Hiya Nigel Thanks for sending in the audio of 'who's knocking at the door' I really enjoyed it and it was fab that you read it ☺ I emailed your son about it instead of you by mistake. I was away and needed to reformat your audio file.
Anyway we'll broadcast it this Sunday on Allfm.org after 3pm 🎉
Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)
Original item by Nigel Astell
“Trussed up”, Stephen? I think there’s a rather niche website that caters for that sort of stuff.
And thanks for the Likes, Frederick, Stephen A and Holden.
Comment is about LEARNING THE LESSONS OF HISTORY (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thanks for the likes and comments for this silly write. I prescribe a new pair of trainers and increasing your steps per day Stephen A. 😁🌈
Comment is about New Pandemic (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Thank you for reading and the supportive comments, very much appreciated.
Comment is about Mask (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
There's far too many cardboard cutouts kicking about, Holden! Wonderful stuff, as usual.
Comment is about Cardboard (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
I've got this, Julie! Is there a cure?
😄
Comment is about New Pandemic (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Great finish, Julie! Could be one for 'I'm sorry, I haven't a clue.
Comment is about New Pandemic (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Grim but ultimately truthful, Stephen. Thanks.
Comment is about A Song Of Earth (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
One of your best,John. Concisely chilling and heart warming at the same time.
Comment is about Incident in a Salford park (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
I enjoyed reading this again, Greg, and apart from the celebrity angle of CAD, it made me think of Fabio Capello, a fish out of water who almost achieved greatnesss with England. I remember him celebrating the equaliser until he realised it had not been given.
Comment is about Watching England with Carol Ann Duffy (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I've had some interesting variations in connecting with notable
names over the years and have known colleagues with their
own experiences. I have always been impressed by the percentage of those who "measure up". Bryan Forbes, the celebrated film-director/scriptwriter; Jeremy Irons - another
famous name in that busy industry. Both took the time and
trouble to respond at length to my uninvited correspondence.
Denis Compton, the great sportsman of yesteryear who used a
local pub and responded to my in absentia request (e.g. via
the personable bar manager who ran a great pub) to sign
my second-hand copy of the great man's autobiography..
The almost immediate responses from senior Royalty's
representatives and their gratifying grasp of the rudimentary
rules of polite social etiquette. The failings of the likes of
Lord Brown (arrested for drunk driving by a non-nonsense
colleague) and another Lord (Wilson's security supremo)
after he crossed the path of a night duty patrol car driver who
feared no one and no reputation....and ended up in court as a result...with the magistrate finding against him. Other names
stir through my memory over those busy decades that closed
the 20th century here in London. People can impress and
people can disappoint. The former
are even now recalled with pleasure and respect.
Comment is about Frost, not Nixon (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
All political careers end in failure, John. I know mine did. (Voted down in a bid to become my local party's ward treasurer about a thousand years ago). But to think of being ' trussed' up like that....no, you're quite right.
Comment is about LEARNING THE LESSONS OF HISTORY (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I'm prepared to give it a go, John, at least for 15 minutes.
And thanks to Nigel, Frederick, Keith, Stephen, Rudyard and Holden for the likes.
Comment is about Frost, not Nixon (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I think the "red tabs" (general staff well behind the lines) were
the real objects of that derision, not the officers in the field who
kept up their men's morale and led them "over the top". to what
they themselves must have known was certain (or as near as dammit!) death.
Comment is about LEARNING THE LESSONS OF HISTORY (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I agree about the human propensity for cruelty but not totally
with Mark Twain. There are many examples of animals
attacking each other without obvious cause - and many
examples of humans stepping in to save animals from themselves or from some helpless situation that, without
human intervention, would otherwise have tragic consequences.
Comment is about Incident in a Salford park (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Good point, MC. Even in the First World War, I believe deaths and casualties among officers was higher than the ranks, confounding the seductive myth of “lions led by donkeys”.
Comment is about LEARNING THE LESSONS OF HISTORY (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Better put that thought alongside the one that remembers
how those who sought overwhelming power over others were
not averse to leading their troops into battle themselves - willing
to risk all, including their own lives, for the prize they sought.
Warwick the Kingmaker was one such example.
Comment is about LEARNING THE LESSONS OF HISTORY (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
1 9 2 Alien transporter
bus passengers abducted
next stop Mars
Red Planet Cafe
I don't care
says Slack Alice
swollen lips crave
somewhat different diet.
Comment is about July 2022 Collage Poem: Tired Pleasure (blog)
Original item by Stockport WoL
I first posted this here many years ago, but I'm re-posting it in response to an idea about 'celebrity' poetry by John Botterill, prompted by a poem by Stephen Gospage. I'm not sure that poets count as 'celebrities', but anyway ... The picture shows my two walking weekend companions getting their books signed by the poet laureate after her festival reading that night. And obligatory plug ... this poem is included in my collection Marples Must Go!, published by Dempsey & Windle last year
Comment is about Watching England with Carol Ann Duffy (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
John, don't get me started! I've certainly got one or two of those. Well, famous poets, anyway ...
Comment is about Frost, not Nixon (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Stephen. Do you think we should have a famous people/ celebrity poetry challenge? Whaddya think?😂
Comment is about Frost, not Nixon (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
.Thank you Frederick, Holden, Stephen G, Stephen A & Greg. Much appreciated support.
Of all the animals, man is the only one that is cruel. He is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing it.
Mark Twain
Comment is about Incident in a Salford park (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
A good and well crafted poem Mike. Its theme is true as Winston Churchill during the last World War was often seen shedding tears, particularly in Coventry after one of the most destructive air raids of the war.
To cry is to release a perfectly normal emotion and it also displays our humanity at its best.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about Mask (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
Thank you Stephen and Keith for your comments, they are much appreciated.
We live in such difficult times, witnessing via the small screen in our homes, horrors which I never thought would take place in my lifetime.
Comment is about When the World Grew Weary (blog)
Original item by Brenda Wells
Thanks for the likes and lovely comment Keith.
Comment is about Sunset In Yalikavak (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Thanks, John and Greg. I don't think I can better Peter O'Toole, a truly great actor. I once bumped into Frank Bough at a cricket match, and look what happened to him.
I remember the exhortation to share a bath, Greg. I think it was a follow-up to 'clean your teeth in the dark', from the time of the Heath miners' strike, though possibly more fun. It's odd when famous people turn out to be disappointing when you meet them in life. A friend of mine who worked in UK customs was unimpressed by the attitude of several celebrities when subjected to inspections. 'Do you know who I am?' featured more than once.
Dennis Howell -those were the days.
Comment is about Frost, not Nixon (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
That's right, Greg. They made Dennis Howell the Minister for Drought and it rained for a week. Should have been the Chancellor. Haha
Best music in the seventies. Definitely! 😀
Comment is about Frost, not Nixon (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Highly descriptive with the most appropriate illustration.
Thanks
Keith
Comment is about Sunset In Yalikavak (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Stephen,
This poem is probably closer to the truth of our destiny than we might think. We may become a new milky way.
Thanks for this
Keith
Comment is about A Song Of Earth (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
<Deleted User> (33719)
Thu 14th Jul 2022 09:41
Great rhythm with this! Scary though!😱
Comment is about Sea Witch (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Thanks for the likes and kind comment Stephen A. 🌈
Comment is about The Race Is On (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
I once encountered Lord Longford in Sussex, jogging up a hill while I was waiting for the AA. He didn't stop to inquire about my predicament. Not a good Samaritan. Or maybe he just wasn't very good with cars. A lot of interest in the 1970s at the moment. I found myself reminiscing about the 76 drought on Twitter just now, when they told us to share baths.
Comment is about Frost, not Nixon (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
The saying "see you later Alligator" always for me needed more, it felt like there was more to the story, so I set myself on a mission to write the story of its origin.
had a great time creating it😊
Comment is about See you later Alligator, In a while Crocodile. (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
That's an impressive Poetic list, Russell! Excellent 👏
Comment is about See you later Alligator, In a while Crocodile. (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Most of these problems arise from the closure of grammar schools. A one-size fits all model of education just ends up suiting nobody and dumbing down standards to the LCD. The elite did not like (some of) the masses getting the same education their own children get; and the middle classes with low IQ children did not like them being branded as failures at secondary moderns.
Latin is not a dead language, all the Romance languages are built from it.
Comment is about Larkin and Owen poems dropped from GCSE syllabus (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Never truer words written! 😉🌈
Comment is about The Race Is On (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Sadly true, Brenda. We live in hope. 🌈
Comment is about When the World Grew Weary (blog)
Original item by Brenda Wells
Peter O" Toole asked where the loos were in Leeds University Students Union. I think your claims to fame are better, Stephen. Loved it! 😀
Comment is about Frost, not Nixon (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Some great lines in a superbly written piece 🌈
Comment is about Other Colours, Other Clocks. After W.H Auden (blog)
Original item by Ralph Dartford
The first really good love poem I have read for a long time. Every word counted.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about Lover (blog)
Original item by Aisha Suleman
Education has suffered many a misfortune in recent years and all in the name of progress. I learned Latin at school and much to my personal edification as it opened up a gift for learning other languages. Decades back our Education System withdrew it from the common syllabus. It was deemed a dead language. In Spain they also took it off the syllabus and now it is back with many avid learners. Will we ever focus on what really matters?
Greg, thank you for this.
Keith
Comment is about Larkin and Owen poems dropped from GCSE syllabus (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
This awful war is on all our minds as we witness daily such horrors on our TV screens. This poem speaks of the next generation and of hope. It's all we can do and pray.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about When the World Grew Weary (blog)
Original item by Brenda Wells
This one just keeps giving, Russell. Well done for slipping the zonkey in.
Comment is about See you later Alligator, In a while Crocodile. (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Whatever the form, Ralph, every line is superb. 'Pound shop Essex town' - I know it well.
Comment is about Other Colours, Other Clocks. After W.H Auden (blog)
Original item by Ralph Dartford
Thanks Holden.
It looks odd on my phone though. On my laptop it looks as it should. It’s supposed to be a ‘broken sonnet’, but looks a bit like ‘free verse’ on my phone.
Comment is about Other Colours, Other Clocks. After W.H Auden (blog)
Original item by Ralph Dartford
Wed 13th Jul 2022 15:32
A really powerful poem, Ralph, each line is infused with both profundity and originality! 🌷
Comment is about Other Colours, Other Clocks. After W.H Auden (blog)
Original item by Ralph Dartford
Thanks for your kind note, Stephen.
Comment is about Teddy Roosevelt Park (blog)
Original item by Candice Reineke
Holden Moncrieff
Sat 16th Jul 2022 03:30
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Stephen, I'm truly grateful! 😊
Comment is about Cardboard (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff