Oh right. We take as we find. I interpreted this as child
illusions that were relieved by reality - not caused by it.

Comment is about The Man In The Dark.. (blog)

Original item by Alec Saputo

This minds me of the traditional - broadly right or leftish- electoral stance of the voters in Britain`s `first past the post`voting system.

It seems that however much the swingers `go over` it seems that they always like to have a general idea of the direction they are travelling in.

We are faced with a `tough` negotiator (who was a `remainer`) and an opponent who has lost the full support of his parliamentary colleagues...both of whom have to be fully supported because of the system.

Both parties are internally split themselves and the problem about `just sitting back`at the present is that: to fulfill the will of the fifty - two per cent (which the forty - eight percent did not want) is - given the fact that the right and left voters are split among themselves anyway -
going to be an impossibility (that the referendum was a record turn-out applies to both sides of the vote).

A problem (given all the splits) could be the politically - inspired obfuscation of the negotiations as they proceed.

My own guess is that Farron`s wish for the deal to be put
to a second referendum (although not very popular at the moment) will win the day in the end.

Comment is about 'Righty-tighty, Lefty-loosey'! (blog)

Original item by John Andrew Nield

Gentlemen, I'm so encouraged. Of all the poems I have ever written (and there are a lot!) this may be the one in which I most find 'myself'. Not in relationship to someone else - like daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, pupil, teacher etc. etc. and etc.! Just 'me and existence'.

I'd like to have it in my coffin when I die, recycled, returning 'idea' to basic creation. And, 'No', that is not morbid, more like rejoicing.

What is the power of 'blue', do you think, John? Colour is hugely influential upon us.

Raj, I think they do 'speak', just not in the same way humans do. Surely you have kissed a petal - many times?

Comment is about The Art of Japanese Flower Arranging (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Amen

Comment is about Quote stealing! John 1:5, the bible (blog)

Original item by rseed

Отлично - Mikhail :)

Comment is about 'As if the song would come again' by Mikhail Smith is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Beautiful Cynthia. The last five lines say it all.

Losing our connection with nature makes us weak and tired and spiritually impoverished. If only they could speak they would nourish us in a myriad ways.

Time to go go bare feet in my garden and take it all the undiluted energy there.

Raj

Comment is about The Art of Japanese Flower Arranging (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I like this lots Candi although I feel my understanding is only scratching the surface. I would be interested to learn more about oblivias, Ms Morales, the spectacles etc. All the best, Colin.

Comment is about Oblivia (blog)

Original item by Candi

I'm always appreciative of your comments Cynthia. Your inquiring mind is a delight to interact with.

That last line is simply a tribute to one of life's very special sons.

(Yes, I do remember your encounter with a particular sheikd many moons ago?)

Raj

Comment is about When you're in pain, thank heavens (blog)

Original item by Chakraj

Thank you, Colin. I really appreciate your thoughts!

Comment is about The Constant Sometimes (blog)

Original item by Jake Vincent Belmont

Tom, great poem. I especially like the line "making a martyr of the garden".

Paul

Comment is about A Day Such As This (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

all, thank you some exceptionally kind comments here.

Cynthia thank you for taking the time to review in such detail. The poems come out quick so often grammar suffers as I find revision the difficult bit. I take your comments particularly on the first repetition of the two 'ing' words and think the change to 'poured' is better.

thanks again all

Comment is about A Day Such As This (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

I think your missing it my father is the man he is the reason and cause for the restless nights and fear of the dark

Comment is about The Man In The Dark.. (blog)

Original item by Alec Saputo

Thank you so much for your comments on my poems. It really inspires me to continue writing.
I find your work interesting and the themes touch me deeply.
Thanks again for taking your time to offer comments.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Keith-give your Nan a respectable BOO! from us ferreting-bath coal filling Labourians.

we love the poem and god love her!


P&S xx

Comment is about Election Time again (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

A plant does not begrudge our plucking fingers.

It’s we who must respect the tongueless gift

I loved this Cynthia. Economy of word and image to reflect economy of shape and colour. I like blue flowers:cornflowers, forget-me-not, grape hyacinth, delphiniums. John

Comment is about The Art of Japanese Flower Arranging (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

LCPTB - welcome to the debate. ?

Comment is about The Remoaners (blog)

Original item by Wendy Higson

These lines brought back my own memory of the worst
nightmare I've experienced. I was a ten or eleven and
was in my room with the head of bed nearest the door.
My nightmare was the presence of a black hooded faceless
figure about to enter the room from the landing beyond.
The very real desperate fear of knowing what was there
forced me awake and I took ages to settle down again
and fall asleep. Whatever sprung from my mind that night was the manifestation of evil. The cause is still unknown
and it was the only time I suffered such a truly
terrifying nightmare.
No "dad" to appear and console me that night!

Comment is about The Man In The Dark.. (blog)

Original item by Alec Saputo

DB - the point, insofar as it applies to the EU, is that
are those of a political persuasion who consistently and
persistently challenge the status quo under the guise of
"caring" and if one avenue doesn't yield dividends, then
they dig another. It is not about "parroting" anything from my POV but (too borrow from your NB) MY concern
about the dubious priorities that seem to exist in the
minds of the "remoaners" which make EU membership &
obeisance to the will and whims of twenty seven other
lands (with their own aims and ambitions) as somehow preferable to proper self-regulation of our ancient laws,
rights and customs, not to mention our borders. The UK
is one third the size of France yet now supports a comparable population, increased by the dogma of
borderless socialism eagerly embraced during the recent Blair/Blunkett years....
utterly unsustainable from any point of view in any small
country that values and seeks to preserve its hard won freedom and national identity.
And war has not been prevented by the existence of the
EU (go East!) - it is NATO who have the onerous task
of stepping in to keep the peace, and thank heavens
for that.
Future trade will arrive if we show determination and
application - from the rest of a waiting world looking to
benefit from our famous creativity backed by a historical
world-wide trading record.
Adaptability is always the secret of success and I remain
a perennial optimist!
Cheers
MC

Comment is about The Remoaners (blog)

Original item by Wendy Higson

I love this Kim ? I was intrigued as soon as I read that you were an astronomy lover too. Great last line. Pow.

Comment is about Solar thoughts or To our mistress, the sun (blog)

Original item by Kim Whysall-Hammond

The last line gets to me, how exactly do you mean it? I really like the style of this poem, it's captivating in a sense of wonder and odd uniformity (but also different).

Love the assonance (is that what it's called?), and I really think highly of the consistency in your writing.

What was the purpose of the poem though? If I had to guess it was to demonstrate the beauty of emotional nackedness and the shame of it? Maybe that's just the meaning I drew.

Comment is about Girl in a Lake (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Of course, I respect your feelings and intent with this poem. Of course, I do.

But I still have a question. I am intrigued with your final line. It's a very enigmatic conclusion, bursting with diverse interpretations. Purely coincidental because it is a fact? Or pushing deep ideas?

I was reminded of the famous 'blue-eyed sheik'.

Comment is about When you're in pain, thank heavens (blog)

Original item by Chakraj

Thanks for sharing, Andy. Very eloquently put. I'm hoping the writing itself has played a major part in your personal 'adjustment'.

Cynthia

Comment is about From 1996 to 2017 (An emotional history off tragedies in Manchester looking at things from the outside) (blog)

Original item by Andy N

Tom,this is a great poem, very evocative, fabulous ending.

May I make a suggestion to a master of words? Your first three lines have two prime words which end in 'ing', always an iffy problem. Since 'poured' and 'rained' convey exactly the same idea, would you consider:

'All day long
the sky poured down
making a martyr of the garden' etc.

which would get the poem started with a slightly smoother flow. Also, it's always the pits using a singular or plural possessive with a pronoun
like 'someone'. TBH, I'd use 'people were' which doesn't take anything away from the poem, except dicey grammar.

Always with respect.

Comment is about A Day Such As This (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Welcome from me, too. You have great flair which is only possible with ideas worth sharing. And many of them. 'tittle tattling' is an art in itself, widely practised through all cultures and all ages.

Comment is about John Andrew Nield (poet profile)

Original item by John Andrew Nield

Ikenobo and Ikebana can be confused; I think the former is particular, and the latter general, but both dealing with arranging leaves/flowers/branches in Japanese vases.

Non-Japanese cultures now tend to use many types of containers, but still follow some basic 'rules' which I find excellent to best enjoy 'picked flowers'.

If I've posted this before I'm sorry. I can't remember, and I'm too pushed for time to backtrack. It came to mind again when I saw that the BBC is going to highlight Japan this month.

Comment is about The Art of Japanese Flower Arranging (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thank you Col. Your encouragement right through my journey here at WOL has been valuable.

If only I could do that trip in the hot air balloon just to take my mind off things at the moment!!?

Have a good weekend matey.
Raj

Comment is about When you're in pain, thank heavens (blog)

Original item by Chakraj

ooh, almost missed this, glad I didn't. The last line sums it up nicely, for me anyway. Nice.
Col

Comment is about Our strange stay here on Earth (blog)

Original item by Kim Whysall-Hammond

wowzers - simply wowzers Mr Spankles. This goes so well with your profile pic - I've said it before, one of the best on WoL. Don't go changing...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9iFEkNqHac

I am so intrigued by the second half of this word journey - the longboat image, welcome party, cargo cult and myth-dream. But maybe I'm just picking out and interpreting what I want in my own way which your writing allows us to do so well. So brill. So Suki. So jealous. Not sure why the song sprang to mind but hey, I'm sure it's been a while since he's had an airing on WoL.

pass the canapés and champers.

Col.

Comment is about The Welcome Party (blog)

Original item by Suki Spangles

I love this Maxine, makes me think the analogy could be taken in all sorts of different directions - you have my mind in meltdown with ideas, all of which are as fleeting as a passing butterfly in late summer.

one teensy critique - would the last line be more powerful or read better with the insertion of a but - not the twerking Kim Kardashian type or the big green water vessel in yer back yard, just a common or garden but:

They should be there but they aren't....

or even: They should be there but they're not....

Just a thought. All the best and thanks for posting.
Col

Comment is about butterflies, where are they? (blog)

Original item by Maxine

terrific bit of writing Jake - lots going on as if several conversations are happening at once and the 'constantly something' verses work so well. Col.

Comment is about The Constant Sometimes (blog)

Original item by Jake Vincent Belmont

watching Springwatch and feeling sorry for rain drenched birds in nests. Nothing to do but sit it out. You build a picture so well.

Comment is about A Day Such As This (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Thank you my dear angel Rose.

Yes, Ross was one who gave unconditionally without expecting anything in return. I know for sure he is in a good place still sending all good light and love.
He left behind some enlightening lessons in humanity. Immortal.

Raj

Comment is about When you're in pain, thank heavens (blog)

Original item by Chakraj

Hi Tom, as a new fan, I've shared my discovery on my blog. https://francesmacaulayforde.wordpress.com/2017/06/02/tom-harding/

Comment is about Tom Harding (poet profile)

Original item by Tom Harding

Your visual language called to me again ~ I am literally standing in your garden looking at the Saintly Alliums!

Comment is about A Day Such As This (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Playing with perception, I loved this visually intriguing poem.

Comment is about Late Summer (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

I can relate so well to this - it can absolutely be the shoes! Beautifully, regretfully, poignantly expressed. Well done!

Comment is about The Secret (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

It's all been said and I agree with everyone on this page. I am a new fan, having just discovered your writing today. Your authentic voice and gentle approach are memorable. Thank you. I've mentioned you on my blog today.

Comment is about Your Shoes (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

hey this is good. very much enjoyed, free wheeling stuff. i thought it was going one way and ended up another. great.

Comment is about The Welcome Party (blog)

Original item by Suki Spangles

Hi Harry,

I really enjoy the way this poem flows effortlessly.

Thanks for sharing.

Suki

Comment is about The floating voter song...(again) (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Thank you David and Rachel. Appreciated!

Suki

Comment is about As A Fragrance Ghost With No Name Drifts By (blog)

Original item by Suki Spangles

my condolence's to you Raj,and a long applause for your very dear,and very brave,compassionate friend,Ross.

I'm sure he will rest in peace and be rightfully rewarded for all the good he did in his life on Earth.

Based on how you describe him,it's probable he won't want to accept any reward.I suppose you could say his helping others was reward enough.



Rose ?

Comment is about When you're in pain, thank heavens (blog)

Original item by Chakraj

Brilliant. Just brilliant. 'Tock-ticks' and the final few lines are great.

Comment is about As A Fragrance Ghost With No Name Drifts By (blog)

Original item by Suki Spangles

Well written...

MC, are you parroting those who seem to be blaming the 'evils' (it's not perfect, but no IO is) of the EU on the left? This whole left-right conflation is the most absurd conclusion post-brexit I've seen, the most harmful and the most socially divisive. Just look at the Labour Party's ideological split on it for goodness' sake. That should put pay to that lazy-man's theory.

NB: I'm not a 'Remoaner', just a rational human being with genuine concerns.

Comment is about The Remoaners (blog)

Original item by Wendy Higson

Once again you have nailed with this one its few words Stu. I think it has already been stated here but bereavement is different for everybody and indeed affects everybody in different ways with we let it all out at once or whether it suddenly hits us in bursts. My wife and I recently had a bereavement which I have to confess hit me harder than I initially realised. But at any rate a marvellous poem.

Comment is about my pain and sadness is more sad and painful than yours (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Hi all, thanks all some very kind comments here.
Colin, great fan of Elvis so that's a nice comment?

Comment is about Your Shoes (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Thanks Kim, Colin, Cynthia and David

Thanks for you reference to count Arthur strong Colin. I love the tap dancing shoes. You are possibly right about the Arthur brightening up any cafe.
thanks for the incisive comments once again Cynthia. Now I re-read I think you are right and will amend. I know my editing skills are not always what they should be much appreciated.
David you are so right, every café has its regular characters, it must been fascinating with the one you talk about being a celebrity. the one that I mentioned is a regular and gives the impression of barely tolerating the world and all who reside in it.
Thanks again everybody its always encouraging to get feed back from other poets
Cheers Martin

Comment is about rainy day in may (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Harry, this is so very good but I feel that I could not do justice to completing it. You really must persevere and treat us to the final result. Thanks. Keith

Comment is about The floating voter song...(again) (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

The intention of the statesmen who started the idea of the E.U. was that the mutual entanglements of the economies of the European countries would make it impossible for Europe to embark (among themselves) upon the two kinds of industrial great wars which had nearly devastated - not only Europe - but much of the rest of the world.

There are plenty of nostalgic nationalists in all EU countries who pine for the old order...When, thanks to the beneficence of Uncle Sam (Roosvelt) we were saved (after he had stopped us from fighting between ourselves) from having to submit to Uncle Joe (Stalin)....(for an update change the names to Trump and Putin)

An indication of how strong their idea is is the way all the leavers now want to cling on to the economic `goodies` it
has created - even after we leave.

The idea that we can now sally out and conquer the vast
economic battle-grounds of China and India and Brazil is
a bit of a laugh.

Comment is about The Remoaners (blog)

Original item by Wendy Higson

Dear Andres, thank you.

I'm glad you appreciate my contributions.
It's for everybody's benefit here on WOL.
I'm so fortunate to share the energy of this wonderful community.

Love&Light
Raj

Comment is about An Unborn Union (blog)

Original item by Chakraj

Standing on that soapbox suits you Wendy! Well vented lovely,angry lady!




Rose ?

Comment is about The Remoaners (blog)

Original item by Wendy Higson