Food for thought. Brilliantly presented.

Comment is about Tabula Rasa (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

👊 A powerful truth, Stephen. Absolutely sums it up. Brilliant stuff as usual

Comment is about Innocents (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

I seem to think the previous year was a scorcher too; Vicar David at Lords, “Free George Harrison” at Headingley and all that.

Comment is about 1976! (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you, Ray. Yes, it's true there is a chillier side to this. So many are in 'precarious' jobs which offer low wages and few prospects.

Comment is about Gig Economy (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thanks for your comment, John!

Comment is about 1976! (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

“Joey” by Bob Dylan charts the life and death of mobster Joey Gallo, MC, who also met his end in a restaurant.

Comment is about GALLOWS HUMOUR (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

To those who took the trouble to "like" this contribution...I am
content to know that the taste in grim humour is shared. So,
welcome to the club! 😈

Comment is about GALLOWS HUMOUR (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thank you very much for the flattering comments John, John & Stephen! As encouraging as always! 🌈
And for those who read and liked 🌷🌷

Comment is about A Single Cloud (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Thanks for the comment, Ray. You had me check my yellowed
curling bit of newsprint dating from July 1978 and allowed me
to correct a slight misquote by me. See the amended last line.
Much obliged!. If the humour I experienced in the Met. back in
the day was a common feature of policing everywhere, those Brooklyn officers carrying the
stretcher would have enjoyed the connection. The cutting added
that it was said Galante had a hand in 50 murders! Cheers.

Comment is about GALLOWS HUMOUR (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Truly Nigel. Let love be the heart.

Comment is about This world (blog)

Original item by Sunshine

Thanks Ray. As a musician and as a poet you will understand, better than I, the majesty of the lyricist who captures a moment in music and words.

And gentle winds and waters near, make music to the lonely ear.

Lord Byron

Comment is about The vanishing life (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

I know every nuance of your beautiful face as you prempt every phrase upon piano.

I know your warbling understanding.

I know you're far, and very close.

I know that, I cry for every genius you are, every wit of keys you write.

and I cry, because I miss you.

worlds, transportatiojn pods, reversals and all manner of jelousy, will one day seek a magnitude upon those whom have delighted such use.

still, across so many spans, I cry, because I still love you.

xxx



x

Comment is about Move Away From The Pain (blog)

Original item by ZTK Space

Highly imaginative and ghastly in the imagery Nigel. I kept seeing Ray Winstone in You Sexy Beast.

Ray

Comment is about The Heat is On (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

I wince at the prospect of descending to the hoi polloi when I am one Greg. Well put together with a slip of poison to boot.

Ray

Comment is about Holiday jobs (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

This left me breathless for more lines as you obviously have the knack Branwell. Very satisfying as a starter.

Ray

Comment is about Short Gardening Rhyme (blog)

Original item by branwell kent

I guessed the ending of this early on as it is the same story I heard twenty years ago, but just as enjoyable, and easier to read than to listen to in a hot sweaty bar as I first heard it John!

Ray

Comment is about Murder, Most Foul (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

A cutesy charming little piece Julie, happy families! Next door we have ducks, quails and chickens. Not too happy with the noises, but no such problems with your hedgehogs.

Ray

Comment is about Dr Amir’s Hedgehogs (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

It's a bit of irony that other bosses have been bumped off outside restaurants , Paul Castellano for example in 1985. I enjoyed the story , I wonder if the photographer spotted it?

Ray

Comment is about GALLOWS HUMOUR (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Although this is a lightweight piece, it has to me a darker background of insecurity and hopes dashed, and of course the straying of human nature. Good one Stephen.

Ray

Comment is about Gig Economy (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Sensitive and lyrical with true originality John. A compelling poem. Like a soft spun seedhead of ideas.

Ray

Comment is about The vanishing life (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Many thanks to Nigel, Frederick, Julie, Stephen, Holden and K.Lynn for liking the poem.

Thanks Stephen, I do like a bit of drama!

Tom, i'm so glad you picked that verse as I was so pleased it came to me as one phrase. Sometimes you just labour over an idea, but this - the heat of the moment.

Ray

Comment is about ON THE HOTTEST DAY OF THE YEAR SO FAR (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Immensely powerful, Clare. A put down poem with great panache!

Comment is about Silly Me. (blog)

Original item by Clare

Lovely. Evocative of times gone by 😀

Comment is about Dr Amir’s Hedgehogs (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

So sad to hear this, JD. But your poem is a wonderful gift to her.

Comment is about A TRIBUTE TO MARY LEE (blog)

Original item by J.D. Bardo

Thanks, Julie. Yes, I felt the need to lighten things up.

And thanks to Hugh, Frederick, Holden, Stephen and K Lynn.

Comment is about Gig Economy (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

A lovely tribute. Sorry for your loss. Take care.

Comment is about A TRIBUTE TO MARY LEE (blog)

Original item by J.D. Bardo

The poet has written a lament and a tribute from a heart wreathed in sorrow. The tone of the poem is sincere and honest and the writer asks questions of himself. The last line reminds me of someone losing a partner after many years of marriage, in saying that a part of me has gone, never to be regained. Only memories can now be cherished.
Sorrow so very well described with beauty woven into each line and word.
Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about A TRIBUTE TO MARY LEE (blog)

Original item by J.D. Bardo

A touching, heartfelt tribute, J.D.! 🌷

Comment is about A TRIBUTE TO MARY LEE (blog)

Original item by J.D. Bardo

I suppose being picked up by the Sunaks could be an even worse fate, John.

Comment is about LEARNING THE LESSONS OF HISTORY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Oh, Hugh! What has 'Boris' ever done for you?

Comment is about The Fizz of Liz (blog)

Original item by hugh

Boris has defied gravity before and he remains the favourite of the British public and might be put on ballot to enter the premiership race.Plans are being made to force the Tory party to keep him in office.Watch this space.

Comment is about The Fizz of Liz (blog)

Original item by hugh

So we're most likely to have a multi-millionaire on one side and a knight of the realm on the other!! God help us all!

Comment is about The Fizz of Liz (blog)

Original item by hugh

Rishi's increased taxes and his plot to bring down Boris ,voters have enraged.
Liz who is a doer,not obsessed with her image with voters has engaged.

Comment is about The Fizz of Liz (blog)

Original item by hugh

Thanks John (Botterill) good to hear your thoughts on this. Cheers. 👍

Comment is about you carry me each day (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

Thank you so much, Stephen and John, for your thoughtful comments, they truly mean a lot to me! 😊

Comment is about Half-answered (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

Family values?! She had an affair with a former Tory MP. But no, make her Tory leader. Fine with me.

Comment is about The Fizz of Liz (blog)

Original item by hugh

Thanks to everybody for the likes
Martin

Comment is about Another day (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Thanks Stephen needed a reason to smile after listening to the news. 😁

Comment is about Gig Economy (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Beautiful poem, Stephen, the best I have read on this site for some time! 😀
Crumbling to a waste of ash
In my own neglected urn
Epic! Loved the romantic ending, too.

Comment is about A Single Cloud (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Perhaps Nature has the answer to our perennial issues, Holden. 👍

Comment is about Half-answered (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

Puts everything into perspective, Russell. Very skilful and enjoyable 😀

Comment is about Clouds of White (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

A fine, mysterious piece, Alita.

Comment is about Good Night Moon (blog)

Original item by Alita Moore

I agree, Holden. 'Because' often seems inadequate, especially in view of what follows it.

Comment is about Half-answered (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

A delightful, hopeful poem, Stephen. This is really special.

Comment is about A Single Cloud (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

A really powerful, interesting poem, Madi! 🌷

Comment is about the sparrow and the copywriter (blog)

Original item by Madi Schlief

Dear Tom. You are too generous. Today is my birthday, and one of my daughters has bought me a ticket for a GAI concert in Manchester this October. I am so much looking forward to it. Your poetry has a lyrical intensity that I seek to emulate. Not always successfully. Thanks again Tom. John

Comment is about Trial by fire (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

So what’s the motive for our being played, MC?

Comment is about IT'S COMING HOME (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

It's my view that an open mind is always advisable. No one answers my questions about what goes on, how it's reported
and whether all we are being told to believe is actually true.
Go back many years to the saga of the "ozone hole" over the
Antarctic and how its reported growth was promoted as the
harbinger of doom, irrefutable proof of mankind's effect on the
climate. Nothing was said of the volcanic nature of the area in question, above and beneath the sea. We were lectured about
abandoned fridges and CFCs et al. - and any scientific view
that differed was attacked as if preaching heresy. Little seems
to have changed - and how little has been reported about
the reduction of that same "ozone hole" over recent years.
Today's global world enables stuff to be promulgated as if
"gospel" when co-ordinated and consistently campaigned by
those with power and influence.
I don't recall any MSM debate that ACTUALLY ALLOWED
the widest spectrum of "cause and effect" to be put out for
public consumption. It is all about a certain "narrative" - and
THAT is not conducive to the widest accuracy of human judgement. My cynical suspicion therefore is that we are being
"played" on the end of a certain hook and line.
"An Inconvenient Truth" was the Al Gore/political opening
salvo. But "truth" itself is a flexible definition according to
aimss and intentions. Meanwhile, perhaps China and India
should get visits from young Greta. I wait eagerly for reports.. .

Comment is about IT'S COMING HOME (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Especially middle aged men, Telboy. I think we would all have been wiser to listen to what was being said rather than who was saying it.
There can’t be many of you left who question the impact of humans on climate change, MC.
And as for how she is funded - does it really matter if the future of the planet is at stake?
And thanks for the Likes, Frederick, Stephen and Holden.

Comment is about IT'S COMING HOME (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Telboy - no one is explaining just HOW a schoolgirl - like some
well-funded latter-day Joan of Arc - is able to afford everything
that her well-organised public campaigning requires. Follow
the money! She just makes a useful puppet on someone else's
strings...like Pinocchio. Even the sight of her sniffy nose is starting to get me thinking!

Comment is about IT'S COMING HOME (blog)

Original item by John Coopey