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What time is love?

Written & Posted, 3rd January 2025 For the International Contest, CHOOSE A 2025 POSTED POEM Sponsor, Brian Strand, Judged 4th January 2025 (Second Place) Poem of the day - 5th January 2025 I checked my watch and checked my phone, but everyone’s in a different zone, Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, maybe I should be more specific, the dollar says in god we trust, but love thy neighbour bit the dust, I wasn't feeling all too great, after that late night altered state, shining my leather mourning shoes, watching weather and breakfast news, a gunman shot the truth today, the eagle had been blown away so had the snow white turtle dove, won’t somebody tell me, what time is love?

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Brian Sambourne

Date: 2/4/2025 8:39:00 PM

A truly superb poem, Martin, with a strong message that in a war weary, mayhem world, the time for love is truly now. If only it weren't so elusive. A grand read. Congratulations!

Martin Challender
Date: 2/5/2025 9:43:00 AM

Many thanks Brian. Appreciate the positive feedback. War weary is a good way to describe things. Best wishes to you :) M

Deb M

Date: 1/8/2025 10:43:00 AM

Excellent write Martin.....Congratulations on POTD! Debx

Martin Challender
Date: 1/9/2025 12:22:00 AM

Many thanks Deb! Appreciate the feedback :) M.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 1/8/2025 4:29:00 AM

Ooh, excellent, Martin! Congrats on POTD!

Martin Challender
Date: 1/8/2025 4:34:00 AM

Hi Kim, so glad you enjoyed it. Appreciate the feedback :)

Jeanette Swan

Date: 1/8/2025 2:11:00 AM

This sounds like a song...It is reminding me of 'Blowing in the wind'. Fave. The last 5 lines are just right for such a scenario, all that is left is the unanswerable question. The way you mixed timei n to the question just fits the modern day...What time is love? J :)

Martin Challender
Date: 1/8/2025 3:18:00 AM

Thanks Jeanette. You are right! I've had a few attempts at writing versions of this. The title is inspired a KLF song: "What time is love", The snow white turtle dove, borrowed from "I'd like to teach the world to sing". Glad you liked it best regards. M

Brandy Nicole

Date: 1/5/2025 6:03:00 PM

Dear Martin, morning, noon and night; and each moment in-between. Time for love is then and now. So tender are your thoughts. Congratulations on Poem of the Day. My best to you. :) Hugs, Brandy

Martin Challender
Date: 1/7/2025 12:28:00 AM

Thank you Brandy. Yes all the time, it's what the world needs now. Best regards to you.

Robert James Liguori

Date: 1/5/2025 2:03:00 PM

Congrats on POTD!! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O_253-HURY8&pp=ygUQZ2xlbm4gaHVnaGVzIGtsZg%3D%3D

Martin Challender
Date: 1/8/2025 4:38:00 AM

Thanks! Best regards :)

Martin Challender
Date: 1/7/2025 12:26:00 AM

Thanks & Best regards to you.

Constance La France

Date: 1/5/2025 11:45:00 AM

Martin, amazing writing and congratulations on receiving the POEM OF THE DAY honor~

Martin Challender
Date: 1/7/2025 12:25:00 AM

Many thanks Constance. This was a pleasant and unexpected surprise. Best regards.

Jim Slaughter

Date: 1/5/2025 10:52:00 AM

Excellent piece and choice for POTD, Martin. Please let us know if you ever find an answer to your question. I, for one, would "love" to know.

Martin Challender
Date: 1/7/2025 12:23:00 AM

Many thanks Jim. Yes, as soon as I get an answer, I would certainly "love" to tell everyone...

Benjamin Bartley

Date: 1/5/2025 10:09:00 AM

Fantastic POTD! Thanks for sharing!

Martin Challender
Date: 1/8/2025 3:10:00 AM

Thank you Benjamin. Glad you appreciated this poem.

John Read

Date: 1/5/2025 9:48:00 AM

Another new year started off with mayhem and killing, it seems hate still has the upper hand, congratulations on your POTD Martin.

Martin Challender
Date: 1/7/2025 12:19:00 AM

Thank you John. If only poetry could end hatred and solve the world problems. Best regards.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 1/5/2025 8:20:00 AM

--Any time it's earned... Congrats on PO TD, Martin. Happy 2025. ~ Gershon

Martin Challender
Date: 1/7/2025 12:17:00 AM

Many thanks Gershon. Best wishes for 2025 to you too. Regards.

Zyrool Gifford

Date: 1/5/2025 7:59:00 AM

Beautifully put, Martin. I believe love can be anytime. Congratulations on your POTD win. Have a wonderful day.

Martin Challender
Date: 1/7/2025 12:16:00 AM

Indeed. We have to hope so. Best regards to you Zyrool.

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 1/5/2025 6:44:00 AM

Congratulations Martin on POTD. You have encapsulated the state of the world in this moment. Really love the irony of shining the mourning shoes. Let’s hope things look up in 2025.

Martin Challender
Date: 1/7/2025 12:14:00 AM

Hi Suzanne, that was my favourite line. Other people seemed to like that too. The world is not in a great state, but we mustn't give up on hope. Take care.

Tania Kitchin

Date: 1/5/2025 6:02:00 AM

Martin, a powerful poem, congratulations on POTD.

Martin Challender
Date: 1/7/2025 12:12:00 AM

Many thanks Tania, with best regards to you!

Tom Woody

Date: 1/5/2025 6:01:00 AM

The time for love is any time. Nice POTD Martin

Martin Challender
Date: 1/7/2025 12:10:00 AM

Absolutely, we have to hope and strive for a better world.

John Lawless

Date: 1/5/2025 5:57:00 AM

Nailed it Martin....beautifully stated indictment of mankind or unkind

Martin Challender
Date: 1/7/2025 12:09:00 AM

Thank you John. Best regards. We have to hope & strive for better :)

Michael Tor

Date: 1/5/2025 5:32:00 AM

Hi Martin I pose the same last verse you ask. This world is upside down and in much need of Love, peace, and respect. Congratulations on receiving such a High Honor of POTD. Great message you send here. Wishing a much better New Year...

Martin Challender
Date: 1/7/2025 12:07:00 AM

Hi Michael, my poem is in response to so many things happening in the world. We have to believe that, love, peace, respect are worth hoping and striving for. Best regards :)

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 1/5/2025 5:06:00 AM

Love is anytime on earth, yet still there’s some who’ve never heard of the word. Enjoyed the read Martin, congratulations on receiving the honour of poem of the day… Beryl

Martin Challender
Date: 1/7/2025 12:00:00 AM

Many thanks Beryl. We can hope and strive for the world to be better. Best wishes :)

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 1/5/2025 5:02:00 AM

- Congratulations on your great p.o.t.d., Martin :) -

Martin Challender
Date: 1/6/2025 11:57:00 PM

Many thanks Anne-Lise. This was a pleasant surprise. Best regards :)

Christuraj Alex

Date: 1/5/2025 4:08:00 AM

"shining my leather mourning shoes" - grand verse. Irony and sire run all through the poem. "won’t somebody tell me, what time is love?" - What a beautiful question (filled with volume questions of present times). Congratulations!

Martin Challender
Date: 1/6/2025 11:56:00 PM

I love a bit of irony. We have to keep asking the right questions even if we don't always have the answers.