Congratulations on telling this story so well, and maintaining the rhyme and rhythm so successfully over such a long poem. Bringing tales like this to life is one of the functions of poetry, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

Comment is about Albert Edward Burrows (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

Every parents nightmare lol

Comment is about The new boyfriend! (blog)

Original item by hugh

I'm sorta known
For ruining verse
Of other poets
(What a curse)

See, Randy while
Serious they be
I interfere
With commentary

Just like I
Am doing now ?

Comment is about Twenty Ways to Ruin a Poem (blog)

Original item by Randy Horton

DOUBLE HEADER AT NOVEMBER WRITE ANGLE

John Davies, Shedman, invited James Brookes to share the stage with him at the November gig – two headliners with strongly contrasted styles. However, both James and John’s contributions to this Write Angle were suffused with their own brand of humour.

John’s work has been described as “mingling wry humour with sharp focus that will leave you wondering and questioning what really matters.” For him, it’s relationships, environment, people, animals and, of course, sheds!

So, Maximum Shed is most certainly about a shed, “somewhere to carve your name with pride - and enjoy a sneaky smoke. Or as he puts it, ‘a word of advice from me and the shed,... put a sign up: Women! Keep Out!” Yet the whole poem is redolent of friendship with his “old mate” and their shared experiences. Glove Compartment described life as constrained in cubicles, cars and bed; and in the smallest room, he thinks: ”...how pretty much all life ends up in some kind of box.” Then pure fantasy, A Gannet Discusses The View, a poem first recited in Ganesch (honestly!), then translated to English.

John is writing an alphabet of shed poems, starting with S for Shed - 'the only one written so far!' he says with a wry smile. This shed is full of the detritus of gardening but “The workbench has seen no work for years.” John wrote Two in One in response to a woman asking for a poem for her secret love. He describes a mundane space in which her lover becomes a different man, “where our obsessions culminated in bliss.” Whatever the poem and its subject, John always wears a charming, infectious smile that speaks of humour, but also a sense that he enjoys everything about the poem and performing it.

James’ work has been said to advance “a lyrical, frank and unsparing consideration of the England in which we find ourselves.” However, this reviewer found his poems to show a real affecton for where we’ve come from.

In Bloomery, he recounts the history of iron smelting in the Weald – the bloom being the orange flames from the furnaces fuelled by wood. Yet, “..by the time Blake pens Jerusalem, the view….is a green and pleasant land, iron work having migrated to the coke-fuelled Midlands.” Birthday Party, East Cicero, 1926 told how Fats Waller was kidnapped frighteningly at gun point and became “the surprise guest and the birthday boy’s face had a scar.” Pharisees was the Sussex way of saying fairies, since the dialect included reduplicated plurals (!) And, if it wasn't for that peculiar disease, The English Sweats, we might have had a King Arthur, but got HenryVIII instead.

Much of James' humour is straight-faced, relying on the sound and meaning of words, juxtaposing the past with the present and comes through very cleverly done!

Meanwhile, at the open mic, Ray Vogt rose to the challenge of a 'shed' poem, first reciting the lyrics of Garden Shed Blues, and then singing it as a song accompanied on his shiny steel, resonator guitar. Ray turned his shed with its ordinary gardening stuff into a rip-roaring hillbilly blues. In the Secret Of a Good Marriage, Leah told us to “shed expectations you carried in your head.” While your reviewer's Secret Of a Good Marriage was that “Every man should have a shed...for a safe and private place.” He also told about his failure as a carpenter in The Shed, describing how he built a chicken shed which “had four walls – only they didn’t meet.”

In MRI, Colin Eveleigh found the humour in a recently experienced, normally alarming, medical procedure. This was followed by Red Dot, about the angst of whether his ceramic work is sold – it was. Then his evocative Stillness: “Without words, without thoughts, ideas, images, without labels, names, beliefs.....”

Richard Hawtree's succinct look at war, Of Course, told of the assurance the chauffeur gave to those off to fight: “'You'll be all right, sir,' he said to officers in the Great War who of course, weren't- ” Just to add, Richard’s debut book of poetry, ‘The Night I spoke Irish in Surrey’ will be coming out in January.

Dick Senior's Vanity's Bonfire spoke of “The sun has just had enough” of all the politicians – a humorous take on those who misrule us. He took Audi Maserati's When Clancy Watched the Pub Burn Down, adding his own sixteen year old experience of the same pub in Cornwall ten years earlier, with “...all those flowing hormones.” Denys Whitley's Rainbow at Dungeon Ghyll took us to the other end of the country, on an autumnal walk in the rain in the Lake District: “A red stone path, thin-sheeted with chrystal overflow from the red tarn, staining it all year with rust as if preparing for this season when the colours match...”

Jezz, in sunglasses, gentle voice and total confidence on guitar, and Jack, his accordian and box drum accompanist, provided rousing versions of Recovering the Satellites and Cadillac Dream, ending another warm succesful evening. Colin, second month running, won the raffle, an £80 meal voucher from sponsor, Cote, Chichesters fine French restaurant.

We hope you’ll join us in December.. Jackie Juno’s a funny funny lady who’s won lots of poetry awards as well as being a comic/poet. Wait for Press Release! You won’t want to miss our ‘Christmas Special’!

Review is about WRITE ANGLE POETRY & MUSIC +OPEN MIC on 20 Nov 2018 (event)

Congratulations

Keith

Comment is about Our Poem of the Week is ‘Scooter Club and the Lost Boys’ by Beno (article)

Original item by steve pottinger

MC.,

Thank you for your comments and observations which I am in full agreement with. Wilde was his own worst enemy but still a victim whereas Whitman was someone who astonishes me in that he did not meet the same fate as Wilde. Two very different people in different parts of the world. Whitman comes across as man with a sense of humility and duty which Wilde did not possess.

Thank you again,

Keith

Comment is about A History of Gay Poetry, 2: Two Giants (article)

Original item by Mike Took

Thought provoking Don, so for me not too much of a departure from your usual style. Enjoyed it.

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Thank you so much, Sal! That is quite a compliment! I appreciate your careful reading of this piece.

Comment is about mothers (blog)

Original item by ha'azinu

Thank you, Taylor! Just like all humans, they have the capacity to harm and the capacity to heal. Thanks!

Comment is about mothers (blog)

Original item by ha'azinu

Like it Hugh?

Comment is about The new boyfriend! (blog)

Original item by hugh

Well deserved Beno...congratulations..?

Comment is about Our Poem of the Week is ‘Scooter Club and the Lost Boys’ by Beno (article)

Original item by steve pottinger

Taylor, Don and Martin - thank you. Enough dead bodies! Ill try to be more cheerful for the coming season.

Comment is about One Bright Day (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Martin, Hannah, Ray and Po-thank you so much for the lovely comments.

Comment is about Life before death? 1 and 2 (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

thank you

Comment is about Khaled Selem (poet profile)

Original item by Khaled Selem

It never ceases to amaze me what simple and wonderful experiences lead to the creation of lovely art and this is no exception
Nice one Hazel

Comment is about One Bright Day (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

There is something deeply satisfying about burning garden rubbish and waste. It bit like a bonfire on bonfire night used to be like. I even like the residual smell of smoke that hangs on my clothes.Or maybe its just me.
Anyway marvellous poem Ray

Comment is about THE INCINERATOR, ON A LATE NOVEMBER DAY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

An intriguing glimpse of "what might have been" in these lines, prompting the thought that similar situations, conversations and
silent thinking must happen all over the place.

Comment is about American Life in Poetry: The Girl From Panama (article)

Original item by Mike Took

Certainly, Whitman was ahead of his time in many respects - and it
is extraordinary, considering the prevailing social attitudes, that his
writing succeeded as well and as widely as it did. His poem about
Lincoln - "O Captain, my captain...." has achieved its own fame, even
quoted in the Robin Williams' film "Dead Poets Society". His
Civil War experiences nursing the sick and wounded, provide a
humane insight into the suffering he found and the identification he
felt towards the sufferers of that monumental conflict when medical
science had barely progressed past sawing off a limb without
anaesthetic.
Wilde is too well-known to offer much in terms of his place in the
literary world. His famous aphorisms can fill a book of their own.
Like R.L Stevenson, he had a talent for writing for the young, but
unlike the writer of classics like Dr Jeykll and Mr Hyde and Treasure island, he put his skills towards socially acceptable
witty stage plays. For an intelligent and perceptive personality. it
does seem that his ego exceeded his sense of self-preservation
and brought about his unnecessary downfall. He was careless giving
testimony, when ill-advisedly suing Lord Queensbury for libel, by
dismissing an association with a particular youth because he
considered him ugly. Wilde was his own worst enemy in his
disregard for the values and opinions of others which in his plays
might be effective but in real life was a disastrous mistake. The
price he paid was horrendous, both in matters of position, health
and personal life - feeling obliged to leave the country for the more
liberal social attitudes of France, leaving behind his wife and two
children. His income also suffered accordingly and his
relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas ("Bosie - who lived for many
years beyond Wilde's own premature death) continued to some
extent but was due, ultimately, to fail. It might be said that Wilde
was a victim - but as much of his own vanity and lack of self-preservation as of the Victorian socio/sexual attitudes that he
lived with, knew about and profited by in his play-writing pomp.
His life and downfall have featured in a number of films, the latest
being Rupert Everett's "The Happy Prince"...clearly using retro-
thinking for portraying Wilde as more of a victim that he otherwise
might have been had he adopted some common sense in his
biggest decisions in his life.

Comment is about A History of Gay Poetry, 2: Two Giants (article)

Original item by Mike Took

I love this, Sarah. Wonderful

Comment is about eric (blog)

Original item by Sarah Mae

When humanity was conceived it was blessed with intelligence and awareness but cursed with aggression and ignorance. The age-old
conflict within ourselves goes on - and the lands that support
humanity struggle to survive let alone prosper. We live in hope yet
die in despair. And so it goes on while those blessed look towards
those cursed and do the best they can to make a difference.

Comment is about Show me the country ... (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

If you need to delay further arousin'
There's Schoenberg and Stockhausen!!

Comment is about MAGIC MOMENTS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Provocative - but that could be the unspoken intent. We could be
in danger of reading too much into it regarding the subject matter or
the source. Typecast is a word used in showbiz to place certain
performers into certain categories.for employment/entertainment
purposes. Perhaps poetry has its own sort of typecasting? ?

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Nice rhyme to the sample.?

Comment is about Ikeem Rand (poet profile)

Original item by Ikeem Rand

?

Comment is about Paul Brookes (poet profile)

Original item by Paul Brookes

I like the careful intricacies of this piece. Such fragile imagery requires the reader to tread carefully for fear of trampling over a word or two and misreading any part of this gem.?

Comment is about mothers (blog)

Original item by ha'azinu

Nicely done on the alliteration for your sample.?

Comment is about Tony Hargreaves (poet profile)

Original item by Tony Hargreaves

If depression is anything like the trauma following an accident or specific negative event, then talking about it helps to "talk the trauma away". I agree there should be some sort of balance though.

We all need a shoulder to cry on sometimes but similarly we also need someone to help lift us up again after we have fallen.

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Don,

This poem says what many often feel yet do not acknowledge. Those who are well intentioned and more vulnerable are those who find themselves in such a place. A poem which asks a big question.

Thank you for this

Keith

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Brian - it would seem to me I am simply asking questions of an individual. If the answer is yes to each I draw the conclusion

'If so you're in a tightly wound, very dark place'

I am simply asking questions and drawing conclusions. Nothing to do with me personally.

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Hope it arrives. I'm sure you'll enjoy it, MC.

Comment is about Poems for the NHS: ed. Matt Barnard, Onslaught Press (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Great, Don.

Let's hope we can all be vulnerable and trusting for at least some times in our lives.

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Don - I can't help but think you're playing devil's advocate here.

I often read that it helps those who suffer from depression to write about it. I don't really get this. Surely it would help more to write about happy, light, optimistic subjects.

Take me - I am a happy person...if I write about happy subjects does it make me less happy? No. If I write about unhappy things would it make me happy or sad? Sad probably. And I'd probably sink a bit deeper with every dark piece I wrote.

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Yes Kate this is way off-range for me. Many of my ideas come from articles in the paper. Can't remember where it came from . Maybe it didn't? Maybe it originated in my mind...?

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Fantastic Ray. Humourous yet nostalgic.as a music lover I can relate.

Comment is about MAGIC MOMENTS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Astounding. I felt every word. Thanks Sarah.

Comment is about eric (blog)

Original item by Sarah Mae

This is a different feel for you Don. Really liked it.

Comment is about Are You in a Dark Mindset ? (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Hi Keith, thank you for your comments. I’m glad you found the poem intriguing much appreciated. Thank you Anya, Taylor and ha’azinu got the likes much appreciated.



All the best des

Comment is about Cleave (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

People only see a face then make judgements on that. Ever been in a crowd to be either lonely or life and soul of the party?, are we all faking it really? Thanks again Po

Comment is about Normal/Insanity (blog)

Original item by PatricioLG

Cheers Don, I appreciate that word- probably more than you think.

Cheers
Tommy

Comment is about So where is she? (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

So good dk

'victim to the law of gravity' - favourite line ?

Comment is about Avalanche Of Leaves (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Interesting ?

Comment is about So where is she? (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

I like this ?

Comment is about Grand designs (blog)

Original item by Megan Jones

If I could separate the poetry from the philosophical meanings behind it all, I'd be closer to an emulsion in a puddle of water than a man. Too many threads to pull without having to worry about what we tear in the process.

I like the cycle of this, John. Almost a futility to it all when taken at once. You have inspired me to try my hand at regular ol' poetry again (that is to say without 1,000,000 rhymes within them).

You know, I hadn't written a regular poem for almost 5 years? It felt good again to try my hand at something I had not done in so long.

I only hope to emulate the spirit of greatness, and this, as with all your work, takes the cake.

Cheers my friend.?

Comment is about Poetry and Philosophy (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Thank you all for reading and commenting.

Comment is about Hero (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Thanks you Hannah. I don't know why I thought of this at all; it was based on a trip to the Cotswolds a few years ago. A young Japanese couple took a picture of my wife and I with my German camera, truly a global event. Please get a couple of pots of lavender for your front of house. So beautiful and easy to grow.

Ray

Comment is about LAVENDER FIELDS FOREVER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Many thanks Beno for reading and enjoying. This was written on the same day, so it was fresh. I've got a couple of compost bins made up from planks; and I enjoy adding to them and digging them over - much wildlife. It's all just mucking about really!

Hannah, so pleased you came on with your ever descriptive thoughts !

Ray

Comment is about THE INCINERATOR, ON A LATE NOVEMBER DAY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Insightful, beautifully expressed.

Hannah

Comment is about Perplexity (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Late November ritual.
In touch with the season, the earth.

Hannah

Comment is about THE INCINERATOR, ON A LATE NOVEMBER DAY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Lavender is unique.
It is beautiful.
Enjoyed this very much.

Hannah

Comment is about LAVENDER FIELDS FOREVER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Nice..?

Comment is about A free drink day! (blog)

Original item by hugh