A fine poem, Julie.

Comment is about What Matters Is (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

A beautiful, touching work. To be enjoyed.

Comment is about A Love Song (forever) (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

A powerful poem, Keith. Thanks.

Comment is about The Echo Chamber (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Entertaining, John. Reminds me of the Life of Brian - 'Welease Woger'.

Comment is about SUNDAY SCHOOL (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Cottage cheese, my mum liked egg mayonnaise sandwiches, I don't, what a funny heart warming poem xx

Comment is about Cottage Cheese (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Thanks for clearing that up Aviva, It does have a nice ring to it if you are not offended. I respect your direct and honest opinions given. thank-you

Comment is about Binned (blog)

Original item by simon lucan

Yes J.D I actually thought that too, that the last verse could stand as a poem in it's own right. I just forgot to say so. I realise I didn't make that very clear when I said it could be binned but I meant from this poem, not from existence..

Comment is about Binned (blog)

Original item by simon lucan

This is great. There is a special feeling of not wanting to wake from a dream. As you say, reality can be very disappointing by comparison.

Comment is about The Most Perfect Dream (blog)

Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth

I feel the last verse could stand on its own as a great poem. It is evenly fair as the poet states they did the same to him, and I really like the last line .I often pick through that scrap heap to see if any of them will have me back. The ability to attract new friends I now lack.

Comment is about Binned (blog)

Original item by simon lucan

I have similar memories of my dad who passed in 1994, and if I ate his secret stash of cookies without permission, I would be beat down to the floor. I love you dad, but DAMN, they were just cookies. A lesson like that I can not ignore, If I think of a fig-newton cookie, I will vomit violently on the floor. And I want to let you all know, that way before turning 18, I did bolt out of that homes door. those are memories I wish no longer to explore. by the way I love cottage cheese. Great poem, I am very pleased.

Comment is about Cottage Cheese (blog)

Original item by d.knape

I think the last verse could be binned on this one, and I think it drags the poem down, but I realise you do enjoy writing edgier poetry; it is just in this case that there's a really special and thought provoking poem there too.

Comment is about Binned (blog)

Original item by simon lucan

John,

This poem uncovers a prevalent theme of how people escape from the misery of their condition, making clear that it is not only the present generation who find a substance which transports them to a different place with a better hue. The final stanza is the perfect summary of this plight. Many in today's world resort to alcohol and drugs; who can blame them when their wretchedness is their all.

Thank you indeed for this poem

Keith

Comment is about February early morning (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

This is outstanding. I find it to be beautifully introspective and portrays brilliantly well the connection between our own inner weather of feelings and how it affects our behaviour and view of the world around us.

Comment is about The Storm Inside (blog)

Original item by Gary Cuming

Aviva, I would like to make the point here, that for the purpose of supporting each other through these rough times, that I feel it is not quality, but quantity that counts. Share to show we care. Good, or bad, happy or sad, to read it all I am very glad, even though some comments can make me mad. I do feel the sense of family here at WOL, and to forgive and forget, can become a new fade. Sorry for the silly rhyme, but I am trying to make a point, is that a crime?

Comment is about The First Of February (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

I'm so glad you didn't bin this Tom.
There's life in the old poem yet!

Comment is about Old Poem (blog)

Original item by Tom

I'd just like to say that you inspire me Julie. When I finally finish with posting from my backlog of poems I want to try and emulate your dedication to producing a daily poem though I doubt if and when I do my daily efforts will be anywhere near as consistently good as yours.

Comment is about The First Of February (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

Thanks for the 'likes' Aviva, Lisa, Stephen and Jordyn.

And thank you Lisa, I'm really pleased you enjoyed. I nearly binned this poem but I couldn't part with it so thought I'd share. ?

Comment is about Old Poem (blog)

Original item by Tom

Ah J.D that is very kind of you to say. I can reassure you that this poem was written a couple of years before I arrived at WOL and is actually arisen from the struggles of dealing with an undiagnosed health condition which at the time was being 'professionally' treated as imaginary but very real and impacting the family immensely in distress and stress levels, even more so because of that backdrop. We did eventually reach the stage where the problem was medically acknowledged and non-damaging interventions became possible.

Comment is about Stride On (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Thank you Graham for your kind words,
and by the way,
how's your forest?

Comment is about Graham Sherwood (poet profile)

Original item by Graham Sherwood

Here is another poet (of many) deserving of some sort of award. at the very least, a thank-you for your frequent contributions. I love the thought to stride on, but I feel bad about the line, "another day thrown away" you are here for us. and thank-you for that, that is all I will say.

Comment is about Stride On (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

I have made the observation that most every ones poetry that is posted, continues to get better and better each time they post something new. Is there an award for most improved poet? I would like to pass out a few. Julie, Thank-you.

Comment is about The First Of February (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

Thank you Lisa...much gratitude.

Comment is about Connections (blog)

Original item by Dean Fraser

Fantastic freedom ride Jordyn! ✌️❤️

Comment is about Consider Me Gone (blog)

Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth

This one flew for me.

Comment is about Consider Me Gone (blog)

Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth

Steven thank you for saying that I write great poetry. I actually have two brothers who also write poetry, and far better than I do.
I was in two minds as to whether or not this one could be classed as a poem, but it was a story I wanted to put out.
I also come from a mining village so understand about what you are saying with regards to jobs being scarce and beer plentiful.

Comment is about A Game Of Pool (part 4) (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

Thanks for the additional likes, Aviva, Lisa, Adam & Graham. Much appreciated

Comment is about A Love Song (forever) (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Growing up in a small ex mining village where jobs were scarce & beer was plentiful, I've came across a few men like your father, but, to my knowledge, none of their sons grew up to write great Poetry (or to be able to write at all, for that matter!). Most became shadows of their fathers.
So, I take my hat off to you K.J (if I actually wore a hat!). ?

Comment is about A Game Of Pool (part 4) (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

Don't worry Brian.
It's the last day of the month so all this thread will disappear at midnight.
It was a cathartic write for me this, so you'll understand why I then get touchy, when someone calls me out.
Incidentally many of my funnier pieces are based on truth. The great advantage of having an upbringing like mine is that you do meet some great characters

Comment is about A Game Of Pool (part 4) (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

Thank you to everyone who clicked 'Like' for this poem.

Comment is about Repetition (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Kage, I'm sorry if I have upset you. My first comment about not believing it was, in my usual way, flippant and in no way meant to demean your piece. I assumed the piece to be fictitious, as most of your stuff appears to be.

So once again apologies. I have no wish to fall out with someoone whose work I admire.

Comment is about A Game Of Pool (part 4) (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

The walls that we build or that get built around us
Don't have to be a prison starting to surround us
We can put in windows and doors
We can paper the walls, and carpet the floors
And with constant effort and time
We can make a pleasant space for our hearts and our minds.

Comment is about The Great wall of lisa (blog)

Original item by Lysa d

Well then Brian.
(Not wanting to sound like one of Monty python's four Yorkshiremen)
I was one of 7 children. My dad was an idle c*** who never worked a day in his life. All his dole plus most of the family allowance was spent on himself. He was an abusive violent father. And even when I was old enough to earn my own money he stole it off me.. I don't need to get into a pissing contest as too who had the least privileged upbringing, but if your parents struggled, but put their kids first then you were lucky

I think that the point I was trying to make was that, just because something isn't within your own comfort zone, it doesn't make it untrue.

Comment is about A Game Of Pool (part 4) (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

Ouch Kage.

As we're into backgrounds...I was one of six children brought up on a West London council estate. My dad worked in a factory. So no privileged upbringing there. But my parents knew exactly what their roles entailed to feed, clothe and educate six children...and it didn't involve pool halls or booze.

Comment is about A Game Of Pool (part 4) (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

Thanks Brian
If I'd had a privileged upbringing I'd probably have little understanding of what goes on outside my own bubble too.
Just as a further bit of background into my own father. I left home in 1985 to join the army. Leaving my youngest siblings behind. One evening, in drunken rage he poured petrol on my mum and brother and sister. He was arrested before he lit the petrol, but I have no doubt in my mind of what he would have done if my brother hadn't raised the alarm.

Lisa, sorry to hear that you can relate to this story. When you have an upbringing like this you tend to think that you're the only one in the world going through it. Sadly it's more common than people think.

Comment is about A Game Of Pool (part 4) (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

Thanks for the likes folks.

Comment is about What Matters Is (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

Thanks Steven.
I was only 10 when this one was set, but I can also remember going into busy pubs as a young adult, and playing against all the hustlers
Cheers Kevin

Comment is about A Game Of Pool (part 3) (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

Jeckyll and Hyde I can relate to.
Sounds exactly like my own father after a few whiskys . After an episode like this he would come home and take it out on his own. I feel your inner child's pain and torment by the scary embarrassing memories that have had an impact on your life.
This was a very insightful story. Well done ?

Comment is about A Game Of Pool (part 4) (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

I don't believe a word of it!

Good story though Kage.

Comment is about A Game Of Pool (part 4) (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

Thanks Paul, Stephen and Aisha for the likes. Greatly appreciated.

Jennifer

Comment is about Deep Dark Eyes (blog)

Original item by Jennifer Malden

I can agree with that John, thanks for commenting and sharing the quotation.

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

I wish you all good feelings. ?

Comment is about Just A Feeling (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

The flow in this poem was incredible. Well done. Really enjoyable read. Thank you for sharing ?

Comment is about Old Poem (blog)

Original item by Tom

Reminds me of 'the club' back in the day when it was chocka. The wiley old crew who knew every trick in the book.
The twizzling of trilby's in plain view
Barely audible whistling or singing
Coughing, just as you were taking the shot etc
They got me every time. Sadly, most now play in a land unseen by the living.
?

Comment is about A Game Of Pool (part 3) (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

It was beautiful x

Comment is about WOLF MOON (blog)

Original item by d.knape

“And if you can't shape your life the way you want, at least try as much as you can not to degrade it...”

Constantinos P. Cavafy

Comment is about Just A Feeling (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Thanks again Lisa.
Your kind encouragement has inspired me to carry on with this story.
I'll try to get number 4 done tonight or at least very soon.
The last one is the main one, and the first three were just to set the scene.
Not wanting to give too much away.. but I hope it doesn't still remind you of your dad when you read the last one.

Thanks again for looking in and taking the time to comment

Comment is about A Game Of Pool (part 3) (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

i.m. C. P. Cavafy, poet


I am from Constantinople, a Byzantine by descent,

The last, the very last, Byzantine nobleman

My family lived in Constantinople before the Turks took the city in 1453.

I was born and died in the same place, Alexandria,

Egypt, on the same day, April 29th, 1863, and 1933.

I am homosexual. I died of cancer of the larynx.

I was silenced but noboby knew the difference.

There were many years between my visits to Greece

But I always loved my Hellenic inheritance..

I lived much of my childhood in England.

My last employment was as a government clerk .

I can write in Greek, English and French.

I self-published my poetry but it was unpopular

And unfashionable. I made no money from poetry.

In my poems I explore the psychology of individuals,

amidst the legacy of Greek culture, especially

Ithaca, homosexuality and Greek philosophy.

Throughout my life, and even now, I suffer

From an all-pervasive existential nostalgia.

Now my poems are taught in schools in Greece

One of my most famous poems is

Waiting for the Barbarians

Which could be about Constantinople

In the years before the Ottoman conquest.

Or could it be about the human tendency to prevaricate?

Who knows?

What’s the point of senators making laws now?

Once the barbarians are here, they’ll do the legislating.

These are the sorts of words I used. I asked many questions.

Including: Do we need barbarians, even invisible ones,

To be threatening the gates of our cities? I think we do

If we want to stay alive. Be the less-deceived.

Comment is about Holden Moncrieff (poet profile)

Original item by Holden Moncrieff

Thanks, Trevor. I shall pretend I wrote this if I do it at Open Mic sometime when we get the all-clear.

Comment is about THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Kj walker. Already eagerly waiting for part 4.
Loved part 3.
Fantastically written . A story which can be seen from the minds eye in an instant.

Comment is about A Game Of Pool (part 2) (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

Loving your frequency.
May the law of attraction forever keep you company.
Loved this. Thank you

Comment is about Connections (blog)

Original item by Dean Fraser

Your dad was indeed a cunning clever man.
Always a method to his madness .
Brilliant . A story well told.
These memories are amazing to keep as they hold life lessons along with many giggles.
Reminds me of my dad who played on the team of his local , no pro or remarkable player but his cunning fluky shoots got him by and helped the lads win many of games.
Fake it until you make it .
Bravo

Comment is about A Game Of Pool (part 3) (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker