I really like this - the rhythm, the structure, the tone. "The joy of now forgives"; "what's lost might yet be won" - beautiful lines.

Comment is about Silent Harbour (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Thank you for the early likes Larisa and Evan.

David

Comment is about Silent Harbour (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

A 'just' war, it was called. A 'good' war. No. It was a necessary war but there was nothing 'good' about it.

Comment is about The smear of days (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Thanks for the recent likes

David

Comment is about Episode (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Thanks for this poem Nigel lol always enjoy how you use whatever poem you're reading as inspiration for your next!

Comment is about Jealous Cat (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

Hi M.C. - Thanks for your comments & feedback. Will we learn the lessons from history. Time will tell !!

Comment is about The Longest Day (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Excellent Mark, shared to my
Facebook page in remembrance of this day.

Comment is about BEACHHEAD - JUNE 6, 1944 (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Those who survived were, in their own way, victims and many
were surely haunted by what happened and what might have been in the years that followed.

Comment is about The smear of days (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

The film is an extraordinary cinematic depiction of a vast undertaking, made, it has to be emphasised, in pre-SFX days.
The creation of foreboding, threat and hope was impressively
maintained and brings home the importance of what was done back then. It is a sad fact that the continent of Europe records
aggressive activity with depressing frequency....with recent and
current conflicts very much in mind.

Comment is about The Longest Day (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Thanks for likes - Holden,Larisa, Aisha & Hugh 👍

Comment is about The Longest Day (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Thank you Tim and Graham for your most generous and encouraging comments, they're very much appreciated. And thanks to all those who liked this.😊

Comment is about Rhythm Breaker (blog)

Original item by Manish

Dorothy is walking with freedom leading her on the right path.😎

Comment is about Fearlessly empowered (blog)

Original item by Sunshine

Dorothy is making wise moves in finding trust with God to back her up.😎

Comment is about Lessons learnt (blog)

Original item by Sunshine

T.V advert I like
Hot date arranged
She loves cats
He buys packet
Juicy pussy snack
Jumping through window
Greedy pussies galore
All these yours?
But of course
The lying snake!😈

Comment is about Jealous Cat (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

Thanks everyone for all your likes
Manish
Ruth
Aisha
Holden
Stephen G
and
Hugh.

Comment is about Tearing up the Script (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Thank you to those who have liked this difficult to like poem.

This poem is written in the first person in the hope of being more impactful. I know it is an ugly piece of writing, primarily so because of the ugly subject matter. It is difficult to flower up the subject of mental health.

In the wave of commemorations regarding the great sacrifices of D-Day I thought it apt to relate something of the possible resultant traumatic injuries suffered by so many that may have passed unnoticed.

Do not fall into the belief that no one displayed their traumatic injuries from a particular generation. Back then such things were hidden away and swept under the carpet. Records of domestic violence and mental illness were not something tolerated in the years from 44 onward to much later...but those things happened.

There is much talk of stoicism and resilience on such days (and rightly so) I have nothing but admiration, love and respect for those gone and those still enduring, their resilience and strength should be something we all aspire to.

Personally, although I respect the ethos of suffering in silence I believe it is not ultimately healthy for those who impose it upon themselves, although I absolutely respect anyones right to do as they wish with their memories and injuries. Time and time again I have heard of broken men and women suffering in silence, frankly it breaks my heart.

My poem was intended to convey the explosive nature of the release of trauma and its destructive force, both inwardly and toward others..the cost of such trauma is borne by the individual suffering and the society which hosts it...the damage it does is irreperable but not unavoidable.

One way of lessening the potential for such implosions of self is for those suffering to be protected and gently encouraged to share. Now, I know just how hard that is but there are routes to such treatment which could be embedded in how we treat those recovering from trauma, or even suspected of being exposed to the liklihood of trauma.

I'm sure many might sneer and again return to the stiff upper lip trope, many of those who do will not have been exposed to trauma and therefore cannot get their head around it. But believe me treating it and protectiing sufferers is better than the picture painted in my scribble, or the alternative of an imposed suffering in silence.

Thank you for reading.

David RL Moore

IN REMEMBERING THE DEAD WE MUST NOT FORGET THE LIVING

Comment is about Episode (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

I enjoyed reading this poem. The memory of those who fought for our freedom will always be in our hearts.
With best wishes,
Larisa

Comment is about 80 years on , a milestone anniversary (blog)

Original item by hugh

Ray,
Thank you for this as I too often travel in my own mind to places which keep on reminding me of my past and their significance.
Keith

Comment is about THE OPEN ROAD (blog)

Original item by ray pool

John,
another hero, another poet, another soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice. My Uncle Leslie was a nineteen year soldier in the Royal Warwicks who was killed at Tournai, as the British Army moved back toward Dunkirk. He was killed in a German air attack. His mother, my grandmother, never recovered from his loss.
Thank you for this poem to enable us to appreciate the calibre of our fallen and the debt we owe them for our freedom.
Thank you indeed.
Keith

Comment is about i.m. Captain Keith Douglas (1920-1944) (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Hugh,
a fine tribute to our brave men who sacrifced their all for our freedom. We shall be forever in their debt.
Thank you,
Keith

Comment is about 80 years on , a milestone anniversary (blog)

Original item by hugh

I knew about Keith Douglas in the desert, but didn't know he was a Normandy victim, John. He and Alun Lewis, both poets who died in the second world war, don't get the praise and notice they deserve, compared with those from the first world war.

Comment is about i.m. Captain Keith Douglas (1920-1944) (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

A fine sonnet for D-Day, Graham. Thank you.

Comment is about Why is the sonnet still popular? (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

A very emotive and poignant reflection Stephen.

Comment is about Little Ted (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

MP - thanks for your comment. I recall being with a group of lads
in my old job on a motor caravan holiday in Germany back in the
1960s. We stopped at a caravan site in the south of the country
and wandered into the nearest habitation looking for a pint of
good German beer. Our luck was in and we found ourselves in
a local equivalent of an inn. We were joined at our table by
some of the male locals whose conversation reverted back to
the war. No problem, but coincidentally, all seemed to have
served on the Russian front as young men. It was a memorable
evening in many respects.

Comment is about BEACHHEAD - JUNE 6, 1944 (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks, Martin. I'm so glad you enjoyed the poems. For me, climate change is the No 1 issue of our times and I have written a number of poems on the subject.
Enjoying your poetry. Will post more comments when I get back from a short break.

Comment is about Martin Peacock (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Peacock

It's what makes us special, the ability to think about our thoughts. An unusual but valuable concise piece, well done! G

Comment is about A Thought About a Thought (blog)

Original item by Tim Higbee

Just wonderful, the poignant and beautiful imagery. Your writing is very powerful.

Comment is about The Fields of Avalon (pt 2 & 3) (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Manish, sometimes life/love is a bit like 'middle of the road' music, sometimes it's like a dreamy 'love theme' and at other its like 'bombastic heavy metal'.

We all have a favourite that hits the spot continually. Finding it is the hard bit!

A very finely described dilemma that you have written about well.

Comment is about Rhythm Breaker (blog)

Original item by Manish

Thank you, Manish and Helene, for your thoughtful comments. Thank you to those of you who have taken the time to like this poem and to others who have liked other pieces of mine. I appreciate it greatly.

Comment is about Cultivated Curiosity (blog)

Original item by Tim Higbee

Thank you so much for reading, liking, and commenting on my poem, Keith.
With warmest wishes,
Larisa

Comment is about I Was Waiting For My Lucky DAy (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Windy, what a beautiful poem. It really caught my fancy and lifted it aloft to experience the wonder.
Thank you !

Comment is about Feathered Foot Dreaming (blog)

Original item by Windy

When the rhythm of harmony is altered, and syncopation confuses that natural pattern we're accustomed to, we are startled. Time to recalibrate.
Love the perspective of what patterns and changes in rhythm do to us. Well done my friend!

Comment is about Rhythm Breaker (blog)

Original item by Manish

Thank you for remembering the fallen ones like this; the imagery is clear and pierces straight through my heart. As I look at that picture of the most pivotal day in WW2, my eyes tear up. May we all be reminded of the price paid for our well being.

Comment is about Little Ted (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

I like the sound of that, Keith! It also puts me in mind of Motörhead and Woody Allen's 'Sleeper' - not a Venn diagram i ever thought i could conceive of before now, but hey, it's a crazy world nowadays, so why not?

Comment is about IN TWO MINDS (blog)

Original item by Martin Peacock

This poem encapsulates the rhythm of life in a beautiful but honest way. The final stanza which could be interpreted as resignation, but in reality is an acceptance and a hope for the future.
Thank you for this,
Keith

Comment is about I Was Waiting For My Lucky DAy (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Martin,
a poem rich in humour but as a fellow sufferer I am with you all the way. At my age lust is alive and well but even wrist action can strain the tendons. In some far off land, probably the Far East, some genius has developed an orgasmatron. It maybe be worth a try. It comes with batteries and also a connection to the mains supply. I shall send for an estimate.

Excellent piece of writing,
Thanks,
Keith

Comment is about IN TWO MINDS (blog)

Original item by Martin Peacock

Thanks RG and to those who have sent recent flowers.

I have done my fair share of 'in your face' and there will be enough of that to go around, that is not to say I won't do it again.

I remember visiting various of the landing beaches in france and other landing zones. Although my mind was not far from the horror it was also focussed on the practicalities of staying alive and the motivations that got men off the X.

Obviously much of survival is luck but some is also sheer will and some quick thinking.

Such events should be recalibrated frequently and measured against how we live now. Obviously there comes a time when things slip beyond living memory. But how many of our countrymen consider the impact Waterloo had upon our world today, for it did and still does.

I also contrast the great D-Day sacrifice with how many of my former collegues have slipped through the net and taken their own lives, as many of those who landed on the beaches that day must have subsequently done.

War is a true horror and it is a horror that endures beyond its end.

"Only the dead have seen the end of War"

David

For the record, troops included in D-Day landings beyond those routinely reeled off consisted men from:

Australia, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Greece, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Poland.

This list is not exhaustive as many men fought in foreign armies not their native home. This included many Commonwelath soldiers although some were otherwise engaged in The Far and Middle East at the time.

Comment is about Thank you (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Stephen,
Not a poem from your usual repetoire but poignant as my mind went to the beach at Gaza and to Dunkirk and all the travesty of war. The illustration is also a firm reminder of the D Day landings which took the lives of so many men. A poem which is both topical and historical; a reminder to us all that freedom is bought at a high price.
Thanks for this,
Keith

Comment is about Little Ted (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

people who study these things often say

there’s continual conflict in this world

different tribes hell-bent to have their way

charge headlong into war with flags unfurled

ne’er stopping to think, to count the cost

take a piece of land from some other man

such futile gain for each precious life lost

to satisfy some madman’s masterplan

we never heed those lessons from our past

writ in blood on tablets of graveyard stone

that the fight just ended should be the last

and heinous wicked wars begone and done

to all those lovely boys who sadly fell

we will remember and bid fond farewell!

Comment is about Why is the sonnet still popular? (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

A very effective allegory told in such a poignant way Stephen!
This resonated with me due to visiting the war beaches on our way back from holiday one year. It was bright sunshine and lots of people/children cavorting in the sea. I could see only soldiers floating! It stays with me.
Good work sir! G

Comment is about Little Ted (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Your welcome Keith. Language is my mistress and poems are our children.

Comment is about TO THE DANCE (blog)

Original item by Martin Peacock

Thank you, Keith. I love the brevity of a haiku. That you can say so much with so little proves the wonderousness of language, don't you think?

Comment is about HAIKU: SUMMER AFTERNOON AT LEAFY GLADES (blog)

Original item by Martin Peacock

Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Keith. After so long in the shadows, coming out into the light is a nerve-wracking experience. I have been my only audience for years. It's time these poems got some fresh air.

Comment is about IN A WORLD GONE MAD... (blog)

Original item by Martin Peacock

An intriguing piece of dream's enigma written excellently, Keith.
Thank you.

Comment is about In the Land of Nod (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thank you, Patricia. I'm glad that you could relate.

Comment is about Family (blog)

Original item by Manish

Wonderful, I can totally relate.

Comment is about Family (blog)

Original item by Manish

Martin,
you have the ability to take the reader straight into the scene you describe.
Thanks for this,
Keith

Comment is about TO THE DANCE (blog)

Original item by Martin Peacock

Martin,
This plunged me into the richness of a summer's day.
Keith

Comment is about HAIKU: SUMMER AFTERNOON AT LEAFY GLADES (blog)

Original item by Martin Peacock

Martin,
This poem carried me along in quick time as I was devouring line after line. The poem is truly excellent. The last four lines are a wonderful exhoration which I fully endorse.
Thank you for this,
Keith

Comment is about IN A WORLD GONE MAD... (blog)

Original item by Martin Peacock

This is my third attempt to thank you all for your comments. I am very honored and pleased that The Descent relates. Thank you. I guess I am not managing the navigating yet.

Comment is about The Descent November 1996 (blog)

Original item by Patricia Ziel