Thanks for reading and the likes!
Comment is about The Sinking of The RMS Titanic (109 years ago today) (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
Cheers mate, footy fans need to stick together over this. Fed up with the way it's been going for years, that ESL would have been the final straw for me.
Comment is about The Stain of Greed (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
Yes - the latest online reports seem to confirm that it's got the boot -
so to speak! ?
Comment is about "GLORY, GLORY SPURS" NO LONGER (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
The views expressed are always welcome. I remain an advocate of
being proud of a history and identity that meant something to the world and regret that this seems a reason to be labelled racist
by some. And that this attitude of mind often seems to be a "one way street" in this context nowadays.
Over and out. ?
Comment is about RACIST? (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
I think it is dangerous to compare the struggle of being labelled racist, and being a victim of racial abuse.
One involves becoming significantly less popular based on your political beliefs, and the other excludes you from life chances due to your ethnicity.
They are not comparable struggles and the suggestion that they are makes this website look although it lacks nuance and an understanding of rudimentary social science.
Comment is about RACIST? (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
MC, or would you prefer to be called John Bull? Just a pasing tease through my mind there.
I'm a fully paid up member of the devil's advocate club, will champion the underdog in every rat race and defend the right to speak till I have no tongue left. I'll equally defend my own origins, which I don't hold as dear as you do yours, but if I don't, I cannot support any other claiming theirs for whatever purpose it suits them.
If you bask in waters where the salts are abrahsive, don't be surprised when your skin gets burnt.
There is a space for claiming your heritage, there are ways you can convey your dissatisfaction with how you think you are being denied it, but I think you have missed the target with this piece. All you have done it thrown petrol on wood you knew was already burning.
Your comparison does not really work either. The north american natives where of one culture and background, the english are mongrels and are culturally infused. How far back and wide can you trace your pristine genetics? It is a substantial claim to say you may have such purity of heritage, no matter what you may think that is.
I grew up through the late 70's and early 80's where your sentiments, the carrying of the flag of St. George or even wearing a n English national sport shirt WAS the domain of the racist. It took many of us years to claim the English flag back for ourselves, and not be excluded by being shamed for who we are.
Comment is about RACIST? (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Words most worthy of the verdict. All lives matter no matter whom. May the world learn the bitter lesson of prejudice and the evil it spawns.
A fine poem and thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about Guilty (blog)
Original item by Your Royal Poetess
Artwork by: Denny OW ?
https://www.instagram.com/p/CN5ypjpnqev/?igshid=vkzguiomqvki
Comment is about Guilty (blog)
Original item by Your Royal Poetess
My masochistic tendencies revel in your poetry, that's why I return to them
Keith
Comment is about d.knape (poet profile)
Original item by d.knape
Heartbreaking sad. Wish her lady luck?
Comment is about Rendezvous (blog)
Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari
Beautifully crafted.
Thanks
Keith
Comment is about A New Day (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
I can't think of many pure races of the world these days (perhaps the Inuit type people, although I'm not sure of that) so we are all mongrels to some extent.
What I find really saddening is that instead of trying to understand one another, we throw labels around, some of which are insidiously damaging and prevent us all from moving to a closer acknowledgement of each others lot.
To me, skin colour is the least of the problem if one is talking of racism. It's what is coming out of people's mouths that does the damage.
Comment is about RACIST? (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Thank you Ghazala, In hindsight I think I should have just posted the last verse.
Comment is about A New Day (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Last stanza is so apt in my case.
Comment is about A New Day (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
No job is big or small in time of need.
Degree isn't a surety of getting a white collared job.
Hugh this poem is a true reflection of today's education system and recruitment policy.
To bring a change in the system, we need to overhaul the whole system itself.
Comment is about Fred gets the brush (blog)
Original item by hugh
apologies for the late thank you Keith and Holden. Thank you too Stephen G, hope things improve for you soon.
Comment is about Lockdown Restrictions Are Lifting (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Apologies for the late thank you, Aviva, Nigel and Holden.
Comment is about Peaceful Morning (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Apologies for the late thank you StephenG, Holden and Ghazala.
Comment is about April Showers Brings May Flowers (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Thank you all for your very kind likes for this amended poem. I felt the need to include the new turn this silly story has taken to highlight that some good may come from it.
Comment is about #caterpillarsforcancer (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Thank you for your like and kind words Aviva, always appreciated. Finding it difficult to find time and inspiration recently.
Comment is about A New Day (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Thank you to everyone who has clicked 'Like' for this poem ?
Comment is about A Spark Of Words (blog)
Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari
Beautiful. The singular rhyme is very effective. It brings a delicate impact that I can't really put into words but is very suited to the theme.
Comment is about A New Day (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
M C.
This has nothing to do with being English, it is about being able to trace your English roots for centuries. Therefore it is about being white and having an English sounding name.
I'm English and happen to be white, but I'm not naive enough to think that all our country's achievements have been made by white people.
The demographic of this country has changed, and will continue to change. You have got to learn to embrace the change. It's what truly makes us English.
Comment is about RACIST? (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Wed 21st Apr 2021 03:05
Keith Jeffries continues to come to my site.
I have no idea why.
A glutten for punishment, I guess.
?
Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)
Original item by keith jeffries
Wed 21st Apr 2021 03:04
your response to "Free as A Bird"
was so poetic. A poem unto itself.
even better!
Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Thanks for the Likes & comments
Aviva, Julie, Keith, Holden, YRP & John. Not had much time for poetry lately, that little thing called 'Life' getting in the way! ?But, hope you are all keeping well!
(& Julie, me too, but don't tell anyone ?)
Comment is about Do We Do Nothing? (blog)
Original item by Stephen W Atkinson
Thankyou, Aviva. It's been said that I sing like a bird. Unfortunately, a magpie.
I think the rot's begun, MC. It seems Manchester City and Chelsea have now pulled out.
And thanks for the Likes, Stephen, Holden and Zina.
Comment is about "GLORY, GLORY SPURS" NO LONGER (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
This poem by no means illustrates you being proud of being English...
It is abundantly clear how racist you’re from all your comments on my poems that ONLY relate to BLACK people, and you try to justify their murders.
It is also evident you have some unlearning to do, your pride is blinding you and you’re seeing things through the eyes of the privileged.
Do better - good-bye.
Comment is about RACIST? (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
This smacks of a plan put forward by opportunistic greed.
It looks like premier league football has got its foot in its mouth and its hand outstretched for dosh. But I note a YouTube report about
our future King coming out against the plan so that's a heavy kick
in the right direction of certain bosses' backsides. And some
timely legislation to preserve the sporting status quo might get the
thing thrown into the long grass.
Comment is about "GLORY, GLORY SPURS" NO LONGER (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
YRP - keep believing that if it helps.
Comment is about RACIST? (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
GP - it is not lost on me that if I were claiming recognition as a member of the Sioux or of some other notable indigenous people elsewhere,there would surely be welter of supportive comments
about my "right" to an identity. And that the likelihood of my being
called racist as a result would be non-existent - right? Yet, here in the UK, any claim to rejoice in Englishness and England is likely to seized on by some as evidence of racism. It is this sort of nonsense
I sought to illustrate in my verse. And the responses support my
suspicions about that supposition.
Comment is about RACIST? (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
I know nothing whatsoever about football, football clubs, football history, politics, finances, etc, etc. But your songs always make me very happy.
Well, apart from the fact that I'm now envious that I don't have a relative as talented as you, I'm sure family gatherings must be a blast. Still, since I can play your songs through WOL audio clips I suppose I shouldn't be too sad.
Comment is about "GLORY, GLORY SPURS" NO LONGER (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
It is not a belief, it is pure fact. For you to deny it is YOUR PRIVILEGE showing.
Educate yourself.
Just admit you’re racist and keep it moving lol.
Comment is about RACIST? (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
YRP -
Believe what you will - that's your privilege. End of story. .
Comment is about RACIST? (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
I note you do not deny what the "others" say of you, but merely affirm your claim to some identity or other.
I'm currently reading The 20th Century in Poets. It's a telling tale of how, in those 100 years poets have sat either side of the Imperialist fence, some rallying behind the flag, soveriegn and the glory of death for one's country while others question hitherto unquestioned certainties, set in stone beliefs that have gone on to be eroded by truth to sand.
Comment is about RACIST? (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Hear, Hear from a Spurs fan. We should be kicked out of the league, the cups; players prevented from playing for international teams; a transfer embargo put on players to and from the 12 clubs. Then see if there are millions of Chinese viewers willing to pay to watch Messi, Ronaldo and Kane when they are 50 years old because they can't recruit new blood.
Comment is about The Stain of Greed (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
Philipos
Tue 20th Apr 2021 20:43
What an original and compelling read.
Enjoyed very much.
P ?
Comment is about Forbidden fruit (blog)
Original item by Sanja Atanasovska
Quite an interesting title...
Nevertheless, there are no “roots” in this country, England has no identity, it was built by “immigrants” and slavery. In addition to the systematic racism and zero accountability for the things they have done. I see nothing to have pride in.
Comment is about RACIST? (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
To amend a previous entry - this should have referred to Alice
Duer Miller (my error) whose famous poem "The White Cliffs" sold 700,000
copies and is said to have contributed towards America's
entry into WW2. It ends with these words by its American author-
"I have seen much to hate here
Much to forgive,
But in a world where England is finished and dead
I do not wish to live".
JC - My own thoughts are centred on the last thousand years
when what became understood throughout the world developed
and perpetuated - even finding a role in those comics where the words "For you, Englander, ze var is over!" were uttered from
enemy mouths, no matter which sort of Brit. was on the receiving .
end.
A monumental thousand years that created an extraordinary alchemy of fortuitous adventuring, artistic creativity and
competitive actions in war that achieved global eminence that
resonates even now, in and beyond this green and pleasant land.
Comment is about RACIST? (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Keith.
It's such a shame that you had to feel that way. Everyone should be allowed to be exactly who they are.
Fortunately things are better now, though prejudices do still exist.
Best wishes... I hope you are well.
Cheers Kevin
Comment is about A Mask (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
It does surprise me that old gits like me are allowed to lug a ton of metal behind another ton of metal at 60mph without the need for any training or testing. In practice, though, my 20’ caravan is more manageable than my 3’ by 4’ trailer.
Comment is about LEADER OF THE PACK (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Omg! Thats amazing thank you for that anecdote. Always love to meet a fellow appreciator. I've been comically obsessed with GP from an early age. I've seen him 3 times. Every year I find new reasons to love his stuff.
The best track on the parkerilla imo is heat in harlem. Sensational. Whats yours?
Comment is about Spring Fruit (blog)
Original item by Graham Parker and his musings
Thanks Ferris, I have been listening to the Parkerilla since my teens, and saw him live a few years back. Bodnar once accused me of being an imposter!
Hi Aviva, thanks for taking the time to respond and for all of your comments. You rightly identified my metaphor and it is one I tried to make cyclical. Damage done to our historic trees can still sit deep in the roots. with the pains being borne by the trees fruits, who in turn may pass it on from their own seeds.
The image I found after the writing, which was inspired by events that are still unfurling in my family.
Comment is about Spring Fruit (blog)
Original item by Graham Parker and his musings
I disagree, Greg. There is little more facile than judging the actions of yesteryear by those of today. If you need more proof of this ask yourself if events of today (egBojo’s handling of COVID) should be judged today or in a thousand years.
MC, you did not say what the date was for us to establish “English” heritage.
Comment is about RACIST? (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
No Passports either.
Thanks for this
Keith
Comment is about Free As A Bird (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Graham Parker is my all time favourite singer and I met Brinsley Schwarz and he gave me guitar advice.
Also, nice poem!
Comment is about Spring Fruit (blog)
Original item by Graham Parker and his musings
M.C. Newberry
Wed 21st Apr 2021 16:24
I remember my late mother doing much the same when I drove her
around. I let it go for a while but finally had to remind her who was
actually driving the b....y car! ?
Comment is about Driving Instructor (blog)
Original item by d.knape