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Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Fri 5th Feb 2021 00:55

Nigel and Vautaw thank you both for your comments about this poem. I am sorry I didn't respond sooner.

Wishing you both plenty of peace and happiness ?

Comment is about Finding Peace (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

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Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Fri 5th Feb 2021 00:52

Thank you Trevor for your comment ?

Comment is about Tossed Salad (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

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Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Fri 5th Feb 2021 00:49

Stephen, here's a comment of yours that I didn't respond to at the time. Thanks very much and I am sorry not to have replied sooner.

Thanks also to everyone who clicked 'Like' for the poem. Again, sorry for not responding sooner. ?

Comment is about To Those That Hurt Others (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

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Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Fri 5th Feb 2021 00:47

I just found this unappreciated comment when going through my blogs. Apologies Stephen for not appreciating it sooner. Thanks

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

Comment is about Life Comes To This (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

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keith jeffries

Thu 4th Feb 2021 23:41

A poem about a noble man whose personal attributes who were of the highest calibre. He is an example to us all. This poem is of the highest praise

Thanks
keith

Comment is about Captain Sir Tom Moore (blog)

Original item by Aisha Suleman

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keith jeffries

Thu 4th Feb 2021 23:37

A well crafted poem with a touch of historical significance.

Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about windmills (blog)

Original item by Clyde McCulley

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keith jeffries

Thu 4th Feb 2021 23:35

I would like to thank Clyde for his comment and those who liked the poem; Joshi, Holden Aviva, JD., Stephen A and Stephen G. You are all a constant source of encouragement for which I am most grateful

Keith

Comment is about Grandpa (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

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Graham Sherwood

Thu 4th Feb 2021 23:06

Sorry New Shoes, I think Brian is just being mischievous.

Comment is about Paul is Missing!!! (blog)

Original item by New Shoes

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New Shoes

Thu 4th Feb 2021 20:21

Thank you Graham for letting me Know. I do find it odd though where other deleted users, their comments still have remained. Though I guess if he has gone with Don it makes a bit of since, though I would believe their dreams are far different.

Comment is about Paul is Missing!!! (blog)

Original item by New Shoes

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Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Thu 4th Feb 2021 19:59

I shouldn't be the one to welcome you since I'm quite new myself, but since I'm first on profile, I shall steal the honour of welcoming you to WOL. ?

Comment is about Geoffrey Cheddar (poet profile)

Original item by Geoffrey Cheddar

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New Shoes

Thu 4th Feb 2021 19:49

The Power of energy radiated out at the highest
With love in heart with no bias
write the words in between the lines
bearing the truth that is getting harder to find
the power of light permeates through the center
And destroys the infectious disease that is trying to enter
Peace of mind in knowing the games at play
And a Formidable defense for keeping the wolves at bay

Nice poem Peter Pan!

Comment is about Testing Positive (blog)

Original item by d.knape

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John Coopey

Thu 4th Feb 2021 19:17

Thanks for your thoughts, Stephen and Brian. And for the Likes, JD and Aviva.

Comment is about WRONG ROAD ROUND - AN URBAN VILLANELLE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Stephen Atkinson

Thu 4th Feb 2021 18:10

Thank you Aviva. I think it's romantic too & hopefully a little uplifting!
Unlike the morning after when my head is having a disco of its own...Thanks for the comment!

Comment is about The Rhythm of My Heart (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

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Stephen Atkinson

Thu 4th Feb 2021 17:59

Aalways mak' sure shool reet way rund, ye daft knacker
As me Granda would've said.

Comment is about WRONG ROAD ROUND - AN URBAN VILLANELLE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Thu 4th Feb 2021 17:29

I think this is such a romantic piece, but I didn't want to dissect the reasons why. Anyway just to let you know that the romantic aspect comes through clearly, at least I think it does.

Comment is about The Rhythm of My Heart (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

<Deleted User> (18980)

Thu 4th Feb 2021 17:23

Well we never had a mining industry where I lived John, but you could give yourself a nasty papercut if you weren't careful around the photocopier.

Seriously, a great piece...and I have massive respect for those who had to endure conditions down the pit. (Or should it be t'pit?)

Comment is about WRONG ROAD ROUND - AN URBAN VILLANELLE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Stephen Atkinson

Thu 4th Feb 2021 17:16

John, my poem refers to a Friday night. Saturday night is more or less exactly as Tom Paxton says ? And, truth be told, I'd settle for a nice buttered scone & a cuppa some days as well. ?
Thanks for the comment!

Comment is about The Rhythm of My Heart (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

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Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Thu 4th Feb 2021 17:14

Thank you Adam and D Joshi for your comments. ?

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

Comment is about Tongue Tied (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

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John Coopey

Thu 4th Feb 2021 16:54

Prior to the mechanisation of coalmining, most coal was hand-got. This was often done on a 3-shift cycle with Shift 1 boring and stemming the shot-holes and then firing it off. This would leave a quantity of loose coal in front of the coalface for Shift 2 to fill.
Shift 2’s job was to shovel this coal behind them onto a conveyor which ran in front of the gob (the area behind the working face where the roof was allowed to fall). The conveyor took the coal away down the face into the roadway system and on out of the mine.
Shift 3 would then dismantle the props and reset them on the newly claimed ground, thus advancing the face. Finally they would ram over the conveyor to its new position. Face teams would be paid on the weight of coal produced.
This poem concerns Shift 2 – the hand-fillers.
In a narrow seam, having crawled into position on the face in file, a filler would lie on his side and shovel the coal over his shoulder onto the belt behind. He had a pog (or stint) of about 10 yards so a 200 yard face accommodated about 20 men.
Space was so tight that a filler could not pass another filler – everyone had to crawl in and out in crocodile. Space was so tight that a cardinal sin which embarrassed many a novice, was to take his shovel in “wrong road round”. You didn’t do it twice!
This villanelle is a conversation (a rant!) by a collier at my dad as we sat drinking In the Welfare. The language is real despite it never having happened.

Comment is about WRONG ROAD ROUND - AN URBAN VILLANELLE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Stephen Gospage

Thu 4th Feb 2021 16:41

I am overwhelmed with all the nice comments about this poem. There are many versions of somewhere-on-sea and they are not all scary; in fact, parts of the Essex coast used to have a rather genteel reputation. A taxi driver in Basildon once told me that Basildon was a Taxi Town. I've no idea whether he's right, but the idea stuck with me. And Kelvedon Hatch: Betjeman boys and girls or nuclear bunker? Who can say which is more fun?

I am glad the poem struck a chord with so many of you, including those who have spent some time in the county.

Comment is about Essex (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Thu 4th Feb 2021 16:14

Thank you D Joshi, your comment is appreciated, and there does seem to be a clean sweep of slight preference for the inclusive version.

There is a frequent duality in use of 'I' and 'we' wherever I am talking about general issues that affect me because of my humanity, or am talking about the group of 'us' of which I am a unique but similar part. So in that way both of the poems are somewhat personal and somewhat inclusive at a background level, for that reason I might have just went with the 'inclusive' version as the only version.

But I find that one of the side effects of the adjustment from the apparently personal to the clearly inclusive was to lose the sense of the explorative tone, and to end up with something that feels a bit more prescriptive. That's why (since I don't know how to solve that) I think they actually work really well together.

I'm glad that people have preferred the inclusive version as it tells me that the tone of it isn't too off-putting.

Comment is about What Lies Beyond Truth? (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

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D Joshi

Thu 4th Feb 2021 16:08

Feels so relatable, incredible description. Love this ?

Comment is about Tongue Tied (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

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D Joshi

Thu 4th Feb 2021 15:57

Hi Keith

Thank you for your kind welcoming words. I have never really shared any of my writing before so this is bit of a new adventure. Hopefully i can get good feedback and improve as i go along.
Thank you for all your kind comments, very encouraging.

Your poetry is very captivating and descriptive i look forward to reading more of it over time. Thank you for sharing.

Best wishes
Joshi

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

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Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Thu 4th Feb 2021 15:51

The thoughts in this dedication are just what I hope my own children will feel whenever it comes that time that they are in this world after I have gone from it.

Comment is about Dear Mum (blog)

Original item by D Joshi

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keith jeffries

Thu 4th Feb 2021 15:20

Hello Joshi,

This is the first time I have encountered you on WOL. Welcome indeed as your poetry has an uplifting quality which I know people will appreciate in these dark times. I look forward to reading more of your work

Keith

Comment is about D Joshi (poet profile)

Original item by D Joshi

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keith jeffries

Thu 4th Feb 2021 15:17

A beautiful poem of dedication to someone dearly loved.
Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about Dear Mum (blog)

Original item by D Joshi

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D Joshi

Thu 4th Feb 2021 14:06

Both poems are amazing, but i do prefer the in inclusive version. Definitely gives you something to think about. Enjoyed this,
Thank you ?

Joshi

Comment is about What Lies Beyond Truth? (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

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D Joshi

Thu 4th Feb 2021 13:49

Thank you Keith, its good to be able to spread a little positivity in times like these.
I am glad you enjoyed it ?

Joshi

Comment is about Into the Lockdown (blog)

Original item by D Joshi

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keith jeffries

Thu 4th Feb 2021 13:17

A poem of optimism after months of depressing news. A poem to lift the heart. Thank you

Keith

Comment is about Into the Lockdown (blog)

Original item by D Joshi

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keith jeffries

Thu 4th Feb 2021 13:12

Humourous and open to interpretation. Birds are of course transitory creatures and tend to be capricious also. I don't like to see them in cages nor any animal for that matter. Good poem

Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about My Bird (blog)

Original item by J.D. Bardo

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J.D. Bardo

Thu 4th Feb 2021 13:11

wink wink, you have always gotten me to think. thanks for all your comments Nicola. appreciate them all.

Comment is about My Bird (blog)

Original item by J.D. Bardo

<Deleted User> (13740)

Thu 4th Feb 2021 13:02

Tweet tweet x

Comment is about My Bird (blog)

Original item by J.D. Bardo

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J.D. Bardo

Thu 4th Feb 2021 12:08

Thank-you all for the likes and comments.

Comment is about Wrong Turns (blog)

Original item by J.D. Bardo

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Adam Whitworth

Thu 4th Feb 2021 10:29

I hear ya.

What a remarkable, real breathing poem! Bravo.

Comment is about Tongue Tied (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

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Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Thu 4th Feb 2021 09:48

Thank you to everyone who has clicked 'Like' for this blog.

Comment is about What Lies Beyond Truth? (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

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julie callaghan

Thu 4th Feb 2021 09:46

Wise words Hugh

Comment is about Please don't feed the horses ! (blog)

Original item by hugh

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julie callaghan

Thu 4th Feb 2021 09:45

Thanks for the likes Nigel, Brian, Steven, Stephen G and Nazia

Comment is about Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

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John Coopey

Thu 4th Feb 2021 09:09

I must be one of the few people who don’t miss going down the pub. But a buttered scone in the garden centre cafe, now you’re talking. (It’s an age thing).
Lovely images, Stephen. Quite the opposite of Tom Paxton’s Saturday Night.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uc_BYBVbEGg

Comment is about The Rhythm of My Heart (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

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John Coopey

Thu 4th Feb 2021 08:56

One of my daily roles when I was verger at Selby Abbey was to scale the tower and wind up the clock. There were three winders governing the clock itself and bells.
My money’s on the clock being wrong, Branwell.

Comment is about The Mystery Hour (blog)

Original item by branwell kent

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John Coopey

Thu 4th Feb 2021 08:45

Lovely vignette, Stephen. I particularly enjoyed a visit to Kelvedon Hatch’s Secret Nuclear Bunker when I worked down there. It was advertised for miles around.

Comment is about Essex (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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deanfraserofficial@yahoo.com

Thu 4th Feb 2021 07:47

?

Comment is about Where To Look? (blog)

Original item by Dean Fraser

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Brian Hodgkinson

Thu 4th Feb 2021 07:19

Hope, the healing elixir of the soul.?

Comment is about Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

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Brian Hodgkinson

Thu 4th Feb 2021 07:17

Thank you, Julie, for your like.?

Comment is about Fall On Me (blog)

Original item by Brian Hodgkinson Jr.

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Brian Hodgkinson

Thu 4th Feb 2021 07:15

THank you for checking in, Keith, much appreciated. My friendship with Francis was (and is) one of the greatest treasures of my life.

Comment is about African Wise Man (blog)

Original item by Brian Hodgkinson Jr.

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J.D. Bardo

Thu 4th Feb 2021 06:02

Ghazala, you have not posted since your poem "Farewell". I am glad to see you are back. (are you back?). Truly a glorious day.

Comment is about Glorious beginning (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

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Shifa Maqba

Thu 4th Feb 2021 01:46

Thank you Aviva, Paul, Adam, Stephen A. and Stephen G. for your lovely roses!

Comment is about Millay, Millay (blog)

Original item by Shifa Maqba

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J.D. Bardo

Thu 4th Feb 2021 00:00

I had to look up "manacles". (not that smart). Welcome to WOL. this poem is a great start. Looking forward to more. Thanks for sharing this Nazia, J.D.

Comment is about Escapism of soul (blog)

Original item by Nazia Khan

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Greg Freeman

Wed 3rd Feb 2021 23:14

Like the lines about Kelvedon Hatch, Stephen. Very Betjeman!

Comment is about Essex (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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keith jeffries

Wed 3rd Feb 2021 22:47

A beautiful poem of spiritual joy.
Thank you
Keith

Comment is about Glorious beginning (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

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keith jeffries

Wed 3rd Feb 2021 22:45

Stephen,

A very humourous poem in keeping with those jokes once made about Essex girls. I was once stationed at RAF Debden and thought the local countryside to be delightful, also Saffron Walden. I have often heard of somewhere on sea but never quite made it there. I shall keep it on my travel itinerary.

Thank you for this

Keith

Comment is about Essex (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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