Liam

2024-04-19
An interesting piece written, as usual, in your candidly honest manner.
If I could offer this as a respectful alternative:
Harry Billinge landed on the Normandy beach on D-day(6/6/44). He spent his later years fund raising and contributed through his efforts £25000 to the Normandy Memorial fund. When interviewed by the BBC in 2019 he said -
"Don't thank me and don't say I'm a hero. I'm no hero, I was lucky, I'm here. All the heroes are dead and I'll never forget them as long as I live."

Mr Billinge was able to visit the British Normandy Memorial on its unveiling on 6th June 2021. He passed in 2022 aged 96.

2023-05-03
Hi Sona, We have not gone away but continue to read the writing of others and, where the mood allows, comment on some.

But like each changing season, the mood of the Bay also differs from one to the next. Perhaps not in such regular rotation. At the moment it seems that we are in the autumnal phase and members have fallen like the leaves and then into a winter of cold silences. Hopefully, like climate change, things will warm up more than expected and we will once more be caught in the bright glow of talents on show.

2022-04-10
How old does one need to be to become an aunty or uncle?

As one that is rapidly approaching the end of my 30's I will never know the pleasure of being an uncle nor my partner, an aunt. Something that I will always regret, in more ways than one.

But for what it is worth, when I see someone of more years than me, I see someone who has lived through the experiences of life that I have yet to sample and yes, the mistakes I have yet to make.

When I see someone with grey hair (regardless of age) I see the small fortune my partner paid to have the platinum look imposed upon her normally blonde tresses.

When I speak to an "older" colleague I see (and hear) knowledge and wisdom beyond my years and I am thankful that they choose to share that with me.

So, do I discriminate against the older person? Perhaps not, but I do resent them. They have lived their life thus far and hopefully enjoyed the journey. They will tell me to be careful of those life's mistakes I am bound to make, if I have not already done so and acknowledge my "youthful" know-it-all shrugs with a gentle knowing smile.

Yes it is wrong to discriminate on ANY grounds and the rules on having to be this or that by a certain age are thankfully long gone.

For what its worth, my own "Aunty" has proven time after time to be full of love for me and was undoubtedly my saviour when all seemed hopeless in my darkest days.

The world needs more Aunty's!

2021-07-02
Hi, Isabelle,

Thank you for the invitation to give comment on this matter, and of course, thank you again for the wonderful work you and the team do to offer this site to everyone.

I would say that I tend to be against the restraint of art in any of its manifestations but I do fully understand the predicament the bay faces with multiple posts.

Creativity is a flowing stream that sometimes meets a dam or dyke. When that does occur, once past the obstruction the stream will flow stronger for a little bit before calming again. Such is the mind of a writer, or in this instance, the poet.

I sometimes can post texts 2 or 3 at a time and other times can go for weeks (as the previous weeks have proved) without posting at all. So, I guess I play catch up and post if and when I have a text or more that I think worthy of being read.

Having said that, I do feel that in recent times there has been a marked increase in "surge" postings and this undoubtedly has some effect on those others that have posted only to find their contribution(s) relegated from the front page of todays texts. So, like all good things, there does have to be a modicum of regulation and perhaps a daily limit is now a requirement. I personally would prefer that if there is to be a limit then it should be 3 texts per designated period.
For those that think this is rather tight then I would if I may proffer some thoughts: Every one of us experiences the dreaded writers block and would honestly wish we had something in reserve to work on and present for critical viewing. BY limiting the number of posts per hour or day, then that means we DO have something for another day. Just my nickels worth as it were (-:

Liam

2021-03-20
About 3 years ago the new "craze" was the ESCAPE ROOM with venues springing up all over the place. You and your friends were locked in a room and using clues had to find a way out. Yet, for as long as I can remember the Escape room was my sanctuary only then it was called the Public Library. For surely as I read the classics such as Treasure Island or Call of the Wild, I did escape to the high seas or the wolf ridden wilderness of N America. Books are still my escape today.

Your words so expertly crafted took me back there in an instant and into that comfortable moment that nurtured my love of reading. Thank you for that.

2021-03-14
A Haiku of class that does say it all in a few short lines.. Well done and thanks for sharing.

Liam

2021-02-01
And here you are, completing such splendid imagery through your words.

Thank you for sharing.

Liam

2020-12-21
A very "poetic" compilation of verse(s)

Thanks for sharing.

2020-12-17
Fond memories and perhaps a little hint of wondering come through in this text; for me at least.

Thanks for sharing.
Liam.

2020-12-17
O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us!

To a Louse - Robert Burns (1786)
(Oh would some power the gift to give us
To see ourselves as others see us).

Thanks for another interesting write. I enjoyed reading the text and finding a meaning within.

2020-12-17
A descriptive text and pleasure to read.
Yes, here I am twice the age but still a 15 year old inside :)

2020-12-01
Crisp description and content. Well written.
Thanks for sharing.

2020-11-30
Such a touching (literally) verse.

Thanks for sharing.

2020-11-30
Very poetic.

Thanks for sharing

2020-11-21
I was frightfully bullied at school for a time. My mother, a school Principal, advised me that bullies and the like were such because the knew their own inadequencies and had a need to hide these by picking out the weaknesses of those around them. So I guess, yes, if you want to find fault in me then you will; but you would do well to look to your own faults first.

I think this piece says that.

2020-10-07
I miss having a garden and how when looking out the window, mine looked just as nice as any other in the neighbourhood...

when under 2ft of snow :)

Thank you for sharing this text with us.

2020-10-07
Indeed, there is much to be said about his plagiaristic genius (?).
Another fine (and very indivdual) write from you.

Thanks for sharing.

2020-08-29
"I think therefore I am"... You write, therfore we muse on your thoughts. So, there you are.

Thanks for sharing those thoughts, and writings, with us.

Liam.

2020-08-29
A thoughful and insightful piece of prose. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Liam

2020-08-04
Whirling dervishes of snowing petals. What a wonderful and descriptive image you have painted. Enough so for this reader to see it, feel it, and, and almost smell the fragrance of those petals.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Liam.

2020-08-04
Much of what you say is too true. The 2 main shopping areas in my city are Sauchiehall street and Buchanan street. Both very busy and both Pedestrian precincts for as long as I can remember. Nowadays you take your life in your hands as you dodge the cyclists (and I say that as an enthusiastic cyclist). The law on cycling seem to have been abandoned. Speaking to a friend of the legal persuasion, she advised me that it is all in the definition of "Pedestrian" - a person who is walking, especially in an area where vehicles go. SO, it would seem the have every right to be on pedestrian area's but should (only should) observe the safety of all others and themselves.
Nonetheless, another interesting piece from you. Thanks for sharing.
Liam

2020-07-29
A strongly voiced thought on something that irks so many of us. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Liam

2020-06-26
Reading this I reflected on something an older and very much wiser colleague asked me one time. "Have you ever seen a man eating fish"? Of course he deliberately asked me in a monotone voice. The answer was either "Yes, in a local restaurant" or, "no, there is no such species." How we use words DOES have such an effect if we fail to understand the context or meaning.

Thank you for sharing this piece with us
Liam

2020-06-25
Your dedication (so much without reward) is a beacon to us all. So much we take for granted here and not realising the work that goes on behind the scenes. We, I thank you deeply and hope the Bay continues to flourish under your guidance.
Thank you
Liam

2020-06-14
Such is the eloquence of language that something can be said in such a way as to mean something completely different.

Another fine, and thought provoking, write.

Thanks for shariing.
Liam.

2020-06-14
And as we tut-tut the lives of others we can become perhaps more conscious of our own idiosyncrasies.

A straight to the point (if you pardon my pun) view of a life outside our window where we hope it will remain.

Thanks for sharing,
Liam

2020-06-08
Statues are a reminder of a past we all want to forget.
A well thought and written piece Sir, thank you for sharing.

2020-05-21
You got that so right! Well written, thanks for sharing.

2020-05-21
Very astute write which did catch my inner thoughts. Thanks for that.
I believe now, one good thing to come out of this Pandemic is when someone asks you "how are you doing?" they sincerely mean it.

2020-04-16
Succinct and so true.

Thanks for sharing.

2020-04-16
Indeed. I rely on the Echo show to maintain contact with my mother. She, when in the right frame of mind, can interact and I can see how well she is keeping. Not the same as a reassuring home visit though. Thankfully the care team keep me up to date via the telephone.

Thanks for sharing.

2020-04-16
A fine write Mr Williams and so true.
It seems that the worst of times can and does bring out the best in people.
Thanks for sharing.

2020-04-03
Such an interesting piece of Writing. There are so many conflicting views on this current pandemic but surely to compare it to either of the World wars is a complete and utter disrespect to the millions of innocent victims who lost their lives in those conflicts.

Thank you for sharing.

2020-04-02
The evolution of the species is a natural progression of life
Our species has evolved into a most selfish creature indeed.
As you text so rightly says, it is the worst of times. Times as we know them, that is.
Thank you for this text

Liam.

2020-03-31
Oh how I so enjoyed reading this text!
That sound, or smell. That taste of something that transports us back to another time. There is something special in that.

Thank you for sharing this text with us and reminding us of that experience.

2020-03-31
An illuminating insight to the current situation and how we look to our carefully constructed nests to protect us from the ills of outside.
Very thoughtfully constructed and written. Thank you for sharing.

2020-03-28
There is nothing more infectious than a smile, regardless of distance.
This piece touches on the dread we all share today and yet, somehow it shows a hope we share towards tomorrow.
Thank you for sharing this with us.

2020-02-15
Such is the way of life and love :(

Thanks for sharing this text with us.

2020-02-15
Indeed, you have a way with words that allows you to call yourself a poet. As too your friends already recognise.

Thank you for sharing this illuminating piece of writing.
Liam

2020-02-15
An interesting write.

2020-02-14
Very succinct and superbly put.
Thank for sharing this piece with us.

2020-02-13
It is the thought of Spring that carries us through the winter.
An enjoyable read, thanks for sharing.
Liam

2020-02-13
A mothers kiss, a friends peck on the cheek, or a kiss from your much loved offspring. All wonderful but ahh, that kiss, that one moment where your find paradise. That can only be gift of divine creation.

Nice write, thanks for sharing.
Liam

2020-02-13
Interesting write. You do seem to put your heart into your work, and out there for all to see.
Thanks for sharing
Liam

2020-02-06
It is so difficult to deal with the betrayals of those you trusted most. We learn from it though and we become stronger for it.

This is such a well written piece that potrays those feelings of betrayal so well.
thanks for sharing it with us.

2020-01-27
I am of german descent on my mothers side and to this day, I feel a sense of guilt that within my DNA there is a portion that belongs to those who were capable of such atrocities.

On this day, a most sacred day in the memories and history of the Jewish peoples, I can but bow my head in silent acknowlegement of such horrors.

Thank you most sincerely for sharing your thoughts with us.

Liam

2020-01-27
Each word you write is a part of you. Strung together they form a sentence or phrase that reveals a little more of the whom that you are. You write with thought but the writing is by an invisible hand that guides your soul onto the page.
That is what makes Poetry such an awesome and signifcant part of our own psyche.
Be proud of everything you write because it is a statement of you by you.

2019-09-01
From prophets of Need
"The world will stop turning".

A fine piece Mr Williams, thank you for sharing.

2019-08-03
I enjoyed this.
Friendship is the act of being taken for the who that you are and accepting others for being themselves.
There is no facade to real friendship, it is a matter of "warts and all".

2019-03-21
knowledge is knowing the answer to the question
Wisdom is knowing which question not to ask :)

I too am a seeker of knowledge and would love to have the answers to everything.
What I have learned though is that an answer is just the pre-cursor to another question - ad infinitum.

A delightful little piece. Thanks for sharing.