Wed 4th Sep 2019 02:52
people who use children
to fight their wars for them,
strapping explosives to their chests
are not Freedom Fighters.
Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)
Original item by keith jeffries
All this political Correctness is a bit suspect
Comment is about For everyone’s benefit (blog)
Original item by Robert C Gaulke
'Man has to lose himself to find himself'
So there's hope for me yet? I was beginning to get worried......
Comment is about Woven song titles (blog)
Original item by Ruth O'Reilly
Like the rhythm
Like the rhyme
Like non-fragile
All the time?....
Comment is about Call me Rhett! (blog)
Original item by Chrystel Roberts
Ray
To me you have simply presented two extremes and how they both now live. How they came about is left unsaid, and is not the point. Eva and Stanley could have worked hard to afford their present lifestyle. Derek could have inherited a fortune but been a wastrel resulting in his present lifestyle. Who is the 'better' person?
You concentrated on comparing the extremes with no mention of how they came about. I liked this approach Ray.
Comment is about HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVE (blog)
Original item by ray pool
I like the way the mind can jump from the thing under discussion to another thing not in the discussion....
Comment is about Americans Don't Understand English (blog)
Original item by Don Matthews
Thanks for your prompt and full assessment Brian. I am certainly in emotional territory with this, and am offering no solution nor judgment, simply pointing out that life can be a matter of extremes. I agree with you about the obvious conclusions that will be drawn , in the same way existing prejudices can be drawn out if the bait is dangled in that direction. Obviously Eva and Stanley don't need help but they get choices with their money while Derek would have trouble improving his lot. I don't think I can be accused of over simplifying social differences, but nor would I shrink from them. I just think the distinction between the characters here form an idea. However i'll admit I bought a copy of Hello yesterday and was quite aghast at the standard of journalism in it and how trite and self congratulatory the magazine is. But it sells - I bought one( just the once).
Enjoy the estate worker.
Ray
Comment is about HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVE (blog)
Original item by ray pool
<Deleted User> (18980)
Tue 3rd Sep 2019 23:00
Ray - many people who read this may decide that Eva and Stanley are wicked people who have amassed an obscene fortune by exploiting the downtrodden working class.
They may also decide that poor old Derek has been badly treated by a non-caring society and has ended up where he is through no fault of his own.
Part of the reason for these assumptions is because of the nature of the WOL community, but also partly by the skill of the writer in his choice of names and description of lifestyles.
It's a particularly British trait to despise the striver and lionise the skiver. Of course I could be barking up the wrong tree entirely, and Eva and Stanley are in fact a couple of capitalistic pigs who have put Derek and others like him in the gutter as your piece seems to imply.
Anyway, have a good evening. Me...I'm off to roast an Estate worker.
Comment is about HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVE (blog)
Original item by ray pool
I once worked with a teacher from UK who asked all the students to take out their rubbers. That was a fun moment for her I think.?
Comment is about Americans Don't Understand English (blog)
Original item by Don Matthews
‘stay on higher ground'
I hear you Raj. Thanks for the sage advice!
Keep smiling
Comment is about Chakraj (poet profile)
Original item by Chakraj
Chrystel,
Stay on the higher ground where you belong. The climate's better there anyway.
This is your poem. You own it. So Celebrate it.
Don't stoop.
Comment is about Huh??? (blog)
Original item by Chrystel Roberts
Enjoyed Reading your 'When the devil smiles' poem in the Autumn Edition of Printed words. You have a talent for turning a random news story into a totally different creative piece.
Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)
Original item by Nigel Astell
Thanks a lot guys
Keith
I am with you in the Maigret. its very much that era. I have to say your request for more has set my creativity going with a follow up which I have just written. watch this space for its posting soon
Devon
You have mentioned one of my favourite artists in Hopper and of course the inimitable Bogart. Who can forget the Maltese falcon and Casablanca. strangely enough I dug out my old Ricki lee Jones album which set me off writing a piece about her who was apparently Tom waits girlfriend at one time
Jason
I am so please you liked it does as you say have said it has a real Marlowe feel about it which I had not picked up on immediately. I now picture him solving another case.
Once again thank you so much
Comment is about Smoky joints and hard bitten smiles (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
I'm partial to a beanie
Upon my head
Beans in a tin
When I need to
Be fed
When I was young
And still at school
I'd watch Rowan Atkinson
Playing the fool
My thoughts
On beans
Could go on an on
But Beanz Means Heinz
Was the best Slogan
Michael McIntyre riding that imaginary horse was something I need to erase though :D
Comment is about Americans Don't Understand English (blog)
Original item by Don Matthews
Thank you Nigel ?
Thanks For reading Do.Rothy Yeah I got a medieval romantic fantasy vibe to it as it came to me.
Don - Being Lost is one of the most creative places to be....I've begun to like when I find myself there....in this poem though, just like Sister Sledge I was Lost in Music. The music of the week of being my muse, just a bit of free writing with a printed prompt that's all.
As Ghandi once said 'Man has to lose himself to find himself'
Added to that I'll say he may find even more aspects to himself when he returns!
Comment is about Woven song titles (blog)
Original item by Ruth O'Reilly
Hey Leon,
I appreciate your comment.
I feel like this is the second time within 7 days that I've had to explain my work! lol, it fazes me NOT!
Some people like my poetry and others don't; fair enough. We are all entitled to an opinion. Diversity makes life interesting.
However, there is a difference between constructive criticism and ‘throwing shade'. I would certainly never do the latter to a fellow poet.
I do not take myself too seriously and remain unapologetic about my work.
Keep it real, Leon!
Comment is about Huh??? (blog)
Original item by Chrystel Roberts
Don and Ray,
Thank you for your comments as they are much appreciated.
Keith
Comment is about The Final Blast (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Thanks Don for that. You're being very nice to me.....
Ray
Comment is about WHEELER DEALERS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Hi Keith. I especially like the first line - the sort of invasion of humans in the overall time frame you describe so well. I could almost imagine a war poem coming because of that. A nicely turned sentiment that we can all respond to in our own way. It is hard these days to get away from that distant sound of traffic, but this gives us that impression!
Ray
Comment is about The Final Blast (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Thanks for the likes, Jon and Kate.
Hi Trevor. It's easy to try being clever with the sound of word bites which can be tempting, but you're right I started with a view and hope it came across succinctly. Your point with the last line would certainly tidy up the poem, but it does for me punctuate the philosophy of a grudging acceptance of sobriety with its lack of pleasure I suppose. Thanks for that though.
Ruth, it can be quite surreal to be the only sober person, but I can act a bit squiffy and blend in. I've got to be quite good at it. Being a pianist I have seen the rise of comfort zones at functions over the course of many evenings.
Cheers Don. I like it 'cause it saves time....
Ray
Comment is about THE CURSE OF A NON DRINKER (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Hi Trevor. Although I recall your earlier version of this (I hope I'm right!) it's always a pleasure to share with your observations, keen and detailed but delivered in brush strokes with a back story such as is here presented. You have captured an atmosphere that I felt when staying in the area. There is up the east coast a sort of lost kingdom by the sea which is reflected in a perceived delicacy especially sculpted by the light which seems so serene. I think of Benjamin Britten in Aldeburgh for example whose mysterious view of life was personified in the area.
Ray
Comment is about OUT HERE ON THE COAST [revised and re-posted] (blog)
Original item by trevor homer
Ok, on one hand I see what they mean, I'm dyslexic and it's a bit harder to read like this, on the other hand, if this is the style you prefer then of course you should stick with it.
Although to be fair, I don't think anyone was suggesting you change, just voicing a preference.
Either way, loved it.
J. x
Comment is about Sweet sorrowful sparrow (blog)
Original item by Myescape
Thanks for your like Franziska
with this unpredictable weather we are having at the moment
I feel I am being ambushed every day!
Comment is about The Ambush (blog)
Original item by Nigel Astell
Top best selling songs - - -
but I choose this poem as my number one!
Comment is about Woven song titles (blog)
Original item by Ruth O'Reilly
Thanks everyone for their likes.
Comment is about Yesterday Stays Only a Dream for Tomorrow (blog)
Original item by Nigel Astell
I think that many poets need a site like this to build themselves into true self-belief.
thanks for that Ruth
Comment is about Soul Searching (blog)
Original item by Nigel Astell
Hi Devon. You make a good point re sociopathy. Sociopaths are hot wired to exploit opportunities at any cost I believe, and so many make high positions in business. They are hard to control as they are often in control and can bite back!
Hi David. Thanks for your thoughts - I hesitated on putting Christian ethics in as it does have a sub text, it should have been in quotes really! Your observations are dead right - in rising up you need the reverse of a clear conscience, which is no conscience. Two powers are essential to the wheeler dealer - blinding confidence and a thick skin.
Thanks for stopping by Jon.
All the best, Ray
Comment is about WHEELER DEALERS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
<Deleted User> (17847)
Tue 3rd Sep 2019 11:54
You may have a personal story behind this poem Chrystel, so I've taken it as it reads, and it does so in a way I love. Cheers.
LS.
Comment is about Huh??? (blog)
Original item by Chrystel Roberts
Penguin,
A poem worthy of real acclaim as it accurately describes what can be found in most towns and cities. Dysfunctional people for whatever reason herded together in what becomes a ghetto. Well done
Thanks
Keith
Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)
Original item by Ray
d.k.,
Noble sentiments in a well rhymed poem. Penguin raises an interesting point about freedom fighters. The Israelis regard the Palestinians as terrorists but others see them as freedom fighters. Having said that I stand firmly alongside the pro democracy movement in Hong Kong which faces a dictatorship.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about I Hear Freedom Singing (blog)
Original item by d.knape
<Deleted User> (17847)
Tue 3rd Sep 2019 11:44
Totally agree with previous comments. ?
Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)
Original item by Ray
The poem itself uses English in quite a novel way. Apt, I suppose. I couldn't watch the video. Ross and McIntyre is too much this early in the day.
Comment is about Americans Don't Understand English (blog)
Original item by Don Matthews
I'd have liked the poem to be more specific, rather than about "Freedom fighters everywhere" . Fighters for freedom often end up on opposing sides, after all. In short, whose side are you on?
Comment is about I Hear Freedom Singing (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Tue 3rd Sep 2019 11:15
For Freedom Fighters everywhere
whoever they may be
a reminder it takes courage
to fight for Liberty.
Comment is about I Hear Freedom Singing (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Keith - thanks for taking the time to comment. For me it is a comment on the present and a snapshot of thoughts on a recent visit to Kent. I'm very much of the here and now.
Comment is about OUT HERE ON THE COAST [revised and re-posted] (blog)
Original item by trevor homer
It would be a huge error of judgement not to consider democracy anything but a fragile construct.
Comment is about WHEN HITLER BROUGHT THE HOUSE DOWN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Devon Brock
Tue 3rd Sep 2019 10:36
Excellent JC. I read in Geldof's voice as well.
D
Comment is about Cat Nap (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Ah Jason, you've beaten me to it. Yes, a masterpiece. To me.
Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)
Original item by Ray
Dark. But so damn good. As a rhymer I enjoyed the clever use of the technique.....
Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)
Original item by Ray
That penguin, is a proper little masterpiece. There's so much that I absolutely love about this poem. We all have an estate like this somewhere in our town or city, and many of us have at one time or other lived on or near one. The real joy is that you've done such a good job of describing this one, whether it's real or just exists in your head you've painted the picture perfectly. Excellent!
J. x
Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)
Original item by Ray
Ah Keith. I lived in England for 6 years. One thing I dearly miss is the local village. And village green. We just don't have them here.
Comment is about The Final Blast (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Don,
Thank you for this humour. Many years ago I attended University in California which necessitated buying a car. I quickly came to realise that the vocabulary relating to a car is very different to ours. Gas pedals, hoods, trunks windshield wipers to name a few. After buying the car I realised that it was low on petrol so I stopped and asked a passer by where the nearest Petrol Station was. He looked quizzically at me. I repeated my question and drew his attention to the dashboard which displayed my need of petrol. O, he replied you need gas. From then on I was on a learning curve. Bless them they do try.
Keith
Comment is about Americans Don't Understand English (blog)
Original item by Don Matthews
Devon, Leon and Kevin,
Thank you for your kind comments. We now languish in the final days of summer with Harvest Festivals not far away. I shall have to visit local villages in search of homemade marmalade.
Keith
Comment is about The Final Blast (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Jeez John, rough stuff. I'm pleased to see you've calmed down a bit since 2012....
Comment is about Cat Nap (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
If anything, the fact that you're reaching for something you can't explain as well, just adds to why I like it.
J. x
Comment is about elucidate (blog)
Original item by nunya
d.knape
Wed 4th Sep 2019 02:55
the Jewish state is the ONLY Democracy
in the Middle East.
All the other country's are run by dictators, kings, or religious fanatics.
I'm on the side of Democracy.
Comment is about Ray (poet profile)
Original item by Ray