Griffonner

2025-12-18
Understood. Entirely. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-17
I want to applaud this for its poetic strength, and then realise that in itself it is an expression of the author's strength in having survived to now. There is a saying: "You can choose your friends but not you family". It applied to me too in a way. Now that they are gone, I have come to realise that I am the product of all that happened when they were here, and I can live with that at ease. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-17
Some nice viewpoints here. We are all part of the 'whole' aren't we. We all have this common ending, and we all came here in the same way too. Those facts in themselves should make people think of one another like brother and sister, but....... [sighs] Blessings, Allen

2025-12-17
Peter, third person perspective or not, this is an emotive read. I'm not sure, but I suspect those thoughts occur to quite a large proportion of your 'more mature' reader base. Nice to see you on PoetBay again. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-15
So true, Ken. When it is too late it simply is too late, and nearly always a sincere regret. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-15
I really enjoyed this charming poem. The description of the murmuration is absolutely spot on and so poetically portrayed. It is a fascinating spectacle, well know in Brighton too, where I lived for a number of years.
Despite seemingly feeding the entire bird population of Nouvelle Aquitaine in our garden (!), we have never seen a starling. Then, recently, while visiting a Bergerac supermarket, my wife and I found ourselves no more than a yard away from one, indoors, perched atop a displayed Christmas Tree. It was completely unconcerned by our proximity and eventually flew off towards the delicatessen counter!
B&L Allen

2025-12-10
An enjoyable read. The last line is so powerful. Memorable, I'd say. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-10
This is actually quite moving for me to read. This maybe a diversion, but, I was once taught to mentally visualise a large red 'STOP' sign when recognising negative or self-destructing thoughts. I think it works. Seems to. But, otherwise we all get these random thoughts of odd or strange subjects. I wonder where they come from: Are we 'picking them up' from the Universal Consciousness do you think.
Blessings, Allen

2025-12-10
That's tough. Really. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-10
Confidence can be appealing? Blessings, Allen

2025-12-09
A smashing sentiment, Ann. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-09
A fabulous post, IBM. So goo to know there is still pleasure in your life. Keep you chin up, as they say.
Blessings, Allen

2025-12-08
I agree with 'Shells'. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-08
Interesting rhymes in this, but I found the first reading a difficult one. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-08
Phew! Your poem reminds me of the nightmare of walking down a corridor of doors, going through one door and finding you are in another corridor of doors... on and on into new corridors. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-08
I say, "here, here" to what your fine poem says. Who in their right mind could argue with its truth? We all wait for salvation from all these weapons, and wonder how it will come. And that statement presupposes there is hope. And we must keep hold of hope. We must. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-08
Nothing else will suffice, so I say, get well soon my friend. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-08
Hola Brenda, bienvenida.
No hablo español, así que he usado un servicio de traducción para traducir mi inglés al español. Al igual que tú, te pido disculpas si la gramática no es perfecta.
Tu poema es sumamente interesante y creo que dice la verdad. Desde bebés, nos adaptamos al molde social. Parece también que si te rebelas, te conviertes en un problema para quienes quieren mantener el statu quo. Lo veo todo en tu poema, que está muy bien pensado y expresado. Bendiciones. Allen

Hello Brenda, and welcome.
I don't speak Spanish, so I have used a translating service to transpose my English into Spanish. Like you, I apologise if the grammar is not perfect.
Your poem is extremely interesting and I think it speaks truths. We are entrained from babies into the societal mold. It seems too, that if you rebel, then that marks you as problem to those who want to maintain the status quo. I see it all in your poem which is well thought out and expressed. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-06
Hi. Nice to see you back on PoetBay. Thanks for sharing. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-05
What a well crafted poem this is! You cleverly kept the words at a minimum but successfully imparted the right amount of information so that the reader can fully imagine the circumstances you refer to. For me it reminded me that I too had been moved by my parents, from school to school before college. You had that box that followed along, I had a mother! Blessings, Allen

2025-12-05
Hear, Hear, Lawrence. A message in your poem that we all would agree with. Thank you for saying this, my friend. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-04
Some lovely descriptions of Winter in your poem. Made me want to snuggle up in front of a fire again! Blessings, Allen

2025-12-04
Thank you for the kindness of thought. Gratefully received, and, of course, I send blessings and brotherly love to you and yours, along with the desire that 2026 will bring you love, peace, prosperity and fulfillment . Allen

2025-12-04
.... nor do we. Please don't lose it.
Blessings, Allen

2025-12-04
Your poem gave me the shivvers, Moody's comment gave me a laugh.
All in all I'm glad I visited this page. Nicely done.
Blessings, Allen

2025-12-04
"...the saga has slowed"...as it must, sadly. This merry-go-round we call life ordains it so. But the quality of our hero's writing improves as it goes around/along. :o) Blessings, Allen

2025-12-04
Dear Sona, I think you should compile a book of your romantic poems, and what an excellent and apt title it would be, "She is a Winner". Blessings, Allen

2025-12-03
This fine poem captured the angst and stress of the child born to a parent not possessed with normal parenting skills. Your fear of replicating those experiences leads you to look in every nook and cranny for a manifestation of their energy, and because we are carrying so many of their genes, we will see them in us. We cannot avoid this.
But, remember, because you are aware, and desire not to be the same as them, you will not be the same.
DJMoody says it right! None of us are perfect. We all make mistakes. I believe the ability to see those mistakes makes us better people. No, we cannot change the past. But I'm damned sure you did/do your best and you can do no more than that can you? Blessings, Allen

2025-12-01
Your powerful poem has some novel metaphors, and after reading it I have to confess that a cursory glance those other humans (present company excepted) are a rough old bunch. But amid the human detritus, if you look, sieve the personalities, I am sure you will find some precious and semi-precious stones worthy of companionship at least. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-01
I reckon all of us of advanced age will be able to feel true empathy with you on this, Alan. Blessings, Allen

2025-12-01
Absolutely, Mickedo. Absolutely! Now I see two ways of reading your poem, the first is to remember back to your childhood.
Blessings, Allen

2025-11-30
Well, that told me!

Blessings, Allen

2025-11-30
Quite an explanation of "why poetry?" All valid of course, and all admirably assembled by your pen. Your poem deserves accolade IMHO. (Yet it speaks of only a infinitesimal number of the reasons!)
Blessings, Allen

2025-11-30
I've applauded... its for your bravery, your spirit, and the poem, not for the pain. Bless you. Allen

2025-11-30
Thanks for sharing, and welcome to PoetBay. Can I say a bit of a gory start! :o) Blessings, Allen

2025-11-28
But such fragments of thought grant the earnest reader the power to embroider all the gaps between and become part of the story. Blessings, Allen

2025-11-28
I can see why the title was born. You can feel the warmth developing as you read this poem. Thanks so much for sharing. Blessings, Allen

2025-11-28
All I can say is, this is so commendable, Jim. A real cornucopia of November(s). Great posting. Blessings, Allen

2025-11-28
Yes, I am with Lawrence on this, Sameen. Really effective wording and a fine aspiration for love. Blessings, Allen

2025-11-28
I appreciate the thought behind this appraisal of Black Friday and the 'season of good will' (not!) Well articulated. Blessings, Allen

2025-11-28
After reading your poem I am inspired to be grateful for your penmanship, Lawrence. So, you have survived the mayhem, that's so good, so beneficial to health to feel that peace. I think we are revitalised by feeling calm and peace, especially when we are grateful for it. Blessings, Allen

2025-11-27
Another good'un. Thanks for sharing this. Was Sultan Sally's cat I wonder? It reminded my of my Ludo, also black (in daylight, brown in the sun like a bear - but a gentle giant.) Blessings to you, Sultan Jasper, Ludo, Poppy and crew. Allen

2025-11-27
I am sorry you feel alone, IBM. Please make contact to chat if it will help you in any way. There are so many people here on PB who have you in their thoughts and prayers. Blessings and love, Allen

2025-11-24
That self is there. Probably when the 'time is right' you will be able to see what you want to see. When we are depressed the weight of the oppression we are feeling overwhelms the subtlety of finer and/or alternative perception. I hope that weight disappears soon for you.
Blessings, Allen

2025-11-24
What a powerful poem this is! It seems to be an almost worldwide problem nowadays... I was going to add 'sad as it is' but decided that implied acceptance, so no, 'as unacceptable as it is' is better. As a younger man I would have been inspired to do something about it, and maybe in those days there might have been the chance of a modicum of success. But we now need a global response to resolve this, and until 'the masses' recognise their power it will continue. :o(
Blessings, Allen

2025-11-24
Twenty-nine reads and not a comment! Oh well, here goes:
What a gentle poem this is. Rhyming and scan are really good, and for an old'un like me, it resonates with bygone days when things were.... Oh so much nicer!. Nice to read you at last. Blessings, Allen

2025-11-23
.... in such circumstances one could reflect that in another time she might have 'eaten you alive' as the saying goes. I say that not to detract from your poem which illustrates your fine skill as usual. Blessings, Allen

2025-11-23
IMHO an excellent write is this, my friend. You tell the story in such a matter of fact way it belies the poetic crafting that lies behind the work. I feel these eye contacts with out brother creatures on the earth can sometimes impart in depth understanding that words - were they possible - would ever do. Blessings, Allen

2025-11-23
I have to say Mr. Moody has just about said what I am sure most of us on PoetBay want to say to you. May your present viewpoint prove to be wrong and be replaced by goodness. Blessings and brotherly love, Allen

2025-11-22
Oh that last stanza! Such a fitting conclusion to your conversational styled poem that IMHO describes a newcomer student's gradual assimilation into a social group of a scholarly nature.
(I'm being more analytical than usual because you seek to have a more in depth feedback.)
Your use of free verse to my mind is thoroughly suitable in this work.
You use some pretty effective metaphors in such phrases as "stick out like a sore thumb" and "a fish out of water" serving for your initial feelings of being out of place.
I liked the imagery, such as "favourite bathroom stall" and "bunk class and get biryani," which somehow make your story more relatable.
Overall it was an interesting read the first time - which resulted in my opening expression/sentence - and then as a second analytical scan I came to appreciate the poetic construct that I have mentioned.
Blessings, Allen