: another belter.
There's much to be said for remembering times past,
Raise a cheer for the good times now your flag's at half-mast ?
Comment is about THEM AS LIVES LONGEST LEARNS MOST (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thanks Do.RoThy, I didn't even realise that this is apparently considered a bit flirty or over familiar to non-Brits, I mean I don't even know if that's absolutely true or not, but we do it with everyone, well most people I know do. Our old cleaner, our hairdresser, friends, family, acquaintances.
Do other nationalities do it as well or is it just not acceptable elsewhere?
J. x
Comment is about Peculiarly British X? (blog)
Original item by Jason Bayliss
I like the title - and the way it leads the reader to various aspects of
happiness, contentment - or otherwise - in life. It would make a good
title for a song...and The Beatles could have done something with
that as a theme back in their day.
Comment is about Are You Happy Where you Are? (blog)
Original item by Don Matthews
Thanks so much for your comment on You Are My Priest. It made me smile.
Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Timely and thought-provoking. How ironic that so-called "social"
networking seems to achieve increased alienation and isolation.
"Think for yourself" was a common phrase when I was growing up.
But as with anything increasingly reliant on the "easy" way of doing
things, the mechanics can become rusty/weakened through lack of
use and we lose what could well be life-saving reactions towards
sudden unexpected threatening situations.
Comment is about Common Sense (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Very true, it never ceases to amaze me that even though, these days we are surrounded by communication technology and it has literally never been easier to speak to anyone in the world, there seems to be more social isolation than ever before.
Now if that doesn't go against all common sense, I don't know what does.
J.
Comment is about Common Sense (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Hi Don, it's a strange one - there's no telling which creations will resonate with people and which ones might not; it's so unpredictable but like you say, irrelevant really.
The act, the release and the creation are the key. Writing is such a rewarding creative endeavour and reading other's creations - with all their eccentricities ? - constantly surprises and engages. I really enjoy your style and voice and always keep an eye out for your work. T.
Comment is about Don Matthews (poet profile)
Original item by Don Matthews
I'm struck with awe about you
dk, your common sense
You've understood the problem
Why we today are dense....
Comment is about Common Sense (blog)
Original item by d.knape
elPintor
Wed 26th Jun 2019 14:02
Thanks all for your responses.
Hints don't always hit their mark but I find them to be much less messy and tiresome than bludgeons formed of words )
Comment is about quantum decision-making (anarchy and the existentialist) (blog)
Original item by nunya
Haha, I can't seem to settle on one answer. It still perplexes me how someone can really DEFINE reality and sanity. You both raise good points... definitely something I won't stop mulling over. Thanks for the comments!
Comment is about Seeing Things (blog)
Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis
It looks like those 24 years are rushing up to meet you Devon. An enviable grasp of what makes poetry so special is what this is, and the juxtaposition of disconnected themes keeps the whole poem alive and kicking. Congratulations!
Ray
Comment is about The Poem of the Week is 'Migration on a Bad Day' by Devon Brock (article)
Original item by Stuart Buck
Wed 26th Jun 2019 11:28
"words are but pictures of our thoughts"
a great line...was it yours?
please increase font so old guys like myself can read it.
I had to squint real hard.
"some of my thoughts
should Not be put into words"---Po Wit
Comment is about Graham Sherwood (poet profile)
Original item by Graham Sherwood
Thanks, Martin. They were never my finest hours.
Comment is about THEM AS LIVES LONGEST LEARNS MOST (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Innocence and passion well expressed!
Comment is about To be Loved by You (blog)
Original item by Jara Giner
OK! So you DO 'rap'! Very impressive bio, Sir.
Hebden Bridge is fabulous, isn't it?
Comment is about Cayn Bevan (poet profile)
Original item by Cayn Bevan
Great subject - great message - great skill. This sounds like a rap - delivered with a pulsing, musical background.
Comment is about Masks (blog)
Original item by Cayn Bevan
A delightful pouring out of love and respect. It runs like a 'rap'. Do you rap, Sarah?
Comment is about my mummy (blog)
Original item by Sarah Louise mcnee
Lisa C Bassignani
Thu 27th Jun 2019 00:00
Louise, at the risk of being kind....This is a lovely poem.
Comment is about Gas Light (blog)
Original item by Louise Clarke