An Old Plumber, An Ex-Carer, An Amateur Poet, Words From The Heart
Opening a Can of Flammable Worms
Opening a Can of Flammable Worms. A ‘Gogyohka’
Anger ignites smoldering flames
A white-man’s racist hatred to blame
The volatile reaction follows
Requiring a King’s pacifying halo
Not a cane, you stupid man
Gogyohka, (pronounced go-gee-yoh–kuh), was created by Enta Kusakabe in Japan. It is a “five-line poem” or “song” with no no fixed syllable pattern. It can be written on any subject and use of ordinary, simple language is encouraged.
G'day, and welcome to my blog site. My name is Ivor Steven, I live in Geelong, Australia. I'm an ex-industrial chemist, and a retired plumber, and a former Carer of my wife(Carole), for 30 years, who suffered from severe MS. I Write poetry about those personal thoughts, throughout and beyond my life as a Carer.
I've been blogging for over 2 years, and writing poems for 19 years. Of course a lot of my poems are about my favourite subject Carole, but since I've been blogging my writings have become quite varied, humourous, mystical, observational, and even a few monster/horror poems.
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49 thoughts on “Opening a Can of Flammable Worms”
You’ve written it well. The situation is volatile and tragic.
Thank you Deb,…. the film clip of the barbaric incident, turned my stomach …. How our you Deb, I’ve been out all day, helping my Irish mate move house…. moving is such a big task…. anyhow the family will be sleeping in their new abode tonight……..
I m pretty good Ivor, just lit the fire and making dinner.. I caught up with a friend by accident and had a pretty relaxed day all it all apart from the news about Bobby.
Its great you were there for them Ivor…it is a huge thing moving… a big wrench and change..
Hope you get to relax and enjoy your Saturday evening in Geelong.
Lots of hugs
xoxo
Insightful and eloquent five lines, Ivor! If only more people follow what MLK said then we wouldn’t have this trauma over trauma. The murder was brutal enough, now the riots will continue to hurt black communities. I wonder how much more will have to happen before police reform is undertaken. I know most of them are good people, but these bad eggs make all of them stink.
Yes there’s always a bad(rotten) egg in a good bunch….. I’m afraid the healing process has been damaged again……. and the situation saddens me deeply…… and these were the exact words from my dream last night…… and here I am two great oceans away in Geelong…
x
We do what we can to help change the world. Your words reached my heart and I am changed – 1 person reached, several million to go! We cannot stop moving forward with healing and kindness. It is exhausting, but we must keep moving forward, leaning on likeminded others for support. Sending you hugs and love from two oceans away….
Your kind words mean a lot to me Irma……. sometimes I find the pressures of world around me overwhelming, and I sincerely appreciate your kindred souls support…… and gives me another once courage/strength to keep striving for a more compassionate solution….. stay safe Irma… 💙🌏
I’m only a distant observer Beth,… but the rift seems very deep, ….. I’ve noticed there have been a number incidents recently……. and now the melting pot has boiled over….. ??
I learn something new each day. I should try writing one.
On to the subject – it was a despicable way to treat another person, and I hope the policeman gets his just deserves.
I can understand the anger and frustration of the black communities and other ethnic minorities that have had to live for generations with Racism that seems impossible to stamp out in America, but I cannot understand the destruction and violence that the demonstrators have displayed. How does that help the cause?
Yes…. Mr Luther King would be totally against the violence and destruction….. but Sue there doesn’t seem to be another great pacifist on the horizon …xx
Racism exists the world over, but somehow it’s far worse in America. I have wonderful American friends especially here on WP and I’m certain they would be horrified at the way parts of America is being portrayed to the rest of the world.
This is so horrifying and people are people worldwide. Racism is worldwide not just one country you will find it raising its ugly head between cities, counties, states, north and south. All these ugly viewpoints have no place in our world. I believe in unity, love and tolerance. I have been subjected to racism. I have no retaliation to them either. Narrow minded people there is no room for you here. You have to love, accept, tolerate and understand the differences.
this resonates deeply Ivor … riots happen when there is no constructive dialogue around crucial issues … his death was that straw that broke the camels back. The people have had enough …
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 
You’ve written it well. The situation is volatile and tragic.
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I’ve watching the news Sadje, the initial wound was deep and tragic, Minneapolis healing time will be long and difficult one…..
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Indeed. And it’s not something that will ever heal completely.
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A new form to me. It works well with this subject and conveys the serious topic in plain words. Well done!
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Yes…. the format worked well here…. simple and direct….xx
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Very eloquent on a painful subject. Sadder is that most police workers are good people.
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Yes… some of my best friends are policemen…… but this was terribly rotten egg……
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What happened is impossible for me to understand at times.. so so brutal.. hugs lovely Ivor this is powerful..
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Thank you Deb,…. the film clip of the barbaric incident, turned my stomach …. How our you Deb, I’ve been out all day, helping my Irish mate move house…. moving is such a big task…. anyhow the family will be sleeping in their new abode tonight……..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I m pretty good Ivor, just lit the fire and making dinner.. I caught up with a friend by accident and had a pretty relaxed day all it all apart from the news about Bobby.
Its great you were there for them Ivor…it is a huge thing moving… a big wrench and change..
Hope you get to relax and enjoy your Saturday evening in Geelong.
Lots of hugs
xoxo
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Yes …I’m needing rest and relax tonight…. xxx
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Insightful and eloquent five lines, Ivor! If only more people follow what MLK said then we wouldn’t have this trauma over trauma. The murder was brutal enough, now the riots will continue to hurt black communities. I wonder how much more will have to happen before police reform is undertaken. I know most of them are good people, but these bad eggs make all of them stink.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes there’s always a bad(rotten) egg in a good bunch….. I’m afraid the healing process has been damaged again……. and the situation saddens me deeply…… and these were the exact words from my dream last night…… and here I am two great oceans away in Geelong…
x
LikeLiked by 2 people
We do what we can to help change the world. Your words reached my heart and I am changed – 1 person reached, several million to go! We cannot stop moving forward with healing and kindness. It is exhausting, but we must keep moving forward, leaning on likeminded others for support. Sending you hugs and love from two oceans away….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your kind words mean a lot to me Irma……. sometimes I find the pressures of world around me overwhelming, and I sincerely appreciate your kindred souls support…… and gives me another once courage/strength to keep striving for a more compassionate solution….. stay safe Irma… 💙🌏
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You too, Ivor – us kindred souls with four-letter names starting with I have to stick together! ❤️
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Oh Irma that’s sweet… I didn’t think of it that way….. the “i” have it…. 👀
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Well said, Bravo.
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Thank you Rhen….😄
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You’re welcome.
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it is a terrible time of turmoil here, but things need to change and cannot go on as they have been any longer -thank you for your words
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I’m only a distant observer Beth,… but the rift seems very deep, ….. I’ve noticed there have been a number incidents recently……. and now the melting pot has boiled over….. ??
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yes
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I learn something new each day. I should try writing one.
On to the subject – it was a despicable way to treat another person, and I hope the policeman gets his just deserves.
I can understand the anger and frustration of the black communities and other ethnic minorities that have had to live for generations with Racism that seems impossible to stamp out in America, but I cannot understand the destruction and violence that the demonstrators have displayed. How does that help the cause?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes…. Mr Luther King would be totally against the violence and destruction….. but Sue there doesn’t seem to be another great pacifist on the horizon …xx
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He certainly would. America certainly needs someone to lead the way, so many states are still steeped in the past.
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Yes, Americas wounds are deep into history..
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Racism exists the world over, but somehow it’s far worse in America. I have wonderful American friends especially here on WP and I’m certain they would be horrified at the way parts of America is being portrayed to the rest of the world.
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Yes I know… my cousins are horrified, about what I see on the news… 📰🤔
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Oh, I can imagine they are, no one likes to have this sort of stuff going global
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What happened was really sad. So well expressed, Ivor.
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Thank you Punam,,.. Yes very sad, and disturbing,…. that I actually dreamt these words last night… hopefully I’ll sleep more soundly tonight.. 😊😴
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You are welcome. I do hope you sleep well. Take care.
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Thank you Punam, I’ve had a reasonable night, and I’m hoping to find more light in these dark days….
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Anger, frustration, and deep sorrow. Well penned.
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Thank you V.J…. I’m afraid I dreamt these words last night…. the trauma of the situation seems to have crept into my sleepy head…
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It’s hard to shake Ivor.
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I think writing my thoughts down helps calm my mind..
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I know it works for me. I haven’t found the words yet to calm this despair.
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I’m writing another now….. posting soon….xx
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Yes, indeed
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“…a King”s pacifying halo…” is what is will take to heal this. A very well and poignantly evoked topical piece on a shocking and shaming tragedy.
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Thank you for your kind comments and and astute words….. This short format seemed to suit my disturbed thoughts on the situation…. 😔🤔
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You did well..keep up the great work 😊🌺
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This is so horrifying and people are people worldwide. Racism is worldwide not just one country you will find it raising its ugly head between cities, counties, states, north and south. All these ugly viewpoints have no place in our world. I believe in unity, love and tolerance. I have been subjected to racism. I have no retaliation to them either. Narrow minded people there is no room for you here. You have to love, accept, tolerate and understand the differences.
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I agree totally Nanette, and hatred and fear stems from ignorance and arrogance.
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this resonates deeply Ivor … riots happen when there is no constructive dialogue around crucial issues … his death was that straw that broke the camels back. The people have had enough …
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Yes…. for the downtrodden and persecuted… there will inevitably be a breaking point….
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you can only push people so far and then when they are totally backed into a corner they have no other option 😦
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