Bye for now

Trump won, Europe is fucked, the world is becoming a toxic and fascist nightmare, the whole of Africa is reverting to corrupt tribalism, China must remember that repressing millions is ultimately futile and Putin is running a once proud population into the ground making friends with other "leaders" of disrepute.

You get my drift. I'm going back to reading books and listening to my LPs in a fairly simple, isolated life. Bye for now.

WAR (Especially modern warfare)

Through the mists of time,
the shrouded depths of eons past,
come the cries of futility and war,
of fallen men, fallen empires
there is no more.
Through the experience of time nothing is learned,
nothing understood,
war kills, stifles, rots and maims;
there is no good.
A war breeds heroes
hate and vengefulness,
it fractures nations
and cosmopolitan in its progress
becomes more, "Couldn't care less".
War of today in these mists of time
indiscriminate with public to view,

could envelope the world of nations, 

families;

me and you.

Feb 17 2022 - Please Mr. Russia do not invade.

                       USA keep your nose out. 

                       UK stop pretending you matter.

Feb 21 2022 - Here we go! National military complexes with too much stock?

Jun 08 2023 - Is the USA escalating atrocity or merely de-stocking?

                        Is the USA wrong?

In 1965 Barry Maguire had an understanding of how this sort of thing can get out hand ...

Jun 11 2023 - Ukraine joining Nato is a WW3 trigger.

                         Pacts such as this started WW1 and WW2.

                         Still Ukraine want to join NATO

Jun 12 2023 - NATO avoid global repercussion of accepting Ukraine.

                          Ukraine must know NATO doesn't want their war ...

Sep 11 2023 - Oh no, these Two crackpots are talking - watch out!

Jul 01 2024 - Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orban becomes the rotating president of Europe for 6 months, which will strain relations with Ukraine as he is a known friend of Russia's president, warmonger Vladimir (I always put the boot in) Putin. Orban wants to see a ceasefire and is critical of the wests military aid. My question is why and what is in it for Orban?

Jul 04 2024 - Do real Russians never get to know of  this wanton and flagrant waste?

                       

Here are links to some of my other war poems:

Poem 1

Poem 2

Poem 3

Here's a poem I came across by an artist called Mark Automation

SHALLOW GRAVE

The freedoms that we fought so hard to save
Are snatched out of our desperate grasping hands
And buried in an unmarked shallow grave

Despite our struggle, valiant and brave
They slowly seep away like hourglass sands;
These freedoms that we fought so hard to save

So helplessly we faced that tidal wave
And what became of all our hopeful plans?
They're buried in an unmarked shallow grave

The zealots fulminate and rant and rave
They seek to sabotage with their demands
The freedoms that we fought so hard to save

And when they gain the power that they crave
No clemency for any who withstand
Just burial in an unmarked shallow grave

And now we're little more than galley slaves
We blindly follow all of their commands
The freedoms that we fought so hard to save
Lie buried in an unmarked shallow grave

credits

from IMPOSSIBILISM, released January 4, 2023

Ukraine Russia Russian Invasion Ukrainian Suffering Russian Bastards, Keep out, WW11

OLD SOLDIERS NEVER DIE, THEY MERELY FADE AWAY (They die only when found)

For many days I've likened to death,
shot in the arm, the leg and the chest;
and laying on mud therein a ditch,
I've prayed for an end - to toss in my pitch;
but no-one's heard me - no-one's seen;
as I fight for death - to forget what's been.
I fight for death but she's taking her rest;
so I merely exist in my time of pain;
and I'll never die, I'll just exist,
I'll never move and I'll never stir,
for as long as mankind - I'll always be there.

Some soldiers were brought back

W

J nnbb

AR Warfare FIGHTING Armed Conflict WW1 Trench LAURENCEAUX England LAURENCEAU Lawrenceaux LAWRENCEAU Laureanceaux LAURANCEAU Lawranceaux LAWRANCEAU Loranceaux LORANCEAU Lorranceaux LORRANCEAU POETRY Prose POEMS Social Comments HUMOUR Humerous SMILE Smiling LAUGH Laughing LAFF Laffing CYNICAL Truism TRUISMS Welcome HULL Kingston-Upon-Hull Kingston Upon Hull KINGSTON-ON-HULL Kingston On Hull YORKSHIRE East Yorkshire HUMBERSIDE Yorkshire DEPRESSION ThisISUll FED-UP Pissed-Off LONELY Disgruntled DISSOLUSIONED Blue BLACK Thinking BLOG Blogger LYONEL

OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR

This poem was inspired by the film "Oh! What A Lovely War".

The war wasted men,
the trench souls
and minds
puppeteer'd from above
by moustachioed children.

Rapacious rats
crawled over dead
zombies of patriotism
and thoughtless death,
as they enriched the soil with blood.

And the glory of death is remembered.
The warmth of sacrifice cherished.

For the good of peace
death was refereed by God
who was on both sides,
helping poppies to grow;
orange spotted with black.

One for each man:
dried blood stains
on the face of a gas attack,
picked in bunches
and held in a virginal hand.

And the glory of death is remembered.
The warmth of sacrifice cherished.

Start reading about the film and stage play here ...

QUELLE BELLE GEURRE

La guerre a gâché les hommes,

les âmes tranchées

et les esprits

marionnettiste d’en haut

par les enfants moustachioed.

Rats rapaces

rampé sur les morts

zombies du patriotisme

et la mort insensée,

comme ils ont enrichi le sol avec du sang.

Et la gloire de la mort est rappelée.

La chaleur du sacrifice chéri.

Pour le bien de la paix

la mort a été arbitrée par Dieu

qui était des deux côtés,

aider les coquelicots à pousser;

orange tacheté de noir.

Un pour chaque homme:

taches de sang séché

face à une attaque au gaz,

cueillis en grappes

et tenu dans une main virginale.

Et la gloire de la mort est rappelée.

La chaleur du sacrifice chéri.

WAR Warfare FIGHTING Armed Conflict WW1
Trench LAURENCEAUX England LAURENCEAU Lawrenceaux LAWRENCEAU Laureanceaux LAURANCEAU Lawranceaux LAWRANCEAU Loranceaux LORANCEAU Lorranceaux LORRANCEAU POETRY Prose POEMS Social Comments HUMOUR Humerous SMILE Smiling LAUGH Laughing LAFF Laffing CYNICAL Truism TRUISMS Welcome HULL Kingston-Upon-Hull Kingston Upon Hull KINGSTON-ON-HULL Kingston On Hull YORKSHIRE East Yorkshire HUMBERSIDE Yorkshire DEPRESSION ThisISUll FED-UP Pissed-Off LONELY Disgruntled DISSOLUSIONED Blue BLACK Thinking BLOG Blogger LYONEL

11/11/11 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, lest we forget?

The war wasted men,
the trench souls
and minds
puppeteered from above
by moustachioed children.

Rapacious rats
crawled over dead
zombies of patriotism
and thoughtless death,
as they enriched the soil with blood.

And the glory of death is remembered.
The warmth of sacrifice cherished.

For the good of peace
death was refereed by God
who was on both sides,
helping poppies to grow;
orange spotted with black.

One for each man:
dried blood stains
on the face of a gas attack,
picked in bunches
to be held in a virginal hand.

And the glory of death is remembered.
The warmth of sacrifice cherished.

La poem en Francais? :........

La guerre a gâché les hommes,
les â mes de tranchée
et les esprits
marionnettiste d'en haut
par des enfants moustachus.

Rats rapaces
rampé sur morts
zombies du patriotisme
et la mort sans réfléchir,
comme ils ont enrichi le sol avec du sang.

Et on se souvient de la gloire de la mort.
La chaleur du sacrifice chérie.

Pour le bien de la paix
la mort a été arbitrée par Dieu
qui était des deux côtés,
aider les coquelicots à se développer;
orange tacheté de noir.

Un pour chaque homme:
taches de sang séchées
face à une attaque au gaz,
cueilliens en grappes
et tenu dans une main virginale.

Et on se souvient de la gloire de la mort.
La chaleur du sacrifice chérie.

How many people in the world?

I came across this website, which you may be tempted to visit, that gives details about the world's human population.

We humans are the "elephant in the room" when looking at many world problems, from famine to war, to monumental destruction of habitat, including our own. Cutting the number of children being conceived for a couple of years might is a good and long-lasting solution?

People / Km2 - The UK is officially full so stay away!

I think a falling global population can be our only viable option for human continuance, but many  "professional" Demographers do not, citing population growth is needed to facilitate market growth, as if "growth" is good for the world as opposed to merely good for multi-nationals. Fewer "workers" mean more robots can be used, which can be switched off or on as demand varies; it means less is demanded from the Earth and we can proceed with more and more set-aside for re-wilding. 

Those who say we need more people to defend ourselves (war) forget that we could produce robot armies to our hearts content and virtually automate wars if we have the wealth to do so. I just don't see  continuous human population growth as being desirable in any way, as many in more enlightened populations are demonstrating by a "jaw-dropping" global fall in babies.

Remember: Mabel Wolff (nee Mabel Phillips)

Sometimes it is good to remember that "little" people(s) of the world often achieve great things, only to slip down the cracks of history, back into general obscurity. Here is a Welsh born woman, Mabel Phillips, whose uneventful early years started to change after marrying a German sailor, Max Wulff, in 1909.

Anti German sentiment following WW1 saw Mabel relocate to Germany after Max was deported, which for her and others must have been testing to say the least. Her loyalty to Max, her faith and their church was to become her "story" and the reason she is remembered.

Mabel's story is nothing in the scheme of things but the continued existence of "her" church to this day is her marker in the world. I wonder how many other markers exist of people long forgotten? I fear I have none, but live in hope of remembrance.

Here is Mabel (Phillips) Wulff's marker.

Who can you remember this day?

Dump Trump 'cos he's a chump (with Bohemian Trumpsody)

YOU ARE TOO LATE - TRUMP WON AND WAS ALLOWED TO DO SO BY A JUDICIAL SYSTEM THAT IS NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE AND AN AMERICAN VOTING POPULATION THAT DEFIES (my) UNDERSTANDING. GOOD LUCK USA!

 LOVES LOVES TRUMPOriginal article

Attention USA! Wake up for God's sake and get your leaders in order, or better still retire some of them, especially Trump AND Biden, who have had their time. Why not even elect a woman because what you are offered is seriously flawed?

We Europeans, for the most part, regard Donald Trump to be a dangerously narcissistic idiot criminal (along with others!), who rather than "make America great again" (as it was up to the 70's), will probably precipitate some sort of social implosion there; you have enough explosive factions, such as Jews, Blacks, Hispanics, Illegals and of course, good old Whitey: all chomping at their bits to aggravate each other, but "you", sane electorate, must sort out this mess.

Start by retiring Biden (just about dead) and dump Trump because he's a chump. Of those two, Trump will screw you because Trump loves Trump alone, so pleaseUSA , US ,, Donald Trump , Trump , Biden , Biden and Trump , Trump and Biden

Dump Trump 'cos he's a chump

(Pass it on!)

Here's a thought about old leaders

Politics like hair - one hell of a comb-over old boy

Bohemian Trumpsody

When Brits put their minds to anything they can produce brilliance combined with wit and erudition, such as this withering condemnation of Donald Trump, by the Marsh Family. Please be kind to the whole world and vote for anyone other than a Trump.

Why?

 

Why would you want to do this?

At the other end of moral questions, why would New York kill a Squirrel? Is it perhaps because of busy-body complaints/jealousy against someone making money off the back of a pet squirrel? Petty or what!

Why did the USA vote in TRUMP?

Copycats - sometimes better

There are songs that are truly great (sellers) and remain favourites because of sheer presence, lyricism, presentation and, to be honest, being released in a time conducive to being a hit in the first place.

To be a "hit", as opposed to being an also-ran, cover versions need at least 3 of the above criteria to be successful again, sometimes more than the original, but often not.

I will keep adding to this list as covers come to mind, suggesting why they succeeded (sometimes better than the original).

STEP ON YOU AGAIN by John Kongos

  Covered, transformed and bettered by The Happy Mondays

I'M FREE by The Rolling Stones

  Covered, transformed and bettered by The Soup Dragons

TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS by The Beatles

  Covered and transformed from psycho-pop to jazz-funk by 801

  There re at least 146 cover versions of TNK (some on YouTube)

HOLE IN MY SHOE by Traffic

  Covered humorously by Neil (real name Nigel Planer)

LIVING DOLL by Cliff Richard

  Covered and ruined humorously by Cliff Richard and The Young Ones

HURT by Nine Inch Nails

  Covered, transformed and bettered by  Johnny Cash

This next song has been copied by many artists, most better than the original.

EVERYBODY'S TALKIN' (AT ME) by Fred Neil (is a poor rendition)

  Best covered, transformed and bettered by Harry Nilsson

  Covered with country pickin' by Glen Campbell

  Covered with respect by Rick Watson

I LOVE ROCK 'N' ROLL by The Arrows

  Covered in attitude by Joan Jett and The Black Hearts

IT'S MY LIFE by Talk Talk, 

  Covered in Gwen Stefani by No Doubt (feat Gwen Stefani)

FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE by Peggy Seeger

  Covered, transformed and bettered by Roberta Flack

  (who sang it just as well live)

DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE by the Shirelles

  Covered and bettered by The Mamas And The Papas

THE IN CROWD by Dobie Gray

  Covered, transformed and bettered by Bryan Ferry

JEALOUS GUY by John Lennon

  Covered successfully by Bryan Ferry at the right time (Lennon's death)

WITHOUT YOU by Badfinger

  Covered and bettered by Harry Nilsson

NOTHING COMPARES TO YOU by Prince

  Covered and bettered by Sinead O'Connor

  Covered and transformed by Puddles Pity Party

    Puddles Pity Party site here

DIAMONDS AND RUST by Joan Baez (Song history here)

  Covered and transformed from folk to heavy metal by Judas Priest

  Transformed from their heavy metal back to folk by Judas Priest

GOD GAVE ROCK AND ROLL TO YOU by Argent

  Covered respectfully but presented with more bombast by Kiss

WAR PIGS by Black Sabbath (great video!) 

  Covered with a twist by CAKE

  Covered and transformed from rock to solo by Puddles Pity Party

  Covered and transformed from rock to choral by Rondellus

TAINTED LOVE by Gloria Jones

  Covered, transformed and bettered by Soft Cell

SATISFACTION by The Rolling Stones

  Covered and transformed from rock to soul by Otis Redding

  Covered and transformed from rock to indie by DEVO

  Covered and transformed from rock to very indie by The Ventures

ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER by Bob Dylan (Song history here)

  Covered, transformed from folk to rock and bettered by Jimi Hendrix

  Covered and presented in a unique way by Bastion Rose

OH YOU PRETTY THINGS by David Bowie

  Covered (let's leave it at that) by Peter Noone (Ex Herman's Hermits)

This is a rare example of a record company having faith in the early part of an artists career.

SPACE ODDITY Original acoustic version by David Bowie (1st release)

  Covered, transformed and bettered (just) by Bowie (2nd release)

  Covered and bettered by David Bowie (3rd release - the hit)

  Covered and transformed by Bowie's former bassist Gail Ann Dorsey

THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD by David Bowie

  Covered and bettered by Lulu

  Covered respectfully by Nirvana

  Covered (remixed) many time by Bowie (to make better?) - one here

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM FRIENDS by The Beatles (history here)

  Covered, bettered? and transformed from pop to rock by Joe Cocker

  N.B. Joe Cocker did loads of covers

AMERICAN WOMAN by The Guess Who

  Covered, transformed and bettered? by Lenny Kravitz

This next song has been copied by many artists, none better than the original.

BREADFAN by Budgie (underrated yet influential 70s Welsh band)

  Covered and only made more popular by Metallica

  Covered well, with respect for the killer riff by Florence Black

  Covered with original's passion by "unknowns" Galactic Lemonz

  Covered badly (weird syncopation) by Alunah

  

LIGHT MY FIRE by The Doors

  Covered and transformed by solo guitar by Jose Feliciano

  Covered and transformed by Will Young (1st version)

  Covered and transformed by Will Young (2nd version - the hit)

  

THE ONLY WAY IS UP by Otis Clay (original soul hit)

  Covered, bettered and transformed to pop by Yazz

  Covered (let's leave it that) by Stornoway

ANYONE WHO HAD A HEART by Dionne Warwick (US hit)

  Covered identically but at the right time in the UK by Cilla Black

  Covered and bettered by lush orchestration by Rebecca Ferguson

  Covered poorly by actress Sheridan Smith for TV homage

Want some more varied music?