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on Ukraine
evacuate callcruel deceit of remainingvictims who’ll be blamed ~ n.b. A call to Moscow to help evacuate Donbas as Ukraine’s army advances, means the area will only be lived in by people who wanted to stay in their homes, but they risk being called Ukrainian patriots and therefore “enemy” to the recently retreated occupiers. Victim →
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on Ukraine
let us not pretenda Russian life has less worthdeaths are not victories ~ n.b. War mentality dehumanises us all. CLP 10/10/2022 →
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on time
take it to the streetcity walls a buzz with hopea new Birmingham ~ n.b. Stronger together. Who painted this? Do we fete the artist, applaud the message, or live and work for a stronger, shared future for the peace and security of us all and those who are following in our footsteps? This artwork is →
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on love
take the freedom walkfirehoses, dogs, prison barsfour girls as angels ~ n.b. Birmingham, Alabama, once the frontline of the hate line, a victory for love. I studied at Birmingham Polytechnic in the period 1978 – 82. Coming to its namesake city has been an education. Real friendly place, as the locals might say, but do →
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on Ukraine
ask “What was it for?””We are liberating landwithout people on…” ~ n.b. The first quoted line, reported in The Guardian in the UK, are words of a citizen of a town liberated from the retreating invaders. The second, (same source), from a Ukrainian soldier making his way through the ghost towns of the temporarily, but →
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on music
never walk alonewith hope in your heartsIranian blues ~ n.b. Music-maker, Shervin Hajipour; poet, Mona Borzoi; footballer, Hossain Mahini; all arrested for voicing protest at the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini. Mahsa had been arrested for failing to meet the strict dress code for women in Iran. She died three days after being →
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on Ukraine
the year advances fasttilt of Earth shortens each daylight fades in men’s eyes ~ m.b. This pointless exercise moves toward full cycle and at what terrible cost. CLP 03/10/2022 →
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on time
eventuallyfresh-mown grass, birdsong, flowersweary bones laid down ~ n.b. I was struck by the calm, orderly, well-maintained expanse of a large cemetery on the north side of Elvis Presley Boulevard in south Memphis. Respite from chaos. It’s a shame that such respect is not shown for the living. James, who was waiting for the bus →
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on Ukraine
human rights abusedno excuse, who’s for this war?hands up everyone! ~ n.b. Referenda being used by occupying forces to skim over, or gloss up the rationale for creating a war. It’s been said that these exercises are no better than voting at gunpoint, CLP 27/09/2022 →
Journey of Words 