Wow Jason. This is up there among the best nature poems I’ve ever read. It is a timely and powerful message that definitely deserves a wider audience. Perhaps in a nature anthology released on Earth Day!
Comment is about Terra Mater (Mother Earth) (blog)
Original item by Jason Bayliss
MC and Graham - We should recognise that liberal democratic freedoms and “civilisation” more generally are not permanent and unchallengeable edifices. They are fragile constructs which require constant work and defence.
And thanks for the Likes, Aviva, Holden and Julie.
Comment is about HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY 2021 (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you Aviva, you're so kind, (And as ever if you spot any typos, feel free to point them out, it really helps and I still haven't thanked you properly for the last time❤)
And also thank you Paul, that is some high praise indeed, and of course, on the subject of reading work out loud, if you want to, feel free my friend, I loved the last one. I know I rarely get on WOL now but there is a community here that I think will always have a really special place in my heart. The move to concentrating more on Instagram was mainly for the benefit of my kids as they would be far more likely to read this stuff there than here, and after all, most of it was written for them, (Not all obviously, but most).
J. x
Comment is about Terra Mater (Mother Earth) (blog)
Original item by Jason Bayliss
Short and blunt - as it should be. One can hardly imagine the horror
and the terror that existed when the madness of Hitler's war (not forgetting "Uncle Joe" Stalin's savagery further east) took over much
of Europe. It is not too surprising that there was initial disbelief -
soon rendered void by the harrowing newsreel footage and the
witness testimony of those officials, together with the armed services,
who entered the death camps and saw for themselves the dreadful results of what had occurred.
Lest we forget indeed!
Comment is about HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY 2021 (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
In these times, when every day of the year seems to celebrate/remember something or other, the really important issues can sometimes be reduced somewhat. Luckily the remembrance of the holocaust has kept its global significance. I have no connection to the Jewish faith whatsoever but each year I am minded to sit and ponder the dichotomy of a survivor/survivor's family, remembering whilst also trying their best to forget this awful segment of our world's history.
Comment is about HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY 2021 (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
No, you're thinking of, "Life, the universe and everything." ??
J. x
Comment is about Definition? (blog)
Original item by Jason Bayliss
Vautaw Thank you for you comments in my poem "LONELINESS".
When I read this morning your comments, I felt that my words have starting to say what is happening in my soul, Thank you for give me some minutes of your time.
Comment is about Vautaw (poet profile)
Original item by Vautaw
Thu 28th Jan 2021 11:56
your name itself
is a poem.
Comment is about Aviva Rifka Bhandari (poet profile)
Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari
Thu 28th Jan 2021 11:55
they have a camera
on your face
a chip in you
to be tracked and traced,
they know your name
they know your place
remove yourself
do so in haste!
Comment is about julie callaghan (poet profile)
Original item by julie callaghan
I couldn't resist the silly comment...
But for the serious comment, this is a very nice piece of poetic advice. I really like the way that you've set it out.
Comment is about THOUGHTS (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Thank you, Judy. A lovely little review. These sound like perfect poems for the times through which we (don't) move. The old and the new Normal, perhaps?
Comment is about The Beauty Within Shadow: Henry Normal, Flapjack (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks, for the comment and the likes!
Comment is about The Underground Yard (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
Thank you Stephen and Trevor - and even more thanks to those that have contributed more than once. Over and above, but heartfelt gratitude. It means a lot.
Comment is about TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR WRITE OUT LOUD ... (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Inspired by several of T. S. Eliot's essay's relating to Modernism.
The precepts in summary.
1. common speech
2. importance of metaphor
3. psychological realism / stream of consciousness
4. musical arrangement
5. film 'jump-cut' technique
6. allusion & referencing
7. organic form
8. irony / satire / sarcasm
9. rhetoric
* Epilogue quote from William Faulkner’s speech at the Nobel banquet
Comment is about The Revolution of Old Possum (il miglior fabbro) (blog)
Original item by Rob Cohen
Hugging others is banned
for the likes of you and me
Hugging goes unpunished
when playing football on TV
Comment is about A footballer's regret (blog)
Original item by hugh
Thanks for the likes Stephen A and Aisha
Comment is about A Dark Day (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
I hear these too.
Comment is about A Gift From the Universe to Emer (blog)
Original item by old shoes
Yes, I think you got it. ??
Comment is about The song that never ends (blog)
Original item by old shoes
Great poem! If only you could see my eyes now, they could better explain what my mouth falls short of.
Peace!
Comment is about Eyes Do The Talking (blog)
Original item by Aisha Suleman
I've been to the land of kebab and curry. Mmmmm I miss it. Oh, the thick strong chai used to brighten me in a moment to wakefulness.
Comment is about Put Your Hands Up (blog)
Original item by Aisha Suleman
Philipos
Wed 27th Jan 2021 21:24
Well constructed Holden - enjoyed.
Comment is about Zeitgeist Zealots (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
<Deleted User> (13740)
Wed 27th Jan 2021 21:00
I contributed a while ago & will do
so again as it's nearly payday ?.
In my simple, uneducated opinion this is one of the best poetry sites out there... Even though it's the only one I've ever been on ?
Comment is about TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR WRITE OUT LOUD ... (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I, for one realised I have taken the site for granted, and was happy to donate Greg. Not sure what the numbers are but it's not a lot to ask.
Best wishes mate.
Comment is about TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR WRITE OUT LOUD ... (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thank you Stephen G for the lovely comment and like.
Comment is about A Dark Day (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Raw and vulnerable poem Erika I can relate. I especially like “He is sounds, I am words
He is earth, I am air. He is strength, I am sensibility.” Shows the yin and yang of relationships. Thanks for sharing.
Comment is about LONELINESS (blog)
Original item by Erika Montoya
Yes, a very sad milestone, Julie. Well put.
Comment is about A Dark Day (blog)
Original item by julie callaghan
Really perceptive! It's as if we were living double lives, trying to live as usual as far as possible within restrictions, but with an unsaid fear present in us all. One hardly dare ask 'how are you all'? , when phoning.
jennifer
Comment is about COVID AVOIDANCE (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Liked this one Ray! Definitely one we all can relate to, and thought provoking! Perhaps that's why no comments, as it makes us reflect on our 'just days' and 'certain days' and 'other days'.
Jennifer
Comment is about DAYS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Thanks Brian, Stephen and Paul. Sometimes a word twists in my head and in this case, I just felt the urge (mainly at night) to make something out of it. Glad you all like what I was trying to do.
Thanks for the likes, Stephen and Jennifer.
Ray
Comment is about SHAKESPEAREAN DILEMMA (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Nice one Ray! Agree it sounds like jazz lyrics.
Jennifer
Comment is about FOUR STEPS TO HEAVEN (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Thank you, Stephen, Nicola and Julie!
Comment is about TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR WRITE OUT LOUD ... (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Your experience seems to mirror Alan Partridge’s of Michael.
As for received English, I’m not so sure. Some years ago I did a contract in Glasgow. The factory employed about 50 Poles of its 200 workforce. I made a point of walking the line to nod and chat with them. What surprised me was that they couldn’t understand a word of what I was saying but had become accustomed to that aggressive guttural growl of Glaswegians that passes for English.
Comment is about UNE BITE ET UN VAGIN - a cock and fanny story (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I made my donation a while ago. I hope this message and the online event will encourage more contributions.
Comment is about TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR WRITE OUT LOUD ... (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
<Deleted User> (13740)
Wed 27th Jan 2021 15:38
Just donated Greg x
Comment is about TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR WRITE OUT LOUD ... (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Greg, I have really appreciated WOL and will do all I can to contribute.
Let's hope your appeal will kick-start the funding, even at this late stage.
Very best wishes to everyone.
Comment is about TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR WRITE OUT LOUD ... (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
My thanks to everyone for the likes and for all the kind comments.As usual, they add to my understanding of the poem, which I think is a benefit of this process.
The book can be viewed on Amazon UK (see link below). If you click on the book itself you can scroll through quite a number of pages before you are redirected to the rear cover page. Also, if you have Kindle, it will be available for free download during the weekend of 26 February.
I don't really want to plug it, as a number of the poems are already on WOL and I will be sharing some more on my profile and the blog over the next few weeks.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shape-Trees-Poems-2020/dp/B08TN71QQ2/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=the+shape+of+the+trees&qid=1611760399&sr=8-11
Comment is about Don’t you just hate it when that happens? (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Just the right of balance of mocking despair and frustrated humour. A bit like a souffle that came out right Stephen.
Ray
Comment is about Don’t you just hate it when that happens? (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I put "Geordie" at the top of unintelligible UK tones. There was one
who was a customer at a pub I used to frequent whose rapidity of
words and intonation left me nodding politely but with little idea of
what he had said. And when I asked him to speak more slowly, he
would look at me as if I was a foreigner in the country! ? Very early in my life, i realised that "received English" was the only
sure way to be understood - especially important in public service - and my West Country upbringing adapted accordingly.
Comment is about UNE BITE ET UN VAGIN - a cock and fanny story (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you very much for your contributions and your kind words, Aviva and MC!
Comment is about TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR WRITE OUT LOUD ... (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I have always self-funded my forays into poetry & song publication
and see this as no different-with the exception of having to accept
work being restricted by other opinions beyond my control.
Nonetheless, the "shop window" is a concept well worth preserving
for many reasons and I have contributed accordingly. As for the
total sought, it is bears comparison against the sort of sums that
are made available for various "prizes" that get publicised on
this site, not least in the "high end" range of the world of poetry
publication..
Comment is about TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR WRITE OUT LOUD ... (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
<Deleted User> (13740)
Wed 27th Jan 2021 14:23
If I burn my clothes what will I wear? X
Comment is about A COVID-FREE POEM (blog)
Original item by d.knape
julie callaghan
Thu 28th Jan 2021 16:38
Wow, a beautiful poem that really makes you think. Thank you
Comment is about Terra Mater (Mother Earth) (blog)
Original item by Jason Bayliss