It’s right that we should all play to our strengths, Stephen G. If I got caught one-on-one with a nippy winger he wouldn’t go any slower to give me a chance. Likewise if I got lucky enough to tag him at the bottom of a ruck .......
And thanks for the Like, Stephen A.
Comment is about PROPS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Marsha
Sun 30th May 2021 23:05
As repellant as some truths are they are never-the-less truths, even if they are merely the truth of another's opinion or belief (fact or otherwise)
The greater danger is silencing a voice which speaks its mind...the danger being we can never comprehend a mind we refuse to engage, therefore we can never change or educate a mind which might benefit from that engagement.
Those that silence voices in a manner which is merely suppression are storing up a volcano of hate that their bloodline may have to deal with.
Some people who say they value freedom of speech are really only referring to their own, they are destined to at some future point be deafened by those they silence....and not in a good way.
PS, I don't appreciate the poem so much but it is a voice that should none-the-less be permitted to speak.
Anyone who has ever lived in a place where freedoms are truly oppressed would know this truth, I doubt some of those with influence at WoL have ever ventured into such territory in real life.
Oh, and here's an after thought from the front line all you frontline scribblers...words are easy..easy, easy, easy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XdLNqWYgGI
Comment is about SLAVERY KNAVERY (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Hi Rasa, thanks for reading 'Why Poems?' and for your kind comments about it. It popped straight out after reading this entry by our WoL comrade Vautaw:
https://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=96591
I've enjoyed many of your poems so far, it's great to have you here and I always keep an eye out for your work. ? Tom
Comment is about Rasa Kabaila (poet profile)
Original item by Rasa Kabaila
Thank you for commenting, Stephen ?
Thanks also to everyone who has clicked 'Like' for this poem ?
Comment is about Jumping The Gun (blog)
Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari
I was a bit the opposite, John. Good at drop and place kicks but couldn't tackle, and terrified of being tackled!
Comment is about PROPS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I can only echo the words of J.D. and Keith
Comment is about Woodland Dell (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
<Deleted User> (30611)
Sun 30th May 2021 21:27
I'm sorry to see Philipos go for expressing an honest view. That's his choice of course, he could have stayed and continued to express a view that whilst unpalatable to some WOL members is however widely supported in the country as a whole. And I do not believe the view to be racist or bigoted, just honest and realistic.
As for the poem itself, MC has rightly pointed out that it takes two to tango.
Comment is about SLAVERY KNAVERY (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
A good, thoughtful poem.
Comment is about Jumping The Gun (blog)
Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari
Who told you that you are a worm, and/or what makes you believe that you are?
Comment is about worm (blog)
Original item by mona
J. D I've got that 'probably going to regret chiming in' feeling too...
It seems to me that Philipos was saying that there are two types of immigrant, the type that doesn't seem to contribute much positivity to the society about them, and the type that does... and Philipos seemed to think that the type that isn't contributing positively is also the type that breeds large families, whereas the implication seems to be that the type that contributes positively is the sort that isn't doing that... because he says there are equal amounts or importance to each type of immigrant - (uses the word Equally) - so if there wasn't that polarisation then the overbreeding would balance out?...
The gap that I note in this concept is that truth be told, every population of people (every nationality or group) has people that contribute positively and people who don't, and people who have large families and people who don't...
It isn't that immigrant populations are any different than the nations they emmigrate to in that respect, its just that people seem to complain more about that due to biases of perception and attention?... which I suppose is what bigotry means, right?
Oddly enough, the same basic principle is the answer to the question about buyers vs sellers (not the bigotry aspect, but the existence of various types of people within any population)..
In the lands where slaves were taken from, whether of the same nationality or of any other origin, there would be a smallish number of people behaving illegally, to better themselves regardless of the cost to those around them... and some of those decided to be slave traders... There are people of that type in every country that's why there are justice systems and prisons in every culture.. .. but the point is that in the lands where the slaves were taken to, to be bought and used (which would motivate the traders to act illegally and with disregard to others).. buying and having slaves was not a criminal activity, it was legally endorsed. That's the difference as I see it, and I think it is a very important one. ?
Comment is about SLAVERY KNAVERY (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
I am probably going to regret chiming in, however one opinion would be to blame our own greed for slavery. One of many examples is the early American colonial farmers needing cheap labor to work the tobacco fields and bring the crops to market to fill ships going, (guess where?)... Just saying........ J.D.
Comment is about SLAVERY KNAVERY (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Philipos
Sun 30th May 2021 19:25
Have just been leaned on by 'One of the WOL Management' team for my views on this, and decided to quit the site as a protest against their opposition to free speech.
Will spend more time catching up on my other emails, but I would like to say a big thank you to all who have supported my Blogs in the past, plus the shared comradeship.
Keep writing the muse.
P
Comment is about SLAVERY KNAVERY (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
I'm not sure about the direction or the motivation of the comments
but find their presence interesting.
The point of my little poem is that there is a tendency to focus on
the buying rather than the selling back in the day when such
things were the accepted "goings on" of those times, long before -
and even since those days. Little is heard about the fact that the
sale of human traffic had its willing sources. Today's revisionist
reviewers of the (selective) past actively neglect any mention of it at all and that certainly deserves to be discussed/challenged.
Comment is about SLAVERY KNAVERY (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Philipos
Sun 30th May 2021 18:16
Greg, I shall happily take up your challenge. Bye WOL
Comment is about SLAVERY KNAVERY (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Why are these people 'dutifully' working in the NHS, Phil? Is that the deal that allows them to stay in this country? I may be misinterpreting your point, but the tenor of your comments strays towards rank bigotry. It is easy to think, oh, leave these appalling old racists to their own devices, anything for a quiet life, but such views are not what Write Out Loud stands for, and I feel obliged to say so. We have been poetry friends in the past, and it grieves me to make these comments. However, if you don't like them, the option is there, as you put it, to 'sling your hook'.
Comment is about SLAVERY KNAVERY (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Philipos
Sun 30th May 2021 17:55
Absolutely correct, the people traders of earlier years were Arabs, well and truly preying around the coasts of Africa.
Now, where I live, we are being out populated by those none locally born, who stand in the town square fist waving and shouting about the unfairness of everything, as they encroach everywhere by stealth of over population.
Equally, I know of others from such parts settled over time, and having adapted to the ways of the country they were inspired to come and dwell, dutifully filling the slots of our over challenged NHS, and wondering why on earth these rapidly growing malcontents don't go and sling their hooks.
Planet earth will be unable to sustain the rapid growth of such foretold catastrophic events. All earthlings are living on borrowed time due to depleting resources.
Just ask David Attenborough.
And thank you for having the courage to say it.
P ?
Comment is about SLAVERY KNAVERY (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Thank you JD, Keith and Aviva for the likes. Thank you to JD and Keith for your lovely kind words. It really is a magical place.
Comment is about Woodland Dell (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
I agree with JD, it is an outstanding poem where the poet takes the reader into her world of complete natural serenity.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about Woodland Dell (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
So very descriptive yet beautifully written as to stir the imagination and retrieve past memories.
A good poem
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about In Ancient Ruin (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Thank-you for taking us along to this place of yours (ours), It is beautiful. In my minds eye from your words. and the picture helps. Outstanding poem. J.D.
Comment is about Woodland Dell (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Thank you Holden and Nigel for the likes, I can’t lie Nigel the have used the fifty shades quote with a variety of colours?.
Comment is about Hedgerow (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Thanks for commenting Nigel ?
When I went to university a close friend of mine from 6th form also went to the same Uni and in the second year when students move from campus into digs, she, I, and a few other Uni friends rented a place together.
While I was in that relationship he used to visit me at that house and got to know everyone there... then, when our relationship came to an end, especially because I couldn't tell people the traumatic and hugely personal reason why, she and the other friends of that house chose to keep inviting him around frequently, and when I said I found that difficult and could they meet him elsewhere they basically said that I didn't have the right to tell them who could visit the house.. so, I room surfed with other friends and barely ever returned to my own room.
The she of this tale is the same as features in 'To A Friend To Be Forgotten' and 'Sauce For The Goose (Rough Justice)'
Thanks also to Holden Moncrieff for the Like, and to anyone else who might like this poem ?
Comment is about Where Are You Now? (blog)
Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari
Intriguing comes into your bed
wants to know
ex-lover in hiding
not speaking
staying silent
but why?
Comment is about Where Are You Now? (blog)
Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari
Thanks for your likes
Holden
Aviva
J.D. Bardo
julie
Stephen G
and
Stephen A.
Comment is about Love Found Us (blog)
Original item by Nigel Astell
Sat 29th May 2021 23:29
kindness
is catching,
to say it
out loud.
?
Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Philipos
Sat 29th May 2021 20:20
Great memory and beautifully retold.
Enjoyed.
P.
?
Comment is about the first kiss (blog)
Original item by mona
Wow, John. That only leaves two options for me.
Comment is about Drifter (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I was never much cop with the ball, MC, but I was pretty good without it. I couldn’t really play myself, but I could stop those who thought they could.
Comment is about PROPS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
For a moment I thought the picture was of you in younger days going
to feed your fish!
They played rugby at my school when I much preferred soccer in the old left back position. More often than not - left back in the changing room. ?
Comment is about PROPS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I wonder how much train(ing) was required for this?
All aboard !?
Comment is about 'My kingdom for a train' ... poems for 18 rail stations along the Shakespeare Line (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
"Kind" = kinder = a natural grouping. But the message is well taken.
Comment is about MANKIND (blog)
Original item by d.knape
A poem with a reminder that to forgive and not forget; that a little love instead of push and shove is required. Racism is a blight on society and as individuals we need to harness our thoughts and actions to combat and overcome it..
A good poem
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about CONTRAST (blog)
Original item by J.D. Bardo
Thank you Stephen and Nigel for your comments ?
Stephen, a very apt expression, evolution. Fascinating isn't it, that the body takes many lifetimes to evolve, whereas the mind evolves many times within just one lifetime.
Nigel, a very apt observation. And it makes me think... (and that's not always a good thing)...
The dark side;
No one wants to go
And no one wants to stay
And yet some seem to find
Themselves there anyway.
Thanks also to everyone who has clicked 'Like' for this poem ?
Comment is about The Other Side (blog)
Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari
Thank you for your comment, Nigel ?
Comment is about Dreamscape - II (The Vase) (blog)
Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari
Now, now, Kevin. Not so testy!
And thanks for the Like, Aviva.
Comment is about PROPS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I'd always got you down as one of those types..
You know the ones..
With the odd shaped balls
Comment is about PROPS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Jim Dale, Stephens? Not me! I would always be The Ugly.
Comment is about Drifter (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I was never hard or daft enough to play League, Leon!
And thanks for the Like, Holden.
Comment is about PROPS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you for your poem Avaita. I love poems about nature and the natural world, as I feel they are a way to say thank you to mother earth. Others see rain as an obstruction to activities, but I feel that rain is so healing-especially after the recent bushfires we experienced in Australia. I'll never see rain in the same way again.
I love these lines in particular with your poem:
Plants began to swing,
as if in spring.
forcing me to say,
I love this day.
Have a lovely weekend.
Best wishes,
Rasa
Comment is about Rain, I love this day!!⛈☔ (blog)
Original item by Advaita singh
Dear Tom, thank you for this poem. What an accurate an honest reflection of 2020 as well as the hope and appreciation that stems from such a year. Here's hoping that nature can have some peace after everything humans have put it though. Thanks for the shout out to the healthcare workers! I have some varying reflections of covid too through some of my poems (insights which may be surprising for other's given my professional role).
Keep writing and being your true, authentic self.
Best wishes,
Rasa
Comment is about 2021 - Bring It On (blog)
Original item by Tom Doolan
Hello Tom, I love your prose 'Why poems'. These lines in your poem in particular touch my heart and resonate with me deeply:
'Poems are my expression
the sum of interactions
they show my working out
Poems are the breath
of lost lovers
against my neck'
Beautiful. Thank you.
Best wishes,
Rasa
Comment is about Tom (poet profile)
Original item by Tom
Sat 29th May 2021 04:33
YOU are well known.
i am known badly.
?
Comment is about Stephen Gospage (poet profile)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
The dark side is a place
no one wants to go.
Comment is about The Other Side (blog)
Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari
The last four lines
a verse so strong
saying how it is.
Comment is about Dreamscape - II (The Vase) (blog)
Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari
<Deleted User> (30611)
Fri 28th May 2021 22:15
A passing thought: if women can find refuge in the bathroom, why
can't men seek it in a shed?
Comment is about SHEDS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Ok, I'll watch my back. To be honest, I didn't know I had one (reputation, that is).?
Comment is about d.knape (poet profile)
Original item by d.knape
John Coopey
Mon 31st May 2021 08:39
You’ve certainly stirred the pot here, MC. Personally, I favour alternative views of history, even though I may not agree with all of them. Likewise, I am sad to see Philipos go.
Comment is about SLAVERY KNAVERY (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry