Excellent poem. Love it.

Comment is about switch (blog)

Original item by Liam Osaneo

Greg - I'm not a fan of a "freedom" that permits the sharing of
a potentially deadly disease but I've always favoured the sharing of
common sense. Thanks for the comment.
Brian - that's the fun of poetry. It's all about interpretation.

Comment is about THE STUPID STRANGERS (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Neat! Like the famous song tells us -
"Unrequited love's a bore
And I've got it pretty bad..."

Comment is about You (blog)

Original item by Abagayle Hanson

Thanks for the kind comments and likes, everyone. I'm glad that you found this poem enjoyable. It was originally called 'The great taste of better people' but at the last minute I shortened the title. I suppose it depends what kind of taste we are talking about.

As you say, Tommy, not a case of Hobson's choice, although one wonders who these 'Better People' are and how long they will stay that way. And is it too late for us to join them? Do we want to?

More questions than answers, as usual.

Comment is about Better people (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

We're all misfits & outcasts to somebody Simon. But what a great poem !

Comment is about Photos (blog)

Original item by simon lucan

Well Julian and Greg - I'm pleased to advise that your reposting of this article has prompted us sisters to get together again and think about singing. In fact I'm in the process of penning our next masterpiece!

Health, wealth and Covid permitting, we'll see you again at Marsden in 2021!

Isobel ❤

Comment is about Write Out Loud Poetry Jam, Marsden, 2016 (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I love this Tommy - and echo Tony's comments. You've got me thinking of something I want to write now...

Comment is about A Wave from a passing bus (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

This is lovely in a very melancholic way. Tony

Comment is about A Wave from a passing bus (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Thank you Keith for your wonderful comment! The shackles are chaffing a bit at the moment!

Comment is about How free are we? (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Abdul, it's always such an honor to have your remarks grace my comment section with their presence. Thank you!

Comment is about Eagle Eye (blog)

Original item by Shifa Maqba

Si
to sigh
I will try
now goodbye!

?

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

thanks.
the Gospage
according to Stephen!

well it sounded like that to me.

Comment is about Stephen Gospage (poet profile)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

thanks for your comments on
"when someone dies"
it put a lot into it
it took a lot out of me.

Comment is about Brooke (poet profile)

Original item by Brooke

A masterful poem which exudes power and passion. I love every word of it.

Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about How free are we? (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Abdul.

Thank you for your recent comment on one of my latest poems. I appreciate the time you spent reading it and forming your comment. May I may also say that I admire your work enormously and hope to see more of it. I respect and value your work. Continue writing and when the pen runs dry go to immediately to the ink well.
Best wishes
Keith

Comment is about Abdul Ahmad (poet profile)

Original item by Abdul Ahmad

Unusual and excellent.

Comment is about Better people (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Indeed, Stephen. Let’s hope we never have to find out.

Comment is about SOBIBOR (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you for all the Likes, Keith, Shifa, John, Vautaw, Stephen, JD, Julie, Raquel and Krishnadeepthy. All treasured as always.

Comment is about The Darkness And The Light (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Love it! ?

Comment is about Better people (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Such options. Not a case of Hobsons choice then Stephen ???

Comment is about Better people (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

The harsh reality of war. Do or die. Let's hope none of us have to make such decisions in our own lives.

Comment is about SOBIBOR (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Shifa anther pearl effortlessly gliding from your quill.

Comment is about Eagle Eye (blog)

Original item by Shifa Maqba

this poem was amazing. made me feel so many different ways

Comment is about When Someone Dies (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Sorry Mark, I've just got what you are saying.

Comment is about THE STUPID STRANGERS (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Glad to hear you're not an anti-masker, MC.

Comment is about THE STUPID STRANGERS (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Very thoughtful poem, Peter. I will have to give it some more thought myself.

Comment is about MAGPIES (blog)

Original item by Peter Taylor

Something different - and brilliant, Stephen.

Comment is about Better people (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thanks, Ray. I worked for many years alongside a bomber pilot who had been shot down and spent several years in a Nazi POW camp. He was virtually unmotivatable. When he told us that for three years he woke every morning not knowing if he’d Live to see the end of that day, so that everyday since was a bonus for him - we understood why.
I remember that he also said the most terrifying days were immediately after the Russians relieved the camp.

Comment is about SOBIBOR (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Another fine thoughtful offering in that scarecrow vein as before Ian. It seems. An enduring image of dessicated recycling in a way! Quality stuff and enjoyable to take in.

Ray

Comment is about Lazarus Curse (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Another example on a less direct level would be the loco drivers and firemen who drove the trains to the camps - in fact the whole process of running camps relied on slaves and a hierarchy based on fear and coercion. As for choice in the matter - life or death would focus the mind . Morals in shreds through war and its crude lack of options; It serves no purpose to moralize as you say at this safe distance. I can't usefully comment on the man in question but it was a perennial one for many years . A thoughtful piece John.

Ray

Comment is about SOBIBOR (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks for your thoughts, Stephen. I am not familiar with either film. I agree that anyone resisting in the way you describe deserves the highest admiration for their courage. Fortunately, for the overwhelming majority of us, we never need to find out!

Comment is about SOBIBOR (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Great poem. So many good things in it.

Comment is about When Someone Dies (blog)

Original item by d.knape

It's an interesting question, John. To me it is remarkable (and life-affirming) that so many people risked their lives resisting occupation or died refusing to give information under torture. At the same time, one can understand soldiers threatened with imminent death deciding to follow the orders of their captors, however repugnant.
The Marcel Ophuls film, the Sorrow and the Pity, shone a harsh light on the motives of collaborators, while Jean-Pierre Melville's The Army of Shadows revealed the brutal heroism of the resistance, who had to be willing to sacrifice suspected weak links or informers in their own ranks.
A big, thought-provoking subject.

Comment is about SOBIBOR (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I’m sure that many in the service of the Nazis would have undertaken their duties with relish. But at the same time I cannot believe that, on pain of our own death, any of us would not have done as we were bidden. It is easy from the comfort of not having to face that choice that we all recoil in horror with our high minded principles.

Comment is about SOBIBOR (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

A neat homely analogy pleasingly constructed.

Comment is about 'My love, I am pledging to this republic, for however long we stand' (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Keep going as long as possible!
Live each day and just defy
That final sigh and last goodbye!

Comment is about When Someone Dies (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Not sure what brought this back but it poses a seemingly non-answerable question. Time, place and circumstance are hugely
relevant - added to which the self-survival instinct comes into play
when civilised thinking and behaviour appears lost forever to the
forces of barbarism. If I recall correctly, this individual had obtained
entry to the USA illegally - hence his removal. The trial that followed
was an extension of the discovery of his identity and actions that
demanded judgement. More symbolic than anything at that stage perhaps. But there are many instances of the recruited from certain
lands being more brutal than their employers. Nearer to home, the
Vichy police in France were looked upon with astonishment by the
Gestapo for the brutal methods they used against their prisoners,
as often as not their own countrymen.

Comment is about SOBIBOR (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you Keith, Shifa & Nicola for the, always appreciated, comments! And, aye, there's a lot of darkness about at the moment, but there's always a rainbow somewhere! ?

Comment is about The Darkness And The Light (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

interesting read, I have been on both sides of this situation. I don't know what else to say other than agreeing with Nicolas comments.

Comment is about where is my mind (blog)

Original item by Brooke

Thank you for stopping by, Tom. Really appreciate the encouraging comment!

Thank you for your generous rose, John!

Comment is about Eagle Eye (blog)

Original item by Shifa Maqba

Thank you Hugh. I agree, nature and poetry are the greatest gifts to humanity!

Comment is about Petrichor (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

Beautiful but sad remember you are not alone we are all connected. Its hard to find light at the moment and the lockdown is hard for people who live alone, also for families, I know a few marriages that have crumbled and split during this pandemic x

Comment is about The Darkness And The Light (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Despite the sad premise, you still managed to end the poem on anything but a dreary note. And, yes, I agree with Keith. The last few lines are astonishingly beautiful!

Comment is about The Darkness And The Light (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

I had to read this a few times but it was well worth the effort. I enjoyed the diversity of thought and particularly the last few lines.

Keith

Comment is about The Darkness And The Light (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

Thanks Martin, much appreciated. I enjoyed writing this one, reminding me of times gone by.

Comment is about Cider Craic (blog)

Original item by Rich

Oh mate, Invictus is one of my all-time favourites. Such a great poem.

J. x

Comment is about Captain Of Your Soul (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Oh dear, both men and women are guilty of objectifying another human being its the virtual world we live in to blame. Also remember men can be taken advantage of and also raped. Forgive yourself for putting yourself in that situation if you were drunk and him sober he took advantage of your vulnerability. Rebuild your self esteem through self love and care xxx

Comment is about where is my mind (blog)

Original item by Brooke

I inhale the countryside for 3 to 4 hours every single day, its been put there for us to enjoy. Enjoyed your poem and the musical accompaniment. A breath of fresh air in stormy times.

Comment is about Petrichor (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

Not forgetting The Kinks.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f95UCJs2rUA

Comment is about THE PULL OF HOME (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Of course, we are all strangers to those who don’t know us.

Comment is about THE STUPID STRANGERS (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry