Thank you stephen and best wishes for the new year
Comment is about This is the Body I Love (a year of terror 2022) (blog)
Original item by David R Mellor
We should never forget how fragile is the construct of democracy. It needs to be perpetually defended.
Comment is about Muttering (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you Keith, Helen and Leon for your comments
🙂
Comment is about Wheeled luggage (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Stay strong, Mike. It's a difficult time. All my best wishes.
Comment is about Let Summer Be Nigh (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
Quite right too, Rasa! Happy New Year to you.
Comment is about The Back Up Choice (blog)
Original item by Rasa Kabaila
A very interesting read, Keith. I remember (sort of) back to the fifties and it's true that everything seemed to be black and white, or grey with limited colour. I wonder why? Perhaps people wore more drab clothes and things were painted in darker hues.
Thanks for this.
Comment is about All things are..... (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
I go back further than you Keith but I still have vivid memories of deprivation - poor food and little of it ( bread and Oxo - couldn't afford Bovril) no books - no toys and a severely limited education.
Doctors had to be paid for if you could afford it.
No, it was not a poor but happy time - it was depressing.
Hand carts of Nutty slack from the coal yard are more memories that I share with you., but brown and dark green are the colours that I remember, and everything dull.
We have indeed become weakened by the 'I want what I want and I want it now' mindset.
Life did improve but I am scared now at the horror that is the NHS. - dying in a corridor is no way to end a life.
Well written Keith I think that you got everything in there.
Comment is about All things are..... (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Ah ha, MC! But I had a plan.
I wore full length cycle shorts to simulate the effect of a wet suit with a t-shirt and kagoule over the top to try to offset the sea’s equivalent of wind chill.
But as Mike Tyson said “Everybody’s got a plan until you get hit in the face”!
And for “hit in the face” read “dragged backwards and forwards over the shingle by the undertow”.
Comment is about ROLLING IN THE DEEP (HORNSEA NEW YEAR SWIM) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Like Skinny dipping - or how to reduce the size of bodily parts?
I recall a swim in an outdoor pool out of season in Essex - and
still remember how the shock of the cold expelled the air from my protesting body and how I could barely draw breath to replace it as I struggled to pull myself out of the water.
You can keep your ocean frolics!
Comment is about ROLLING IN THE DEEP (HORNSEA NEW YEAR SWIM) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Despite its sound of nature in strife
Rain in its rhythm brings promise of life.
Comment is about it's raining (blog)
Original item by lon
Horrifyingly, I have heard it said more than once that it needs another war to buck this country up!
Comment is about All things are..... (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
I got my hopes up earlier today when I thought I got a voicemail from her, Stephen. Turned out it was Dell computers asking if I wanted an upgrade.
Comment is about ROLLING IN THE DEEP (HORNSEA NEW YEAR SWIM) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
These lines are indeed timely. Somehow, the offspring of a
hardy "make do and mend" generation became weak and
spoilt, with expectations that defied modest reality - as if they
feared losing what had been granted to them by the stoic
accomplishments of their forebears and finding themselves
having to meet similar unwelcome demands on their lives.
Society became easy prey to false hopes, seeking assurance
by lowering standards across the board - with mediocrity the new "excellence". Look at our government and those it
chooses to refer to - or reward with "honours". The strong have become weak and the weak strong.
Comment is about All things are..... (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Gentle - hauntingly sad - and Oh so beautiful
Comment is about I Will Remember (blog)
Original item by Melinda Mills
<Deleted User> (9882)
Tue 3rd Jan 2023 11:55
Welcome Melinda! Hope you enjoy this great poetry site in which I know you will do very well indeed!
cheers chuck ( as they say in Lancashire 😁 )
Rose 💋
Comment is about Melinda Mills (poet profile)
Original item by Melinda Mills
<Deleted User> (9882)
Tue 3rd Jan 2023 11:52
I know EXACTLY where you are coming from Melinda with the words of this wonderful bitter sweet poem
Rose 💋
Comment is about I Will Remember (blog)
Original item by Melinda Mills
Nigel, frederick, John, K lynn and the 'Wlde pair' thank you all for your very important likes -
Thank you also to Helene and Stephen, your comments are encouraging and dispel self doubt
Comment is about HUG (blog)
Original item by Flyntland
Just came back to comment on your recent poem - but it's vanished... It was touching, anyway.
Comment is about Graham Sherwood (poet profile)
Original item by Graham Sherwood
This poem speaks to a deep-seated instinct for security and companionship. I really enjoyed it, Flyntland.
Comment is about HUG (blog)
Original item by Flyntland
John, all you need after that is some smart Alec in a coat and scarf saying 'It's not worth it, you know'.
Mind you, it was that warm on New Year's Day here (15°) that the water might have been quite nice!
Has Adele been on the phone yet? It's only a matter of time.
Comment is about ROLLING IN THE DEEP (HORNSEA NEW YEAR SWIM) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A great start to the new year, Ray. Not sure about too much smiling but I'll give it a go. All my best wishes.
Comment is about NEW YEAR'S REVOLUTION (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Thank you for the comments, John and Flyntland. We need these little parachutes, hopefully of the right kind, to stay optimistic about 2023.
And thanks to Nigel, Frederick, K Lynn, Rudyard; Rose, Hélène, Patricia and Stefan for liking this.
Comment is about Parachutes (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I fear the parachutes may be of a different kind, Stephen. But, like you, I hope.
Comment is about Parachutes (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Interesting you mention smiling at strangers Ray. I often see miserable looking people and think they look miserable and then realise I might be one too. My mother used to say if you walk along with a smile on your face people will think you’re half-sharp! I rest my case.
Comment is about NEW YEAR'S REVOLUTION (blog)
Original item by ray pool
I try to "do the rounds" of WOL, giving everyone a fair crack of the whip, which can be time-consuming if one is to be considerate - Happy new year Ray, from one old codger to another😉
Comment is about NEW YEAR'S REVOLUTION (blog)
Original item by ray pool
<Deleted User> (34685)
Mon 2nd Jan 2023 21:08
👍 poem Adam. These guys are so comical to watch skipping and jumping along but thank god for them and all of the beautiful animals we are blessed with
LS
Comment is about Lemur Incident (blog)
Original item by Adam Whitworth
<Deleted User> (34685)
Mon 2nd Jan 2023 21:03
One thing missing from this list is by a sad omission my limited responses to other poets on the site. Unfortunately it does take a lot out of me as I feel I must delve in to each poem and get OCD about it. I am an old codger so not much energy to spare. Anyway I would like to offer my sincere thanks for all the input I get and hope you will forgive me for the limitations.
Happy new year everyone!
Ray
Comment is about NEW YEAR'S REVOLUTION (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Thanks Graham, it seems to hit some spot with the readers. Have a great year too.
A good point Uilleam, the object seemed so vulnerable I was attracted to it! Somehow very personal.
Thanks Stephen, exactly so.
Your poetic comment is welcome Mark. It takes a sentimentalist like me to save a soul!
Keith, I know you are committed to greater ideals, and this small token does find a way to comfort . It amazes me how small the script is, yet how vital.
A nice comment Helene thank you. I did feel compelled to rescue the book; her husband was a lovely guy - it seemed it was the least I could do.
In addition, thanks as always for your likes, Frederick, Colin, Holden and your Royal Poetess.
Ray
Comment is about A SENTIMENTAL SOUL (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Happy New Year Hélène, and thank you 🌷
Comment is about aubade (2023) (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
Thank you and all the best for 2023 Stephen & Uilleam.
....and remember to forget the troubles of the past....
Comment is about Song for the Old Year (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Thanks for the likes and kind comments hope you all had a wonderful time.
Comment is about Happy New Year (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
This poem is relevent to so many situations - many of us would love to - both send and recieve a - 'little parachute of love' - It would be such a lovely start to 2023
Comment is about Parachutes (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
A great poem to start 2023!
Comment is about aubade (2023) (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
Tender and moving, Hélène.
Best wishes for the new year.
Comment is about Dear Friend, So Much Grace (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Thank you so much, Graham. I appreciate the encouragement and look forward to WOL poets doing this vital year proud.
All the best to you,
Steve
Comment is about Parachutes (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you, Stuart. Best wishes for the new year.
Comment is about 2023 (blog)
Original item by Stuart Vanner
One of the best I have seen for a long time, Adam.
Best wishes for the new year.
Comment is about By Day Sun Pins You Down (blog)
Original item by Adam Whitworth
I think we all share your optimism Stephen and applaud you for keeping this subject matter foremost in our WOL poets' mindset.
I think the people of Ukraine need as many parachutes of hope as they can get. Bravo!
G
Comment is about Parachutes (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
12m by 'eck, lucky chap!
Mine's 1" on a good day.😟
Comment is about He got 12 months !!! (blog)
Original item by hugh
The wind out there is strong and cold,
Attacking the homeless both young and old.
Wrapped up in blankets dirty and damp,
The street is their bedroom ,its lights their lamp.
Comment is about Help !!!! Urgently needed for the homeless (blog)
Original item by hugh
The photo is astounding. Wow. And so fitting to the well-worded poem.
Comment is about Wheeled luggage (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Thank you Uilleam. And the same to you & yours!
Comment is about Dear Friend, So Much Grace (blog)
Original item by Hélène
<Deleted User> (33540)
Sun 1st Jan 2023 01:36
Lovely poem Julie and such a beautiful coloured species of bird.
Thank you.
Comment is about Mandarin Ducks (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Thanks kindly Hélène, WOL is quite the place to be. 🌷
Comment is about silver threaded web (blog)
Original item by Red Brick Keshner
keith jeffries
Tue 3rd Jan 2023 19:43
A poem which needs to be broadcast loud and clear as we are on the verge of losing some of our essential freedoms, including freedom of speech. The right to say what we think and feel and the equal right to hear a different opinion to our own. If this is abandoned then we are in a dictatorship (1984). It is only around the corner.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about Muttering (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage