Thanks, John. Is that East Ham in East London (one stop after Barking), where my civil service career (sort of) got started?

Comment is about NEW YORKERS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank-you V, for adding to a great day, I dream that better times come our way. (love Stevie Nicks). thank-you. J.D.

Comment is about Seahorses & Dreams (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

Very kind of you to say so, Trevor. These poems are real gems, aren't they? 'Girl From The Black Country', you say? I enjoyed Emma's collection Close very much https://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=85122

Comment is about Poetry from the allotments to give you a glow ... Steve Pottinger, Emma Purshouse, and Dave Pitt (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

The more we grow the more we know. Time was we were held up as the bastion of civil society, a role model for other countries. Now historic sex abuse cases, and the general expose' of the hypocrisy that exists in this country has shattered a lot of those illusions.
Some might call it sacrilege to offer such an indictment of the futures of our cartoon heroes. Seems pretty accurate to me. Enjoyed this mate.

Comment is about Fine and Dandy (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I'm coming to your stuff late, Greg, for reasons explained in other comments. Yes, It could quite easily have been much harder hitting, but an iron fist in a velvet glove has the same effect. T

Comment is about Brexit boy (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Keith, this poem speaks right to me, I shall take this poem to heart. to live life this way, from my Demons, I may depart. A guiding star you are, "True North. thank-you. J.D.

Comment is about True North (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Greg as I said to someone on WOL recently, I am not great at critiquing others peoples work. I just have an innate sense of when something is worthy of the effort, as this very touching poem is. The reason I don't review others work much is the fear of influence, so I am glad I wrote WE HAD THE BEST OF IT It before I saw this. Thanks

Comment is about Liberation, 1945 (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

What can you say about such an institution [ well actually you've said it]- except that it is the latest vehicle for expressing reactionary attitudes which have been exposed by what I thought was a perfectly sensible suggestion. excellent

Comment is about The hoary and the gory (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

; Stand up now and be counted' the epitome ( as always in situations like this ) of what we should do but, most times do not.


Keep the well-written reminders coming, Keith!





Rose ?

Comment is about True North (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Every word is true d.k. but how I wish that it wasn't.

Well written'


Rose ?

Comment is about Culture Cancer (blog)

Original item by d.knape

During past years i had a huge interest in this momentous bloody
conflict and the considerable range of books and photographs
available to study. This publication seems a very worthwhile
addition. Freeing slaves seems not have been the primary aim
of the Lincoln administration according to some sources but a
moral imperative that was politically desirable if a "United"
States was to be achieved. It seems likely that the average southerner, scratching a living across that vast swathe of country.
-people like the Cajuns and others, for example, had little to gain
over the slavery issue, comparable perhaps to the the average
Brit of other days - unable to access the luxuries of sugar and
coffee that only the aristocracy and well-to-do could afford.
One notable South Carolina slave-owner was black...an interesting
aspect of who fought and why the conflict was fought. The South
has always maintained that it resisted the North's "imposition" of
its demands because it removed the right to self-determination..
Even now in a Federal administration system, the "state" has
autonomy.in governance on a local level. General Robert E. Lee
was a Virginian who could have served on either side but chose to
serve the South. It's never been claimed his intent was to retain
slavery so it seems other forces and allegiances were powerful
at that time. And it has to be remembered that those involved had
grown up with - and never known anything different from - the way
of life that existed. I will be placing my order when I locate this volume online. To anyone with an interest in that conflict I can
recommend the trilogy of books by US author Shelby Foote and
the superb DVD set by Ken Burns (in which Foote appears)..

Comment is about Let battle commence: Wendy Klein, Dempsey & Windle (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hello Greg, have to say I do enjoy your editorials. They are written with a real feel for the subjectivity of the piece.
Having performed many times with this crew of black country wastrels, [my Girl From The Black Country is an homage to Emma], I congratulate you on introducing the WOL community to the best the region has to offer. Thanks again for your editorship of what is a very diverse and eclectic, genre.
Regards Trevor

Comment is about Poetry from the allotments to give you a glow ... Steve Pottinger, Emma Purshouse, and Dave Pitt (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks JD. And my mom would be laughing at that one as well ?

Comment is about 1971 (blog)

Original item by Dean Fraser

KJ makes a good point - to which I will add the word "respect"..

Comment is about Culture Cancer (blog)

Original item by d.knape

A fascinating take on something the Yanks would probably prefer
to forget - the fact that considerable numbers of the early settlers
retained allegiance to the Crown. It is also rarely mentioned that
the British treated the indigenous peoples more considerately than
their opponents and their allies - with an exodus to Canada by a
number in later years. Just down the road from me there's a
plaque on the wall of a house celebrating the patriot Benedict
Arnold. I suspect that it's not on any Yank's tour list!

Comment is about NEW YORKERS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

A good poem but the problem is not the sole property of the USA; it is everywhere and as with cancer it spreads when and where it wants to go. Love is certainly the antidote.

Keith

Comment is about Culture Cancer (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Self-acceptance is the way to find peace of mind and patience with
the prejudices of others. Lucky are those who find it early in life.
But any time for it in life is better than no time at all.

Comment is about True North (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Praiseworthy sentiments. In reality, the eternally dissatisfied and
disconnected (list your own opinions about the reasons and whether
they are justified) will continue to exist, fomented by opportunist
political forces that seek to create division and discontent in pursuit
of some mythical world of their own. The gullible, the guilt-ridden and the glib global-speakers are their allies. Country first/ self second...then the rest.

Comment is about Culture Cancer (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Enjoyed this ? "People pleated together" is a lovely phrase.

Comment is about Sewing the hours of life (blog)

Original item by Rachel Moore

Stephen,

Thank you for replying to my query about the books you read. I am like you in that I am also a very slow reader. I enjoy absorbing the content of the book, its vocabulary and style of writing and not merely the story itself. I often have two or three books on the go at any one time. D H Lawrence and Carlos Ruiz Zafon are two of my favourite authors.

Thanks again
Keith

Comment is about Stephen W Atkinson (poet profile)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Beautiful Dean, I miss my mom, she was my best friend, I had her cremated, (it must have been a terrible way to die)! sorry mom but you are laughing also.. may you rest in peace.

Comment is about 1971 (blog)

Original item by Dean Fraser

A true Pendle witch story.

Comment is about Happy Halloween from Amelia the young witch from Sabden Lancashire (blog)

Original item by hugh

Thank you so much Paul. I feel great to hear from you again and your words this time came with a stronger soothing feeling. I think it is important to hear from others apart from ourselves that we are making progress even when evidence within denies it.

Thank you again.

Comment is about "Crossroads" (blog)

Original item by Emeka Collins

Mananna!

?

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I will.

Comment is about Will (blog)

Original item by Connie Walter

Thank you Paul! I'll gladly await the carriage mate. Sounds like fun! Get the ale in ! ?

And thanks for the comment Keith. Once again you flatter me! I do read every night...very slowly I might add! It takes me ages to finish a book, but I do like to take in every word. When I was younger I loved Ray Bradbury & HG Wells etc. Now, & you may roll your eyes, my fave author is Stephen King, who creates some brilliant imagery with his words. And check out his poem, The bone church. Well worth a read! Thanks again.

Comment is about Oh come to me! (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Thanks MC ,Dean Fraser and Stephen for the likes. Jennifer

Comment is about Lime Trees in Autumn (blog)

Original item by Jennifer Malden

Stephen,

The imagination and vocabulary here are characteristic of someone who reads a good deal. You possess an excellent ability to use the language really well. May I ask who your favourite authors are?

Very good poem once again.

Keith

Comment is about Oh come to me! (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

A very cleverly written and most enjoyable read Simon.







Rose ?

Comment is about Forgetting Me Suits You (blog)

Original item by simon lucan

Great poem Keith. Probably something that a lot of people, especially poets do. Many thanks.




Rose ?

Comment is about People Watching (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

My welcome to WOL also extended and thanks for the recent Like on one of my poems.

Bestest.

P ?

Comment is about J. C. Fleming (poet profile)

Original item by J. C. Fleming

I think I’ve got this all wrong, Kev. It’s the old ‘uns that’s to blame, obviously. It’s them that’s doing the dying.
And thanks for the Like, Stephen.

Comment is about COVID FATIGUE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I often tell people my favorite hobby is people watching. WATCHING, sometimes, I do find the more I talk with them, the less I know them, you can not hide, what you are inside.(I see you). so well done. thanks for sharing.

Comment is about People Watching (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thank you Bindu. Your daughter is grown up......a big girl i must say....masha Allah. ?

Comment is about Tonight I pray (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

@Ghazala Lari: Showers of blessings much needed today...
Happy to see you again ma'am?

Comment is about Tonight I pray (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

Thanks for the comment and the smile it elicited, Paul. ?.

Comment is about A JOB OF WORK TO DO (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

M.C. (mark?) you quote one of my hero`s and there is almost always a message hidden in my poems. thank-you

Comment is about Tears on the Typewriter & "WORD PLAY" (blog)

Original item by J.D. Bardo

Your rich man was clearly also a "witch" man. ?

Comment is about A deeply depressed witch deprived of trick or treating in tier three (blog)

Original item by hugh

An aural version of the words of Sherlock Holmes: "You see but you
do not observe." The English language is rich in its ability to say
one thing and mean another.

Comment is about Tears on the Typewriter & "WORD PLAY" (blog)

Original item by J.D. Bardo

Time and commerce(?) moves on. But perhaps not quite as striking
as a finding a branch of "Gieves & Hawkes" in Shanghai..

Comment is about Jacques Brel Would Be Shocked (Amsterdam) (blog)

Original item by Dean Fraser

Like a song lyric, this is both rhythmic and pleasing, and the pay-off
line just right.

Comment is about Forgetting Me Suits You (blog)

Original item by simon lucan

Hey - likewise. But today, I got out my big knife and cut up all the
boxes from my online orders - something I'd meant to do for days
to fill my recycling bag. But it's a good thing to recognise when
our minds and bodies tell us,,,"Relax, pal...just go with the flow." ?

Comment is about One Of Those Days (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Why is it always us young uns that get scapegoated .

Comment is about COVID FATIGUE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Dear fellow poets all - thank you for your time. T

Comment is about MY FATHERS EYES (blog)

Original item by trevor homer

thank you for the 'likes' and kind words - I'm really pleased these dark tales are being appreciated - it's a compelling project - and the words are just the start. I hope to record the rest of the songs in the series during November (Covid permitting) and will be releasing them as a CD and illustrated book later in the year/early next year- it keeps me busy ?

Comment is about Corruption (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Thank you Keith and Kelvin. I appreciate your comments.

I also appreciate Greg for putting this out.

Comment is about 'I will be happy if the whole world knows': Nigerian poet protests at Lagos killings in poem on Write Out Loud (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks Jennifer, the importance of love and friendship cannot be overstated or overestimated. We all need to take someone elses hand sometimes, and the world’s a better place for it.

J. x

Comment is about Won’t Take Too Long (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Thanks Po ?

I have a tale about Calais I might well share next...

Comment is about Jacques Brel Would Be Shocked (Amsterdam) (blog)

Original item by Dean Fraser

Thanks Hugh for your welcome message. I'm deeply touched?

Comment is about Tonight I pray (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

Thank you!

Comment is about Annuver poem (blog)

Original item by Jain Gawne