A common fact of the rise of the populism movement in both Britain and America is the fact of almost full employment in both countries.

In Britain there is also - of course - Government subsidy in the form of in work benefits leading to low productivity and static earnings....In America there seems to be a desire to return to economic and political isolationism...

The word being looked upon with growing suspicion in
the old Western industrial sphere is `Globalization`

The best exposition of what is facing us is - in my opinion-
Philip Hammond`s speech at Davos:

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/davos-2017-chancellors-speech-at-the-cbis-british-business-leaders-lunch.

Today, one can well understand the antagonism between Hammond and `hard Brexit`May which caused her to keep him practically silent during the election campaign.

Convinced Conservative that Hammond is allowed for, This is well worth a careful read.

Comment is about 15 hours (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Bawdy fun well executed. It reminds me of something
heard years ago.
Ist guy (admiring a passing girl): She got what it takes!
2nd guy: No - she's got it. You've got what it takes!
?

Comment is about Great Expectations! (blog)

Original item by John Andrew Nield

We travel in opposite directions, MC. As ever (and for you others too) your thoughts are always welcome.

Comment is about PEPE THE SHEEP SHAGGER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I'd vote for this. Admirably succinct in its presentation.

Comment is about Ballot Cross (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

A rewarding "mood" piece that poetry can do so well.
I can almost smell the paper on those dusty shelves and
see the glint of sunlight filtering over old books.
i might have been tempted to use "breezed" rather than
"waltzed" to lead to the thunderstorm departure.

Comment is about How It Happens (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Thank you for such positive comments Dominic and Julian.

Comment is about 'The day my dad went mad' by Patricia Hughes is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I find these varied opinions stimulating! On a personal
level, I always suspected Blair's on/off smile as less
than sincere. A test for "smilers" is to see how long the
smile remains. The genuine article tends to fade rather
than be "switched off" (the old light bulb!). He (like
Obama) came in - greeted like some young Messiah,
and there's nowhere left from there but down. From
another personal POV, I can't forgive his double act with
Blunkett- abandoning UK borders to the world and its
dog: the effects of which were, are, and will be felt
in many ways, not least the pressure on our essential
social services and our vulnerable countryside as these
islands try to accommodate the demands of the added millions and their offspring even as the Western world
becomes less reliant on human employment and more on
artificial/electronic additions to the work and leisure
environments.
As for Mr Corbyn, he offers another variety of hope but in my lifetime I've never seen a Labour administration that handles the money competently or carefully.

Comment is about PEPE THE SHEEP SHAGGER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi MC - Gotham has lost a hero and Family guy has lost a mayor. Thanks for feedback :)

Comment is about Batman (Adam West) R.I.P. (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Hi Rose - it's sad when we lose another Superhero :(. - Family Guy will need a new mayor lol. T :)

Comment is about Batman (Adam West) R.I.P. (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Nice one! I didn't know he'd had a late career surge
doing a voice for "Family Guy" (wasn't it?). I recall the
original TV series - with the likes of Frank Gorshin and
Cesar Romero doing their inimitable thing in support of
the star and his sidekick.

Comment is about Batman (Adam West) R.I.P. (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Congratulations Patricia. Familiar, evocative and terribly hard. I think Julian has it right, very moving, well written and brave. Best wishes, Dom.

Comment is about 'The day my dad went mad' by Patricia Hughes is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

We travel in opposite directions, Lancs.

Comment is about PEPE THE SHEEP SHAGGER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

and such a nice guy in real life as well Tom.

yep,R.I.P. Adam.



Rose ?

Comment is about Batman (Adam West) R.I.P. (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Hello everyone! My apologies as I cannot be at WOL this evening; I've come down with a sore throat/cold - but hope you have a great evening!
Also, to let you know that my friend Christine won't be there either - she has to have a major operation on Wednesday (if you're believers, please say a prayer for her!)
Thanks so much - love, Dorinda x

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Very moving, very well written, very brave. Thank you for sharing your superb poem with us all.

Comment is about 'The day my dad went mad' by Patricia Hughes is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Lan I love this. So powerful. Trust me.

I love it because it is so so Zen. Ponder on this:
"It is the silence between notes that makes the music, it is the spaces between bars that cages the tiger."

I always believe that stillness is a source of great strength.
In fact I believe silence brings out all the splendours within us and through that silence our dance begins!!!

Some more pleeeease!

Be blessed.
Raj

Comment is about The Gathering of Forces (blog)

Original item by Lan

Thanks Colin, I'm with you on the last line! I've amended. I was teetering on it when I put it in.
Thanks for the comments on the art, I'll take that compliment. That was my era and music at the time so I maybe subliminally influenced!

Comment is about How It Happens (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Lancs - It is indeed a salutary lesson to consider what Labour might have achieved were it not for refuseniks like myself who decided after 45 years of doing so not to vote for them this time.

Comment is about PEPE THE SHEEP SHAGGER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

In the interests of balance, perhaps it is worth reading what our friends from over the pond think of our most recent deliberations

http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/the-book-of-jeremy-corbyn

Comment is about PEPE THE SHEEP SHAGGER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I love the mix of Spanish and English alongside Bruno Mars and Roman mythology.

I think the first two verses work really well but for me the third is less convincing perhaps because of the word 'dolor' which is rather an oddity. I'm not sure but it might be spelt 'dolour'. It's not a word I am familiar with.

all the best
Colin

Comment is about Unrequited Love (blog)

Original item by Juan Pablo Lynch

excellent Raymondo - you surprised me with Dwayne and Erica from Amerika, I was expecting a plot from China or Russia.

Tom raises an interesting point and one which in some ways is already with us in the form of internet connected household appliances which are vulnerable to cyber attack. We're all basically toast.

cheers,
Col

Comment is about SILVERSIDES v CHARRINGTON (blog)

Original item by ray pool

think I'd be tempted to ditch that last line Tom - it has a touch of teenage angst about it which rather spoils the maturity of an otherwise excellent poem and in a way only serves to restate what has already been hinted at quite eloquently.

I like the juxtaposition of librarian and traipsing very much. Should there be an 'of' between 'middle' and 'my'?

Your artwork is such a joyous accompaniment to your words and reminds me of early 80's British Indie pop record covers. I hope that's a compliment - it's meant to be.

all the best
Colin

Comment is about How It Happens (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

I like this Shonda. There seems to be a note of fatality, a kind of defeatist tone at the end. Perhaps a gem going unappreciated and undiscovered?

The title is spot on.
How about an upbeat one next where you have sprouted into something fresh?

Thanks for sharing.
Raj

Comment is about Shell of Myself (blog)

Original item by Shonda Hurley Bell

intriguing stuff ray! i couldn't help but think of a podcast i recently listened to about how the future will bring criminal cases involving robots with the increasing automation of life e.g. automated cars etc.

Comment is about SILVERSIDES v CHARRINGTON (blog)

Original item by ray pool

really like some of the imagery here, particularly the moth holding court in the corner of the room

Comment is about Behind The Veil (blog)

Original item by Seanin Hughes

hi all, thanks for your kind comments. I'm not sure this one came out right so appreciate the thoughts.

Comment is about Midsummer (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Tommy the really sad thing about the Labour Party is how the exodus of big hitters like Chuka etc now sees them crawling back to offer their services to JC. I hope he's got the balls to tell them to f**k off.

Comment is about 15 hours (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Just read CAD's attempt at rubbishing May. Quite frankly I've seen better on WOL!

Comment is about Tony Walsh gives poetic verdict on election result alongside Carol Ann Duffy (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Yours beats mine hands down rhythmically, Harry. The limerick is made for the hanging last syllable.

Comment is about WINNERS AND LOSERS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Graham nearly 500,000 people have joined the Labour Party since Corbyn. The anti-Corbyn GUARDIAN headlined warnings of the Labour Party is in danger of the membership falling below 400,000 3 months ago! Harry claims the meteoric rise in membership is due to UKip deserting ranks. Now you're blaming students (with a wink) re grants- well whyever not? The youth (like us all) have many issues. People have not stopped slagging off Corbyn despite more than doubling membership; winning two internal elections and scoring an amazing comeback from a national election- don't you think the leader and membership deserve some credit? ;- )

Comment is about 15 hours (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Thank you Kevin.

Comment is about 'The day my dad went mad' by Patricia Hughes is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I sense a sort of weary acceptance and the reflection of the mind out on a leash Tom. A lovely pensive delicacy runs through it, and shows you have a fine feeling for the subtle pleasure and how cunningly set up they can be, and easily they depart. The last three lines are brilliant to my mind.

Ray

Comment is about Midsummer (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

John,
Can I help it if the sheer twinned recognition
of the double-sidedness of the result (exemplified
by the juxtapositions of `win` and `defeat` in those
two last lines) caused a fit of limerickle inspiration.?

(your kind of stuff is catching man!) ?

Comment is about WINNERS AND LOSERS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Tommy, that 150,000 are all prospective students holding their hands out for tuition fee money. I don't think they realised they had to win the election first!

Comment is about 15 hours (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

We'll deserved POTW .very honest, and couldn't have been an easy write. Your daughter has every right to be proud.
Kevin

Comment is about 'The day my dad went mad' by Patricia Hughes is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Every little breeze seems to whisper Louise (an old song I know) ! This is wonderfully soft and cuddly and really gets close i'm sure to a maternal instinct !

Ray

Comment is about Baby (blog)

Original item by Louise Clarke

I like the way this "feels" so lonely. Your sparse use of language conveys so much.

Comment is about Absolute Dark (blog)

Original item by Rik Hall

Yes I am going to be a grandma soon. It is for my daughter in law and son xxx

Comment is about Baby (blog)

Original item by Louise Clarke

Thank you Seanin,
I wasn't expecting it to be made poem of the week,I'm really rather chuffed,it has given me a little burst of confidence.

Comment is about 'The day my dad went mad' by Patricia Hughes is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Beautiful. I could imagine this on a card for a new baby, or to be given to an expectant mum, but it's too good for that. Was it written with someone special in mind?
Cheers Kevin

Comment is about Baby (blog)

Original item by Louise Clarke

Very proud daughter here! Well done, mum - it's an incredibly honest and evocative piece.

Comment is about 'The day my dad went mad' by Patricia Hughes is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Chaps the Conservatives are in disarray: Labour has increased its membership by another 150,000 in the last week. Corbyn's position is strengthened and another election more than likely. The Tories need to be kept under pressure. Viva! Tommy

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Chaps the Conservatives are in disarray: Labour has increased its membership by another 150,000 in the last week. Corbyn's position is strengthened and another election more than likely. The Tories need to be kept under pressure. Viva!

Comment is about 15 hours (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Brilliant!!
A superb piece I loved it. I would love to see this performed. The poem, not the act ?.Well done John.

Comment is about Great Expectations! (blog)

Original item by John Andrew Nield

welcome Seanin! haha! that mad hatters hat tells us a lot about you.

A lot of politicians should be wearing them as well
don't you think?

Great sample also!

P&S xx

Comment is about Seanin Hughes (poet profile)

Original item by Seanin Hughes

another very precious neccessary player on the wonderous stage of nature Wendy.

Lovely poem dear.

P&S xx

Comment is about Song Bird (blog)

Original item by Wendy Higson

my husband and I think this is spiffing Seanin.

P&S xx

Comment is about I'd Be Queen Of Myself (if I weren't anti-monarchy) (blog)

Original item by Seanin Hughes

'trying to access? theres no trying about it Sky you have succeeded brilliantly!


P&S xx

Comment is about Writing Without (blog)

Original item by Sky

Interesting times, indeed, MC.

Comment is about LAND OF HOPE AND JACKANORY (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Pack it in, Harry. I don't mind you writing better stuff than me but there's no need to stick on my blog!

Comment is about WINNERS AND LOSERS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey