The old greeks did it and it was sort of taboo. And it still is. I don't care, I love men, women, humans. I romance men, women humans. I sex men, women, humans.

Just not anybody

Comment is about Queering the Landscape (blog)

Original item by Lee Campbell

Very much enjoyed this Keira.

Comment is about Uncalculated Coitus (blog)

Original item by Keira Anne

Many thanks for the comments and likes.

I'd held on to this for a while wondering if it would appeal to anyone.

I'm pleased I put it up now.

David.

Comment is about The indefinite sentence (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Teenage is such a complicated stage of life, it often makes one do senseless, stupid things such as tattoos. I feel that getting a tattoo on your skin is a huge step, you are letting something artistic be a part of your body for the rest of your life (atleast until it fades away), so, it needs to be thoroughly thought out, twice or thrice, and then be done.
All the mistakes, experiments and experiences of teenage only mould us for the further stages of life is what I believe.
Thank you for the comment, Graham.

Comment is about Treacherous Tattoo (blog)

Original item by Manish

Haha, I loved this, Hélène! I loved how it ended. "You take care of you,
I take care of me," is so important in a relationship.
Thank you.

Comment is about Love Song (blog)

Original item by Hélène

A superb poem, Keletso. I connected a lot with this. I loved the lines,
"We thrived for seasons,
Your roots delved deep,
We danced with the sun,
Secrets we'd keep."
Thank you for this.

Comment is about Whispers of winter (blog)

Original item by Keletso

Have been there before, and I couldn't agree more. In hindsight, I used to be lost too and I think that's how the teenage usually is to most of us. Nicely done, Prakhar. Keep writing!💪

Comment is about The Evolution Within (blog)

Original item by prakhar dhama

Thank you Stephen for your kind words & MC for your insight. We now have a wheelchair for my wife on our travels but she is a stoic and very determined Irishwoman, so the 56 stone steps up to our favourite holiday home in Southern Turkey are a challenge to be overcome with a stick and my arm. Once there the view and serenity make it all worthwhile.

Comment is about Bungalow Dreaming (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

This is one of the best poems i have read. That 4th stanza, just amazed me.
Thank you.

Comment is about The indefinite sentence (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Great subject matter. Marked for life one chapter at least!

Comment is about Treacherous Tattoo (blog)

Original item by Manish

It's a fantastic composition, David.

So many lines strike a personal chord that I'm left wondering how to address them within myself, nevermind how I can ably approach them in a public forum.

Maybe the key is in the process and not the result )

Comment is about The indefinite sentence (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

Monkey see Monkey Typhoo tea do, before he gets on his Tandem

Bethany

Comment is about FOLLY'S FOOL (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Praise be to you for your modestty, John. Thank you.


Bethany

Comment is about FOG at SEA (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

This gave me the same melancholy pleasure as the song 'I'll remember April". Thank you.

Comment is about I Remember Joy (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Bungalow life has much to commend it, not least when reaching a certain age or a personal situation of diminished mobility. Certainly, JC's point about keeping movement going is valid and I have four flights of communal stairs to aid my aims in that direction whenever I leave my flat. I've become a dab hand at using a pair of sticks up and down!

Comment is about Bungalow Dreaming (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

It is essentially a matter of context.
Pacifism in the ultimate sense of abhorrence at killing another is understsndable, but should not prevent offering service in another capacity in time of justified conflict, e.g. Defence of one's country. Concientious objectors in time of war are all too ready to enjoy the fruits of peace hard won by others.

Comment is about Draft Dodger (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

The freedom to dance...

The freedom to love what is good for goodness' sake...

"The desire to be loved is the last illusion. Give it up and you will be free.” - Margaret Atwood

Comment is about Love Song (blog)

Original item by Hélène

I read this before it disappeared briefly and I am so glad you re-posted it!. I am not a gay man and sometimes struggle to understand gay writing but your final stanza is really very very good. Well done!

'We are bluebells.

Wandering barefooted

through the bluebells

amongst brambled thorn.

And when stung,

when trampled over,

queer love is

our dock leaf'

Comment is about Queering the Landscape (blog)

Original item by Lee Campbell

We applaud Russian draft dodgers yet we abhor Ukrainians. It's a funny old world.

Comment is about Draft Dodger (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

There is one line in there I would question here.

'Why should we join the ranks of hate" supposes that to kill one has to hate. With respect I find that line too simplistic and a little dissmissive. You should know this is not the case, it is the case that states promote hate to facilitate a moral excuse to kill. Most who have been in deadly conflict understand this manipulation and that it is exactly that. Obviously there are those occasions when you come to hate an enemy. I do think that line is a little presumptive of all those who fight and possibly indicative of an absense of understanding of those who have never been called upon to do so.

Visions of Orwell's "Two minute hate" come to mind...that is a conditioning that not all succumb to.

David

Comment is about Draft Dodger (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

I cannot countenance killing another man but if my family were threatened I wouldn’t think twice.
In a conflict such as Ukraine for example I don’t think they have a choice unless they choose subservience

Another thought provoking write Stephen! Thanks for keeping Write Out Loud aware and awake!

Comment is about Draft Dodger (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thank you for your kind comment Stephen 🙂
Thanks for likes - Holden, Kelso & Stephen 👍

Comment is about I Remember Joy (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Soulful, Trevor.

Comment is about A Sense Of You (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

This could be a glimpse at life on the terraces of my home town of Huchnall. Saturday night at the Miners Welfare. Sunday morning headache. (I believe it was set in Nottingham.)

Comment is about Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

That 60’s group had got the answer, Lee. The Small Faeces.

Comment is about POO IN THE LOO (blog)

Original item by Lee Campbell

An interesting and challenging poem Stephen.

My Father was pacifist and declined his call up during national service, he was at theological college at the time. I was unaware of this fact until later in my own life, I did contemplate pacifism during my military service.

My thoughts on pacifism were largely influenced by meeting pacifists who were being oppressed and sometimes murdered, certainly persecuted. Initially what jarred with me was my own position of being their defender by proxy, I couldn't understand the dynamic or relate to how someone might choose not to physically defend themselves.

I came to understand the pacifist stance only by speaking with pacifist's, some arrived at their belief via religious teachings some were humanists, all had deep convictions on the position of not killing.

I came to respect their bravery in the face of others who would mock and even treat them as outcasts because of their refusal to kill or be part of a machine that does/did.

I still cannot completely understand the refusal to not take up arms to defend oneself. I am fortunate that I have been tested in that fashion and know that I will defend myself with extreme prejudice should the moment arise. There is a difference between taking up arms in immediate proximity to danger and the taking up of arms to go to a fight not yet initiated. My question would be where is the line and is it not right that we should be ready instead of leaving it to others to defend us. That said I respect immensly the choice and stoic steadfastness of those who choose not to kill.

I am not a pacifist but I wish everyone could be.

David

PS. As with many ideas in order to process them I take their principles to their extremes. I imagine someone who calls themselves a pacifist in a situation of seeing his/her loved ones executed in front of them, in those moments would they stick firm to their principles or not, if not they are not a pacifist. It is difficult for me to imagine anyone not succumbing to such provocation, that said I know people have resisted under those circumstances.

If the idea of defence becomes obsolete how do we defend the weak and vulnerable? Which is a greater crime, to permit the killing of the weak or to defend them by killing those who would kill them.

The solution surely lies within the options we give ourselves to disable the circumstances that facilitate killing. Humanity is not yet evolved to that place, I doubt it ever will.

Comment is about Draft Dodger (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thankyou for your thoughts, Helene, MC, and Stephen. And for the Likes, Larisa, Holden, Stephen A and Graham.

Comment is about SPRING CAFE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

A rich and powerful poem, David. Thank you.

Comment is about The indefinite sentence (blog)

Original item by David RL Moore

This is delightful and really well-read, RA. Thanks very much.

Comment is about Bungalow Dreaming (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

Wonderful, John. You've released you inner Betjeman (again)!

Comment is about SPRING CAFE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you, Greg and Bethany. Yes, this was a memorable time for cinema and theatre. Working class heroes (and heroines) with anger and ambition. Also the transition to the post-war boom against a background of slums and bomb-damaged towns.

Thanks for your verse, Bethany. I think I'll get my own ice cream, in spite of your kind offer!

And my thanks to Nigel, Trevor, Holden, Manish and Rob for the likes.

Comment is about Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thank you everybody. You are great. Love.

Comment is about Bag of mental luggage. (blog)

Original item by RudyardK

Yes sir!
I agree
a cup of tea
is the reme-dy!

Comment is about FOLLY'S FOOL (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Sound advice M.C.!

Comment is about FOLLY'S FOOL (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Lovely stuff, Tom

Comment is about I Remember Joy (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Thank you Helene & Tom, for the lovely comments!
And everyone for the Likes 🌷

Comment is about You Are (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

We do not experience the universe, the universe experiences itself through us, with every atom playing a role in the grand scheme of things...

Comment is about The Universe Dreams (blog)

Original item by Keletso

Thanks for likes Hélène, Larisa & Prakhar 👍

Comment is about I Remember Joy (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Thank you so much, Prakhar. I'm glad that you liked it. Hope your having a great weekend, cheers!😊

Comment is about You (blog)

Original item by Manish

Thank you for your most generous and eloquent comment Bethany, Hélène and Tim. It means a lot to me. This took me some time and effort and looks like it paid off, phew!

Thanks to all those who liked this, they're very much appreciated.😊

There are walls, painful ones, idle ones, artistical and the ones which consistently and desperately show signs of betterment and cure. To end with, I can only echo Tim's words, "The thing about psychiatric hospitals is the definition and degree of psychosis depends on which side of a wall you are standing on."
Thanks again my friend.

Comment is about Psychiatric Hospital (blog)

Original item by Manish

I can only agree with Hélène, Prakhar. Great rhythm to it and inspirational too. Nicely done!

Comment is about Now or Never (blog)

Original item by prakhar dhama

I'm all in favour of this "take''
On ladies who serve tea and cake!

Comment is about SPRING CAFE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks Tom, Stephen and Holden for your reading and liking!

Ray

Comment is about OUR HALL (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I like this poem alot, Prakhar. Good rhyming and rhythm. Inspires me to get up and going!

Comment is about Now or Never (blog)

Original item by prakhar dhama

I want to go to Spring Café! Too bad I live in California. Delightful poem, John. I am a big fan of charity shops and cafes. Those volunteer ladies at Spring Cafe would probably get a kick out of this poem, where they feature as stars.

Comment is about SPRING CAFE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Good news Tom, so there is poetic life in a single storey after all… John’s point about keeping the old knees moving is however also valid. 👏👏

Comment is about Bungalow Dreaming (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

I am sat here in my detached bungalow living the dream. Peace and quiet is the way to go. 🙂

Comment is about Bungalow Dreaming (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

We used to call a bloke at work “Bungalow” because he’d got nowt upstairs.
On a more serious note, we opted against a bungalow because of “bungalow knees” - the deterioration Of your knee joints that comes from not having to climb stairs

Comment is about Bungalow Dreaming (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

Cheers Tom, re ' Cut off '


Bethany

Comment is about Tom Doolan (poet profile)

Original item by Tom Doolan

This is an interesting question Greg. Has there ever been a bungalow dwelling poet of note?

Comment is about Bungalow Dreaming (blog)

Original item by R A Porter