Donations are essential to keep Write Out Loud going    
profile image

Paul Waring

Updated: Sun, 1 Dec 2019 09:21 am

drpaulwaring@gmail.com

https://waringwords.wordpress.com

Contact via WOL logo

Biography

Paul Waring is a retired clinical psychologist from Wirral, UK. He was once a menswear designer and, in the 1980's, a singer/songwriter in several Liverpool bands. In 2016, he began writing poetry again after a 20-year gap, and thinks the discovery that his earlier manuscripts had gone missing might have played a significant part! He has twice been awarded Write Out Loud’s Poem Of The Week, once in January 2017 and again in August 2017. His poems have been published in numerous journals, anthologies and online magazines including Prole, Strix, Algebra of Owls, Amaryllis, Atrium Poetry, Here Comes Everyone, Clear Poetry, The Ofi Press, The High Window, The Lampeter Review, Riggwelter, The Open Mouse, Foxglove Journal, and many others. He was runner-up in the 2019 inaugural Yaffle Prize and had poems commended and shortlisted in the 2019 Welshpool Poetry Competition. His debut pamphlet ‘Quotidian’ was published by Yaffle Press in summer 2019. His website is waringwords.blog

Samples

A Tale Of Two Sandals Grandparents see future kings in small boys, promise trips to boating lake and forest worlds away from the flat above shops    Away from bone-dry August air heavy with discordant dog barking, raised voices, kids' screams and throaty open-back buses   Like the one to Ilford Market which passed by broken teeth of war-bombed buildings. Nan bought sandals from a man wearing a turban.    It was oven-hot. Streetwise kids poked sticks into treacle tarmac. A boy laughed at my accent, smudged tar on one of my sandals.   Later, on a window ledge facing a brick red sunset brown-black from coats of grandad's shoe polish  lay the sandals I wished would now disappear.

All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.

Audio entries by Paul Waring

Eggocentric (14/04/2017)

Being Someone Else (08/04/2017)

Jazz Notes, Harlem 1950's (06/04/2017)

Do you want to be featured here? Submit your profile.

Comments

Profile image

David Cooke

Tue 22nd Aug 2017 06:10

Hi Paul Glad you liked the Gaudi poem. Got another one coming up soon in London Grip. Cheers David

Profile image

raypool

Fri 23rd Jun 2017 17:35

Hi Paul. I know it's not my business really, but I just noticed you havn't posted any of your delightful and uplifting poems recently. Are you ok? When you're ready, aythangyow.

Ray

Profile image

David Cooke

Thu 18th May 2017 12:31

HI Paul Glad you liked Mill Girl. (Willy Ronis is my favourite photographer).

Profile image

Tommy Carroll

Tue 16th May 2017 20:50

Cheers Paul for your comment re: The end of an affair. Tommy ?

Profile image

Cynthia Buell Thomas

Mon 24th Apr 2017 17:07

I forgot that you are a psychologist. I remember remarking to someone, perhaps here on line, but not sure anymore, that I had found an old beat-up copy of Freud's Dreams (whatever the actual title). I was thrilled. And I set to with great interest and intent to LEARN A LOT.

But I floundered after a while, after much acute attention and thinking. More than floundered, I became belligerent, followed by disgusted, and then I just pitched it. (I can't believe I did it, but I did. Still haunts me. I remember being actually angry.) Thing is - I don't know whether I wasn't smart enough to understand it; or smart enough to discard it.

I kind of wish I had another copy. To test myself again. My grand-daughter's studies in YR 12 certainly seem to have all positive assertions about Freud's Dream Ideas. No negativity allowed. This has been on my mind for years. I hope you don't mind my sharing it.

'A Sweet Victory for the Solemn' is mind-crashing.

Profile image

keith jeffries

Thu 6th Apr 2017 13:17

Hello Paul, the Innocents is beautifully crafted and so pertinent to what is now taking place in certain parts of the world. A sad but sensitive portrayal of tragedy. Thank you. Keith

Profile image

keith jeffries

Mon 27th Mar 2017 21:45

Thank you Paul. Let´s press on and write more good poetry. Keith

Profile image

keith jeffries

Sat 25th Mar 2017 20:14

Paul, I have read a number of your poems all of which I have thoroughly enjoyed in both content and style. In particular I like ¨Nostalgia¨. as it is highly evocative. I have friends who own a four hundred year old home and their kitchen table came immediately to mind. You are the author of its description. Thank you. Keith

Profile image

Tom Harding

Mon 13th Mar 2017 01:13

Paul many thanks for your recent kind words- was a good boost. Really appreciate the support! And for taking the time to look at the collection.

Profile image

Tommy Carroll

Fri 10th Mar 2017 19:07

Thanks Paul for your comment re "Lift" Tommy

Profile image

David Cooke

Fri 10th Mar 2017 06:30

Hi Paul Glad you liked 'Prickly Pear'. David

Frances Macaulay Forde

Sat 11th Feb 2017 02:41

I like you style! You're now on my favourites list and I look forward to reading more of your poetry. (Better late than never!)

Profile image

Ian Whiteley

Sun 5th Feb 2017 18:46

thanks for the kind and supportive comments on 'Janus' Paul - yes - we are all getting older - and it doesn't and shouldn't mean that the fire burns any less fiercely - keep on keeping on mate
Ian

Profile image

raypool

Mon 30th Jan 2017 16:12

Hi Paul. As a tribute to your "names" poem and also as an offer in honour of your WOL clincher, I have just put on a poem for you. Please feel free to comment(!)

All the best Ray

Profile image

Stu Buck

Tue 24th Jan 2017 00:24

Hi Paul,
No problem!
I have been on here a couple of years or so now and when i first started out I had never written anything more than a haiku, and was completely against most poetry due to a strict education and an awful diet of shakespeare and wordsworth.
The encouragement i got from people on here has shaped my work, and i now headline poetry gigs, have a book out and have had a number one chapbook.
I put 90% of this down to WOL.
Cant wait to read more of your work
Stu

<Deleted User> (13762)

Mon 23rd Jan 2017 13:03

Hi Paul, thanks for the lovely words you posted on my profile page. Just so's you know, I will always get to see any comments that are left under a blog entry as I like to read and keep up with other people's takes and opinions.

And I agree, leaving and receiving feedback is what makes this site such a great learning resource. I sincerely hope my witterings are of some use as much as I value receiving from others in return. I am aware that I don't always get it right all of the time and am always happy to stand corrected. Writing is a continual learning curve and no writer ever finds the end. IMO of course!

Right, so I'm gonna come back at you now on your 'Sweet Victory...' comment hahaha ?

Cheers,
Col

Profile image

Graham Sherwood

Sun 8th Jan 2017 16:58

Paul, thanks for reading this.
The detachment comes more from the clinical almost pasteurised way in which cremations are conducted and the inevitable way that public grieving is seen as a consequence of the scene.

Profile image

David Cooke

Fri 6th Jan 2017 08:54

Hi Paul, my mother has that picture up in her kitchen and it reminded me of myself in old photos, although that kid would be a few years older than me. I was born in in 1953. Anyway, I posted it as a taster from my next book After Hours out in April from Cultured Llama.

Profile image

Stuart Bright

Wed 4th Jan 2017 12:04

Hi Paul, firstly thankyou for your kind comments on 'the little voice', ive never had the nerve to let others read my writing and positive feedback is very rewarding! I have read some of your work and particularly enjoyed 'nostalgia' I like being able to see different perspectives from seemingly innoccuos objects. I think you might enjoy my poem 'ink' as I feel there are some similarities.

All the best

Profile image

David Cooke

Tue 3rd Jan 2017 18:31

Thanks again for encouraging comment Paul. 'Last Orders' is one of a group of poems which will be in my new collection After Hours to be published next April by Cultured Llama.

Profile image

Cynthia Buell Thomas

Tue 3rd Jan 2017 17:39

Welcome to WOL. Paul. I've not been much on line these past weeks, but will certainly follow up on your work already posted.

Profile image

Graham Sherwood

Sun 1st Jan 2017 17:09

Hello Paul,
Thank you for your kind comments on I'd.
A small observation about the fact that none know us better than ourselves.

Profile image

David Cooke

Sun 1st Jan 2017 11:14

Hi Paul, yes Art was, sadly, a junky for many years and also got dragged into armed robbery, but he did straighten himself out and had a great comeback later in life.

Profile image

lynn hahn

Sat 31st Dec 2016 01:43

What a life you have had! An artist, a salesman and now a gift to those of us that think too much lol Glad you are back writing I enjoy your work.

Profile image

David Cooke

Fri 30th Dec 2016 08:30

Hi Paul Thanks for kind comment re my poems. You might like to check out the poetry journal I co-edit called The High Window. Here's a link:
https://thehighwindowpress.com/
David

Profile image

David Cooke

Wed 28th Dec 2016 22:34

Hi Paul Thanks for comms on my photo girl. David

Profile image

Paul Waring

Sun 25th Dec 2016 13:49

Hi again Andy. I've just read your post here. I am so grateful that you have taken the time to write. You have made me think....maybe writing lyrics has helped with writing poetry, especially in terms of rhythm and, yes, music can be an inspiration to write.

It seems strange that, although I've had research published (and football articles), I did not feel my poetry skills were honed enough to seek publication. But, after just a few days on WoL, I feel very inspired and encouraged by the feedback from yourself and a few others. It's a great community to be part of.

Thanks again, and good luck to you, too. Yes, it really would be good to meet up at some point in future.

Finally, very best wishes if you celebrate Christmas. My partner and I are strict bah-humbuggers! Paul

Profile image

AM Cash

Thu 22nd Dec 2016 10:52

Hi Paul, A similar story here from me on poetry, thought different life. I think life have given me the experiences to now go out there and express my views. I sense the same spirit. I really like your style writing too.

My poems often come from listening to music first, I wonder if your work still has that underlying backing sounds from your early years.

Good luck and hopefully we will bump into each other in the real world and not just the virtual.
Andy M Cash

View all comments

If you wish to post a comment you must login.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Find out more Hide this message