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M.C. Newberry

Fri 29th Sep 2023 00:36

These lines manage to capture the void left by a senseless act
that would have horrified Gerald Manley Hopkins. For my own
part, I recall the words of WB Yeats from "The Second Coming"
(from memory which might err) -
What rough beast, its time come round at last
Lurches towards Bethlehem to be born.

Comment is about Sycamore Gap (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

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Hélène

Thu 28th Sep 2023 21:09

Totally cool poem, Mike. Loved it (enriched by Russell's comment as well)

Comment is about Burying the Dragonfly (blog)

Original item by Mike McPeek

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Hélène

Thu 28th Sep 2023 21:05

Blessings on your birthday, Nadia. Keep writing!

Comment is about 21st birthday (blog)

Original item by Nadia Coia

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Hélène

Thu 28th Sep 2023 20:59

Good poem, Jaya! I agree...wisdom of the body. I really enjoyed reading this.

Comment is about smaller (blog)

Original item by Jaya Papaya

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Hélène

Thu 28th Sep 2023 20:57

Really lovely! Love the lines "I can see her as sharp as a pin, I know she must be looking in." Superb poem, Ray.

Comment is about MY MUMMY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

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Isobel

Thu 28th Sep 2023 20:03

Thanks Chris.

Yes we've been well and truly shafted by this government. I might have considered retiring now if they hadn't ruined the economy and decimated everyone's pension pots.

On a happier note, it's lovelt to hear from you. I hope you and yours are well. Give my love to John. It would be good to see you around some time.

X

Comment is about Despair on fiscal policy (blog)

Original item by Isobel

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Ferris Ty Taylor

Thu 28th Sep 2023 18:23

Reads like Blake!

Comment is about Sycamore Gap (blog)

Original item by Stephen W Atkinson

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Manish Singh Rajput

Thu 28th Sep 2023 17:52

I loved this poem. So beautifully written with great imagery.
Thank you.

Comment is about The Hidden Essence (blog)

Original item by Dalia Sophia Jayes

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Manish Singh Rajput

Thu 28th Sep 2023 17:49

A lovely poem, Hélèna!

Comment is about Meditations on Love (blog)

Original item by Hélène

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Hélène

Thu 28th Sep 2023 16:57

Beautiful, Dalia, and illuminating. Loved it!

Comment is about The Hidden Essence (blog)

Original item by Dalia Sophia Jayes

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Graham Sherwood

Thu 28th Sep 2023 16:54

Very timely Ray! I still use a written diary and have only just (yesterday) transferred all my birthday and significant dates into it, including my father's and mothers birthdates and deaths. For personal consumption only!

Comment is about MY MUMMY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

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Hélène

Thu 28th Sep 2023 16:50

Wow, this is a powerful poem, Manish. I read it with an eager heart. Awesome!

Comment is about Eager Eyes and a Curious Mind (blog)

Original item by Manish Singh Rajput

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Manish Singh Rajput

Thu 28th Sep 2023 15:10

Thank you MC and Telboy for your comments.
Telboy, this isn't in reference to any caste system.

Comment is about Eager Eyes and a Curious Mind (blog)

Original item by Manish Singh Rajput

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Telboy

Thu 28th Sep 2023 14:58

Perhaps this references the caste system?

Comment is about Eager Eyes and a Curious Mind (blog)

Original item by Manish Singh Rajput

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M.C. Newberry

Thu 28th Sep 2023 14:52

This makes one think of how many creative conscientious folk
can be lost in the vast numbers of those vying for too few jobs
and opportunities.

Comment is about Eager Eyes and a Curious Mind (blog)

Original item by Manish Singh Rajput

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M.C. Newberry

Thu 28th Sep 2023 14:48

Albert Pierrepoint was expert and concientious at his job. I recall
he was the official hangman for the Nuremburg Nazi war crime
trials.. Certainly, no one came back to complain.

Comment is about PIERREPOINT (blog)

Original item by Telboy

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Stephen Gospage

Thu 28th Sep 2023 14:04

A fine, raw poem, John.

Comment is about AN OPAL LUMINOSITY (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

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Stephen Gospage

Thu 28th Sep 2023 13:40

Thank you, John.

Comment is about Young Man, Dancing (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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chris yates

Thu 28th Sep 2023 12:02

So sad to hear about Paul he was a giant among the poets and so kind to us up coming poets he had time for everyone who ever you were he will be sadly missed he was a genuine lover of life.

Comment is about Poets pay tribute to Paul Blackburn - a founding father of Write Out Loud - after sudden death at festival (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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chris yates

Thu 28th Sep 2023 11:23

Lovely pissy poem so apt after all the shit running down our rivers into the sea while the fat cats lick the cream

Comment is about Despair on fiscal policy (blog)

Original item by Isobel

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Russell Jacklin

Thu 28th Sep 2023 07:55

The loss of something so beautiful is a metaphor for the many times we will lose things in life, our youth, our relationships, and our loved ones. This a beautifully crafted poem which opens the mind to other scenarios.

Comment is about Burying the Dragonfly (blog)

Original item by Mike McPeek

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Russell Jacklin

Thu 28th Sep 2023 07:49

The innocence of lost youth? Powerful.

Comment is about Inner Child (blog)

Original item by Yasoda

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Manish Singh Rajput

Thu 28th Sep 2023 06:05

Superb at imagery and beautifully written. You are a star sir!✨

Comment is about Viva La Vida (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Niall Bradley

Wed 27th Sep 2023 23:30

Such sad news. Thank you Julian, you rolled back the years to the Old Man and Scythe, to the Sweet Green and to the Howecroft. Paul was ever present and ever fun. He will be truly missed.

Comment is about ‘A huge contribution to Write Out Loud’: Julian Jordon recalls the generosity, enthusiasm and knowledge of Paul Blackburn (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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Telboy

Wed 27th Sep 2023 21:58

Yes, those Russians have a lot to answer for.

Comment is about Her Final Solution (blog)

Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

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John Botterill

Wed 27th Sep 2023 20:38

I really enjoyed this, Stephen. I love the wry sarcasm and the cynical tone. It did me good
Pressing kisses against the reinforced glass
It describes the world we live in!

Comment is about Young Man, Dancing (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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Julia Deakin

Wed 27th Sep 2023 19:31

Very sorry to hear of your personal loss, and the poetry world's.
I met Paul a few times and know what a difference he made to poetry events.

Comment is about ‘A huge contribution to Write Out Loud’: Julian Jordon recalls the generosity, enthusiasm and knowledge of Paul Blackburn (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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Isobel

Wed 27th Sep 2023 17:53

You've said it all Julian. I can imagine how hard this must be for you and all the original team. How do you sum up the nature of a person in a few words?

It's a lovely tribute that you've written though x

Comment is about ‘A huge contribution to Write Out Loud’: Julian Jordon recalls the generosity, enthusiasm and knowledge of Paul Blackburn (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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Isobel

Wed 27th Sep 2023 17:46

This is such sad news. I feel like I'm repeating myself because I've commented on a number of threads about this loss, but it takes some time to process that it's actually happened. I also think the magnitude of our loss needs to be acknowledged. Paul was so well loved in the poetry scene and so active and supportive of everyone.

I have very warm memories of Paul. Can remember once jumping off a commuter train to Manchester to throw my arms round him in Bolton and then jump back on the train. He was very bemused by it... I probably ticked him off a bit in my early days on WOL but he forgave me for it...I hope..

Comment is about Poets pay tribute to Paul Blackburn - a founding father of Write Out Loud - after sudden death at festival (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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John Coopey

Wed 27th Sep 2023 16:52

Thankyou, Stephen. Funnily enough, I do have a Dave Clark Five parody about the Salisbury Novichok murders entitled “Vlad All Over”.
https://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=76910
And thanks for the Like John G.

Comment is about ACHING ALL OVER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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M.C. Newberry

Wed 27th Sep 2023 14:19

That's a thought, JC. I used the simpler arrangement to place
the lyric in the foreground rather than let it be submerged in what is a pretty "heavy" instrumental setting.

Comment is about CHRISTMAS SNOW-ORCHESTRAL (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

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M.C. Newberry

Wed 27th Sep 2023 14:11

This brought back a visit to that part of the Riviera back in the
1960s. A motor caravan holiday when I was young. Happy days,
not least the memory of the warmth of the sea!

Comment is about Viva La Vida (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

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Stephen Gospage

Wed 27th Sep 2023 13:49

I love the idea of 'used tourists', John. A nice reversal.

Comment is about Viva La Vida (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

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Manish Singh Rajput

Wed 27th Sep 2023 13:46

Thanks a lot, my friend. Means a lot to me.😊

Comment is about Greed (blog)

Original item by Manish Singh Rajput

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Stephen Gospage

Wed 27th Sep 2023 13:39

Very concise and perceptive, Uilleam.

Comment is about Her Final Solution (blog)

Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

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Stephen Gospage

Wed 27th Sep 2023 13:33

Well done, John. For a moment, I thought it would be to the tune of 'Glad All Over by the Dave Clark Five.
Fortunately not!

Comment is about ACHING ALL OVER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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John Botterill

Wed 27th Sep 2023 13:24

Thanks so much everyone for your lovely insightful and Inspiring comments 😄

Comment is about Broken Biscuit Company (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

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John Botterill

Wed 27th Sep 2023 13:21

I love the intricate depiction of nature, Manish and the way it mirrors human nature. Bravo! Great!

Comment is about Greed (blog)

Original item by Manish Singh Rajput

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Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Wed 27th Sep 2023 11:39

Glad to have met you Paul; thanks for everything.

Comment is about Poets pay tribute to Paul Blackburn - a founding father of Write Out Loud - after sudden death at festival (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Wed 27th Sep 2023 11:36

Prophets; frequently unwelcome in their own countries.

Comment is about Libyan poet who wrote warning poem died days later in floods (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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Freda Davis

Wed 27th Sep 2023 09:45

So sad to hear Paul has died. It's good to know he had a great last evening with friends at what sounds like an amazing gig.
We should recognise the enormous contribution of Write Out Loud to the Northern poetry scene in promoting so many open mics around Lancashire and into Yorkshire.
I remember him at Hebden Bridge and always at Marsden. Always with a smile and a joke in his readings.

Comment is about Poets pay tribute to Paul Blackburn - a founding father of Write Out Loud - after sudden death at festival (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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John Coopey

Tue 26th Sep 2023 22:52

Nice arrangement, MC. Might I suggest a fusion of this orchestral backing with the original vocal.

Comment is about CHRISTMAS SNOW-ORCHESTRAL (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

THOMAS MCNEENEY

Tue 26th Sep 2023 20:49

I am a Senior person who had never ever been to a poetry event before going to Genesis on September 7th.

Dear Reader, it was just plain fantastic. The audience whooped and hollered for the whole evening, with good reason, and my hands were sore with clapping. I'll be going again. Tom McN

Review is about Genesis Poetry Slam on 7 Sep 2023 (event)

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Stephen Gospage

Tue 26th Sep 2023 18:14

Very kind of you to say so, Graham. I appreciate it.

Thank you, Hélène. Some of the inspiration came from one of Alan Bennett's 'Talking Heads' plays (not sure if you are familiar with these) entitled 'A bed among the lentils' , in which an ambitious vicar receives the bishop for lunch.
There are also the assorted ideas of the celebrity press round and meaningless interviews, the book plug (probably too late here!) and the rather controlling, bureaucratic nature of some religions.
The Young Man can be read in many ways but yours is completely valid.
Thanks again for the interest.

And thanks to Nigel, Ferris, Manish and John for liking.

Comment is about Young Man, Dancing (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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John Coopey

Tue 26th Sep 2023 17:45

At my “best”, MC, I could do the strength and suppleness poses but could never do the balance ones.

Comment is about ACHING ALL OVER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Manish Singh Rajput

Tue 26th Sep 2023 17:39

Beautiful. Reminded me of my school days and teachers.
Thank you

Comment is about Happiness by a primary school child (blog)

Original item by hugh

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Manish Singh Rajput

Tue 26th Sep 2023 17:37

Love this poem, Helena! A masterpiece!

Comment is about Rhythm of the Day (blog)

Original item by Hélène

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Manish Singh Rajput

Tue 26th Sep 2023 17:34

Exactly what I wanted to express through this poem, M.C. On point!
Thank you.

Comment is about Greed (blog)

Original item by Manish Singh Rajput

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Kevin Vose

Tue 26th Sep 2023 17:09

I enjoyed those poems.

Comment is about Stephen Gospage (poet profile)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

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John Gilbert Ellis

Tue 26th Sep 2023 16:39

The importance of chatting to the old. Fab stuff!

Comment is about Happiness by a primary school child (blog)

Original item by hugh

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