Thank you both for your comments! Greatly appreciated!!
When I'm not writing or making music I work for a homeless charity here in B'ham called Crisis - I teach percussion, & technical theatre, life skills, & build confidence. 'My boys' humble me on a daily basis - this is my tribute to them based on their stories. Homelessness is an increasing problem - most of my chaps aren't addicts (although some are) they are educated, intelligent, amazing men who fell through the gaps in the system & are viewed by a lot of people as scum.
Comment is about In Crisis (blog)
Original item by Pixievic
Thank you. I wrote this after a friend of mine killed himself.
Comment is about Richard (blog)
Original item by Nicole
hi laura
it's disrespectful because your logic is false
"and they follow a fundamentalist branch of Islam that is intricately linked to ISIS."
it's 'intricately linked' because it is mainstream islamic jurisprudence - I doubt you'll find anyone who has a serious and respectful opinion of islam that would argue that it is not
so the point is moot
yet consider what mr fayadh says
"look up to yourselves from the bottom of the river;
those of you on top should provide some pity for those underneath..
the displaced is helpless,
like blood that no one wants to buy in the oil market! "
or
"night,
you are inexperienced with Time
lacking rain drops
that could wash away all the remains of your past
and liberate you of what you had called piety..
of that heart.. capable of love,
of play,
and of intersecting with your obscene withdrawal from that flabby religion
from that fake Tanzeel
from gods that had lost their pride.."
or
"your mute blood will not speak up
as long as you pride yourself in death
as long as you keep announcing -secretly- that you have put your soul
at the hands of those who do not know much..
losing your soul will cost time,
much longer than what it takes to calm
your eyes that have cried tears of oil"
http://monakareem.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/ashraf-fayadhs-disputed-poems-in.html
obviously one needs to consider the context of the unspoken history of the 'palestinians' - the inverted comma is deliberate - and of the way in which the 'palestinian' issue is used - none of which fits particularly neatly in narrow confines of media debate - hence why mr fayadh phrases his criticisms and accusations as he does - and why it is so important to the saudis that he renounce his poetry
none of it has anything to do with allies - or the implication that 'we' are colluding with terrorists - or that the saudis are no better than terrorists etc
Comment is about Poet reprieved from execution but still faces 800 lashes and long jail term (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Harry, We in Britain fail to understand that Europe is Germany-France. I think our leaving/staying in the EU must arouse as much interest in Europe as if Spain or Poland were having the referendum.
Comment is about WITH DAVE ON OUR SIDE (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
All I can say about that is - wow!!!
Comment is about February 2016 Collage Poem (blog)
Original item by Stockport WoL
I'm very pleased you like this Stu. Where do ideas come from? A mystery. But what isn't a mystery is that it is my birthday today - a birthday fire baby!
cheers Ray
Comment is about FIRE BABY (blog)
Original item by ray pool
John,
A propos immigration and Dave.
At the time when Germany was forging ahead (and Britain was the sick man of Europe) Our fraternal delegates used to come back remarking on the hordes of Turkish workers in the German factories. (so - given the ageing pop and the call for a large consumer base - and therefore cheaper unit cost - maybe Merkel aint so daft as people say she is)
We needn`t worry, most of our immigrants sneaked in while we were all asleep.
You are quite right about Dave`s posturing. The idea that we can sway anything vital by threatening to take our ball back is hilarious...reality is about to kick in.
As usual, you`ve got Dave`s shenanigans in a nutshell.
Comment is about WITH DAVE ON OUR SIDE (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Beautiful use and flow of words David, I love it.
Comment is about Cold (blog)
Original item by David Blake
As Colin says very clever Lynn. I love the image of a young woman sitting in an office more interested in the bow than the typing. And so beautifully formatted.
Comment is about format (blog)
You have captured well the attitudes of some people to a certain section of humanity who are looked down on by the rest, because of the way they appear and present themselves, because they are different. I like the way you have repeated the opening line of each stanza. Nice one Vicky
Comment is about In Crisis (blog)
Original item by Pixievic
This was brill to hear this Andy. Only just seen it here tonight. Fab stuff.
Comment is about Inbetween Stations with David Bowie (blog)
Original item by Andy N
I meant to say to you tonight that I also like the line chiselled in tragedies. Nice one Andy
Comment is about The Pusher (blog)
Original item by Andy N
Hello Nicole, wonderful poem above. Written with great feeling. I hope to read more from you soon.
Emer
Comment is about Nicole (poet profile)
Original item by Nicole
great stuff ray. brief, mysterious and red hot. one of your finest.
Comment is about FIRE BABY (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Very powerful poem Nicole, are you a sufferer of PTSD?
Comment is about Richard (blog)
Original item by Nicole
MC - a rather unsubtle use of campaigning for staying in by playing a race card.
Ken- don't hold your breath for a view from Jezza. He's got left and right wingers favouring In and left and right wingers favouring Out. His leadership to date does not inspire me that he'll make a decision.
Comment is about WITH DAVE ON OUR SIDE (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Many thanks for your kind comments, Trevor.
Comment is about WITH DAVE ON OUR SIDE (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
<Deleted User> (6895)
Mon 8th Feb 2016 16:12
Hi Katy.Once more you do not fail,but what do you think of-
'rolling violent dice
of drunken incomprehension.
Morning
sings out my sin'
fantastic lines! (just a little suggested reshuffle-but then again,what do we doddering wordsmiths know?)
;o)
P&S........ps please bring back your sexy profile pic!
Comment is about Las Vegas (blog)
Original item by Katy Megan
On OUR side? Now I'm fit to be tied!
Now he says if we leave
We'll witness a jungle
Along the south coast
(Dave - comprenez-vous "bungle"?)
Comment is about WITH DAVE ON OUR SIDE (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A wonderful rhyming flow of wisdom in a wicked humorous way. The last verse of which Jeremy Corbin would be proud to wind up question time.
Comment is about WITH DAVE ON OUR SIDE (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
reads really well this. hints of menace and quite unnerving.
Comment is about Census Report (blog)
Original item by David Lindsay
Move over Bob Dylan! I like the parody as social commentary: tried it myself, but not as well as this.
Comment is about WITH DAVE ON OUR SIDE (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
i love this jim! its hilarious and moving and hopeful.
Comment is about Henry & Lucille (blog)
Original item by Jim Trott
wonderful. i live in the valleys and read this as i looked out the window at a day which you could no doubt describe better than i. gorgeous.
Comment is about Aberaeron (after the storm) (blog)
Original item by Peter Ray
I like this - more a senryu maybe?
Comment is about Depressed Haiku, sort of (blog)
Original item by Shirley Smothers
Very good - and a poke at our conscience!
Comment is about In Crisis (blog)
Original item by Pixievic
Shirley - like this one a lot. Evokes a feeling of lightness in more ways than one. Well written.
Rob
Comment is about Haiku Inspired By Bob Ross (blog)
Original item by Shirley Smothers
thanks guys. look forward to reading this tonight.
Comment is about The Pusher (blog)
Original item by Andy N
Hi Jim
Thanks for your note on Bathtime.
It's a deeply unpleasant memory from childhood that has plagued me for years. I thought to try and exorcise it through poetry. Stu's take is close to the real thing.
Cheers
Laura
Comment is about Jim Trott (poet profile)
Original item by Jim Trott
Howdy Stu
Thanks for your note on Bathtime.
It's a deeply unpleasant memory from childhood that has plagued me for years. I thought to try and exorcise it through poetry. Your take is close to the real thing.
Cheers
Laura
Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)
Original item by Stuart Buck
Hi Michelle
Thanks for your note on Bathtime.
It's a deeply unpleasant memory from childhood that has plagued me for years. I thought to try and exorcise it through poetry. Stu's take is close to the real thing.
Cheers
Laura
Comment is about Michelle (poet profile)
Original item by Michelle
I made the clarification as the Saudis are seen as our allies, and they follow a fundamentalist branch of Islam that is intricately linked to ISIS. How you managed to make the unfeasible jump to me disrespecting him I have no idea.
I've never liked words being put into my mouth so please don't do that.
Comment is about Poet reprieved from execution but still faces 800 lashes and long jail term (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Before I became a civil servant I used to work with a mental health charity helping the patients get their life back on track. Some of them were homeless and ended up staying in hostels until they sorted themselves out. Unfortunately the charity closed down due to cutbacks. I still keep in touch with some of them though.
Keep donating monthly food parcels and sorry to hear about Sister Dorothy McGregor.
Thank you Tina. x
Comment is about Being Homeless (blog)
Original item by Tina Rooney
Mon 8th Feb 2016 10:44
I like the form of this poet. It reads well. I also like poems that give a sense of possibility and hope.
Best wishes,
Peter Ray
Comment is about Years (blog)
Original item by Jon Darby
<Deleted User> (13762)
Mon 8th Feb 2016 07:36
very good
Lynn -
very
clever
my
inspiration
perhaps
your
imagination
no less
but I
sense
your
old
format
has won
you back?
whatever
next -
we
wait
and
see
x
Comment is about format (blog)
Harry I see you're still troubling over one of my older efforts "Sis".
Having read through it one thing that comes back to me upon further reading is that it suggests my father was a violent man (nothing could be further from the truth).
Things changed that night, for my sister, parents and myself. It took the eventual death of both my parents before my sister and I could come to terms with each others feelings.
I'm humbled that you still read it and comment.
best regards,
Graham
Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
Did I feel the shadow of Betjeman with this Jim?
When the Cotswolds have a litter problem, people must die.
Thanks, Ray.
Comment is about COTSWOLD STONE VILLAGES (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Vividly expressed and upsetting...x
Comment is about THE TREE (blog)
Original item by christine yates
Beautifully expressed yet horrific and gut wrenching x
Comment is about EMPTY (blog)
Original item by christine yates
Thanks for recent comments o sister! xx
Comment is about christine yates (poet profile)
Original item by christine yates
Cheers for recent comment Jim...v. kind
Comment is about Jim Trott (poet profile)
Original item by Jim Trott
Thanks Greg for recent comment :)
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Cheers for your recent comment Ray
Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)
Original item by ray pool
Thanks for your comment Sister...this memory always makes me cry xx
Comment is about The Day Of Her Leaving (blog)
Original item by Jon Darby
This theme suits the villanelle.
Comment is about They Are Not Gone (blog)
Original item by Trevor Alexander
Space grist to the mill of romantic poetry!
Mind, It`s not helpful the way space seems to be getting more dense at the same time that the particles of the down under (or within) have gone vanishingly minute.
I wish I could understand intellectual reliability of the maths equations they use to test this stuff.
Every time you see some of these scientists on the tele these days they seem to confess to being more and more puzzled.
This one is good with the aptness of the science bits to the attractional theme. (but a bit `difficult`)
It would read better without the large bold.
Comment is about Event Horizon (blog)
Original item by Trevor Alexander
Emer Ni Chorra
Tue 9th Feb 2016 09:40
I am sorry for your loss Nicole. Suicide leaves behind so many unanswered questions, neverending psychological pain. Much love and peace. Emer
Comment is about Richard (blog)
Original item by Nicole