Don, I agree with you.

We rely on mind and the 5 senses to determine our actions. History repeats itself. It may be time to try another way.

Comment is about Color Matters (blog)

Original item by Fred Nicholson

If Stanley Kubrick was still around making films we'd probably have
"A Cockwork Orangutan" ! A horror story of future times.

Comment is about GRETA (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Keith, I hear you loud and clear.
As long as there is belief in 'the other', it will always be an enigma of sorts. Sages, healers, guiding spirits all talk about the 'oneness of life, love, matter, the flow beneath appearance.
Continued belief in the 3-dimensional realm prevents us from knowing oneness of being. Some of us dart in and out of knowing. Some of us may never know. Maybe the Dalai Lama has a foot in each world continuously.
Keith, that is my simple take on life and breath.

Comment is about Color Matters (blog)

Original item by Fred Nicholson

Orwell had, as usual, something interesting to say about dead and dying metaphors such as "toeing the line" in his 1946 essay, "Politics and the English Language," Below is a link to an edition of the ,New York Times' magazine from 1993 in which Cathleen Schine expands on Orwell's topic. One particularly pithy paragraph is:

Some years ago, I experienced a metaphor epiphany while watching "Chariots of Fire." On the screen, one of the skinny young men in flapping white shorts drew a line in the dirt with his foot, then carefully stood, placing the toe of his primitive running shoe against that line. The music began pumping, the scrawny Brits in their underclothes ran like gods, emotions soared, mine among them -- "Toe the line!"

I forget who won the race. But I'll never forget that moment -- an awakening, a usage revelation. Unblock that metaphor!

https://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/08/magazine/on-language-dying-metaphors-take-flight.html

Comment is about David (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Toeing the line isn't something of which I would boast, Brian. There are plenty of rotten people who would be glad to share your company, I'm sure.

Comment is about David (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Overpopulation I would suggest is the main reason for many of the world's current troubles. I take responsibility for my part in this as I have three children, though this pales into insignificance when compared with those parts of the world that not only discourage contraception, but actively encourage conception because it is 'God's will'.

Comment is about Slash and Burn - extinction rebellion (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Ah but Don - did you not know that UK frogs put a front flipper to their mouth when they burp and say excuse me in the politest and froggiest of fashion - I bet Thalia didn't know about that either, and Matilda just wants to waltz the night away. ?

Comment is about Don Matthews (poet profile)

Original item by Don Matthews

Yes I'm blunt, critical, controversial etc. But when contacted by the moderator and asked to delete/amend something, which has happened a few times, I don't argue...I toe the line. That's why I'm still on this side of the line.

Comment is about David (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Thanks for the comment on Cooling Towers, Ray. Very much appreciated, as always. T

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

Not to mention 'O'Reilly' as your surname!

I was just dropping off to sleep two nights ago, when that thought hit me. All I could think was: 'Cynthia, you're an idiot!' and I gave myself no argument.

Comment is about Ruth O'Reilly (poet profile)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

Thanks for your further thoughts, Don and Trevor for the “Like”.

Comment is about GRETA (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks Nigel You're kinda getting into Haiku I feel?

Comment is about Be Yourself (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

sore fingers
arm aching
trembling hands
chess pains
only if
they play!

Comment is about Gaming Addiction (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

Keep alive
your true self
don't let
others take it

Comment is about Be Yourself (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

Thanks to Dom & Tom for the likes ?

Thanks for your kind words Keith. I've wrote this because today it's World Mental Health Day, and I feel that a lot of today's mental anguish is caused by not feeling that you can be true to yourself.

Comment is about Be Yourself (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

Ruth,

This is a poem which is close to my heart. Your words are wise and provide good advice.

Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about Be Yourself (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

I enjoy your style d.knape there is a lot of value in the light hearted poem!

Comment is about A Lighthearted Poem (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Cheers! Nigel, Don, Hugh a toast to Sober October!?

Comment is about A Taste Of Romance (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

A powerful poetic drink full of meaning

Comment is about A Taste Of Romance (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

dk you're a fellow that's close to my heart
(Oh bother, I've used that's, not who's)
I'm getting light-hearted, light-headed like you
And it's not typing this, (drinking booze)

No, it wasn't too bad at all....?

Comment is about A Lighthearted Poem (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Thank you Brian, Don, Graham and Ray for your responses. An accusative voice Brian? Well if the cap fits. It certainly fits my big head.Though I have recently learnt much from my children - how to use fewer resources, how to help the global poor more effectively, how to think more positively about the future, particularly concerning the role of technology in moderating the worst effects of human activity e.g.pollution. I'm not so sure about the 'blink of an eye analogy' Graham. I don't know much about Environmental Science but I'm pretty sure that human activity can accelerate changes that do great harm to the planet and to its poorest inhabitants e.g. through rising sea levels - human activities, like burning fossil fuels, are responsible for 87 percent of the sea level rise since 1970 that's been caused by the swelling volume of the upper ocean.

John

Comment is about Slash and Burn - extinction rebellion (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Poor Greta got bit mixed-up
Thought she was a he
Vets said on her deathbed
Greta, you're a she

(Greta - shock horror...)

Poor ranga she had lived her life
Like a biker, tough
Never once examined bod
When she was in the buff

So we can't blame poor Greta can we? ?

Comment is about GRETA (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I think if their survival depends upon preserving the sperm of threatened species it kind of makes the case for those trying to save the world, Don.
And you are quite right about the confusion of gender. I originally wrote this with the dead ‘un being female and the two coffin dodgers being male. But when I changed it I forgot about the name I’d given her. I’ve edited it back now.

Comment is about GRETA (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

now, that wasn't too bad, was it?

Comment is about A Lighthearted Poem (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Ruth

I like combining serious with humour. To me it's a good mix. I provide the serious. Thalia provides the humour.

A good partnership.?

Comment is about Willy-Nilly : Words of Wisdom (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

For all of your "banging on" about it, Brian, one might get the idea that either you have a stake in the outcome of the decision to eradicate David's writing from the site, or you are jealous of the attention and support he has received. Why does it bother you so much?

Furthermore, regarding abuse, you've displayed your blunt and critical tongue on more than one occasion to other contributors. And, I'll go one further and venture to say that the moderators were nowhere to be found when you offered your criticism for criticism's sake.

Comment is about David (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Allow me to be both flippant and logical John.

You obviously didn't pick up on the newsflash of May 8.reassuring orangutan lovers around the world that Greta's copious sperm had been saved and frozen for his two ladyloves Gretel and Garbo.(You sure it was Greta John? Sounds a bit suss for a male...)

Thinking logic John, if you and Gert were the only two humans left, do you not think they would neglect to let your precious stuff go to waste? The continuation of our entire species would rest on your shoulders ......?

On the other hand I could have missed the whole point of your poem which wouldn't surprise me......

Comment is about GRETA (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I do enjoy your silliness Don but I also enjoy your serious work where you don't cause trouble, you just show depth. And that can be done. Having said that, I do sometimes think that you make serious points humorously as well, so you got it covered. Hope Thalia agrees?

Comment is about Willy-Nilly : Words of Wisdom (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Pollies will get it all sorted
We elect them to do this, (don't we?)
To work in our interests, not themselves
But it seems they just don't want to see

Or care....

So what is the answer, the solution?
Politicians seem to have lost the way
I'm just a lowly rhymer, no pollie
And what I write down holds no sway.......

Comment is about Slash and Burn - extinction rebellion (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

A gratifying collaboration of subjective and objective images with the human touch. Poignant memories..

Ray

Comment is about Cooling Towers (blog)

Original item by Tom

Hi John. Many years ago I read a book by teilhard de Chardin a palaeontologist and philosopher who predicted the rapid rise of global awareness and has been proved right in terms of the Internet which has brought it about. The mutual responsibility for our behaviour Is now unavoidable and it is painful to be so aware of our folly collectively. The pathetic scramble we are seeing is the backlash. What we need is the second coming. (joke). There is no central coordination with the will to oversee our salvation. Remember the meeting of Obama and Attenborough? Really a cosy chat about the future. No great international event was triggered. As for politicians will- check out brexit! Great poem by the way.

Ray

Comment is about Slash and Burn - extinction rebellion (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Decided there's less trouble
When writing 'bout some fun
Less attacks, less trouble
(And Thalia says "Well done")

Don't know about my Thalia?
My Muse of Mirth (a dear)
She rings the bell, I run, lap lap
(Something's not right here.....) ?

Comment is about Willy-Nilly : Words of Wisdom (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Thanks for commenting on my poem "climate change". ?

Comment is about Ruth O'Reilly (poet profile)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

'and will of course die out as a species ' I don't follow you here Graham?

Comment is about Slash and Burn - extinction rebellion (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Cosmologically the planet will die, that much is known already. Taken as a big picture, we are all products of the earth's natural resources ourselves and will of course die out as a species long before the earth does.

Of course we should all be better at consuming less, but in the great order of things, we are in the blink of an eye timeline wise. We matter very little.

Comment is about Slash and Burn - extinction rebellion (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Yes Brian, we are all responsible in some way....

Comment is about Slash and Burn - extinction rebellion (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Pieces such as this always seem to be written in an accusative way, pointing the finger at other un-named persons or organisations. But aren't we all responsible in some way or another? All our lifestyles in the West rely on using resources taken from a finite supply.

Comment is about Slash and Burn - extinction rebellion (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Well done John....

And well-chosen, appropriate video clip.

Comment is about Slash and Burn - extinction rebellion (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Clever comment Ruth....?

Comment is about A Taste Of Romance (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

MC

Yes, I've seen some hippopotomonstrosesquipedalian people. They tell me it's too much takeaway, booze and telly.

I produced some chemical compounds during my time at university but could not reach the 1,185 league...?

Comment is about Floccipaucinihilipilification (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Kevin,

You paint a humorous landscape with this poem. You never fail us. I particularly like the line "so cold that the dog froze to a lamppost. My father once told a story of his father who was so drunk he was found lying on the pavement clinging onto the kerb edge shouting, Help me, I´m going to fall"

Another great poem
Thanks indeed

Keith

Comment is about A Bag Of Spuds And A Swede (part 2) (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

HI Mark.

Yes I can see your point about the glamorizing of the enforcers , a nasty bunch and semi psychotic streaks no doubt. Nevertheless they exploited the situations that existed at the time and were desperate to be accepted. I know Ronnie Kray married Kate and he was gay. Thanks for that. I collected police and other whistles and had some obscure early constabulary examples, but mostly sold now.

Ray

Comment is about IN MARYLAND (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Hi Graham, not at all - and thank you. Be great if it gets some traction, I do find it so interesting. Let's see what happens. Maybe you could kick us off ?

Comment is about Graham Sherwood (poet profile)

Original item by Graham Sherwood

Hello Tom, I hope you don't mind but I've set your request to learn how other poets write as a new thread in the discussion section.

Let's see if it catches anyone's attention.

Graham

Comment is about Tom (poet profile)

Original item by Tom

Note that Greece - that historical holiday haven - is now a front rank
producer of coal, enabling the country to survive its parlous financial position within the EU...and defends its use as a means of saving
an economy that can ill-afford the expense of importing power aid.
to meet the country's demands..

Comment is about Coal - you have no role! (blog)

Original item by eve nortley

A vexatious subject in many ways, not least for the unhappiness it
can cause. Even among darker skinned folk there's discrimination
- so where does it end? Do we have to resort to the old "birds of
a feather" syndrome to understand and come to terms with this
conumdrum? How much better it would be if we could all adopt
the attitude "take as you find".and use that as the basis for our
behaviour in this world of ours. But against that there are other
forces at work, not least the reality that "like" gravitates towards
"like" and "we" (across the social/racial spectrum) feel more
at ease with those who share much of what makes us who we are
- and that doesn't just mean "lighter skinned" people, does it?
Adapting to changing circumstances - individually and generally -
requires commitment from us all if we are to make the future a
worthwhile prospect for those growing up now.

Comment is about Color Matters (blog)

Original item by Fred Nicholson

Reminds me of 1960s days patrolling dockland streets at night.
But nowadays I find the film and TV entertainment world's preoccupation with villains and their nefarious nonsense a source
of mild disgust. But then the two always seem to have had a curious
symbiotic relationship that even extended to marriage in some cases.

Comment is about IN MARYLAND (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Don - please allow me to refer you to "The Wordsworth Book of Intriguing Words" (UK) which contains the 1,185 letter word from
the American Chemical Society's "Chemical Abstracts". The WBOIW
also displays other examples but these fall short(!) as words spoken
or published and as such are held to be artificial (check Guinness Book of Records?) .But hippopotomonstrosesquipedalian delights
continue to appeal!!

Comment is about Floccipaucinihilipilification (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

A message in a finished bottle Nigel?

Comment is about A Taste Of Romance (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

I like that line Nigel 'Driving away yesterday' very positive spin

Comment is about Gloomy Monday (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly