2026-05-22
Albert you have such a witty genius about you! It's so hilariously profound, Dear---because of you- (and a few others), I might change my mind and stick around. I had been making plans to leave...Oh, but I can still peek in from time to time....."just visiting"- I have not made a firm choice yet. It is coming soon and well, my instincts say it is a no go. It was not a waste at all though-- and you folks know who you are....those I will always treasure in my heart. When I get bed locked, I might give writing a go again.....if I can still hold a pen. This is not the time but I benefited just the same, just in a different way than I had expected. I am practicing the art of not having expectations-- then you don't get disappointed. Still, I should be careful not to get addicted to Albert's posts and poems! I just love them!
Sure it's short-- but this is really good! Thank you, my friend!

2026-05-22
This is so eloquently stated. I love the way you capture and splice the moment- spliced so well into a sense of hope in going forward.
Your poem is soft and soothing.

Thank you for this.

2026-05-21
Shame on her! She shouldn't do that or say that! Oh my, she must be crazy or something. Where and when, I must have missed that! It must have been entertaining for so many to gloat on, shame I never saw it. But I agree that propaganda is so bad, such that the real truth is somewhere in the middle and that's a maybe or not true at all. But I accept the lawful, just courts decisions, that can be challenged and often is, win or lose.Trump is just a man and his leadership has an expiration date. The problem is much bigger than him alone--as a womanizer, he has the reputation, and in that regard he has sucked, along with the rest of them. He has plenty of company- and that fact is needing addressing. Ad hominems don't solve problems and a good place to start would be the Congress of the US.
Nice bashing. Looking forward to more.

2026-05-21
Am I wrongly perceiving a pun on the title "Gore Nation", a production I have never watched but am aware of. Since this is the reference, then who are these nations you have given a description of? I get it, though, and divorce rates....are they still climbing? I know my opinion is different than many-- but these are, in my opinion, a collection of other lose opinions with a dash of truth- too much diversity between two people does not make for an easy marriage. Lasting marriages have key components that I will not mention here. I believe a marriage is between those two people in it and the rest of the world can butt out. But statistics do reveal the nature of many people with this mindset, which is too closed and narrowminded, too influenced by the indoctrinations of the life they were born into. The racists seem to have a fit towards those that do intermarry and those racists come in a variety of colors, too, and they are the ones I see as the true threat to my grandchildren because they are biracial. I think people with these mindsets are a threat to all people that don't have these fixations on skin color or who's your daddy or how much money ya got or not- They are more the greatest threat to those that DON'T think all or most marriages are based on wealth and social elitism. To be clear, I have no anger at all when expressing my points, my own comments with opinion or facts to back it that are different than some of yours. I see, though, where culture has great influences on these ideas, which more correctly stated, in my mind, is that some marriages are grounded in these ideas but not all. I have been accused directly or indirectly of many things I am not. Protecting biracial grandchildren from prejudice and unsolicited external judgment is a valid and deeply personal concern for many of us grandparents. Navigating these modern family dynamics requires balancing a supportive home environment with awareness of how broader societal pressures impact biracial children. You critics do not really understand the pressures on Biracial Families, no matter how much some seem to be defining the term while denying the real elements behind racism and prejudice. Sorry this is long. I mean no offense, but back in the day when my sister-in-law went to the University in the '70's , she dated an Iranian young man that seemed so captivated and fascinated by her and they both were pursuing medical science degrees. She liked him only as a friend, though. She felt he had other motives than love when he asked her to marry him. It is not racist when I say, we were all glad she declined. And upon her own reflecting back, she is glad she declined too--- too much cultural clash. Just another opinion, that's all.

2026-05-20
Personally, I believe your singling out of just one for the targeting, like this anti -Trump example, is a labeling grossly misapplied:
That title should be awarded to most of them on both sides of the American political aisle.

A common retort back might be "yeah, but is the one in power now.
spare me

2026-05-20
So my follow up is:
What might be true for some is not true from my perch. I have lived in my home ( on and off) since the last week of 1969. I know my NEIGHBORS by name. I have watched my neighborhood change. It's value hasn't changed much but the color has. It started out as a more middle class and racially balanced and diversified neighborhood, and it is right off the airforce base. I loved my neighbors, the military life brought more cultural diversity and blend- Arabic, Lebanese, Caucasian from various European Etnicities, Black African, Haitian, American Blacks. Some moved away, some died from oldness or disease or accidents; realtors started coming in heavily, making offers some couldn't refuse [ me too, but I declined them ]. It is so obvious what is a deliberately controlled meddling of these selected neighborhoods [ and it is happening all across our nation]: so that the replacement and location process could begin and next thing I know, there's Stephanie and her family still left [she's beautifully black, we've had a friendship over 50 years, I lent her $100 one time when she had a crisis and told her it was a gift-- she paid me back anyway. I do not know what you are talking about, but I do know what is happening in my own neighborhood and who these different groups of non-English speaking newcomers are. Some are legal, some are not. They are not friendly at all. My black American friends still left in the neighborhood are kind and friendly and good people. We are a large nation- your population is roughly 3% of what ours is. It does seem that our great stew pot of welcoming diversity inside a universality of humanism is coming back to bite us in the ass by those, because, we've allowed it to. My supper tonight will be a choice I am still able to make-- fresh broiled grouper, coleslaw, zucchini and broccoli. So much can enslave... food included. TV?
Bleh-- many throughout the whole world are a slave to it. Not I. Tomorrow, we depart for 14 days of basic tent camping on a glorious lake on the Virginia and North Carolina States' border. The elderly rate is $20.00 per night. And it is a rare, coveted campsite far from other campsites that is right on the lake's beach with the best swimming water in a mini bay-like swimming nook. I managed to book for the first time ever 51 days through September. I don't believe it is good to stereotype others in my country or others. My nation is large and complex, a beautiful nation comprised of many people from many places. It feels like some have rigid and false notions about other countries, about Americans, about me....and I, too, have been guilty as charged. I wish it could be a different world than what this world has become. Take care folks. I really hope for friendship but I have learned that with some, it is a reality they are unable to give.

2026-05-20
This posted first, in first response to the posted poem.

I know I could pass on this and not respond. I am going to any way. I can not appreciate nor understand this poem because it is so vague I have no clue what you are talking about and I have not perceived this to be the case in my own experience and view in America. But I can’t say what may be the case concerning other non-Asian nations where I have never been or lived and seek to learn more of other than my own nation. I have been all over my country and a little of Canada. My studies have shifted and self propelled and includes past and present. I confess my ignorance of the world beyond my own shores. But, I can't relate to it at all .
I find humor in the visual pun recently presented of a satirical ad for:
"King Trump Pancakes" instead.....while pondering your words and wondering if you get the joke. Your truth is not my truth and maybe both are not truth at all--
We just think and believe that they are.
Just my opinion and of course I respect the right of thought freedom and the right for you to have yours.
Sincerely,
Mel

2026-05-20
Alan, WE are very glad you are back!

2026-05-20
Profoundly true,

and I absolutely agree with you.

I love the way you presented this.

❤️

2026-05-20
Nils, I have known your internet presence and being for a long time....I have another friend who provides emotional therapy for me through his music--
And you are my long time writing friend that never fails to come through with emotional therapy through your words. Not empty words, but full of sound advice that's right. I haven't thanked you enough.
Thank you for this, my friend.

2026-05-20
This one's "truth"....made me laugh....that last line: perfect!

2026-05-20
"As needed"....sometimes, "as needed" means everyday. I love our planet and all it beauty. This poem describes with eloquence that beauty and the beneficial therapy it provides. And it works! I am thankful for it. You captured it in this poem. It evokes good feeling too.

Thank you for this and enjoy your day. 🙂

2026-05-20
Good morning! [Well, at least it is here.]

Excellent blend of creativity, my friend. Such a play in this blending of reality and metaphor.
A great expressive write filled with truth on 2 levels... That last line- genius. Hope you have a great day. I'm embibing in my fresh bean ground and fresh percolated brewed coffee right now.

Got me thinking about the water quality, though. In my community, we have a problem with that, due to the city's neighborhoods aging lines and we get letters asking homeowners to replace their private piping if the homes are old.

Hope your day progresses into a most wonderful day. 🙂

2026-05-19
I do love the gentle rains, too.
Glad to know you are safe and sheltered and in the company of kind people, I hope.

2026-05-19
Ann, I wish I could just give you a hug. I understand these feelings and the kind of love you have for your father. I can only speculate that that kind of love does not just happen by accident and he was a very good man and father. I honor your father too. He had something to do with producing such a sweet soul that you are.
And you are, dear. ❤️

2026-05-19
A truly beautifully written descriptive piece of writing--the imagery painted so very well. I can see your daybreak almost like being there.

Not only is this excellent writing, it is soothing as well.

Thank you, I needed this. My nerves are still rattled from a bad dream I had last night.

2026-05-18
Good poem. I have a different impression of the message it conveys. So, I will retract my previous words, only to say " What a wonderful world it could be......if only we could all live well and give peace a chance.

2026-05-18
I'm just seeing this. I'm glad to know you weathered that storm and are still here to tell it.

Much love, Ms. Ann
May God Bless you

2026-05-18
What can I say, other than--

This is a damn good poem.
Damn good.

2026-05-18
Well, that is one way of viewing things....and a car can't go far without its gas. Contaminated gas will ruin the engine, though, so, when you do fill up, fill it up clean.....the destiny itself is not always clearly defined and sometimes we take the wrong turn or maybe we find ourselves facing a detour.
But whichever road one takes, respect the stop signs. There is also nothing wrong in turning back and resetting the compass, retracing the steps until one finds that path they believe is the right one that they should have been on, should they ever discover they had made a mistake and had taken that rabbit hole tunnel to the wrong path that leads to destruction. Humans make mistakes in which road is that right road. And of course, no one ever wants to repeat the evil, historical mistakes again!
Only a fool would stay on a course of destruction and I hope there is not a one of us that could ever be that ignorant. And it is said, "Learn from the mistakes of past history-- so as not to repeat them. No, some roads should be blocked off forever.

2026-05-18
A fairly truthful observation of some, I suppose. Frankly, in my circles, I don't see that many of them that are this type, thankfully. For them, they think this way easily because their enormous wealth makes it easy to not think in those terms [the valuations of material things]. They don't have to. It's a different world for them, much different. $20 is alot when you have nothing and without a home over your head. When a person exists in a world where they are in a position to buy the moon if they wanted, why would they......think about the costs. It is more sickening knowing that this wealth exists among a small minority and it is enough to feed the whole world if they wanted.

2026-05-18
Oh my, what a wonderful sort of a bugs life--
At least one of a slug.
And with a silly query -
I ask which bug is worse than a slug?
Because ya know, slugs aren't so bad- unless you accidentally step on one-
The answer, it's said is this:
If we are talking about nightmare factor, disease, or sheer destruction, botflies, bed bugs, and mosquitoes are all far worse than a slug. While slugs leave a gross trail and eat your garden, these specific pests actively b
BITE, BURROW into the skin, or TRANSMIT FATAL diseases.

I love the play on words in this piece of writing.
I like it.

2026-05-18
I love this. I think it is one of the more profound and truthful expressions that I have read from your library of work. But to be fair, I've only read a small sampling. I understand this very well and the way you express it in this-- is very beautiful and very well composed. I'm glad I chose to read this today. Thank you for creating it and sharing.

2026-05-18
Amazing how our vision changes as we progress from the one end to the other.

Good poem.
Positive vibes.
I like it.

2026-05-18
But have you tried? [To find that answer as to why?]
Sadly, many do know the truth of it. Inflation is a sickening phenomena- globally .
.
Our society in the USA, frequently complains about the wages and costs of living, while not understanding the root causes of it. The dirty secret, it is deliberately manipulated. I can't answer the why, but I, (like many) have done some soul searching speculation.

Look at teachers' salaries alone, in North Carolina:

(*I want to note that the political party that had the most influence and long term held control over establishing teachers' pay and other educational standards were the Democrats in our state of NC.)

In 1960, the average teacher salary in North Carolina was approximately $4,815.00 ( or $4,995.00 for all teachers including administrators, which equates to roughly about $50,000 in today’s equivalence)

Today, it is close to approximately $60,000- which ranks near the bottom nationwide. It is a travesty. But the nature of these current funding issues, applicable to our state, are very complex and federal government meddling has only made things worse, in my opinion. Not to mention corruption that must be dealt with and corrected.

As to the outdated canned food stock--
Better just to toss and avoid. Eat fresh. Eat real.

Nobody can solve these problems anywhere, when not correctly identified or not acknowledged.

2026-05-18
Oh yeah, I can relate. Oh those stories we share....not everyone's cup of tea.

Childbirth and every child spawned is a miracle of life and sadly, not valued the same way by all people. We could talk and sit down and share our stories, and I would love just treating you to lunch if I ever could.
Your last line is absolutely the universal truth. The more I know of your life, through your writing, the more I have come to like you, more and more. It's a good thing.

2026-05-18
Love it. Back when I did watch TV and HBO, I had genre favorites for my distractions of choice and the two that were my favorites were science fiction and crime solving detective shows. I was kind of over that phase by the time "Breaking Bad" hit. I did not watch "Walking Dead" and "Breaking Bad" the way most did. I had already started watching stuff of my choice, mostly off the YouTube. I heard my friends talking about this series. I was not attracted to the premise of the show but curious. So, I watched the whole series in one evening-- I skip the openings, avoided commercials, sped up the stupid parts. I thought it all pretty disgusting. But I have to admit, I did like "Better Call Saul".....but I eventually chose to remove myself from the control of that Hollywood world's creations. One of my science fiction favorites was a movie called "GATTACA".

I did enjoy this one very much.....I like silly and I like humor

Thank you, Melinda--
For sharing this. This was great. 🙂

2026-05-18
These are precious. Please don't stop- I'm thirsting for more.
Alan, I admire the expressive way you write, the feelings it Stirs up in our memories, or at least mine.

Thank you for this.

2026-05-17
Loved the title. I could not have expressed it better.
Very well composed and accurate concepts in this creation.
I like it very much. Sameen, the concepts expressed though, I do not like and I lean with you.....the delivery is succinctly superb.

2026-05-17
In another weird way it spawned my own fishing memory where tge bluefish were being run up close to shore, many disabled with bites and my golden retriever, Kemo, would fetch them on command and we filled up a cooler, cooked them, set up volleyball on tge beach, got a keg a beer and voila--- best beach party ever.

I've never been to France but I sure would like to go-50 years ago instead.

2026-05-17
I love it! Great play with words.
I love it too-- for its simplicity.

Oh, and yeah, my back to Europe roots....
Are very heavily dominated with French DNA...

I no longer imbibe personally, but I did consume back in that time--
I was an avid connesiur of wine...

Bet you had a very good time!
And despite the flies.

Enjoyed this.
I felt the happiness preserved in the memory.

2026-05-17
Albert, forgive me for laughing--

(I can only speak for myself)

The humor found in the title gave me a big chuckle- it really did.
The content? Can be absorbed universally or specifically--- it's "truth" touches many that can fall into this group and has its tentacles tied back into the ages....I guess it's why it is commonly said-- nothing new under the sun. On another level, after my chuckle-- it brought back into view "Robin Hood", and Erro Flynned, childhood movie hero favorite. Ironically, I am currently in an in depth research of the associated real life history surrounding that era of England.

Bottom line, for me-
It's a good write a d I like it.

2026-05-15
This is definitely a poem for contemplation. But, as I read, it merges 2 concepts, a changing outer skin that blens in and a mask that covers the true face. And voila! It is the invention of the Camouflage mask that operates like a chameleons skin.
The smiles--- are they real?
That is a personal perception that might be wrong or might be right.

The premise is expressed very well. I like it.

2026-05-15
Tell it!
You are so very right....and I love the way you expressed this.
Thank you, Melinda

2026-05-14
If I could rename this work, I would call it "Temptation's Lure".

I like the way you've expressed it. What you wrote evokes this impression, although it might not be accurate, it is what I interpret to be about.

I enjoy reading your stuff---
A creative word artist that you are, I can relate to it very well. It provokes thought and internal memories.
I like it.

2026-05-14
Your talent at writing provides a healing therapy, as it does for many of us. I have experienced my own chaos [like many others have], so this poem hit hard, even though my situation had a different outcome....I have been in a similar place and your words expressed it so well how it feels. Very strong writing, tears welled up and I wish I could just give you a big dose of a loving hug. Healing is a process.....writing, the best medicine

2026-05-13
Well, I can recall.
Your poetry has a way of provoking my own experiences. Can we contrast them with each other's? Not if you don't clue me....
Certainly. Some will be similar, some will be unique--
But I very much enjoy reading your words as much as it stirs up my own forgotten times. Hope you reach my age without too much trauma.
I think you are someone very wise for your years and you will keep adding. You are strong in your spirit.

2026-05-13
Alan, your words are absorbed so deep into my own heart. I read the words of a stranger, but I feel you-- like I've always known you. It's strange...but you are the reason these tears are rolling and dripping off my cheeks right now after reading. My heart is breaking. Yet, we are all going to be facing our own demise and I truly believe our real life is waiting on the other side of our passing. Not only that, the joy of it will be so great...we'll be included in the biggest, uncountable family of love. There will be time to know and love each other because time will no longer exist. Still, in this carnal time, I pray you have the pain and suffering under control and managed well.
Love you.

2026-05-12
Forgot to mention:

"treacly"- great word choice- love it

2026-05-12
Some will sell their souls. You are not that man. And this poem-
I get it.
More than you can know.
And this writing is magnificent.

2026-05-12
But if I ever meet up with such a fate---
Those clamping jaws are going to feel some pain in the process-- with a louder scream than my own. I will go down fighting for the cause of faith and freedom.

2026-05-12
I commend your writing to heighten this awareness that so many are clueless to or lack an understanding of or have a faulty understanding -- but it is real, all the same. You, good man, are not the first nor will you be the last to voice this disease. Identifying it enables us to conquer this battle...
Humans need a carnal life that provides us and enables us to live together to live with peace, love and freedom.
We are on the same page.
It's the spirit of the devil that divides us.

2026-05-11
I like it.

2026-05-10
It's one of the reason why I they can take their covid-19 vaccines and shove it.

2026-05-09
Excellent.This flows so smoothly. The descriptive "wringing it out" was appealing-- but every word-- all good. And the closure with a little rhyming- perfect.

It just happens to be raining here in Goldsboro today, but it's temperate and not cold.

2026-05-07
Alan, hope you don't mind my saying you are a damn good poet!
The writing, IMHO, is very good therapy and "exercise" for your brain.
DO NOT STOP EXPRESSING YOUR THOUGHTS in any form.
God Bless you

You have an amazing gift and sense of humor. ...
That last line brought me a giggle, dear man.
Genius

2026-05-07
Thank you, Ann. I love learning this history, I am appreciative of your sharing of it and from your perspective. ❣️ May God Bless you

2026-05-07
I can envision you thinking that about those statues from a little boy's vantage. I had a different reaction to the idols from stone, bronze, clay or other. I wondered what happened to their heads and why so many were headless. I wondered why they were naked. LATER, I wondered who they represented. LATER, I learned of the great skills required to create such works.....and later, I learned that they allegedly were clothed, painted and anything else that could be done to enhance realism....the main thing- it provoked questions... and We seem to live in a world where questions are not asked where we can get answers that are not corrupted.

2026-04-27
Awesome as much as it is preciously adorable! And you are!

2026-04-27
Always a soothing moment when reading.
Thank you, Nils.