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<Deleted User> (19913)

Thu 3rd Jan 2019 00:02

Nice one Grape. I often wonder - without the torment of love, poetry would hardly exist. ?

Comment is about possibilities (blog)

Original item by Grape

<Deleted User> (19913)

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 23:43

Exquisite Tom.

Comment is about December 24th Notebook Pieces (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

<Deleted User> (18980)

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 23:35

He's the Aldi of Westminster, but Theresa is only Morrisons.

Comment is about SILENT MAN (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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John Marks

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 22:07

If brevity is truly the soul of wit your style, Tom, stretches a few words a long way. Your nod to Matthew Arnold's masterpiece of loss sent shivers up my spine - another haunting of one poet by another and me the ever-willing exorcist!

Ah, love, let us be true
To one another! for the world, which seems
To lie before us like a land of dreams,
So various, so beautiful, so new,
Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,
Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain;
And we are here as on a darkling plain
Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight,
Where ignorant armies clash by night.

Comment is about December 24th Notebook Pieces (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

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Don Matthews

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 20:40

dk I like and agree with much of what you say. MC I like and agree with much of what you also have to say for a balanced argument. But I did have to look up 'traduced' thanks to Google...?

Comment is about Hold Your Tongue (blog)

Original item by d.knape

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jennifer Malden

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 18:31

Fantastic! The scene setting in the first three verses is wonderful - you can see the inn and the various characters perfectly.

Jennifer

Comment is about THE INN AT THE END OF A LIFE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

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jennifer Malden

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 18:24

Agree with Jane - exceptionally well written and thought out.

Jennifer

Comment is about The Cloud of Fear (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

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jennifer Malden

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 18:14

Lovely! This to my mind is how Christmas should be - a time to spend with family or friends, especially children when possible. We have turned it into an orgy of spending instead.
Jennifer

Comment is about Grandad's Christmas Reverie (blog)

Original item by Chris Armstrong

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M.C. Newberry

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 16:45

The pros and cons in this area of communication are certainly open
to constructive consideration. The opportunity to "abuse" is always
present but it is balanced by the sheer simplicity of being able to
communicate a point of view. The tool should not be traduced
because of the inept egregious behaviour of the more ignorant
and insulting of its users, but rather celebrated as a means of
marvellous meetings of the mind and its many positive chances
for contributing to the improved state of the world in which we live..

Comment is about Hold Your Tongue (blog)

Original item by d.knape

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M.C. Newberry

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 16:34

A good constructive message in these lines.
Pick and choose
Your personal views
And send them out
Like ships on the scout.

Comment is about Two way conversation (blog)

Original item by Pip Thomas

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M.C. Newberry

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 16:26

Back in the 50s there was the "flick knife" and the idiot "Teds" who
used to think they were handy; and don't forget the Rockers who took
to wielding bike chains. The current bad is born out of something on
an ascending alien level. Check out those involved and wonder what
is to be done with their own idiocy.

Comment is about On a Knife Edge (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

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Don Matthews

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 12:15

This is very clever dk ?

Comment is about The Leaving (blog)

Original item by d.knape

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Don Matthews

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 12:07

I like it ?

Comment is about Expressive Allowence (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

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John Marks

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 11:40

Thank you Po, Jane and David for your comments. Yes, David, the photos and final line of the poem (revised) point not only to the terrible destruction imposed by war in Syria but also to the beauty and affection with which the home country is remembered by those fleeing war. As you know, I'm sure, Aleppo, is one of, if not the, longest inhabited city in the world (8000 years) and was renown for the beauty of the old city. Many, if not most, of those who have fled the war in Syria wish to return in the future. If I had the choice between a revitalised and rebuilt Aleppo and a dysfunctional inner-city tower block, I know which I'd choose. Tragically, this particular person in the poem will never have that choice. Po I often try to write as an advocate for the voiceless and if I've managed to accomplish that, even to a small extent, I'm glad. Thank you Jane, I hope that my words have helped direct your thoughts in a useful direction. Wordsworth said that poetry was."emotion recollected in tranquility" and I agree with you David that a period of reflection before writing will often enable a writer to give form to what were in the first place inarticulate emotions: in the case of Alan Kurdi my primary emotions were massive anger and overwhelming sadness. John

Comment is about Body on a beach (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

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Don Matthews

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 10:26

Kate I hope you're cooler there
Must get my gin and tonic
Think I'm getting addicted
To alcohol, getting chronic

So while I sip my medicine
At 9pm my time
I'll sit at my computer
And think of UK clime ?

Comment is about Tomorrow Will Be 41 (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

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Don Matthews

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 10:17

I thought I had mucked up again
Had Trevor gone off, strayed?
I found UK's not Fahrenheit
But firmly centigrade

But hang on Don he could live
He could, indeed, he might
Be living in the USA
And using Fahrenheit

There is another option
Themometer's not worn out
It still works fine on Fahrenheit
It's not yet up the spout ?

(rhymed in good fun Trevor. No offence intended)

Comment is about Tomorrow Will Be 41 (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

<Deleted User> (19913)

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 09:52

You just made me look up the forecast Don. ?

Comment is about Tomorrow Will Be 41 (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

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Trevor Alexander

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 08:46

41 would be quite hot
in Centigrade it's true
but here we work in Fahrenheit
that's why my toes are blue

There's always options.... ?

Comment is about Tomorrow Will Be 41 (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

<Deleted User> (19836)

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 04:34

A sad tale told so beautifully. A thought provoking piece.

Comment is about Body on a beach (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

<Deleted User> (19836)

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 04:09

Brilliant!

Comment is about The Cloud of Fear (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

<Deleted User> (19836)

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 03:54

Out with the old, in with the new...Nice!

Comment is about The Leaving (blog)

Original item by d.knape

<Deleted User> (19836)

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 03:45

Beautifully written!

Comment is about Naked Souls (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

<Deleted User> (19913)

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 03:43

Love this one D, and the metaphor of the outgoing year being like a departing house guest.

Comment is about The Leaving (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Big Sal

Wed 2nd Jan 2019 01:03

Happy New Year! ?

Comment is about Becky Who (poet profile)

Original item by Becky Who

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John Marks

Tue 1st Jan 2019 23:11

Thank you Kate, Desmond and Jacob. I began thinking about this when the body of 3 year old Alan Kurdi was washed up on a Greek beach in September 2015. I also thought about Heaney's poem about the death of his infant brother 'Mid-term break': "A four foot box, a foot for every year". The death of the little Kurdish boy really moved me and stayed in my mind and heart. So, in this respect, this poem about an anonymous body on a beach is a homage to him. I also wanted to convey that every so-called refugee is an individual with an often complex and tragic back-story. It is a warning to myself to avoid rushing to judge anybody. Anyroadup, I'm glad you liked the poem. John

Comment is about Body on a beach (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Big Sal

Tue 1st Jan 2019 21:05

That's a cool ass picture.?

Comment is about Tutti Frutti: Konstandinos Mahoney, SPM (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Big Sal

Tue 1st Jan 2019 21:03

Those shorts look hungry as hell.?

Comment is about Foolishness (blog)

Original item by Kporho Raphael Oyeke

Big Sal

Tue 1st Jan 2019 20:59

I truly think your rhyme improves in each piece you use it.

Comment is about Body on a beach (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

<Deleted User> (19913)

Tue 1st Jan 2019 20:51

John, what a way to start the day. This is one of the best pieces I have read. It's curious, touching and humane all at once and reflects what I often think when the news reports a body found somewhere. We are all so much more than the shell. Beautiful work.?

Comment is about Body on a beach (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

<Deleted User> (18980)

Tue 1st Jan 2019 17:23

Keep 'em short Mark...I can follow the plot to the end

Comment is about PLACES IN THE MIND (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

DESMOND CHILDS

Tue 1st Jan 2019 17:00

Thank Cynthia, Damon and Anya for the likes. Happy new year and all the best for 2019.



All the best des

Comment is about long and deep (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

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M.C. Newberry

Tue 1st Jan 2019 15:56

Very suitable for the time of year when the weather takes on a life of
its own and emphasises the solitary predicament of the soul. And what better than a historical element for atmosphere?
There is something here that brings back to mind "The Listeners".

Comment is about THE INN AT THE END OF A LIFE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

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M.C. Newberry

Tue 1st Jan 2019 15:45

"Kedgeree" ? Never had it...so good! (as Private Eye liked to misquote Super-Mac back in the day). Sounds like a song by
Frank Ifield. ?

Comment is about In Time For Your Brekkie (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

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Suko Waspodo

Tue 1st Jan 2019 14:38

Thanks for your appreciation, Cynthia
?

Comment is about Your Happiness is My Happiness (blog)

Original item by Suko Waspodo

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Jon Stainsby

Tue 1st Jan 2019 14:00

A wonderfully dark tale.

Comment is about THE INN AT THE END OF A LIFE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

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raypool

Tue 1st Jan 2019 13:41

Cheers Big Sal. There's a certain comfort in rhyming, as you know; mine is like a big slipper compared with your fakir mat if I may make so bold! I re posted this as it fell off the end of the year.

Thanks for liking too Brian.

Ray

Comment is about THE INN AT THE END OF A LIFE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

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Hugh

Tue 1st Jan 2019 13:09

I read this poem to a passer by,
He said,
"Going to stop right now ,don't want to die ! "

Comment is about Have a happy smoke free year (blog)

Original item by hugh

<Deleted User> (19913)

Tue 1st Jan 2019 10:24

From one Aussie to another, happy New Year Don.

Comment is about In Time For Your Brekkie (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

<Deleted User> (19913)

Tue 1st Jan 2019 10:12

An innocent moment beautifully capture. Made me laugh and remember how I'd done the same in a bath with my boy cousins. ?

Comment is about How Do Girls Pee? (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

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Alan Travis Braddock

Tue 1st Jan 2019 09:35

Fascinating. That's how new life starts - with curiosity. Nobody really knew at the beginning, then.... BUT nowadays it all gets explained to kids, without any fun, without any mystery. Is it better or worse? Who knows? But I think, as an adult, that something is lost that will never return.
Beautiful evocation of what it was like to be innocent.

Comment is about How Do Girls Pee? (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

<Deleted User> (18980)

Tue 1st Jan 2019 09:16

On this side of the world Don we don't have brekkie...we have kedgeree, kippers and Kelloggs.

Comment is about In Time For Your Brekkie (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

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Hugh

Tue 1st Jan 2019 07:02

Have a happy smoke free year

Comment is about Have a happy smoke free year (blog)

Original item by hugh

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lynn hahn

Tue 1st Jan 2019 00:19

Why thank you Cynthia

Quite a compliment from you.

My grandpa use to say "it's better to be stupid for a minute than for the rest of your life!" He encouraged me to question things. It seems to annoy some people lol.

Comment is about MONEY AGENT (blog)

Original item by lynn hahn

Big Sal

Tue 1st Jan 2019 00:16

Happy New Year to you as well, Lynn. Here's hoping the next one is better for everyone.?

Comment is about MONEY AGENT (blog)

Original item by lynn hahn

Big Sal

Mon 31st Dec 2018 23:58

Beautifully woven tapestry here, Ray. I will return to read more for the New Year, that you can be sure of.

Comment is about THE INN AT THE END OF A LIFE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Big Sal

Mon 31st Dec 2018 23:05

A good deed a day makes an abundance at year's end.?

Comment is about Have a happy smoke free year (blog)

Original item by hugh

Big Sal

Mon 31st Dec 2018 23:04

Great piece. The style is eclectic.?

Comment is about Two Instead of One (blog)

Original item by cam

Big Sal

Mon 31st Dec 2018 23:02

Great rhythm.?

Comment is about Infinite (blog)

Original item by MyDystopiA

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Cynthia Buell Thomas

Mon 31st Dec 2018 22:30

A little poem, full of power. Often the real treasures of our 'work'. And good poems are 'work', as well as inspiration. Words, the exact right word, and combination of words, they take effort. I have always had a thesaurus close to hand, as back up to my brain when searching for the 'best' word, or words, to express my ideas.

Do you dislike titles? Or is this more like a diary? Rather intriguing, actually.

Comment is about Tuesday, December 25, 2018, 11:58 PM (blog)

Original item by hk

<Deleted User> (19913)

Mon 31st Dec 2018 22:22

Nothing like the healing power of a cuppa. Love this Fred. Happy New Year.

Comment is about The Magic Cure (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

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