Nicely Ray, thanks for the generous comment. This poem took a few days to gestate. I'm quite happy with the way it turned out, despite me being in one of my frequent 'it's all rubbish' frames of mind.
Comment is about RAWTENSTALL LETDOWN (blog)
Original item by Martin Peacock
The power of love. An overwhelming poem, Hélène.
Comment is about Who Am I? (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Thanks Steve. This is a difficult subject and I think your poem gets the balance right. Violence is always to be condemned, and this act was tragic in so many ways, but Trump didn't suddenly become a nice guy or a better person because someone shot at him. In fact, he seems to be as graceless and obnoxious as ever.
Having said that, with the appearance of Kamala Harris, he seems to be less of a shoe-in for November than seemed to be the case last week. Let's hope so, for all our sakes.
Comment is about Gunman (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
One of the most remarkable exchanges I have read on Write Out Loud. Thanks, both.
Comment is about The Ballad of the Harbour Bar (blog)
Original item by R A Porter
Thank you, Hélène! I definitely wanted to capture ambivalence in this one!
Comment is about Swallow Me, 2 (blog)
Original item by Endigo Michaels
Nice one, Stephen!
This was my take:
It got him in the ear
But was aiming for his head
He was up shaking his fist
When he could’ve been brown bread
Underneath a Secret Service sprawl
And the bullet came from his side of the wall
It got him in the ear
And he didn’t even duck
But some others in the crowd
Didn’t have that kind of luck
Corey Contemporare took the fall
And the bullet came from his side of the wall
It got him in the ear
It was a bit tin anyway
He’s less of a listener
And more I’ll have my say
Now he’s a shoe-in for the Whitehouse in the fall
And the bullet came from his side of the wall
Comment is about Gunman (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you, Hélène. I think that anyone who believes in the values such as tolerance, diversity, democracy, women's rights, climate justice and and standing up to bullies will be praying for a Kamala Harris victory, although whatever the outcome Trump will probably claim he won and try to stir up trouble.
Go Kamala!, as you say.
Comment is about Joe (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I would guess that quite a few people reading this might feel a bit uncomfortable. There's a lot of low level paedophilia in families which goes unreported and unchallenged, prefering to take safety measures instead.
My own grandad, with a wife seven years older than himself and probably sexually disinterested, got his young stepdaughter pregnant twice, suggesting that she was a willing partner, albeit underage. The resultant children were brought up by his wife and they did not find out until they were in their twenties when my father, drunk at a family wedding, blurted it out! We were persona non grata for a long time.
Comment is about 21st Century family values (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
The last verse of this poem is particularly lovely in a stirred-up kind of way. For me, a blast of opposites that make a whole. Altogether well done, Endigo.
Comment is about Swallow Me, 2 (blog)
Original item by Endigo Michaels
I am so grateful to both Biden and Harris. Go Kamala! Here's an interesting, fun opinion news article about her.
https://timesofsandiego.com/opinion/2024/07/22/california-made-kamala-harris-a-tough-politician-dont-underestimate-her/
Comment is about Joe (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Hi Ray,
an absolutely wonderful poem.
Having seen your shed and its ordered beauty and come to know the man who created that space your poem left me with a tinge of saddness. I brushed it off after a couple more reading, it is an honest realisation on your behalf. It is also an unbinding from the prison of dreams that we judge our lives by. In striving for our dreams we reveal others, they may become reality. Some do realise their actual dream...I wonder how many are then disappointed.
Personally, I cut loose of many of my dreams when I witnessed the nightmare lives of others...that impact woke me up and probably jaded me somewhat. It also made me realise the relative futility of material possesions at an early age. That said I do not deny the comfort and security material possesions can bring, having just enough, security and of course companionship and love are what is important.
Great poem Ray.
David
Comment is about EMPTY SHELLS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Unsettling but true. There's always a fear of who's going to pass on or fade away in the near future. Good one, Tim.
Comment is about Passing (blog)
Original item by Tim Higbee
Thanks Graham. Yes, it's a bit of a sobering thought.
Comment is about Passing (blog)
Original item by Tim Higbee
Nicely expressed Tim. We have a 96-years old Matriarch in the family then after that I will be the tribal elder!!!. what a responsibility.
Comment is about Passing (blog)
Original item by Tim Higbee
Time will tell, indeed. I am less inclined to take the MSM view
on Trump, recalling how it was unrelenting before, during and after his time as POTUS. The connection between the political
status quo and the media who see themselves as confidants
wielding Citizen Kane power and influence is to be regarded
with appropriate suspicion. It is largely through their ongoing
adverse reporting on Trump that many form their own views,
for better or worse. A little scepticism of the content and the
agenda would not go amiss in the cause of cool assessment
of what can get done for America's future and, by extension, that of the world at large. Politics is not a profession for saints.
Ask the likes of Clinton, Obama and the Bidens.
Comment is about Joe (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you Graham, MC and Tim for the comments, and thanks to Manish, Greg and Larisa for the likes.
The utter gracelessness of Trump's reaction to Joe Biden's decision to pull out of the campaign tells you all you need to know about him. 'Kick the man when he's down' just about sums up the MAGA morons.
Fortunately, it's likely that Kamala Harris will make mincemeat of him. Let's hope so.
Comment is about Joe (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Wed 24th Jul 2024 11:24
Thank you so much, Endigo, for your lovely comment, it means a lot! 😊
Comment is about Poltergeists (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
This is so beautifully haunting (no wordplay intended. Well some 😇).
Comment is about Poltergeists (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
Trump admires Putin and Kim Jong Un and all the insanity that belongs to their dictator regimes. He wants to be a dictator and sees himself as an equal in their narcissism. He is equally infatuated with fascism and Adolf Hitler. As in true dictator fashion he bolstered the turmoil and unrest that has encouraged the hatred and violence being displayed. He has made promises if reelected to go after everyone who disagrees with his fantasies of total power. He does not feel he needs NATO or allies who do not pull their weight according to his views. The future does not look well, time will tell.
Comment is about Joe (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Perhaps so, Ray. I can even remember taking a train to Preston with my mum when the carriages had the long side corridor with little cabins, as seen in 'A Hard Day's Night'. Fabulous days.
Comment is about THERE'S A TRAIN COMING (blog)
Original item by ray pool
I appreciate you checking it out, Tom!! It was very cathartic sharing this.
Comment is about Swallow Me (blog)
Original item by Endigo Michaels
You really captured how fleeting and reckless love can be here. Something we both long for and grapple with. Thank you for sharing!!
Comment is about Dark At The End of The Street (blog)
Original item by Tom
Thank you, Stephen! What a wonderful compliment 😊
Comment is about Swallow Me (blog)
Original item by Endigo Michaels
I don't want to be too much of a realist but Trump had enough
leadership to beard the North Korean dictator in his own den
which didn't do peace any harm. He also lifted Putin off his
feet in a memorable handshake during a meeting; the message
clear. The Russians above all admire forceful leaders. There is
much disquiet in the USA about Biden's true condition being kept
from the public there by his Democratic Party associates. It has
been termed the "Democratic Fraud". Now where have I heard
those words before? 😏
Comment is about Joe (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks for sharing your period moment Martin. Magic was in the air if you were part of that and of course the smell ! We must be of similar vintage ....
regards Ray
Comment is about THERE'S A TRAIN COMING (blog)
Original item by ray pool
It better not be Trump or we are all doomed! Biden did sadly go on too long and was obviously diminished. Harris MUST come out all guns blazing to call the villain out!
Comment is about Joe (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks for your generous comment Ray.
Good to see you and great having our recent catch up.
David
Comment is about An Airshow Progressive (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
Thanks Enidgo, really pleased you enjoyed the flow... it rivers but it does not rhyme, this time. 😃
Comment is about Lovers (blog)
Original item by Tom
Really enjoyed this Enidgo. A place and feeling I know many will relate to at one time or another.
Comment is about Swallow Me (blog)
Original item by Endigo Michaels
Ah, those sellers of dream. Whether politicians or capitalist shills & conmen, they are like snake oil salesmen/women. And yet, we still fall for their lies! Usurpers of truth - so true.
Comment is about Mellifluous Madmen (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
I remember, as a boy, standing on the iron bridge over the railway line as a train would go rumbling by beneath me, causing the bridge to tremble. The steam would rise up in clouds, enveloping everything in impenetrable mist, and for half a minute or so all would be swirling confusion. Gradually, vision would clear and the world would return. It was so exhilarating!
Comment is about THERE'S A TRAIN COMING (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Thanks, MC and New Shoes. In real life, cock-up usually prevails over conspiracy, but I'm sure that plenty of theories will keep coming. Remember Donald Trump's 'birther' lies about Barrack Obama? We got 'em, as someone said.
My thanks to Nigel, Hugh, Manish, Holden, Clare and Keletso for their support.
Comment is about Gunman (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I really like this, Ray. Your use of repetition (it reminds me of something i can't put a name to) works well as a kind of 'unspooling' device, unravelling those aspects of our lives - our personality traits - to reveal the raw reality of who we are, what we become when we leave our past behind. Or does it leave us behind? What i found so appealing about this was the way it touched on that sense of melancholic defeat we may feel as we grow old(er), when our youthful optimism fades. Who are we once we let all that go? What's left of us?
Comment is about EMPTY SHELLS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Great writing, Enidgo. A genuine original.
Comment is about Swallow Me (blog)
Original item by Endigo Michaels
A very moving poem, Manish, which takes a surprising turn at the end.
Comment is about Dream-Mine (blog)
Original item by Manish
A poignant poem, Ray. In the end, we are just an episode in the lives of many things which endure far beyond our time here.
Comment is about EMPTY SHELLS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Thank you so much, Hélène! I'm always glad if my writing can resonate with someone
Comment is about Swallow Me (blog)
Original item by Endigo Michaels
The older I get Ray I seem to be able to let go of STUFF! I was at one time a little materialistic, striving to get stuff for the family etc. Now I seem to need or want very little.
A bit of Zen helps and decent health of course.
Once again great subject matter!
Comment is about EMPTY SHELLS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
I very much enjoyed this Martin, with its "sing song" form of lament, with a nice dose of wry humour that benefits from the rawness of the name Rawtenstall. I wrote a poem once called Adrian's Wall which was set there for the same reason perhaps!
Ray
Comment is about RAWTENSTALL LETDOWN (blog)
Original item by Martin Peacock
What a fantastic testament to how the world is actually run, the protagonists are in too deep for resurrection, and this a brave stripped down account of the inner slime of hypocrisy hiding behind a globalising presence. We also should not forget the regular private trips that are polluting the area (how can we?)of trips by Saudi Princesses in search of more handbags.
A winning poem by one who knows what he is talking about, and a powerful message there.
Comment is about An Airshow Progressive (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
Clearly, poetry is a gospel that is spreading the word!
Comment is about ‘I’m always thinking of lines and looking for inspiration’: learning lessons from youngsters in school’s poetry group (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
"Our thoughts collect as puddles
until they river and rhyme"
Beautiful! This piece reads and flows so well!
Comment is about Lovers (blog)
Original item by Tom
Awesome writing Enidgo! Many can relate to that green sofa/swallow me sentiment. Looking forward to part 2.
Comment is about Swallow Me (blog)
Original item by Endigo Michaels
Thanks so much Andy, Stephen and Messages for the comments.
And yes, Stephen, opening the laptop and working your thesaurus definitely counts as exercise I say!
Thanks also Hugh, Aisha, Stephen, et al for the likes.
Comment is about Lovers (blog)
Original item by Tom
Thank you for the wonderful compliment, Holden! I actually have a part two of this poem that I will post some time this week.
Thanks again for reading!!
Comment is about Swallow Me (blog)
Original item by Endigo Michaels
David RL Moore
Fri 26th Jul 2024 11:59
Thanks for the likes and for your comment on this.
I now want to write something far from this subject...unfortunately I am not always master of my wandering thoughts. I'll do my best.
I'm off to the High Wilds of Scotland and the Islands soon, that said I rarely write in-situ, just soak it up for later it seems.
David
Comment is about 21st Century family values (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore