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Fred Tromp

Tue 10th May 2022 05:04

I have seen this poem attributed to Canadian journalist, photographer, historian and novelist, Frederick William Wallace, December 11, 1886 – July 15, 1958 (Wikipedia has an entry on him). I have been trying for some time to confirm that and, more particularly, the exact original wording of it by Wallace, as there are a number of (slight) variations of the poem around. One of my searches landed me on this forum. If any of you could point me to some "poetry" search tools I would be most grateful!
By way of background, I first sighted one version of this poem in April 2002 on the gravestone of a Falkland Islands mariner, Cecil Bertrand, February 20, 1909 - December 9, 1985, in Stanley cemetery. The square rigged ship I was crewing on at that time had just weathered a Force 10 gale on its way from rounding Cape Horn (west to east) on a voyage from Australia/New Zealand to Europe with a crew of 56. The ship is a true (wooden) replica of Her Majesty's Bark (HMB) Endeavour on which Captain James Cook had made voyages of discovery to the Pacific and Australia in the 1770s, and is now owned and operated by the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney, Australia.

Comment is about D'YE MIND, OLD PAL? (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

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Sunshine

Tue 10th May 2022 01:21

Thank you Nigel and EmekaπŸ’

Comment is about Rainbow heart (blog)

Original item by Sunshine

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Sunshine

Tue 10th May 2022 01:21

Thank you K.J and Kevin. 🌷

Thank you Nigel for adding a few more lines ...... its always a pleasure to read your commentsπŸ’•

Comment is about Blessed!! (blog)

Original item by Sunshine

Holden Moncrieff

Tue 10th May 2022 00:25

A wonderful poem, John; I really loved the line "That borderless 'whatness' of every animate thing"! 🌷

Comment is about A Sonnet for May (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Holden Moncrieff

Tue 10th May 2022 00:16

Thank you so much for your kind comment, John, it always means a lot! 😎

Comment is about Quixotic (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

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Greg Freeman

Mon 9th May 2022 23:35

You never know, Graham. Will take a while to find my feet. They already have a monthly poetry group in Morpeth. First we have to find a house!

Comment is about Moments (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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John Botterill

Mon 9th May 2022 20:20

Wonderful writing, Holden. I think many of us live in this type of world. I know I do. Reality can be painful... Great poem! 😎

Comment is about Quixotic (blog)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

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David Franks

Mon 9th May 2022 19:26

Yes, Kevin: Aulos tenor recorder; I like to introduce the tune to my Chants, etc., with it then, sometimes, double the melody with keyboards.

Comment is about David Franks: Walkabouts Verse (poet profile)

Original item by David Franks: Walkabouts Verse

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John Botterill

Mon 9th May 2022 19:22

Thanks, Julie. Real heroism which lives on!

Comment is about On The Subject Of Freedom (Not A Poem) (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

<Deleted User> (32907)

Mon 9th May 2022 17:03

I love the idea of washing out of the old, the pouring of the wine, and the cleansing of tears. The past does indeed need to be washed out sometimes, so we can begin anew. Lovely poem. Blessings!πŸ‘πŸ’•

Comment is about Pour out more wine (blog)

Original item by Freda Davis

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John Botterill

Mon 9th May 2022 14:05

I just love it. Free expression without the worry about nuanced meaning. Freedom, indeed! A star in the making, your Reggie!🎈

Comment is about No rules (blog)

Original item by Clare

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Pete (edbreathe)

Mon 9th May 2022 11:00

Good poem Stephen,
They should put a statue up to you 🀣

Comment is about Lenin (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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Stephen Gospage

Mon 9th May 2022 07:19

A very clever detached observation, Clare.

Comment is about First Date (blog)

Original item by Clare

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Nigel Astell

Mon 9th May 2022 01:05

Neverending breakfast served
peace blessed paradise
drinking honey dew
ice cream tea.

Comment is about Blessed!! (blog)

Original item by Sunshine

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Nigel Astell

Mon 9th May 2022 00:30

Thanks for all your likes
Moonlight
John B
kJ Walker
Stephen A
Stephen G
Holden
Kevin
and
Bethany.

Comment is about Sacrificed to the Gods of War (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

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Nigel Astell

Mon 9th May 2022 00:24

Thanks John I fear the same as one ends another waits to start.

Moonlight your poetic vision brings in those young soldiers who join in the sacrifice from those who send them there.

Comment is about Sacrificed to the Gods of War (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

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Steve Higgins

Sun 8th May 2022 23:44

I like this, brought back thoughts of many first dates,
Best wishes, Steve

Comment is about First Date (blog)

Original item by Clare

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M.C. Newberry

Sun 8th May 2022 19:16

An adroit example of generational human vicissitude and fickle fashion.
Heroes, no doubt, in their time,
Now probably accused of committing crime! 😐

Comment is about Lenin (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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M.C. Newberry

Sun 8th May 2022 19:02

JB - thank you for the kind words. I might not want to confront
a rat but, like pigeons here in town, I harbour a certain "underdog" sort of sympathy for their situation in the cycle of
life.

Comment is about CATS AND RATS (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

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John Botterill

Sun 8th May 2022 18:14

I enjoy the symmetry of this poem and the analogies you draw our attention to. Ingenious writing MC. πŸ‘

Comment is about CATS AND RATS (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

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John Botterill

Sun 8th May 2022 18:09

Superb poem, Stephen! Sums up our times!

Comment is about Lenin (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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Stephen Gospage

Sun 8th May 2022 17:12

It sounds idyllic, Julie. I love the idea of rhododendrums as trumpets.

Comment is about Whelprigg House (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

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Stephen Gospage

Sun 8th May 2022 17:03

A thoughtful poem, Clare. Any limits on absolute freedom have to be justified (e.g. libel, slander, hate speech). The freedom to offend is not always pleasant, but any restrictions for the sake of certain sensibilities should be resisted.

Thanks once again.

Comment is about What is Freedom? (blog)

Original item by Clare

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Stephen Gospage

Sun 8th May 2022 16:42

Well done, Adam. War gives opportunities to lots of people and in many ways it is easier to lead in war than in the complicated quagmire of peace.

Comment is about Psychopath In Decent Clothing (blog)

Original item by Adam Whitworth

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Stephen Gospage

Sun 8th May 2022 16:35

It's best to find out these things early, Bramwell. I seem to remember that Parsifal did for one of mine. Great use of couplets.

Comment is about At Last, A Use For Shakespeare (blog)

Original item by branwell kent

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Graham Sherwood

Sun 8th May 2022 16:22

No-one can be absolutely free. Even a disrespect or ignorance of the rules/laws etc incumbers one with the ever present worry of getting caught.

Comment is about What is Freedom? (blog)

Original item by Clare

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Stephen Atkinson

Sun 8th May 2022 16:18

Thanks for the likes Holden, Kevin, Rudyard, & Emmeranne! Much appreciated 🌷🌈

Comment is about I Wonder If... (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

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Stephen Atkinson

Sun 8th May 2022 16:14

Thank you very much for your flattering comments Ursula & Kevin! And yes I suppose Kevin, if history had been different the modern world could have been completely different. Better or worse? We can never know!
And thank you John! Glad it's worthy to join the other excellent freedom poems! πŸ‘

Comment is about Amistad (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

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M.C. Newberry

Sun 8th May 2022 15:03

In any civilised land, freedom is an agreed state of social limits
overseen by the law. It is accurate to state that it is not a licence
to behave irresponsibly. The advent of social media has seen an
erosion of the basic understanding of the word as anonymity
has aided and abetted irrational and irresponsible behaviour..

Comment is about What is Freedom? (blog)

Original item by Clare

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John Botterill

Sun 8th May 2022 11:42

A stunning and apposite poem, Nigel. I like the ominous ending from a poetic point of view, but I worry that your prophesy will be accurate! One war begets the next one...

Comment is about Sacrificed to the Gods of War (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

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Graham Sherwood

Sun 8th May 2022 10:48

'It was while we were at our fifth King Lear
That I knew for certain the end was near'.

Great line! well done. BK

Comment is about At Last, A Use For Shakespeare (blog)

Original item by branwell kent

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Graham Sherwood

Sun 8th May 2022 10:45

WOL Northumbria beckons I think?

Comment is about Moments (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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Graham Sherwood

Sun 8th May 2022 10:42

Good to see 'The Challenge' going strong! Freedom, now there's a word to conjure with.

Comment is about Freedom (Challenge) (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

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Tim Ellis

Sun 8th May 2022 10:22

Thanks Bethany & Stephen. I had some fun writing it.

Comment is about A Nidderdale ramble (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

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John Botterill

Sun 8th May 2022 10:06

You have touched upon an important issue, "Freedom" can be misrepresented, mistermed and misused. A fine poem, Clare.

Comment is about What is Freedom? (blog)

Original item by Clare

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John Botterill

Sun 8th May 2022 09:53

I agree with both Kevin and Ursula, Stephen. Pure class!
You met the challenge... and then some! πŸ˜€



Comment is about Amistad (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

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John Botterill

Sun 8th May 2022 08:55

Thanks Stephen.. You are always so supportive! πŸ˜€

Comment is about #freedom (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

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Stephen Gospage

Sun 8th May 2022 08:40

Well done, Julie.

Comment is about Freedom (Challenge) (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

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Stephen Gospage

Sun 8th May 2022 08:37

Bravo, John! This is an exceptional poem. Inspiring.

Comment is about #freedom (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

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kJ Walker

Sun 8th May 2022 07:21

All's well that ends well.

Comment is about At Last, A Use For Shakespeare (blog)

Original item by branwell kent

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kJ Walker

Sun 8th May 2022 07:11

Truly blessed.

Comment is about Blessed!! (blog)

Original item by Sunshine

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John Botterill

Sun 8th May 2022 05:39

Thanks Ursula and Holden for your appreciaive comments. It always means a lot to me. πŸ˜€

Comment is about #freedom (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Holden Moncrieff

Sun 8th May 2022 05:28

A wonderful poem, John! "Uninhibited by life's accountancy" is a great line! 😊

Comment is about #freedom (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

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Sunshine

Sun 8th May 2022 02:55

It'll be hard with a woman who's a big fan of Shakespeare's drama.πŸ˜‰

Comment is about At Last, A Use For Shakespeare (blog)

Original item by branwell kent

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Sunshine

Sun 8th May 2022 02:53

Freedom from war
A far fetched dream
For humans are barbaric
Killing innocent,
Enjoying the murderous deed
In the name of country and greed
War mongers thrive happily
Sacrificing young soldiers
At a price that's almost free

Comment is about Sacrificed to the Gods of War (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

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Nigel Astell

Sun 8th May 2022 01:41

Feelings grow
inside each emotion
when I hold your hand.

Comment is about Haiku in Bloom 30 (blog)

Original item by Andy N

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Greg Freeman

Sat 7th May 2022 23:53

That's what I'm hoping for, Stephen. And a brand-new bunch of poets to meet at open-mic nights and make friends with.

Comment is about Moments (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

<Deleted User> (32907)

Sat 7th May 2022 23:35

This brings to life the tale of a slave aboard a ship at sea, and the rhythm suggests a seafaring song. It also tells a story. Well done! πŸ‘πŸ™Œ
(I agree with Kevin's message, you are also a storyteller like myself! )

Comment is about Amistad (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

<Deleted User> (32907)

Sat 7th May 2022 23:27

Lovely poem, John. A child's imagination is vast, and just magical. πŸ‘πŸŒ·

Comment is about #freedom (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

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Emmeranne

Sat 7th May 2022 19:38

Thank you, Stephen. I will always search for the beauty. So happy I found this place! πŸ’˜

Comment is about trust (blog)

Original item by Emmeranne Peters

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