Hi David. It's nice to have someone on your wavelength here. The whole atmosphere I've drawn from past memory, and you have dignified the effort with fine attention. It's just nice to let one's hair down and wallow a bit. Also it's a relief not to have to justify the work as often happens with controversial themes. That sounds hypocritical, but it all takes energy. Love wins every time, I used to have the T shirt. I hope things are looking up .

Thanks Hannah, always nice to hear back.

Many thanks for the likes: Tom, Jon, Anya and Suko.

Ray

Comment is about BATTERSEA AT CHRISTMAS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Take an emotive subject and add to the mix...and it's likely to attract
a variety of views. But the basic premise has to be faced and the
views expressed tend to range from the "terrible that it should exist"
(who can disagree with that?) to the "how can it happen?" (more
reasons and views available) and the almost impossible solution
that each generation faces according to its time and its problems.
If, as I mentioned previously, the 2000 year old bible includes the
observation that "the poor (e.g. poverty) are always with us" then
we must accept that it is hardly a new situation in human existence
and try to deal with the practicalities as we find them in our own time. And that involves the need to address not only the problem
per se but also the attitudes of the individuals who become its
victims. Not always easy and often intractable if my own street
experience was/is any guide. Each man is an island - the poet
wrote - and this is never more obvious when trying to point some
people towards the relief of their own immediate position of
penury.
Right - that's my lot on this blog. An interesting involvement..

Comment is about LETTER FROM THE STREETS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Lovely and wonderfully enticing. Very well done once again.?

Comment is about III. (blog)

Original item by ha'azinu

Captivating stuff Cynthia. An open honesty and exhilaration make it special . I like the use of inverted commas to make special points. It's refreshing not to have anglo saxon words bandied out re the process of digestion. There is another way!

All the best for the new year.

Ray

Comment is about Christmas Eve Miracle (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

The essence of true poetry comes across as always - the senses set wide open to subtleties and never disappointed, Tom. A delicacy of feeling pervades it and touches the reader with a magic wand full of starshine.

I'll get my coat.

Ray

Comment is about December 24th Notebook Pieces (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Three more days and POUF! 2018 is gone, into the archives, possibly never to be seen again. Still, I'm posting this. In the next few hours someone might catch it, with some interest, or not.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO SO MANY VALUED 'FRIENDS' ON WOL.

Comment is about Christmas Eve Miracle (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks for your comments guys. Fortunately the owners did see the error of their ways and later abandoned the restaurant concept and restored it to something resembling its former self. When I asked what happened to the boar's head the barmaid replied "tu tienes buena memoria!" But the last time I passed, the place had closed down completely and available to rent. I'm waiting to see what the next manifestation will be.

Comment is about DEATH OF A BAR (blog)

Original item by john short

Thanks for visiting.
i read your first poem. lots of good rhyme.
lots of words I've never heard of.
the best part yet,
your silhouette!

Comment is about kJ Walker (poet profile)

Original item by kJ Walker

Appreciate the comment Douglas,means a lot ??

Comment is about Douglas MacGowan (poet profile)

Original item by Douglas MacGowan

Thank you so much??. And appreciate you reading my work

Comment is about TEARS. (blog)

Original item by ShalomP

I spend hours watching my feeder (better than owt on the telly). I don't even mind the squirrels, but cats, now they're a different kettle of fish. I'm always chasing them off.
we don't get Grackles here (to be honest I'd never heard of them) I suppose our equivalent is magpies.

Cheers Kevin

Comment is about The Feeder (blog)

Original item by d.knape

They're a load of bankers Keith!

Comment is about Banks (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Then there's me old friend Richard Head ?

Comment is about Baby Shower (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Parents should show their kids more consideration when choosing their names, you've only got to ask my mate Arthur Ninchcock.

Comment is about Baby Shower (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

I was right...it's started.

Comment is about LETTER FROM THE STREETS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

awesome video, lyrics and music.....too good???

Comment is about Thank You (blog)

Original item by Robert C Gaulke

Thanks, Martin. Yes, the music’s mine. Rachel Cohen is brilliant.

Comment is about Thank You (blog)

Original item by Robert C Gaulke

There’s definitely a sense of mourning when a beloved restaurant or bar closes down. You have captured that feeling very well.

Comment is about DEATH OF A BAR (blog)

Original item by john short

I especially liked the “Beautiful thing about life...” line.

Comment is about TEARS. (blog)

Original item by ShalomP

I didn't know Harry but I loved reading his words. I hope that he is at peace. Au revoir comrade. John

Comment is about RIP Harry (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

1. Rhetoric is not an add-on to poetry; it is poetry. It is a vital, persuasive element in any successful speech or piece of writing, whether a passing remark or a heart-stopping poem.

2. First of all," he said, "if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view […] until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." (3.85-87). Atticus' advice to his daughter Scout in the seminal American novel of compassion 'To kill a mocking bird'.

Comment is about LETTER FROM THE STREETS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks for your comment Big Sal!

Comment is about Skinny Dipping (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

Brilliant as usual Robert. Life on the outside is not so bad.

Comment is about Comfortable (blog)

Original item by Robert C Gaulke

And such is the circle of life. Marvellously told. ?

Comment is about The Feeder (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Such a sense of anticipation and longing, beautifully expressed.

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by C Banning

This embraces all the positivity that Christmas can bring.

Hannah

Comment is about WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES AROUND - a seasonal carol/song (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

So to sum up, putting aside all the rhetoric... he had a place in a hostel, the first step to getting back to some sort of normality, but he chose to give it up in favour of the street and cider, where the chance of getting back to normality are quite slim I understand. Not only can't I feel empathy, I also struggle to feel any sympathy with this particular individual.

I dare say I'll be villified for this.

Comment is about LETTER FROM THE STREETS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Pecking order in a really good format ,D. I had to clean my squirrel proof one out - what a bleeding job that was. Have a good Xmas!

Ray

Comment is about The Feeder (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Compelling writing John. To the point but with compassion and depth. The phrase optimistic hair wins it for me, just a detail but important in the scene. I can't comment on the background of it but I admire the whole piece.

Ray

Comment is about DEATH OF A BAR (blog)

Original item by john short

Mark, I know you never steer clear of controversy and your comment is an example of it. Your first comment was salient and to the point to which I responded. To have another has me wondering if there is an agenda that needs that second voice. Do the homeless have a defensive voice, and if so, which I doubt, do we hear it properly? Poetry can raise issues, but I am not a political animal. and have no desire to have sensibilities thus expressed buried under dogma.

It is Christmas, a time of goodwill, and as the streets make no such distinction - the hand of friendship and understanding could be extended - even to immigrants. Do we need the media to alert us when a trip to most towns these days will reveal the problem.
Nevertheless, I appreciate any view on my work, sincerely felt. I reserve the right to robustly defend mine too.

Thanks Jennifer and Taylor for the likes.

Ray

Comment is about LETTER FROM THE STREETS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

To Wolfgar/David - or whoever...
thank you for the sermon...appropriate for the time of year.
I will respond by saying you choose to misinterpret my use of
words like "perceived". The word is entirely accurate as it is the
perception of wealth as much as its reality that draws people to this
(and other) great cities. As for poverty, even the bible tells us that
the poor are always with us - and, if is a word that is heard much these days it chimes with its use to the preacher. It is relative to the
situation of the people it affects - as is most certainly the case in countries beyond these shores. .I enjoy your use of the "damn with faint praise" syndrome that pops up in your missives...a bit of
sugar with the vinegar. But having actually put my person to
practical use with the question of homelessness here in the UK, I
can live with your comments from the pulpit of righteous resort.
Happy New Year.

Comment is about LETTER FROM THE STREETS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Very moving.
Hope Santa got the message.

Hannah

Comment is about Dear Santa, (blog)

Original item by Chiari Warrior Soldier

Beautiful poetry.

Hannah

Comment is about December 24th Notebook Pieces (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

I remember going to Battersea as a child,
This is a wonderfully atmospheric poem.

Hannah

Comment is about BATTERSEA AT CHRISTMAS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Certainly a mess and a muddle while Brexit overtakes all while other problems go unchecked.
As you say, time will tell.

Hannah

Comment is about Oh How Then (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

You obviously have good taste!


wink.

Comment is about Don Matthews (poet profile)

Original item by Don Matthews

Deep!

Comment is about Poor Bloody Infantry (blog)

Original item by Alan Travis Braddock

this is niceee??

Comment is about To the New Year (blog)

Original item by Alan Travis Braddock

I reckon you’re right, Cheers

Comment is about I only work for the council AUDIO (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Thank you, Damon

Comment is about A chariot bringing good news (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

Thank you so much to everyone who has read and commented. It is such an honor. I'm glad you enjoyed my poem!

Comment is about Our Poem of the Week is ‘Sunflower’ by Alexandra Rockwell Lorenz (article)

Original item by steve pottinger

This poem is beautifully worded you did a great job

Comment is about A chariot bringing good news (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

I like it ?

Comment is about The Meaning Of Christmas (blog)

Original item by d.knape

It was against the law for a rough sleeper to fail to comply with the
instructions given to go to a place of refuge when I was dealing with
this problem on London's streets. The ongoing problem is that a
city like London - with its huge mobile population and perceived
wealth - is a magnet for those who might not feel the same pull to a
less appealing destination and consequently they are found far more
often in its central brightly lit streets and not in the less salubrious
areas of old. This also makes them a useful media story and keeps
the situation in the news. Mix in the additions from the ongoing
immigrant incomers and it is little wonder that the numbers appear to
be increasing and remain a topical social news subject. It is a
centuries-old problem and shows no sign of disappearing for a
variety of reasons, more's the pity.

Comment is about LETTER FROM THE STREETS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

"The Jobsworth's Jolly" - uncomfortably near the reality, I suspect.

Comment is about I only work for the council AUDIO (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Well deserved! Loved too 'and her flower eclipsed my face'. Beautiful
Jennfer

Comment is about Our Poem of the Week is ‘Sunflower’ by Alexandra Rockwell Lorenz (article)

Original item by steve pottinger

Thanks Hannah. It's a problem we are keenly aware of - I shall now always think of the royal wedding in Windsor when the street sleepers were removed . I think that speaks volumes.

Ray Have a lovely Xmas.

Comment is about LETTER FROM THE STREETS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Motivating poem!!! Keep posting?

Comment is about A Recipe for Happiness (blog)

Original item by khushal kothari

Hi Avishek,

I'm with you and Stephen on this. I write to please myself. As you say 'my joys within are my best reviews' ?

Comment is about Review (blog)

Original item by AVISHEK GHOSH

Hi Big Sal, thanks for coming through. Interesting thoughts - no, I was not aware of a mind rhyme, but I can see you have applied a certain analysis, and on reading it again, what I tried to do was provide rhyme "stepping stones" in the format. Very pleased that you enjoy my work, and i'll juggle my brainbox and see what emerges.... Cheers and a happy Xmas !

It's Christmas Day Beno, and I'm so enjoying your comments and your close analysis of my stuff. All the trimmings. You are spot on about the sentiments underlying such poems; I live for the day basically, but have a fund of memories (thank goodness). I think also we should enjoy our own writing with a few flourishes here and there as you kindly pointed out. With the shortest day, it's a bit like a glass half full or half empty mindset. We have to adapt to nature, learn to ride a storm or two.

A young view is always paramount, my friend!

Forgive me you lovely likers for not mentioning you individually, there is a queue forming! x
Ray

Comment is about THE SHORTEST DAY (blog)

Original item by ray pool