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August Rains

The steadily falling cold August rains Continue to pour upon Cheshires lanes; Over flattening fields of soddened wheat, Soaking the grass, splashing the feet. Stands the Combine in the shed; The unripened apples hanging rosy red. Stands the caped heron all alone - His glinting eye as cold as stone. And in amongst the many puddles We step around like our troubles: So lurch ahead with our retreat Like drunken fools in the street. And through this months darkly frowns The cleansing downpours wash the towns; Scrubs the spire from ingrained time - Absolves the guilt from the crime!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014




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Date: 3/18/2021 8:44:00 AM
A Vivid picture you paint with words drenched in August rain. Your poems come alive.
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Date: 1/10/2018 8:34:00 AM
It’s good to know there are diligent people like yourself keeping the mail flowing. I miss the days we had door to door service.
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John Fleming
Date: 1/14/2018 2:16:00 AM
Thank you, Richard; things are getting back to normality now...it has been a long, hard slog over Christmas and into the New Year. Best regards! :) john
Date: 1/1/2018 9:09:00 AM
What an impressive first write. Happy new year to you as well.
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John Fleming
Date: 1/8/2018 3:20:00 AM
Thank you, Richard...and thank you for the New Year greetings - most kind! Sorry for the late reply on this one; as I have explained to several commentators beforehand...I am a "Postie", and everything is still so hectic here! Hopefully in a week or two things will have returned to normal: mayhem and madness instead of disaster and insanity! Lol. My very warmest regards, Richard. :) john P.s Not had much time for poetry over the Christmas period...with a bit of luck that will now change. Cheers!
Date: 11/20/2017 10:04:00 PM
I once heard a General described as a "Soldier's General." You, sir, are a poet's poet! Triple wowsa! (my short form version of same)
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John Fleming
Date: 12/31/2017 4:10:00 PM
Thank you, L.F...and you, Sir, are a gentleman of gentlemen. All the very best as always...and - many thanks!! :) john
Date: 11/12/2017 10:11:00 AM
Great rhythm and flow, John. A sterling first entry on the 'Soup!! All the best, John
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John Fleming
Date: 12/31/2017 4:23:00 PM
Thank you, John...that is very kind of you to say so - much obliged! My best regards! :) john
Date: 11/8/2017 8:10:00 PM
Just finished reading some of your poetry and must say I'm impressed. We have similar styles it appears at first glance. The few that I've read so far show a poet that respects the craft and has a love of words plus the ability to put them together well. One thing I might learn from you is how to write longer poems. One of my most mentioned faults is writing poems that are too short. Seems there's always more to learn! Oh! and I like a writer who likes to rhyme!
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John Fleming
Date: 11/9/2017 8:12:00 AM
Hi, David. Very nice to see you again, my friend. I would have to agree with you when you make the comment regarding our writing styles...I think it is because we both see the hidden charm in life; something that does not easily reveal itself to a lot of people pursuing their mundane lives of avarice and craven compromise. Regarding your shorter poems, quite simply - they are very good! You have an obvious knack for them; I am quite certain when you are ready you will compose some longer poetry. All my very best, David - Cheers! :) john
Date: 10/22/2017 7:48:00 PM
A beautiful write John with wonderful rhymes and lovely lines of imagery.., I especially liked your third stanza - fantastic!
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Susan Ashley
Date: 10/24/2017 6:26:00 PM
You had set the bar high John, and I would say, you did surpass.... :)
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John Fleming
Date: 10/24/2017 2:24:00 PM
Thank you, Susan. This was a first attempt at poetry; and, I would have to say, in all fairness...probably one of my best. Ah well -- something to try and surpass! :) My very warmest regards, Susan. :) john
Date: 9/28/2017 11:02:00 AM
Pidgeons are forgiven in August. I just pulled up the throw to ward off a chill from the poem. Weather I truly hate and we are having it here in abundance this ear. lol I such a soppy old soul.
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John Fleming
Date: 9/28/2017 2:44:00 PM
Yes indeed...long and protracted periods of miserable weather can be rather depressing; nice when you get the sudden interludes though! But don't worry, I am sure you will be due some sunshine, even if only of a brief sorts, very soon! A warm hug for you, Patricia, to cheer you up! :) john
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Patricia Cresswell
Date: 9/28/2017 11:02:00 AM
year
Date: 9/7/2017 9:12:00 AM
A portrait of poetry, you weave it so well john, had to come and read your first post here on soup....
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John Fleming
Date: 9/11/2017 2:41:00 AM
Thank you, Harry. This was one of my very first poems...and still one of my very best in my humble opinion. Glad you enjoyed reading it, Harry. All the very best! :) john
Date: 1/15/2017 11:32:00 AM
I love how you set the scene. I can feel myself in this time and place. Then you look more deeply at the connections. You have written an impressive poem that gives the reader much food for thought. Hope you are staying warm and rain despite the rains that I hear are pouring over Britain and Europe now. Kathy
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John Fleming
Date: 1/16/2017 2:15:00 AM
Hello, Kathy. Thank you for your kind concern! Yes we are a lot safer up here in Cheshire...It is the Essex south-east coast that may well suffer some local flooding. Hope everything is going well for you at the moment...And you also are comfortable and secure! All my very best, Kathy. :) john
Date: 1/11/2017 12:15:00 PM
I'm glad I stopped to read this one, I absolutely adore the style of rhyming and the depth/choice of the words, beautifully done. cheers, Dominic.
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John Fleming
Date: 1/14/2017 10:27:00 AM
Hello, Dominic. Good to become acquainted...Nice to know you! Thank you for your kind comments - They are much appreciated! Please feel free to call in at any time...You will always be most welcome. All the very best, Dominic. :) john
Date: 9/4/2016 6:53:00 AM
I like this and it make me fail the autumn. That's when I miss Pembrokeshire and I guess it is because of the rain. Sunny thoughts from South Africa, Kai
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John Fleming
Date: 9/4/2016 1:50:00 PM
Hi, Kai. Beautiful coastline Pembrokeshire...Gloriously so! Glad you enjoyed the read; I confess...it is one of my more favourite ones. My very best wishes, Kai...And warmest regards. :) john
Date: 6/11/2016 6:11:00 AM
This is so well written and lovely, just enchanting. I enjoyed discovering this beauty. CayCay
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John Fleming
Date: 6/11/2016 7:39:00 AM
Hello, CayCay. Always a pleasure to see you visiting...You are always most welcome here at anytime. Many thanks for your kind and generous comments. My very best regards...And my warmest wishes! :) john
Date: 3/27/2016 10:55:00 AM
Hi John, I'm new to the site and I thank you for your comments on my first poem posted; "Agape Love, or Lie". I see you have quite a collection and I find August Rains to be wowing. The title pulled me right in... Could be nothing less than a 10 in my opinion...
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John Fleming
Date: 4/3/2016 2:14:00 PM
Hi, Phyllis. Very pleased to make your acquaintance - Proud I am to be sure! Thank you for your kind comments...It is much appreciated! I will find time to visit your poems in the very near future. All the very best, and kind regards. :) john
Date: 2/18/2016 6:18:00 AM
Hi John, i enjoyed the read very much. The poetic journey through images your words bring to life in the mind. I always enjoy a walk in the rain, helps me think for some reason. It has been a Lovely walk in the rain with you John. Have a good day....Vlad. A seven for this excellent write John.
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John Fleming
Date: 2/18/2016 9:46:00 AM
Hello, Vlad, my good friend! I totally agree...A walk in the rain is a most refreshing experience. My very best regards to you as always, Vlad! :) john
Date: 1/3/2016 7:21:00 AM
Vry realistic imagery-I know Cheshire very well, being from Liverpool myself. Your rhyming and choice of words are excellent. I hope you don't mind my input-you have omitted apostrophe s-verse 1, Cheshire's lanes, verse 4, month's darkly frowns. Also, the syllable count is off-Verse 2, line 1 has 7 syllables, line 2 has 11. Your poem will flow better if you keep to 8 or 10 syllables with meter. This is constructive criticism, I mean well. I'd be happy to elaborate if you wish. Great read. Faye
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Faye Lowley
Date: 1/3/2016 1:38:00 PM
I am so glad you appreciated my comments, John, my only aim is to help. I never used to write in meter until someone suggested I learn-I taught myself and the results were miraculous. There'll be more space to elaborate in an email, so I will write later. The fact that you write in rhyme, not free verse means you like classical forms of poetry, which I do, too. Best regards, Faye
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John Fleming
Date: 1/3/2016 9:13:00 AM
Thank you, Faye. I would be very happy for you to elaborate in any way regarding my poems. I have to confess that I am not the most capable when it comes to punctuation. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Faye! My best regards - Cheers! :) john
Date: 12/30/2015 6:01:00 PM
Simply brilliant in every way, John. Elaine
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John Fleming
Date: 12/31/2015 8:36:00 AM
I regard that as high praise indeed coming from such a capable poet as your good self, Elaine...Many thanks - Very much appreciated! My warmest regards, and very best wishes for your New Year! :) john
Date: 12/29/2015 8:37:00 AM
Fabulous...enjoyed all of it...shall read plenty more john
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John Fleming
Date: 12/31/2015 8:32:00 AM
How very nice to make your acquaintance, Bree...Proud I am sure! Many thanks for the nice comments - They are much appreciated! My very best regards...Cheers! :) john
Date: 12/25/2015 3:10:00 PM
I had to drop by this first poem John - the title pulled me in - gee the poor people in Cumbria sure know about rain - we had floods on our little Island but nothing like the mainland has - the poor farmers must be going through a terrible time too watch out for the price hikes next year!:-( hugs Jan xx
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John Fleming
Date: 12/28/2015 12:51:00 PM
Hi, Jan. Thanks for dropping by - Its nice to see you! I could not agree more about your comments regarding Cumbria...And at this time of year too - An absolute shame! All the very best to you in the New Year, Jan - Cheers! :) john
Date: 11/4/2015 2:27:00 PM
Excellent rhyme poem.
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John Fleming
Date: 11/4/2015 3:22:00 PM
Hi, Nayda. Nice to make your acquaintance. Many thanks for the visit and nice comment - Cheers! :) john
Date: 10/31/2015 2:54:00 AM
I like your style of writing very much :) I will go thru your peoms. And it's nice to meet you as well !
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John Fleming
Date: 11/1/2015 2:42:00 AM
Thank you, Debbie. You are most welcome to look around, I would appreciate your comments: good or bad! After all that is how we all learn. I will have another visit to your poems in the very near future. My very best regards, Debbie. :) john
Date: 10/24/2015 2:53:00 AM
Good poem John do you live in Cheshire England x
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John Fleming
Date: 10/24/2015 2:47:00 PM
Hello, Wendy. Yes indeed I do live in the lovely county of Cheshire, not far from the beautiful area of "Vale Royal". Many kind regards, Wendy...and many thanks! :) john
Date: 10/16/2015 5:38:00 PM
john, Let me translate it in arabic. this is kind of attractive poem. with best wishes.
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John Fleming
Date: 10/20/2015 3:19:00 PM
I would be very glad for you to translate the poem into Arabic, my friend. Many thanks! My very best regards! :-) john
Date: 7/23/2015 2:28:00 PM
Brilliant writing my friend. A pleasure to read and be inspired by. Poem is a gem and the superb closing stanza the cherry on top! A7
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John Fleming
Date: 7/25/2015 12:12:00 PM
Robert, you are most welcome! I have to confess "August rains" is one of my favourite poems - glad you liked it! My very best regards, Robert! :) john
Date: 7/22/2015 8:45:00 AM
I so enjoy poems about the rain John. Autumn being my favorite season with its warm colors that belie its frosty chill. I can embrace the melancholy feel expressed in your poem with hope because of the way you have ended this brilliant piece! Your poetry is not only amazing, it inspires! My best to you John...Connie
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Autumn Leigh
Date: 10/15/2015 10:37:00 AM
Thanks for letting me be your favorite season :):)
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John Fleming
Date: 7/23/2015 8:06:00 AM
Connie, my most wonderful friend! Nobody has ever given me more encouragement and praise concerning my poems - I will never be able to thank you enough! I always look forward to your visits and the comments you leave. You are held in the highest affection!! Your friend always... :) john
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