Certainly, Whitman was ahead of his time in many respects - and it
is extraordinary, considering the prevailing social attitudes, that his
writing succeeded as well and as widely as it did. His poem about
Lincoln - "O Captain, my captain...." has achieved its own fame, even
quoted in the Robin Williams' film "Dead Poets Society". His
Civil War experiences nursing the sick and wounded, provide a
humane insight into the suffering he found and the identification he
felt towards the sufferers of that monumental conflict when medical
science had barely progressed past sawing off a limb without
anaesthetic.
Wilde is too well-known to offer much in terms of his place in the
literary world. His famous aphorisms can fill a book of their own.
Like R.L Stevenson, he had a talent for writing for the young, but
unlike the writer of classics like Dr Jeykll and Mr Hyde and Treasure island, he put his skills towards socially acceptable
witty stage plays. For an intelligent and perceptive personality. it
does seem that his ego exceeded his sense of self-preservation
and brought about his unnecessary downfall. He was careless giving
testimony, when ill-advisedly suing Lord Queensbury for libel, by
dismissing an association with a particular youth because he
considered him ugly. Wilde was his own worst enemy in his
disregard for the values and opinions of others which in his plays
might be effective but in real life was a disastrous mistake. The
price he paid was horrendous, both in matters of position, health
and personal life - feeling obliged to leave the country for the more
liberal social attitudes of France, leaving behind his wife and two
children. His income also suffered accordingly and his
relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas ("Bosie - who lived for many
years beyond Wilde's own premature death) continued to some
extent but was due, ultimately, to fail. It might be said that Wilde
was a victim - but as much of his own vanity and lack of self-preservation as of the Victorian socio/sexual attitudes that he
lived with, knew about and profited by in his play-writing pomp.
His life and downfall have featured in a number of films, the latest
being Rupert Everett's "The Happy Prince"...clearly using retro-
thinking for portraying Wilde as more of a victim that he otherwise
might have been had he adopted some common sense in his
biggest decisions in his life.

Comment is about A History of Gay Poetry, 2: Two Giants (article)

Original item by Mike Took

I love this, Sarah. Wonderful

Comment is about eric (blog)

Original item by Sarah Mae

When humanity was conceived it was blessed with intelligence and awareness but cursed with aggression and ignorance. The age-old
conflict within ourselves goes on - and the lands that support
humanity struggle to survive let alone prosper. We live in hope yet
die in despair. And so it goes on while those blessed look towards
those cursed and do the best they can to make a difference.

Comment is about Show me the country ... (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

If you need to delay further arousin'
There's Schoenberg and Stockhausen!!

Comment is about MAGIC MOMENTS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Provocative - but that could be the unspoken intent. We could be
in danger of reading too much into it regarding the subject matter or
the source. Typecast is a word used in showbiz to place certain
performers into certain categories.for employment/entertainment
purposes. Perhaps poetry has its own sort of typecasting? ?

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Nice rhyme to the sample.?

Comment is about Ikeem Rand (poet profile)

Original item by Ikeem Rand

?

Comment is about Paul Brookes (poet profile)

Original item by Paul Brookes

I like the careful intricacies of this piece. Such fragile imagery requires the reader to tread carefully for fear of trampling over a word or two and misreading any part of this gem.?

Comment is about mothers (blog)

Original item by ha'azinu

Nicely done on the alliteration for your sample.?

Comment is about Tony Hargreaves (poet profile)

Original item by Tony Hargreaves

If depression is anything like the trauma following an accident or specific negative event, then talking about it helps to "talk the trauma away". I agree there should be some sort of balance though.

We all need a shoulder to cry on sometimes but similarly we also need someone to help lift us up again after we have fallen.

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Don,

This poem says what many often feel yet do not acknowledge. Those who are well intentioned and more vulnerable are those who find themselves in such a place. A poem which asks a big question.

Thank you for this

Keith

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Brian - it would seem to me I am simply asking questions of an individual. If the answer is yes to each I draw the conclusion

'If so you're in a tightly wound, very dark place'

I am simply asking questions and drawing conclusions. Nothing to do with me personally.

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Hope it arrives. I'm sure you'll enjoy it, MC.

Comment is about Poems for the NHS: ed. Matt Barnard, Onslaught Press (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Great, Don.

Let's hope we can all be vulnerable and trusting for at least some times in our lives.

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Don - I can't help but think you're playing devil's advocate here.

I often read that it helps those who suffer from depression to write about it. I don't really get this. Surely it would help more to write about happy, light, optimistic subjects.

Take me - I am a happy person...if I write about happy subjects does it make me less happy? No. If I write about unhappy things would it make me happy or sad? Sad probably. And I'd probably sink a bit deeper with every dark piece I wrote.

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Yes Kate this is way off-range for me. Many of my ideas come from articles in the paper. Can't remember where it came from . Maybe it didn't? Maybe it originated in my mind...?

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Fantastic Ray. Humourous yet nostalgic.as a music lover I can relate.

Comment is about MAGIC MOMENTS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Astounding. I felt every word. Thanks Sarah.

Comment is about eric (blog)

Original item by Sarah Mae

This is a different feel for you Don. Really liked it.

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Hi Keith, thank you for your comments. I’m glad you found the poem intriguing much appreciated. Thank you Anya, Taylor and ha’azinu got the likes much appreciated.



All the best des

Comment is about Cleave (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

People only see a face then make judgements on that. Ever been in a crowd to be either lonely or life and soul of the party?, are we all faking it really? Thanks again Po

Comment is about Normal/Insanity (blog)

Original item by PatricioLG

Cheers Don, I appreciate that word- probably more than you think.

Cheers
Tommy

Comment is about So where is she? (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

So good dk

'victim to the law of gravity' - favourite line ?

Comment is about Avalanche Of Leaves (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Interesting ?

Comment is about So where is she? (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

I like this ?

Comment is about Grand designs (blog)

Original item by Megan Jones

If I could separate the poetry from the philosophical meanings behind it all, I'd be closer to an emulsion in a puddle of water than a man. Too many threads to pull without having to worry about what we tear in the process.

I like the cycle of this, John. Almost a futility to it all when taken at once. You have inspired me to try my hand at regular ol' poetry again (that is to say without 1,000,000 rhymes within them).

You know, I hadn't written a regular poem for almost 5 years? It felt good again to try my hand at something I had not done in so long.

I only hope to emulate the spirit of greatness, and this, as with all your work, takes the cake.

Cheers my friend.?

Comment is about Poetry and Philosophy (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Thank you all for reading and commenting.

Comment is about Hero (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Thanks you Hannah. I don't know why I thought of this at all; it was based on a trip to the Cotswolds a few years ago. A young Japanese couple took a picture of my wife and I with my German camera, truly a global event. Please get a couple of pots of lavender for your front of house. So beautiful and easy to grow.

Ray

Comment is about LAVENDER FIELDS FOREVER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Many thanks Beno for reading and enjoying. This was written on the same day, so it was fresh. I've got a couple of compost bins made up from planks; and I enjoy adding to them and digging them over - much wildlife. It's all just mucking about really!

Hannah, so pleased you came on with your ever descriptive thoughts !

Ray

Comment is about THE INCINERATOR, ON A LATE NOVEMBER DAY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Insightful, beautifully expressed.

Hannah

Comment is about Perplexity (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Late November ritual.
In touch with the season, the earth.

Hannah

Comment is about THE INCINERATOR, ON A LATE NOVEMBER DAY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Lavender is unique.
It is beautiful.
Enjoyed this very much.

Hannah

Comment is about LAVENDER FIELDS FOREVER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Nice..?

Comment is about A free drink day! (blog)

Original item by hugh

I thought this an excellent poem. Raw hard hitting, truth. ❤

Comment is about Hero (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Been there done that three times this year..not my favourite pastime. Love the poem..?

Comment is about Avalanche Of Leaves (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Thank you for stopping by to read my Winter Haiku Steve. Much appreciated..?

Comment is about steve pottinger (poet profile)

Original item by steve pottinger

If they ever fade, Brian, I’ve still got the boots.

Comment is about AN UNPLEASANT PLAYER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

You swine John...I've still got the scars from those studmarks!

Comment is about AN UNPLEASANT PLAYER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Ditto Knapey.

Comment is about Avalanche Of Leaves (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Leaves leave their branches
yet I affirm
can't wait for springtime
to return
in the meantime raking
is my fate
for greener pastures
i can't wait.

Comment is about Avalanche Of Leaves (blog)

Original item by d.knape

If only we could find within ourselves some of the perpetual youth, a positive thought of when we began and what we will achieve. Nevertheless would we have changed anything, if we were at the beginning of each choice, relationship, career. I was very touched by your honesty. Keep it real

Comment is about Hero (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Hi Graham, this friend was a true war hero, but now, just getting from one day to the next is truly heroic work.

Comment is about Hero (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Hero??

Comment is about Hero (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

An emotive and surely deserving area of appraisal, admiration and affection. Thanks for this - now added to my list of "asks" for this
Christmas.

Comment is about Poems for the NHS: ed. Matt Barnard, Onslaught Press (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks for the interest, folks. For my part, I'm surprised the
complainers haven't added an "ism" to the word.

Comment is about MISANDRY - You Too? (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks for the Santa-banter cheer!

Comment is about Christmas Fairy (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

Disturbing, polemical, a cutting narrative. A really powerful reportage piece Hazel without wallowing in either sides argument! Well done!

Comment is about Hero (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Thanks Anya. Been in a bit of a bubble recently, trying to face up to a few home truths of my own.

Comment is about Hero (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Yes, a lovely story, embellished or not. We had a good trip to Sardinia, avoided the expensive parts and we may return one time.

Comment is about An infamous last word. (blog)

Original item by Jennifer Malden

?

Comment is about A free drink day! (blog)

Original item by hugh