For the record - I was a post-war child of the forties through to the "Festival of Britain" early fifties when England had a far greater sense
of herself and what she stood for in the story of the world. From
Chaucer on, through countless episodes in various milieus, she has
stood for something worth taking pride in and if today's revisionists
are content to put that aside, then that is their right. I do not share
their contemporary flexible view.
The poet Alice Meynell wrote about a less perfect England - but included her thoughts that she would not want to live in a world
in which England did not exist. I remember and I'm grateful when
Yeats' words from his poem The Second Coming are all too
recognisable nowadays.

Comment is about RACIST? (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

They made do with what they had - and, by heaven didn't they do a
wonderful job in the time - and the times - they knew?

Comment is about John Keats 31 October 1795 – 23 February 1821 (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

A pleasing evocation of how the revival of nature occurs - with (to
adapt words from a famous song) "Those April showers that
come our way, they bring the flowers that bloom in May".

Comment is about April - When the Earth Wakens (blog)

Original item by Brenda Wells

An attractive flight of fancy that resonates in the spirit. Haven't we all
thought of how it must be to launch ourselves unfettered into the
air and soar free from the shackles imposed by design and gravity -
in sudden silence except for the rush of the wind in our ears?

Comment is about Free As A Bird (blog)

Original item by d.knape

JC - perhaps the number of serious-to-fatal road accidents involving lorries might be reduced. That alone would be a good thing. I've
lost count of the number of motor accident reports that involve
heavy goods vehicles on UK roads when they DO reach the press.
Their drivers - unlike those they "meet" - usually escape any sort
of life-threatening injury; and I've driven enough miles on the roads
to witness the sort of driving indulged in during busy daytime hours,
some of it cold-sweat stuff - like a bully barging his way impatiently
through smaller folk. At least caravan drivers usually maintain a
nearside lane discipline that keeps traffic moving along free from
immediate risk to others when they do venture on to the highways
- usually, it seems, for holiday purposes. Toot...toot !

Comment is about LEADER OF THE PACK (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you for this. I am guilty of doing mostly nothing recently.

Comment is about Do We Do Nothing? (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Stephen,
This is a fine example of poetry written with a strong flavour of dissent. A forthright piece of writing. I enjoyed this
Thank you
Keith

Comment is about Do We Do Nothing? (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Although it serves just as well as a horticultural or nature poem it seems to me to be metaphoric and about nurturing and protection of children. It feels both idealistic and melancholic since the implication of this ideal of a special protective time is that afterwards harm and the rest of the cycle will come.

I think the first two lines (as much as the second line may be very poetic) don't belong in this poem at all. It creates a jarring break when you reach the fourth line which says 'First the leaves...'. Of course if you do remove the first two lines you might need to change the accompanying photo. It might be that the winter scene inspired you to think of the full poem but still, the poem works better without the winter scene, in my opinion.

Comment is about Spring Fruit (blog)

Original item by Graham Parker and his musings

I mean “our selling” - the lesser spotted, three-toed gerund strikes again.
I am trying out “Bill Brown’s body lies a-turning in his grave” but at the moment it’s all a bit forced.

Comment is about LEADER OF THE PACK (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Always happy to stretch the envelope, Greg. What’s your take us selling our souls to Mammon?

Comment is about LEADER OF THE PACK (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I’d not heard that cover of “Boots of Spanish Leather”, John. Lovely accompaniment.

Comment is about John Keats 31 October 1795 – 23 February 1821 (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

This was once one of my favourite pop songs, John. Until minutes ago, in fact.

Comment is about LEADER OF THE PACK (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you kJ, Ferris, Aviva and Philipos for your kind remarks and the likes. I've wintered well and am ready to bathe in sun's warmth.

Comment is about Natures restorative powers (blog)

Original item by Abdul Ahmad

Thank you Abdul. That was like a breath of fresh air.

Comment is about Natures restorative powers (blog)

Original item by Abdul Ahmad

Thank you for your comment Nigel ?
It is so optimistic and romantic, it makes me look forward happily to that new party and new dream and whenever it might begin.

Comment is about Half Remembered Illusion (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Lack of zest/palimpsest ?

Comment is about John Keats 31 October 1795 – 23 February 1821 (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Thank you for posting,
this is delightful stuff mate.
I liked it a lot.

Comment is about #NaPoWriMo 2021 - #Haiku of Life (2000 and 2001) (blog)

Original item by Andy N

2000
In the day
classified as unknown
at last now fully recognizable.

2001
When effort becomes relentless
time scale invalid
the near impossible you accomplished.

Comment is about #NaPoWriMo 2021 - #Haiku of Life (2000 and 2001) (blog)

Original item by Andy N

I needed to read this, thank you Abdul!

Comment is about Natures restorative powers (blog)

Original item by Abdul Ahmad

Nice, Flanders Field vibes

Comment is about In The Fields of Evermore (blog)

Original item by Crimaldi

Hey, thank you for the likes, I love the raw emotion behind your work and the distinctiveness of your voice. I think you have a strong grasp of a lot of the things that I find difficult in poetry and I'm envious/ really happy to come across your stuff

Comment is about Your Royal Poetess (poet profile)

Original item by Your Royal Poetess

racism
/ˈreɪsɪz(ə)m/
noun
prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, community, or institution against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.

"a programme to combat racism"

the belief that different races possess distinct characteristics, abilities, or qualities, especially so as to distinguish them as inferior or superior to one another.
"theories of racism"

Comment is about RACIST? (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

A spoken word
a new friendship
heart burns love
the party begins
so has dreaming.

Comment is about Half Remembered Illusion (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Would they pollute less when it’s dark, MC?
Thanks for the Likes, Holden and Aviva.

Comment is about LEADER OF THE PACK (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Just for the record, MC, I take no pride in being English these days. Quite the reverse. PS History is always being rewritten, John. That is what historians do. If you are a historian, you accept that there is not a settled view of what history is. There never will be. New evidence is always being uncovered.

Comment is about RACIST? (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Personally, I think that towed caravans should be restricted to night time hours - say: 11.30pm - 7am. And you can add most of the
polluting accident-causing HGVs to that arrangement. ?.

Comment is about LEADER OF THE PACK (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you. I hope you stay happy and healthy too.

Comment is about Natures restorative powers (blog)

Original item by Abdul Ahmad

Thank you for commenting Ferris ?

I was very much into spaced out (space punctuated) writing then, not just in my poetry. It does look like smoke which I suppose is quite apt for the topic, my subconscious instincts must have been on point that day. Nonetheless I wasn't confident about this poem as a whole even though there are parts of it that I do like the style of, so thank you for the positive feedback.

Thanks also to everyone who clicked 'Like' for this poem ?

Comment is about Half Remembered Illusion (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

It appears that there is a mindset that is perfectly willing to rejoice
in others' celebration and promotion of their forebears and origins at the drop of a hat yet remains curiously dismissive about a pride in being "English". On a lighter side, how about checking with the
average Jock,Taffy or Paddy living in England (all of whom I number among my friends over six adult decades) about being identified as "English" - and be prepared to duck. ? ?
P.S. Read my final two lines again.

Comment is about RACIST? (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thank you Abdul, great to see you scratching away with your noble pen again.

I hope you've kept well all this time.

P

Comment is about Natures restorative powers (blog)

Original item by Abdul Ahmad

Thank you to all who commented and liked. I appreciate your reading and commenting on this poem.

Keith

Comment is about Forced to Like (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thank you to Ferris, Your Royal Princess, Stephen G., MC., and JD Bardo for your comments. Also thank you to those who gave 'likes' Adam, Aisha, Aviva and Holden. Your words are kind and encouraging.

The poem focused on a period in my life which was a good 40 or 50 years ago when sexuality was not accepted as it is today. Many were sent to prison for this 'crime' and the mask was necessary. I was never evicted but lost a good job because of being gay and on one occasion was stoned by a group of youths who shouted queer.

Thank you again.

Keith

Comment is about A Mask (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Hi Mark...thank you for remembering...my birthday is today actually. No gumbo, but a big plate of chicken and waffles followed by brownie a la mode!

Comment is about RACIST? (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

It is a perverse enjoyment, Stephen, but I love it! And thanks for the Like, Philipos and Jordyn.

Comment is about LEADER OF THE PACK (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Sounds like a great drive, John. Oh, the satisfaction of it! I generally slow down a bit if they get too stroppy behind.

Comment is about LEADER OF THE PACK (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I too believe that rewriting the past to fit contemporary mores is stupid. History is what it was.
But is there an historic threshold before which your ancestry had to live in England? When is it, MC? And what if this ancestry was subsequently polluted by intermarriage with someone who could not pre-date the threshold? Could their descendants be said to be truly English? These were questions which exercised German eugenicists.

Comment is about RACIST? (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

M.C.NEWBERRY Thankyou very much for that insight xx

Comment is about COUNTING SHEEP (blog)

Original item by Sarah Louise mcnee

The article that I read about his being daunted by the thought of writing it, seemed to suggest to me that he found it very hard to get under the skin of the man other than his public persona. Agree about his recent personal loss crept into it too, perhaps even helped him somewhat.
He also indicated that he had pre-written some stuff but couldn't use it.

Comment is about Poet laureate's elegy to Duke of Edinburgh on day of funeral (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I really love your passion thank you

Comment is about Heart of the Forest (blog)

Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth

Another incredibly sad but beautiful piece Keith. The idea of you being evicted cos of who you love is nothing short of hellish and I'm so sorry you went through it. Thanks for sharing.

Comment is about A Mask (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

The shape of this poem reminds me of smoke.
I LOVE the rhythm of the first ten lines. Exceptional stuff.

Comment is about Half Remembered Illusion (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

I wish that I had given greater consideration to my path in life from an earlier age. I feel like I've been a much happier person since I've considered an existential trajectory for myself.
Also, this poem reminds me of Kendrick Lamar, altho he is a Christian, he achieved success by following what he interpreted to be God's plan.
There's a lot of hope in this poem and I thought it was beautiful ?

Comment is about Divine favours (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

who are you really?

Comment is about YOU (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Thank you again for your valued comments on my poetry. I greatly appreciate them.

Keith

Comment is about Your Royal Poetess (poet profile)

Original item by Your Royal Poetess

I would dissent from that view, Graham. I see this as a decent and at times moving poem, especially in its wartime passages. And I'm no royalist.

that crew whose survival
was always the stuff of minor miracle,
who came ashore in orange-crate coracles,
fought ingenious wars, finagled triumphs at sea
with flaming decoy boats, and side-stepped torpedoes.

'Survival', 'miracle', and 'coracles' - effective and satisfying music. A source close to Julian Jordon, who knew the late Peter Armitage, a long-time Marsden resident, suggests that the poet's own recent loss is reflected here, too.

Comment is about Poet laureate's elegy to Duke of Edinburgh on day of funeral (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I love that. Thank you!

Comment is about Unspoken (blog)

Original item by Alita Moore

❤

Comment is about My Soul (blog)

Original item by Mikey V Kinsey

Thank you Stephen for reading my poem and for your kind words. I think we all need to be able to reflect on the ways that we can access joy and hope in our everyday life. Wishing you a beautiful Monday. :)

Comment is about Shifting lenses (blog)

Original item by Rasa Kabaila

You shouldn’t have to wear a mask or disguise yourself! But a beautiful poem as per usual, be unapologetically you always ?

Comment is about A Mask (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Angles, Saxons, Normans ... why the obsession with all this, MC? Pretty soon the break-up of the UK will leave England to the English, whoever they may actually be. Perhaps you will be happier then.

Comment is about RACIST? (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry