THE HUMAN CONDITION

By kheldar

Accoding to Wikipedia "the human condition refers to the distinctive features of human existence" - this collection is about life and the people who live it

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THE WEEKLY SHOP

By kheldar on Sat, 02 Jan 2010

It's time to do the weekly shop To tread those serried aisles Mingling with ones fellow men Exchanging frazzled smiles. First the cigarette counter For this weeks lottery picks,
Poem
Certificate U
Cherry

"CLEAN, YOUNG ENGLISHMAN!" (I.P)

By kheldar on Mon, 08 Feb 2010

Born with silver spoon in mouth He has the best in life, His parents chose the smartest schools One day they'll choose his wife. He has his pick of everything All he could ever need,
Drama
Poem
Certificate 12

"SWEETIE, PLEASE DON'T FUSS" (I.P.)

By kheldar on Sat, 10 Apr 2010

"I' really must be going Can't miss the final bus," "Be careful at the other end" "Sweetie, please don't fuss." I know she did not mean it She liked it that I care,
Drama
Poem
Certificate 12

60 - MIDNIGHT

By kheldar on Thu, 12 Aug 2010

My attempt to meet Hourglass's 60 word challenge
Drama
Story
Certificate U

9/11 - THE ACT & THE ANSWER

By kheldar on Sat, 20 Mar 2010

Having read Ewan's deservedly cherrypicked "Where Were You When..." (I watched events unfold in my office on the internet) I have decided to post this old poem of mine
Poem
Certificate PG

A BABY'S ABC (I.P.)

By kheldar on Mon, 12 Jul 2010

A is for Amazement That I can suck my toes, B's for Bouncing Baby And for my Button nose. C is for the Crawling I'll do quite soon (with luck), D is for the Dummy I Diligently suck.
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate U

A HOMELESS MAN

By kheldar on Tue, 12 Jan 2010

I saw a homeless man today Sat huddled on the ground, As countless people passed him by He sat and made no sound. Bedraggled hair and unkempt beard A face downcast and grey,
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate U
Cherry

A KISS

By kheldar on Wed, 25 Nov 2009

A kiss for a baby, new born to this life, A kiss from the mother, be she "single" or "wife". A kiss for the dying, a kiss born of death A kiss that devours your very last breath.
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate U

A LONDON FAREWELL - 15th December 2006

By kheldar on Tue, 05 Jan 2010

This is by far the most difficult rhyming scheme I have ever attempted - this poem was nearly 3 years in the making, i hope you think it was worth it
Biography
Poem
Certificate U

A MEMORY OF SOLFERINO - JUNE 24TH 1859 (annotated)

By kheldar on Sun, 03 Jan 2010

I wrote this poem in the summer of 2009, the 150th anniversary of the battle that led to the founding of the International Red Cross. Notes appear at the end of the poem
Other Non-fiction
Poem
Certificate U

A NEW YEAR WISH

By kheldar on Fri, 01 Jan 2010

Big Ben has fallen silent Another year is done In hope or trepidation The new year has begun. A clock may have two faces So too can New Year's night, Some see an end to darkness
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate U
Cherry

A POEM ALPHABETICALLY? (I.P.)

By kheldar on Sun, 23 Jan 2011

A poem alphabetically? Boy that’s tough said I, Can such a thing be written? Dare I even try?
Humour
Poem
Certificate U

AN EMMA DILEMMA

By kheldar on Mon, 14 Dec 2009

The plot and people portrayed in this poem are purely fictional. Any resemblance to any persons living or dead is completely coincidental …… and possibly quite spooky.
Humour
Poem
Certificate U

BEHIND THE BEDROOM DOOR - PART 1

By kheldar on Wed, 25 Nov 2009

The business suit of standard grey Is taken off and stowed away So ends another working day …..Behind the bedroom door. His shorts are off and in their stead Lacy briefs of harlot red
Poem
Certificate 15

BEHIND THE BEDROOM DOOR - PART 2

By kheldar on Mon, 28 Dec 2009

The perfect school ma'am home at last Another working week has passed, She climbs the stairs, she clears her mind Kids and classrooms left behind. She kicks her brogues beneath the bed
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate 15

BEHIND THE VESTRY DOOR

By kheldar on Thu, 26 Nov 2009

With the abuse of children by the Roman Catholic church again in the news, this seems an apt time to unleash this particular poem. It may offend, so read at your peril
Poem
Certificate 18

BUST or….BUST??

By kheldar on Sat, 20 Mar 2010

Inspired by a recent documentary, this poem may offend, so please read carefully.
Poem
Certificate 12

CHRISTMAS EVE

By kheldar on Fri, 24 Dec 2010

A silly something from my archive - but a fitting way to wish all on ABC a very merry Christmas.
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate U
Cherry

DAY BREAK OVER BAGHDAD

By kheldar on Sat, 30 Jan 2010

I've hesitated for a long time to post this one, but with Blair's appearance at the Iraq inquiry, now is as good a time as any
Opinion
Poem
Certificate 12

DEATH HE CAME A CALLING

By kheldar on Sun, 03 Jan 2010

(author's note: this poem is an example of black humour, not melancholia)
Humour
Poem
Certificate PG

DEBRIS & DUST

By kheldar on Sun, 17 Jan 2010

In response to the terrible tragedy in Haiti www.dec.org.uk
Opinion
Poem
Certificate PG

THOUGHTS FOR A DYING SOLDIER

By kheldar on Sat, 14 Nov 2009

A distant cry, a soldier falls One more young life's laid waste, As he lies with face pressed to the ground It seems of blood to taste. A distant whine, a shell explodes
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate 12

IN THE DENTIST'S WAITING ROOM

By kheldar on Sat, 14 Nov 2009

In the dentist's waiting room An all pervading sense of gloom My palms are sweaty, my brow is damp My butterflies have turned to cramp. Bare moments since I rang the bell
Humour
Certificate U
Cherry

WINTER RUSH HOUR

By kheldar on Sun, 15 Nov 2009

They stand upon the platform Bleak weather (bleaker faces), Bodies in the rush hour Minds on warmer places. They face the morning ritual The same old dull routine, Of all the faces present
Humour
Poem
Certificate U

THE STRIPPER

By kheldar on Sat, 21 Nov 2009

Across the south, in private clubs In downbeat dives, in rundown pubs, The stripper plys her nightly trade Undressing for lechers who cannot get laid. With thrusting breasts and grinding hips
Poem
Certificate 18

THE STORY OF SHARON AND SEAN

By kheldar on Fri, 27 Nov 2009

THE STORY OF SHARON AND SEAN (Two shaves, a shower, a shit and a shag) Welcome first to Sharon A "worldly-wise" sixteen, By day a shop assistant At night a dancing queen.
Poem
Certificate 12

HAND SIGNS & FOOT NOTES

By kheldar on Sun, 06 Dec 2009

A hand that rocks a baby's cot A hand that saves the goal bound shot A hand with the answer, held high in the air Two hands pressed together in dutiful prayer.
Miscellaneous
Certificate U

THE PRISONER

By kheldar on Sun, 06 Dec 2009

In dungeon dank A prisoner moans, Around his feet Lie scattered bones. A feeble light Drips past the bars, Upon his back Are ugly scars. His wrists are gripped By rusting chains,
Poem
Certificate PG

SETTING SONS

By kheldar on Wed, 09 Dec 2009

A rocket flies out of the darkness Then crashes to earth with a thud, Shattering all that's before it It smashes down deep through the mud, A fury that gouges a crater
Other Non-fiction
Poem
Certificate PG

SUNDAY

By kheldar on Thu, 10 Dec 2009

Sunday trading? Some are for, some against; this poem speaks for the latter (although it doesn't necessarily speak for me).
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate U

THE WATCHER

By kheldar on Fri, 18 Dec 2009

The watcher sits in a darkened room He stares into the growing gloom, A yellow glow winks into sight As she turns on her bedroom light. So many nights he's spent this way
Poem
Certificate 15

UNITED STATES

By kheldar on Mon, 28 Dec 2009

This is NOT a poem about the good old U S of A
Autobiography
Poem
Certificate U

NEW YORK APARTMENT BLOCK

By kheldar on Mon, 28 Dec 2009

An old New York apartment block - face besmirched by time Its grandeur long diminished by - a mask of age and grime, Shipwrecked in a neighbourhood - now hard beset by crime
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate PG

NEW YORK APARTMENT BLOCK - THE 2ND STOR(E)Y

By kheldar on Tue, 29 Dec 2009

This New York block - we've seen it before Floors one through six - we 've yet to explore, So welcome back - let's even the score Come on inside - we'll go see some more.
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate 12

SEA STORM

By kheldar on Sat, 02 Jan 2010

The lighting flashed, the thunder roared Stinging rain from black skies poured, The ship was tossed by wind and wave The crew fought hard, their lives to save.
Drama
Poem
Certificate PG
Cherry

SHE SHUTS HER EYES…

By kheldar on Wed, 06 Jan 2010

She shuts her eyes, an image comes An image comes unbidden, Pictures play inside her mind Of things she's long kept hidden. He shuts his eyes, no image comes No visions plague his mind,
Drama
Poem
Certificate 15

TEARS AND FEARS

By kheldar on Thu, 14 Jan 2010

A very old man, he sits in a chair His stubble is white, so too his hair He looks straight ahead with an unseeing stare He fears when he passes that no one will care.
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate PG

I USED TO WATCH

By kheldar on Sat, 16 Jan 2010

I wrote this poem in response to this weeks inspiration point. Thank you to everyone here for this and all the inspiration you have given me.
Miscellaneous
Certificate U
Cherry

THE POET'S CURSE

By kheldar on Wed, 27 Jan 2010

The road is ripe with traffic She crosses at the lights, There's a smudge in her mascara A hole torn in her tights. I wonder at her story It is the poet's curse,
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate U
Cherry

URGE TO SPLURGE

By kheldar on Mon, 01 Feb 2010

My esponse to this weeks Inspiration Point
Humour
Poem
Certificate U

THEY BURIED ME TODAY AT LAST

By kheldar on Mon, 01 Feb 2010

They buried me today at last I fell in war nine decades past, So proud I was to have my chance To stem the German tide in France. Two years in I joined the war
Other Fiction
Poem
Certificate PG

GET OVER IT (on having my story for Haiti rejected)

By kheldar on Wed, 03 Feb 2010

I entered a story in "100 stories for Haiti", I didn't get in, I got upset, I thought what was really important, I laughed at myself, I wrote this poem
Autobiography
Certificate U

I ATE "PINK PANTHER" BARS

By kheldar on Sat, 20 Feb 2010

When I was a little kid I ate "Pink Panther" bars; Ken Dodd and his Diddy Men My favourite TV stars. A plank across the barber's chair 'Short back and sides' Mum said;
Autobiography
Certificate U
Cherry

NO MEDALS FOR NODAR (I.P.)

By kheldar on Sun, 21 Feb 2010

I have used the IP to write a poem in memory of Nodar Kumaritashvili. I sincerely hope it is suitable and respectful.
Poem
Certificate U

THE BUSKER IS A BUDDHIST

By kheldar on Sat, 27 Feb 2010

A poem against stereotypical views DISCLAIMER: The narrator of this poem is purely fictional. Any resemblance to any persons living or dead is completely coincidental
Poem
Certificate PG

INSOMNIA

By kheldar on Tue, 02 Mar 2010

In the stillness of the night He cannot sleep though try he might, Lying wide awake in bed A thousand thoughts course through his head. How he wishes he could sleep
Miscellaneous
Certificate U

IF...JOHNNY DEPP SHOULD GRACE THE ROOM

By kheldar on Sat, 13 Mar 2010

If I were of female persuasion And perchance at some occasion, Johnny Depp should grace the room Would I stumble, would I swoon? Would a blush creep up my face? Would my pulse begin to race?
Humour
Certificate U

HER TURKISH LANTERN (I.P.)

By kheldar on Sun, 21 Mar 2010

Scutari, November 4th Eighteen fifty-four, The day when Florence Nightingale Arrived to fight her war. On the 5th at Inkerman A battle fierce took place, Act three of the Crimean
Miscellaneous
Certificate PG

UNTITLED

By kheldar on Tue, 06 Apr 2010

The recent tragic death of Natasha Paton reminded me of another tragedy in November. I didn't post at the time as I was wary of causing offence.
Poem
Certificate U

THE BARMAN

By kheldar on Thu, 29 Apr 2010

The barman hears all takes on life The guy who just can't trust his wife, The middle aged Joe who's lost his job The big "I am" with a great big gob. The barmaid hears all kinds of yap
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate 12

UNTITLED 2

By kheldar on Wed, 09 Jun 2010

A young internet friend of mine recently lost a childhood friend to cancer - i was moved to write this poem in response.
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate U
Cherry

WHITE ROSE (I.P.)

By kheldar on Thu, 29 Jul 2010

The yellow sun candescent Illumes a church crowned hill, A white clad bride approaches She shines yet brighter still. She glides into the churchyard Passed graves in ordered rows,
Drama
Poem
Certificate PG

IN A JUNGLE FAR FROM HOME

By kheldar on Tue, 23 Nov 2010

The final thoughts of a US soldier in Vietnam
Other Fiction
Certificate 15

THOUGHTS ON DYING

By kheldar on Thu, 25 Nov 2010

In response to Danrama's forum topic on censorship I raised the issue of self-censorship and the fear of writing in the first person. This is another poem is one I was previously loath to post.
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate 15
Cherry

I SAW AN AD FOR SANDALS

By kheldar on Sat, 27 Nov 2010

I saw an ad for Sandals Not those which grace one's feet But resorts in sunny climes With sea and sand replete. As I sat there watching I thought "that looks quite nice",
Humour
Certificate U

THE LOOK IN HER EYES (I.P.)

By kheldar on Sun, 28 Nov 2010

The look in her eyes told me everything. From the instant I’d walked into the living room and seen them on the sofa. The distance between them was perfect, a perfect seven inches.
Poem
Certificate 18
Cherry

I CRAVE TO SAVE (I.P.)

By kheldar on Fri, 10 Dec 2010

As Tony said, here's one I prepared earlier. It is a reworking of my submission for the original I.P. "Urge to Splurge".
Miscellaneous
Certificate U

THE LOOKER (Warning - may cause offence)

By kheldar on Fri, 07 Jan 2011

This is a companion peace to "The Watcher" - previously unposted for fear of causing offence.
Poem
Certificate 18

THE WIFE I KNEW WAS STOLEN

By kheldar on Sun, 06 Feb 2011

The eyes which once would wink at me Stare sightless into space, The lips which once would smile at me Sit slack upon her face; The voice which whispered love to me Sleeps silent in her throat,
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate PG
Cherry

Lest This Day

By kheldar on Thu, 07 Apr 2011

An old folks' home, the lined up chairs Yesterday there were no spares, Today there is one empty space Dot's moved on to a "better place". An infant's school, the lined up hooks
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate PG
Cherry

Let's Start Again (iii)

By kheldar on Mon, 27 Jun 2011

How can the eyes that shone with love Now darken in contempt? How did the voice that spoke support Become so tact exempt? How can the smile that flowered for me Alas no longer bloom?
Other Fiction
Poem
Certificate U
Cherry

Freedom is.....

By kheldar on Sun, 02 Oct 2011

Free of mind and free of speech Free to learn and free to teach. Free to prosper, free to build Free to seek a life fulfilled. Free from loss and free from doubt Free to let emotion out.
Other Fiction
Certificate U
Cherry

Tombstone Tower Blocks

By kheldar on Thu, 12 Jan 2012

Tarnished tombstone tower blocks Stand stark against the sky, Tags tattooed on cold grey walls Invasive to the eye; A weed-grown, worn-down walkway To a door directs my feet,
Miscellaneous
Story
Certificate U

The Ballad of Bill McNally

By kheldar on Wed, 08 Feb 2012

In the shadows of an alley Lurked that wastrel Bill McNally A cigarette cupped in one tar stained hand, In the other was a knife He'd come to take a life
Other Fiction
Poem
Certificate PG
Cherry

Who Wrote the Book?

By kheldar on Fri, 25 May 2012

Tell me please who wrote the book? Who penned the rules on how we look? Who set in stone how we should act? Who made opinion speak as fact? Who decreed what we should wear?
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate U

Farewell

By kheldar on Thu, 30 Aug 2012

Having just read MistakenMagic's excellent "On Leaving", it dawned on me that in the dim amd distant past I had written this poem but had not thought it good enough to submit - but what the hey!
Miscellaneous
Certificate U
Cherry

Untitled

By kheldar on Fri, 20 Jul 2018

Both day and night he bore the sight Of a wife trapped in her bed; He'd never tell her rancid smell Upon his stomach fed. He never heard each...
Unclassified
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)
Poem
Certificate PG

THE KIND OF AND MIND OF A MALE.

By kheldar on Tue, 12 Nov 2019

THE KIND OF AND MIND OF A MALE. Are you a sitter When you pee in the shitter? Do you stand with a hand on your cock? When done do you pause Wash the...
Other Fiction
Poem
Certificate 15
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