Thank you Rachel. It is just that.

Comment is about My Catalyst (blog)

Original item by Lisa C Bassignani

Oh Ray.....what a 'story' (for want of a better word) you have portrayed here... So well written. So sadly 'true' in some cases, I suspect.

I particularly was impressed with the last stanza. And the lines:

'The children watched as the sand turned red,
thought it was part of the show'

So good.... The innocence and naivety of the young still living in their make-believe world.

Comment is about THE SANDS OF TIME (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I like this dk. One with a serious heart-felt message.

Comment is about Broken Hearts (blog)

Original item by d.knape

I do know stacks of A words
A cat sat on A mat
But don't know any F words
And that my friend is that

I know a lot of TH words
THat cat sat on THat mat
But don't know any F words
And THat my friend is THat

THat cat just shat on THat mat

F----- it

Comment is about The F Word (blog)

Original item by d.knape

I don't like to talk much about such things, feeling that too many words can sully such deep subjects, but I do believe it really does happen this way. There are people who touch our lives so profoundly as to start a fire--as if we become more complete for having met them.

..a fine dedication to such a person )

Rachel

Comment is about My Catalyst (blog)

Original item by Lisa C Bassignani

Don't be throwing the blame Don!!

Comment is about My Catalyst (blog)

Original item by Lisa C Bassignani

Hi Jason: worry not, it's not surprising you're confused, as Julia is an iconic figure coming from nowhere really and a work of pure imagination. My weird humour put her in a home where perhaps the whole thing was concocted. Who knows? I'm only the vessel for ideas!

Thanks for the like David.

Ray

Comment is about JULIA THE PECULIAR (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks Graham for your kind words. I enjoyed relaying this tale as it was brewed in my mind and left me wishing for a solution. Fertile soil as it were. The garden is a living place and deserves some respect not just an assault on those who visit!

I'm glad this worked for you Don. The English can get very fussy and territorial about their gardens, especially with neighbours. Nature dishes out its will on us and we have to adapt.

Blimey, fancy having that recording problem! Not so much a north/south divide as a northeast/southwest one. As a matter of interest, I really like Clive James's voice, so maybe there's a chance for you!

Ray

Comment is about ON WATCH (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Really, I do understand the need for stoicism in tough circumstances. And, it definitely does seem a quality that is more natural to some than others. I've been around a chronic complainer or two and learned enough to know that I don't want to be one, especially living this life where I have never truly been in danger of not being able to meet my basic needs.

In her final years, my grandmother told me a story about her childhood that still gets to me to this day. She said she had sustained a fracture to her tailbone as a child and was discouraged from complaining through sarcasm and harsh criticism.

I still remember the look in her eyes as she told me--I would have given most anything to go back in time and show her some of the tenderness she needed.

We tend to give what we get. And, people who aren't given understanding have a hard time giving it to others--it can be a rather vicious circle. It's good to know when to stop feeding into cycles of victimization by indirectly enabling destructive behaviors. But, responding with decency to the suffering of others seems so basic to our humanity. Sometimes people really do just need to say things out loud and complain, even if only to open up conversation and gain perspective.

Enough said. There really doesn't seem to be a definitive answer when asking, "how much is too much?"

Well, now that I've got that off my chest, good day MC )

Rachel

Comment is about THE SHRINE OF WHINE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I do Don. Tongue firmly in check!

Comment is about A home I never had (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Don in rehab-exile here
Reporting back to base
Plenty suntanned girlies here
Distractions, which I chase

All dressed in bikinis
(Some with none at all)
Having fun in rehab
Having me a ball

Got my 'puter handy
Base/me all connected
Another nothing's just flashed past
Must fly, get intersected

Over and out.

Caught her......

Comment is about Hip Hooray (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

kJ

Your issues raised need bringing up
With runners of the Shrine
What's the use of building it
If one can't visit, whine?

No use.

Hey? you Runners of the Shrine
You Keepers of the Whine
Why did you not think of my friend
Bus-station it this time?

Oh, you will next time

Now hell! entry is 30 quid
Poor penshies can't 'ford that
No bloody penshie-discounts?
We need to have a chat

You deserve to go out of business

Comment is about THE SHRINE OF WHINE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Sorry Lisa but DoRoThY's leading me astray here.

I thought matches were made by experts with fire and Guy Fawkes knowledge? The Devil Industrial Estate make a top-quality brand called 'Lucifers'. If you've been particularly naughty they toss in a packet gratis. My cupboard is overflowing. Better than Chinese fizzers. Strike them and they don't even spark up.

Sorry Lisa - it's all DoRoThY's fault ?

Comment is about My Catalyst (blog)

Original item by Lisa C Bassignani

I had considered paying a visit myself, but with my knees and all the pain I'm in I don't think I'd make it. besides it's raining.
And another thing, why didn't they build the Shrine of Whine nearer to the bus station. and when you do go it's too expensive, and what do you get for your money?

Comment is about THE SHRINE OF WHINE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Om Shanti Ruth. Nice one.
Yes, Karma does have a way of catching up with us. So, best we pay our Karmic debts now.

It's also been compared to a bank account...
we need to deposit good deeds and withdraw even better returns!
Quite a nice analogy I think.

Comment is about Karma (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

I'll never be seen
At this Shrine of Whine
Cos I'm not a moaner
(Said sippin' me wine)

Shit! who's put a fly
Smack dab in my winey
Stop bloody-well laughing
I'm also not whiney

(I'm just throwin' a little tantrum.....) ?

Comment is about THE SHRINE OF WHINE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thank you Keith. I think it paired nicely with Olympic Mountain poetry.

Comment is about Desert Landscape (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

I like this Ruth....

Comment is about Karma (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

John I thought you'd worked this poetry thing all out? You gave us hope in your last write.

'I've finally cracked this poetry malarky: the fewer the words the more the praise. Is that it?'

Your last 'seeing the light' episode was 9 lines. This one's crept up to 14. Ergo, expect praise-rating to be lower.

I trust you know how to take me by now John.

Such a good piece my friend. And picture.

Comment is about A home I never had (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

John - you've got it. I fall asleep half-way if a poem's too long.

(So why have I seen you sometimes writing great long rhymes Matthews?.....?).....No comment.

Seriously, poetry is an art, and to me, it's skill lies in encapsulating an idea in as few words as possible. Which is why I like clever haiku.
You should write more short ones John. Challenge the thinking reader.

Comment is about Hearts are thrown at Strangers aren’t they? (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

The bean and I have a love-love relationship. A match made in heaven...?

I thought matches were made in a factory? ?

Comment is about My Catalyst (blog)

Original item by Lisa C Bassignani

Cathy, Keith and Tom. I've finally cracked this poetry malarky: the fewer the words the more the praise. Is that it?

Seriously thank you very much for noticing the verbal graffiti.

John.

Comment is about Hearts are thrown at Strangers aren’t they? (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

I was very pleased reading this Ray. You didn't need to use rhyme. Everything flowed effortlessly in short line/stanzas, for me. Last stanza, brilliant.

My computer won't voice download either. Funny. Seizes up when I talk. Must be my accent. Be thankful then you don't have to suffer it.....?

Comment is about ON WATCH (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I do like this Lisa.

Graham - Richard Burton/Elizabeth Taylor might think love/hate relationships were the best kind. Each to his own I guess........

Philipos - interesting comments. Takes two to tear a relationship apart....You, and I, have a relationship with our computers, correction, our readers. Emotions can be 'rattled' with these distance relationships.

Personally, I prefer coffee......?

Comment is about My Catalyst (blog)

Original item by Lisa C Bassignani

M.C. Newberry.. I thank you so much for this wonderful comment made..

It will be my pleasure to back me up in this fight, for me to conquer..

Comment is about TEARS OF NIGERIA (blog)

Original item by Chinwendu C.E Rays

I love re-found friendships/ relationships. The very best kind!

Comment is about My Catalyst (blog)

Original item by Lisa C Bassignani

I like the way we all have to share our gardens with visitors, either avian or pedestrian. Cats are peculiar animals! I think you have successfully captured this symbiosis perfectly. Good work as usual Ray.

Comment is about ON WATCH (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Relationships eh! Could tear you in half if you let them. Personally I am happy with a cup of tea and beavering away at the screen - helps to get it all out there in the open. Enjoyed the sentiments in your poem though. Quite profound. ?

Comment is about My Catalyst (blog)

Original item by Lisa C Bassignani

Jon,
Thanks for your comment
Keith

Comment is about The Elite (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

A wealth of emotions with a philosophical ring to them all. The last three lines speak to me as I have reached the age of 70 years. Words of wisdom which will stand the test of time

Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about The Choice (blog)

Original item by Kristy

Hi Keith
A powerful, telling piece. Great last stanza too!
Jon

Comment is about The Elite (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Hi Keith
A very sad but descriptive piece. Well observed and conveyed
Jon

Comment is about Damaged for life (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Imagine such a place where there is automatic protection. There is I feel a vulnerability and yet a strong determination too. I guess part of a personal journey that builds in layers Rachel. It's not always easy to penetrate your mind but I love trying!

All the best Ray

Comment is about visualization 1.33, promontory (topography in the digital age--I know this place like the back of my hand) (blog)

Original item by nunya

We could write taut instead of taught
but taut is already taken
The tort suggestion is possible
though due to tort reform
it is no longer legal
And as Lisa has doth showen
Nite is simply lazy
like sipping Lite beer
attempting to get hazy

Leftenant may not be as wierd
as one may think,
for a Loo tenant has had
way too much to drink.

Ok, stop it right now.
I need to fire the barby.

Comment is about The Americanisation of Australia (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Hi Trevor. It's nice for me not to rely on rhyming so this allows me to relate an incident with a prose style. Glad you liked it thanks

Ray

Comment is about ON WATCH (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Nite is just lazy
Leftenant is weird
Color looks funny
I must comb my beerd....?

Comment is about The Americanisation of Australia (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Although I use it in real life (bad me), I don't think I have used any profanity in my poetry. Some do overuse it, and it can be very unattractive or even offensive, whether spoken or written. Sometimes, though, there is no other word that is as appropriate as the F word.

Comment is about The F Word (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Thanks, I wrote that after meeting a woman from Galway at a poetry reading in London.

Comment is about Kevin Vose (poet profile)

Original item by Kevin Vose

There is nothing like a sit in the garden of Earth.
Blissful
Soothing
Tranquil
And always amazing any time of year. The end of summer is especially nice.

Comment is about Summer's End (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

So, as an American, I noticed right away.

Realize or Realise
Color or Colour

Looks funny to me when it's written your way.
And a lot of pronunciations are different.
Like why is there a 'f' sound in lieutenant when you say it? Weird..?

Nite is just lazy (lasy?)

and if a bunch of gooses are geese, why aren't a bunch of mooses meese???

Comment is about The Americanisation of Australia (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

it's compulsory in much of poetry

Comment is about The F Word (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Loved this Ray, but you'll have to forgive me it's been a really long week and I'm exhausted, I can't for the life of me think who Julia is. Sorry, perhaps it's just my tired aching brain. Great poem.

J. x

Comment is about JULIA THE PECULIAR (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Beautiful, just plain beautiful!❤

J. x

Comment is about Sister (blog)

Original item by Sarah Louise mcnee

Thanks Adam, Nice to hear you share an interest in Tarot, yes the dominant energies represented by certain cards can stay around you for a good while and even if you used a different deck it the same cards would still show up! You are absolutely right, you still have your own free will regardless of what shows up, it's all about your decisions.

Comment is about Tarot Reader (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

Thanks Don! Your poem made me smile.....I predict you're going to write at least 5 poems before the day is out ?

Comment is about Tarot Reader (blog)

Original item by Ruth O'Reilly

When we write for ourselves, and without knowing it convey what others feel, poetry works at it's best. Thanks. T

Comment is about WHERE THE BEST OF POETRY EXISTS BETWEEN THE LINES (blog)

Original item by trevor homer

Just caught up with this Ray, and really like the conversational style of the poem - the relaxed delivery suits the poem beautifully. Thanks T.

Comment is about ON WATCH (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Oh, I do like that Mike....

Comment is about Let's Just Be Together! (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Oh I needed that Adam.
It came at a time when mundane human interactions were sapping my energy. Nature is such a wonderful nature. I liked the way it flows... sweet rhythm.

Raj.

Comment is about Summer's End (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

Beautiful Fred. I felt like I was walking with you through that garden.
Every leaf and flower and fruit a memory.
A moody existential interlude.Well done.

Raj

Comment is about I feel . . . (blog)

Original item by Fred Nicholson