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Comment is about Rain Please Go Away (blog)

Original item by Shriranga Kulkarni

I think this is one of my favourites Don..?

Comment is about Stir-Ups (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Thank you for the support, Mae.

Comment is about Mae Foreman (poet profile)

Original item by Mae Foreman

Many thanks to you three for your comments. You make me reread my own poem with new eyes and possible insights.

Comment is about Spyglass (blog)

Original item by Douglas MacGowan

A poem that needs to be read more than once to adequately explore it.

Comment is about A Psychiatric Disorder (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Like Brian said - it gives a vision of older life that isn’t so scary.

Comment is about STANNAH STAIRLIFT (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Good poem. I especially liked the “I thought I would be the person...” stanza.

Comment is about The sad end (blog)

Original item by Hasmukh Mehta

Nice one Steve. Excellent portrayal of a tempestuous life. And an evolution from coca cola to red wine by the looks of things.

Comment is about Steve Regan (poet profile)

Original item by Steve Regan

"Study that rhyme" - truer words were never spoken to my ears. And you don't need to tell me twice, that's where my heart lies is in a rhyme or reason.

Comment is about A Psychiatric Disorder (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Hi Keith - the last couple of lines caught my imagination and it does seem that old fashioned good manners is not very common these days, at least not in working class/lower middle class areas. I think in a more rural/gentile environment where the pace of life is slower you would still find the same old good behaviour.

Comment is about The Red Poncho (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Hi Douglas - this follows on from a previous piece to do with loss of faith. I suppose the question is, where are you if the belief does not come back? Will this leave a massive hole in your life or will you learn to live with it? I'm sure this is something that happens a lot with believers generally but you don't hear of it much so your piece has perhaps broken new ground on here, at least in the recent past.

By the way, I'm not suggesting that you answer the question here.

Comment is about Spyglass (blog)

Original item by Douglas MacGowan

Ray - when you say get out of the chair I assume you mean chairlift.

Comment is about STANNAH STAIRLIFT (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Blimey that was quick Brian. Hardly had time to get out of the chair! Thanks mate.

Comment is about STANNAH STAIRLIFT (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Ray - you've given us a glimpse of our future in quite a warm fluffy way. I no longer fear it...thank you.

Comment is about STANNAH STAIRLIFT (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Douglas,

This poem intrigues me for several reasons. Your refer to God as It which takes away gender identity which is fine. You acknowledge his involvement in your life possibly as a bystander to a point of abandonment when you speak of the Dark Night of the Soul a place where St John of the Cross found himself in his relationship with God, then a desire to return to a former situation. The Dark Night of the Soul from my understanding is a means whereby God withdraws from us in order for us to realise our need of him. Usually the Dark Night is not forever but a temporary period of spiritual darkness. This poem needs unravelling. I like it because it shows an inner aspect of your personal journey. My theological understanding is that there will be no need to claw back but a restoration of a relationship which you may think has gone forever.

A feeling of loss, detachment and abandonment are a part of the human condition. Your poem is a good attempt to articulate this

Thank you for a really good poem, one which will provoke a good deal of thought to the reader

Keith

Comment is about Spyglass (blog)

Original item by Douglas MacGowan

Thank you Taylor for the comment much appreciated. Thank you Anya, Jon and sarah for the likes, much appreciated too.


All the best des

Comment is about Clear (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

A complete political poem is hard to do in only 27 lines, but you do, in fact, make a complete and living statement in this poem.

Comment is about Bidoon (blog)

Original item by eve nortley

Wow, a very strong poem about love lost that I am sure everyone can relate to.

Comment is about I Promise...Farewell (blog)

Original item by Cat_Siren00

You really bring this woman to life. I especially like the physical description that you don't give all at once - but add bits and pieces as the poem goes on.

Comment is about The Red Poncho (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

You are continuing on a strong series of poems. I hope your struggles end in a contentment you so richly deserve.

Another strong poem and the repetition is very well done.

Comment is about How Much Longer (blog)

Original item by Mikey V Kinsey

Hi David. Glad you spotted this, as it does pull a few strokes! You'll know by now that I am fascinated by motives of people and how ineffectual they may be. Frustration exists in many forms in our society leading to a sense of helplessness, often engendered by great swathes of cuts to what connect us in a community, and the making of decisions based purely on accountancy , leaving a great gap to be filled by volunteers, who have their own agendas. Farnborough feels like an alien town to me, but as you say has some surface glitz. I quite liked Aldershot when it tried to put decent shops in the Gallery, now sadly defunct and the entrance closed.
The terminal I mentioned is now the only contact that offers any solace but has to be activated. This I feel goes to the root of who is accepted and who is rejected. As it has broken down there is no rescue.

Your last mentioned sounds like a Suki Spangles moment! I enjoyed the detail of it you naughty man.

Ray

Comment is about SUICIDE STREET (blog)

Original item by ray pool

A powerful poem which speaks of discrimination where abuse has become normal. Such situations never go away. A poem with a message, not of anger or even resentment but of enquiry to see if any remorse is forthcoming.

Thank you for this

Keith

Comment is about Bidoon (blog)

Original item by eve nortley

Ah! J'adore ton ecrite!

Comment is about A Cup Of Franglais (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

JC - associating my words with "disdain" is both
inaccurate and unfair. "Protest" is a two-edged sword.
I posed a question (or two), nothing more. No one
doubts there is violence committed against women but
perhaps a percentage against population might help
enlighten us. I dealt with instances of this in my working
life and know only too well the damage that violence can
cause - from whatever source.

Comment is about Time’s Up (blog)

Original item by Janey Colbourne

Merci tout le monde! And maybe Anya, if I knew any Polish!

Comment is about A Cup Of Franglais (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

dk, cast-off cans
Do offer the homeless
Collectable money
So they are not moneyless

You see their bike baskets
All filled up, all canned
Environmental sweepers
All cleaning our land

Now what would we do
Without our hobos?
Cleaning the landscape
De-canning it so? ?

Comment is about Aluminum Cans (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Thanks for the likes David Jon and Anya.

Glad you liked it Taylor !

Brian, I did go to Rotherham once but it was closed. Thanks for looking in.

Nice to get your comment Kate. I do like the dark side but also we are moving ever closer here to such disassociations.

Ray

Comment is about SUICIDE STREET (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Cynthia

I am too old to care about these things called 'selfies'. To me they're an addiction we can do without.

Click..smile...move on..click...smile...move on.... That was a beautiful waterfall back there you two. Wot? Wot waterfall?

I simply shake my head. It is interesting to note the term 'selfie' was invented in Australia and spread around the world. Am I proud to be associated with this ? ....

Wot waterfall ? ?

Comment is about Stick it Up Your Selfie (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

This poem strikes hard.

I do remember a mid-teen girl who went on a 'public rebellion', saying she finally realized that NOTHING really 'existed' for her until she 'shared it on her phone'. Thank God her brain kicked in.

I suppose that self-portraits were/are a kind of 'selfie' too. And they have a long history - even on coins and notes!

The need to show we 'exist' is powerful.

Comment is about Stick it Up Your Selfie (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Kporho,

Another great poem from your talented pen. You have the abiity to write a poem giving the reader only so much, then leaving the reader to ponder on the fuller meaning. I continue to enjoy your work.

Thank you and well done

Keith

Comment is about The Irreplaceable (blog)

Original item by Kporho Raphael Oyeke

Very interesting. I'm not sure I've totally 'got it', but I'm having a fine time trying.

........

And then, I just happened to review your bio, and there is the T.S.Eliot quote!!!

Comment is about Journey To The Centre Of The Skull (blog)

Original item by Adam Whitworth

You continue to impress with your lines. Keep it up, and soon you too will be able to hold up a sign that says 'Poet' like Martin does!?

No, but really, good piece. The imagery is inescapable, and the flow matches the River Styx.

Comment is about A Soldier's Death (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Metaphysical in metre.?

Comment is about Journey To The Centre Of The Skull (blog)

Original item by Adam Whitworth

Deeper than its lines give due credit for.

Great piece filled with supple imagery.?

Comment is about The Irreplaceable (blog)

Original item by Kporho Raphael Oyeke

Thank you for sharing your poetry with me.?

Comment is about Taylor Crowshaw (poet profile)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

I never read poetry (except Neruda and a couple Robert Frost pieces) until I came onto WOL.

Now, two of my 3 favorite poets are found here, so I guess it wasn't all bad going those years without more exposure to poetry.

Don't feel bad, Kyle, I still don't read poetry that often either.
?

Comment is about Devoid of Meaning and Dangerously Immoral (article)

Original item by Mike Took

Thank you for commenting on my poems Chris....?

Comment is about Chris Bainbridge (poet profile)

Original item by Chris Bainbridge

thank you Don
for your comment on "A Soldier's Death".

thank you also for
just being Don.

Comment is about Don Matthews (poet profile)

Original item by Don Matthews

Don,

Thank you for this poem, the sentiments of which will be shared by many. The young lack direction. They are not taught values and pursue exactly what they please. Sadly they behave like sheep following the leader of the herd with hardly an original thought in their heads.

I loathe these bloody phones as they are intrusive and addictive and play into the hands of unscrupulous people.

Keith

Comment is about Stick it Up Your Selfie (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

I know you like my poetry but don't go charge your phone at hospital bedside if wife in crisis ?

PS Hope my name appears as author of background selfie

Comment is about Stick it Up Your Selfie (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Don - my smart phone is not in the bin...I've just used it to take a selfie with your poem as a background. Bound to get me a few likes on the Facetwittsnappychatthingy.

Comment is about Stick it Up Your Selfie (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Taylor, thanks for your words in my profile. I do not thank people enough so, thank you for liking and commenting on my poems.

?

Comment is about Taylor Crowshaw (poet profile)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

A really powerful statement..excellent. Thank you for sharing ?

Comment is about Shady eyes (blog)

Original item by VHH

I suspect that the majority of these crimes go completely unheard by our courts and, therefore, the public, courtesy of our convenient system of plea bargaining.

Rachel

Comment is about When the truth hurts (blog)

Original item by LaTosha Wall Rotramel

Douglas and Wolfgar thank you for acknowledgment and solidarity. Sincere male allies are always most, most welcome. I am by no means a man hater, some of my most dear friends are men. In some ways the patriarchy has caused problems for men too. Questions and respectful discussion also welcome.

MC Newberry methinks you doth protest too much. Perhaps you’d like me to describe in graphic detail the sexual abuse and violence that has been perpetrated against me and my fellow women. In fact perhaps you’d like me to ‘re-enact my violation’ so that you can ‘dissect it with disdain’ and then gaslight me.

Comment is about Time’s Up (blog)

Original item by Janey Colbourne

There is strange irony in the fact from the moment of birth,
through infancy, childhood, puberty and early adulthood,
there is no greater influence on a man's life than that of his mother. So, what happens that produces the situation
promoted today and increasingly accepted as "gospel" about
man's baleful attitude towards women? How, it may be
asked, can it occur in the way presented and reported with
fierce condemnation as somehow a widespread truth? Surely a puzzle that defies any fashionably facile sort of
explanation....if, indeed, there is one that satisfies those
who accede to the postulation.

Comment is about Time’s Up (blog)

Original item by Janey Colbourne

The dealers and the pushers
Of wine, tobacco, drugs
Don't care about your pocket
How much they do you slug

Long as the government gets
Their tax, their bit, their share
'Twill keep on being promoted
No-one'll really care

It all comes down to money
And greed for, must get more
Don't care the damage done folks
Don't care if it makes you poor ?

I could go on - pokies, tobacco. Companies, governments work on vulnerabilities of the weak for their own profit.

Comment is about MUG SHOTS (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

This has an impact. It is so good dk ?

Comment is about A Soldier's Death (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Beautiful words, keep writing ?

Comment is about Problem Not Solved (blog)

Original item by Jacee Claire

Dark but beautiful Avishek..❤

Comment is about Journey (blog)

Original item by AVISHEK GHOSH