"That no one is better than you and no one is less.
You interact as equals"

We are all different on WOL but no-one is better and no-one is less. We all interact as equals......

Comment is about Social Respect (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I like this.....

Comment is about Crux (blog)

Original item by Adam Whitworth

Thank you Keith?I appreciate it!
Mae

Comment is about Appeasement (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

'Call it as we see it'
As poet I like this
The greed elite would say the world's
Insane, so what? So be it......

Comment is about Get Up Off Your Fucking Arses! (A 7-Up) (blog)

Original item by Richie Muster

True, and well written Keith.......

Comment is about The Elite (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Plainspoken and True, Keith. The pigeon image jumps right off the screen.

D

Comment is about The Elite (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Cheers Keith. I wish I could have said it better though. The world is going insane and we poets need to step up to the plate and call it as we see it.

Comment is about Get Up Off Your Fucking Arses! (A 7-Up) (blog)

Original item by Richie Muster

DK, your poems always make me smile. Thanks for sharing. D

Comment is about d.knape (poet profile)

Original item by d.knape

A well thought out and constructed poem. I enjoyed this

Thanks
Keith

Comment is about Appeasement (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

Adam, thank you for being a REAL member of the ( questionably ) human race and for putting so much appreciated work into this very very powerful poem-cheers mate!

Comment is about Upon Hearing of an ICE Raid: we want the country back (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

like what happened to having to wait until you are talking face to face with whoever you need to or will they need to know you are just scratching your arse at this very moment.

Do me and this planet, a fucking, humungous favour you ungreen idiots and get the fuck REAL!

Comment is about I Am Your Master, You Are My Slave (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Mirror mirror
Selfie me
You rule me
Oops, I rule ye

Mirror mirror
You've made me
Phone addicted
Look, you see?

Mirror mirror
Crash boom bang
Didn't see
Car, mustang

Now I'm up
In heaven high
No mirror
Damn says I

Moral - don't look down when taking selfies......?

Comment is about I Am Your Master, You Are My Slave (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

"Mirror, mirror in my hand."

J. x

Comment is about I Am Your Master, You Are My Slave (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Every nation on the planet walks a line between aspiration and pragmatism. We would pretty much all aspire to be open, patient citizens of the world, but must also protect our own values and way of life from those that want to destroy it because they don't understand it.
Every nation walks a line, and each line is both fulcrum and tipping point.

J. x

Comment is about Upon Hearing of an ICE Raid: we want the country back (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

I tend to think of the subject matter as not so much tripe or rubbish,
as pretentious, unintelligent, frivolous and worst of all...boring.
But then all writing is subjective in its appeal, the when and how it
is met having the most effect on its importance and its retention.
When I was a lot younger than now, and a keen angler, I recall
a publication called "Mr Crabtree Goes Fishing"...a Bernard Venables
comic strip in which a lad is taught how to fish for various freshwater species across the seasons. The real enjoyment of following that
clever and entertaining way of imparting knowledge remains with me still, some sixty years on.

Comment is about Confessions of a tripe addict (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Another excellent thought-provoking blog from this source.
It helps to be bold
When you grow old;
You know the score,
Seen and heard it before
Try to pass on the best
Before going to your rest.
………………………………...

Comment is about Old People (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

The other side of the coin - or border?
Who are the victims here? Where are the barbs aimed at the
countries whose inhabitants seek to move to America without the
usual courtesy of obeying the law of that country...encouraged
by a media that reports matters as if there was some sort of right
to behave in that way.
Who are the failures here? Where are the arrows that should be
aimed at the countries in, for example, South America...largely
run by those of certain origins - sunk into centres of wholesale
corruption, crime, indolence and violence & busy exporting those
unappetising traits elsewhere. Like a certain church organisation, not unknown for sanctioning violence, they seek extension of their influence by force of uninvited numbers.
Who are the guilty here? Those who cry "Enough"?
Discuss!

Comment is about Upon Hearing of an ICE Raid: we want the country back (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

Quality poem this. Alas some of us oldies who visited the Amazon ports around Para circa the mid 50s, weep at the Junk Mail which has probably contributed to what is now an unrecognisable place through deforestation. The world left to me by my grandparents will not be the one I pass on to my grandchildren. It saddens me greatly that and the GPO insist on pushing the stuff your letter box in spite of notices to the contrary and protestations. Shame on them I say. (Some postmen privately insist they have no choice). Here endeth. Brave of you to single out a particular generation though. It is my teachers of the past that I continue to hold in reverence and awe. They helped me understand a world that sometimes needs a huge amount of human understanding. ?

Comment is about Old People (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

This obsession is encouraged by big business that seeks a market
and creates the atmosphere of "need" to make it happen.
These devices have their uses according to circumstance but the
sight of folk wandering around with them on "permanent attention
mode" is hardly likely to encourage a feeling of confidence in the
mental agility to anticipate and/or deal with sudden unexpected
occurrences of any sort, especially those of a threatening or
hazardous nature.
I own a "dumb phone" - which I willingly admit to having its uses...
most conveniently AS A PHONE! ?

Comment is about I Am Your Master, You Are My Slave (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

A few words but you have said it all.
Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about Get Up Off Your Fucking Arses! (A 7-Up) (blog)

Original item by Richie Muster

Adam,

This poem is exceptional in its content and composition. A hymn of patriotism mingled with tragedy. Sadly all you say is true even from those of us who live on the other side of the pond. You are not alone in this ghastly predicament as we too have no one in government who has the necessary qualities of leadership and those who represent us are self seekers and guilty of racism and corruption across all parties. It is a low point in the history of our two great nations. Eighty years ago we fought fascism and today that insidious cancer has taken root in our own societies. Your poem is a wake up call not only for the US but the UK also. We must stand firm and be alert and pray that this period of our history will be short lived.

An excellent poem which sends a clear message. Well done!
Thank you for this

Keith

Comment is about Upon Hearing of an ICE Raid: we want the country back (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

A big concern all this electronic controlling of our lives. Totally unnecessary of course - I put my phone on 'no notifications' as if that works. Your frustrations are certainly known about and shared. Well put. It's not like you can put your phone in the water - like you oughta - is it? I mean - even the bloody sat-navs want to give you a hard time. Watch out for the next generation of gizmos they'll be offering to wipe your nose next. Pesky things.

Comment is about I Am Your Master, You Are My Slave (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Adam - if a writer can drag at the emotions of readers, and themselves, they have achieved their goal. You have achieved this with me.

The techniques you used also had a great effect on me. The use of alliteration at the end 'punched' it all home. The rhymed verses 'full stopped' with a short non-rhyme statement.

I'm only a lowly rhymer but I was impressed......

Comment is about Upon Hearing of an ICE Raid: we want the country back (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

I gotta have my phone
Always in front of me
Cos someone might be texting
A bomb when driving, see?

I went and left it home today
I took this poem's advice
A text said friend had heart attack
And now I'm paying price

I'm 'dicted to my mobile
Hold it in my left hand
Dances with me when I groove
Selfies also, damn it's grand

So how do we now overcome
Addiction to our phones?
Mine's always with me – pocketed, unseen
(But he's my slave, I'm his master....)

Comment is about I Am Your Master, You Are My Slave (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Thank you all so much! I wasn't sure about this one and it sat in a computer document for a long time while I debated changing or adding to it. It's certainly a fun one and that was the intention to have the light cheerful sounding poem filled with a dark idea.

Comment is about Clickity Clack (blog)

Original item by Heart of Lead

Got a little emotional. Sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed. This helped.

Comment is about Upon Hearing of an ICE Raid: we want the country back (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

Don, Jason and Leon
Thank you for reading. It means a lot to me.

Comment is about Thank You (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

Vautaw,

Really nice compliment. Thank you for reading.

Comment is about Thank You (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

I use the ABCB scheme nearly all the time. It's got a catchy beat to it which resonates. The last line is like a deafening full stop to the verse if you know what I mean....

Comment is about Thank You (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

Enjoy the moment
Of each day you're fed
Because tomorrow
You could be dead

Have your dreams
Rake the leaves
The trees won't mind
Do what you please

But don't run hither and thither ad infinitum Vautaw - you'll get 'dizzy-disease'.

Comment is about Third Eye Blind (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

lol, glasses for the third eye, good one Lisa! I changed that last line several times, I first put raking leaves, like doing something that may look good on the surface, but doesn't contribute to anything significant and may even damage the internal ecosystem. I ended up using chasing dreams because I think we can get so caught up in chasing dreams that we forget to enjoy the moment and the beauty beyond the chaos. Thanks so much for reading and your feedback. ?

Comment is about Third Eye Blind (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

Beautiful poem Adam. Thank you for sharing it with us. I know the popular school of thought is for the reader to bring their own interpretations to a poem, but I love reading what the poet intended and what inspired the poem. Getting to peek inside a gifted poet's thoughts, even for a fleeting moment, is fascinating. I love Leonard Cohen's poetry and music. It's cool to see he also inspired you! ?

Comment is about Thank You (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

Devon,
Though my thoughts contain no more truth than any others interpretation, my feeling/intention was to contrast the bitter but beneficial non-communion of the interior with what I thought of as the essential purpose of all named beings on the river journey of their songs/lives to connect with others.

I had been listening to a lot of Leonard Cohen ...poetry not music...and I wrote to match his I want/need you but can never have you kind of gestalt.

Thanks for the feedback. Read and Write On.
A.

Comment is about Thank You (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

The underlying message here was you can't tell people what they should or shouldn't like/follow but they the choice should be left up to them. Whether other readers got this I don't know. Hello? Don's up to his silly stuff again....move on to some serious stuff... what? Cult of Cosmic Buzz IS real stuff?.....could've fooled me.......

Glad you 'saw the light' and enjoyed it Adam

Comment is about The Cult of Cosmic Buzz (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

This is so good Cynthia.....

As far as wavelength sharing
I oscillate with you
My mind is whirring 24/7
I scream, what can I do?

My mind says answer's simple
Just write it down, in words
Then pad them out with meaning
And spread them, make them heard

What continues to amaze me Cynthia is what our mind comes up with. It never stops it's journey of exploration........even when asleep.

Comment is about Old People (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Jason

'The thing about a skillful rhyme and a skillful delivery is that it adds to the overall meaning and resonates deep within us'

This is why I use rhyme. It is not easy to write a good one. Prose is much easier. I admire any poet who rises to the challenge

Comment is about Clickity Clack (blog)

Original item by Heart of Lead

Dark and yes definitely macabre, but oh so beautifully put together. The thing about a skillful rhyme and a skillful delivery is that it adds to the overall meaning and resonates deep within us, I think this has a lot to do with the nursery rhymes that we all learn when we're young. Something about that rhythm and style reaches our inner child, which is why it hits so hard. This one left me wanting to find that inner child and give it a hug. Really, really well written Heart.

J. x

Comment is about Clickity Clack (blog)

Original item by Heart of Lead

Great poem, favourite line:

"A purest heart that scars with a breeze."

J. x

Comment is about Broken Wing (blog)

Original item by JANICE KANE

"Meep, meep," ?.
Excellent!

J. x

Comment is about Roadrunner/Coyote (blog)

Original item by d.knape

All day every day, constantly washing at the shores of my consciousness.
Love the poem, love the insight.

J. x

Comment is about Old People (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

d.k.
I think this is your best ever!
Lisa

Comment is about Roadrunner/Coyote (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Thank you Lisa and Hazel, I felt a bit bad because I've not really been on the site reading as much just lately what with everything that's going on, so haven't really been offering as much support as I've received. So kind comments at the moment are particularly appreciated. We'll get the funeral done and then hopefully should start to get back to normal. Thanks again.

J. x

Comment is about Acceptance (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Thanks Rose - very, and sincerely, glad you think so. David it's a very long time since I took a fence - back in my hurdling, nay, whinnying days! Seriously: a) you said nothing offensive b) even if you had, good on yer, nobody has the 'right' not to be offended. If I find something offensive (I rarely do) I generally turn the page, turn off, stop listening, tell 'em to fuck off (either in my head or, occasionally, out loud). Then forget about it.

J

Comment is about a wuthering whispering wind (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Hi Belinda,
I remember Hurricane Sandy well. ( And Irene before that, which was worse here.) The storm was intense. I remember it being of the lowest millibar pressure ever recorded...I felt it, made me sick. The animals were all freaking out too. I live in MA so did not get the brunt of it. But oh my...so many others nearby did. I am sorry for the destruction of storms...but I love weather and the science behind it. Great job on this...just in time for Hurricane Season on the East Coast of the US

Comment is about Hurricane Sandy (blog)

Original item by Belinda Sue Kiser

Adam, breaking down the first and last stanzas implies a solitary journey toward nothingness, or so the imagery reads to me. The internal stanzas seem to present the notion of communion denied, and a bitterness toward that denial. To sum up, though we may reach out to others or perhaps even a deity, ultimately we are each alone in our journey down the river. Close? not close?

Enjoyed the poem, enjoy your work, look forward to the next.

D

Comment is about Thank You (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

How many of us have asked that question...
"What is our purpose?"
The answer...

Comment is about Breezer (blog)

Original item by ismael wouters

You should never feel (or be) too busy to chase your dreams! What else is there to chase...
Some people say that they are living the dream. Perhaps they are or perhaps they are being facetious.
I'm still dreaming the life. There's too much to see and do, so I will keep chasing.
And I got some glasses so that I don't have to squint so much and crease up my third eye!!!

Comment is about Third Eye Blind (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

Once again Jason, you have created amazing beauty with words

Comment is about Acceptance (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Like a prayer. Very lovely.

Comment is about Acceptance (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Love it.

Comment is about Roadrunner/Coyote (blog)

Original item by d.knape