I threw in a note in my sophomore anthology, "Pressed Flowers", recommending for people to donate to Write Out Loud because of how effective it and word-of-mouth are for aspiring poets and writers in general. You know how rare it is to find a free poetry blogging site/community that actually improves itself and functions without acting as an intermediary for other organizations? This is a small gem in a big pond, but very much worth the effort for anyone interested in poetry.

I'll throw a donation to the site when I next get paid. Consider it a Christmas gift from Big Sal to WOL.

XOXO??

Comment is about A Christmas message, and an appeal (article)

Thank you Hannah

Comment is about Ugly beauty (blog)

Original item by Vinod K A

Thank you all for the wonderful feedback

Comment is about December 21st (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Rich in beauty and sentiment. Congratulations.
Keith

Comment is about Our Poem of the Week is ‘Sunflower’ by Alexandra Rockwell Lorenz (article)

Original item by steve pottinger

To you in far Ukraine
May you replace loss with gain;
Let your spirits rise to meet the sky
And see His love return to hear your cry
Merry Christmas!

Comment is about Merry Christmas! (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Hi Avishek
Your poem describes exactly the way I feel about writing.
The style will change over time, but as long as you are happy with what you have put across (at that particular time) that's ok.
At least that's the way I see it.
Who knows

Comment is about Review (blog)

Original item by AVISHEK GHOSH

In these fragile days, I'm surprised some jobsworth hasn't started
banging on about "elf and safety" when the subject of Santa and
his stress-laden activities comes up!!

Comment is about It's the Day Before Christmas (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Thank you, Vinod

Comment is about A chariot bringing good news (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

Clever wording...excellent.

Comment is about 'ALLO 'ALLO (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

What exactly is a "Tick Box"??

Comment is about Don Matthews (poet profile)

Original item by Don Matthews

wonderful images.....

congrats...

Comment is about A chariot bringing good news (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

and her flower
eclipsed my face.....

wonderful........

Comment is about Our Poem of the Week is ‘Sunflower’ by Alexandra Rockwell Lorenz (article)

Original item by steve pottinger

Happy holidays to you and yours as well, John. Hope the New Year is a better one.

Be well.?

Comment is about John E Marks (poet profile)

Original item by John E Marks

Thank you, Big Sal. I hadn't thought of it like that. ?

Comment is about A chariot bringing good news (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

But you didn't Kage...you defied her!

Nice ditty!

Comment is about The Last Words My Granny Said To Me (blog)

Original item by kJ Walker

Beautiful.

Comment is about Our Poem of the Week is ‘Sunflower’ by Alexandra Rockwell Lorenz (article)

Original item by steve pottinger

I missed this one, so I'm very glad to have a second chance.
Outstanding work.
Congratulations.
Beno.

Comment is about Our Poem of the Week is ‘Sunflower’ by Alexandra Rockwell Lorenz (article)

Original item by steve pottinger

I've done my logging in (tick box)
But don't know what to post (tick box)
This shows dk I'm very dumb
How 'bout I like my sox? ?

Comment is about Posting A Comment (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Santa a myth?...I always thought he was a mythter. (NY Resolution - get teeth fixed)

Comment is about It's the Day Before Christmas (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Ray,

I really enjoyed this poem, thanks for posting.
Great description of the winter solstice. It's so beautifully put, and gorgeously sentimental. I loved it. I loved the image of the hound sniffing the leaves of fallen years towards the end. After a few reads it got me thinking (I should have probably just read it once ?)
It got me thinking that the poem could also be describing someone older in years, maybe coming to the end of their lives, looking back a recalling all the events that have passed.
I often hear people saying "where have all the years gone" (how it's flown in the reading). They often seem a little mournful while saying it, like they rue not quite seizing every moment (mourn for the light half blinded while waiting for inky night). Sometimes I feel there fearful of the brevity of what remains and life in general (fear in the shortness of it, like dying breath on lips that talk of its passing away). It was just me thinking....
I too like the ending very much.
Sorry for over analysing this.I know I waffle on sometimes, but it's only coz I enjoy your poems so much. ?
Hope you have a lovely Christmas.
Beno.

Comment is about THE SHORTEST DAY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

The good folk of this country celebrated at this time of year long before we had Christianity forced upon us. Indeed most of our traditional rituals are more Pagan than Christian.
I'm a nonbeliever, but I'll celebrate just like everybody else.

Comment is about Advice for Nonbelievers (blog)

Original item by Randy Horton

Morning Ray (of early sunlight).

It has been such a pleasure to have received your attention to my work over the last few months.I am incredibly impressed by the overall volume of reading you must get through each week and the enormous ability you have to vocalise quite complex offerings. One of the highlights of next year for me will be reading more of the same. All best wishes for Christmas and a poetic New Year.

PeterT

Comment is about AFTERWARDS (blog)

Original item by Peter Taylor

Very nice poetry. Really like the way it is told

Comment is about Wasted (blog)

Original item by Reggie

Seasons Greetings Hugh..thank you for continuing to read my poetry. Taylor x

Comment is about hugh (poet profile)

Original item by hugh

Have you ever heard of a 'mind rhyme', Ray? Well every other line on this piece reminded me of a metaphysical rhyme, in that it did not necessarily rhyme - but the ideas were so cogently conveyed it was hard not to appreciate them.

Enjoy the holidays, Ray, and here's to another year of your writing blessing the net.?

Comment is about THE SHORTEST DAY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I can tell a great poem by reading it backwards and having it just as beautifully written as when read normally.

Well done buddy.?

Comment is about A chariot bringing good news (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

Hahaha. Thanks for those brilliant additions.

Comment is about Advice for Nonbelievers (blog)

Original item by Randy Horton

Great, well I do have a track on the same CD ‘I only work for the council’ with me trying my best at a cockney accent that I’fink you’ll like. I will post it in a cock linnet

Comment is about ‘At Christmas time with bells on’ AUDIO (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

I logged in, but I have no comment!.....

Comment is about Posting A Comment (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Thank you, Hannah

Comment is about A chariot bringing good news (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

Thanks David, so pleasing that you have read through this. That last line gave me a puzzle how to express it - is it grammatical? As long as it makes sense! Events like Lockerbie live on - turning days into a living night. I went through the rail station once and that in itself was poignant.

Mark, many thanks - I'm glad you thought the reading justified the poem.

Ray

Comment is about THE SHORTEST DAY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

From the first line onwards, gripping and beautiful.

Hannah

Comment is about A chariot bringing good news (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

Anyone who has owned a pet will understand this,
Beautiful.

Hannah

Comment is about Our Pets (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Very strong imagery.
A tragedy and then a return to normality.
A poem I will remember.

Hannah

Comment is about A Gap in a Curtain (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Love it, especially the magic private jet !
Merry Christmas.

Hannah

Comment is about Ho ho ho! (blog)

Original item by Jennifer Malden

Having commented via an initial reading of these lines, I have now
listened to RP's audio and it provides embellishment to the evocative
poetical imagery of the text. Quality stuff.

Comment is about THE SHORTEST DAY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I don't want to post a comment so I won't log in. Damn, I just have on both counts!

Going for a lie down. Have a good Christmas Knapey!

Comment is about Posting A Comment (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Just as having an affection and admiration for art
Doesn't require you to draw or paint to take part! ?

Comment is about Advice for Nonbelievers (blog)

Original item by Randy Horton

Fred - MANY thanks for this - reminding me of the sort of thing I
seem to recall from my childhood radio (out of "Music Hall"?)
entertainments. This is right up my Christmas street - even here
"dahn south"!!
Have a top Christmas - with or without the bells.

Comment is about ‘At Christmas time with bells on’ AUDIO (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Thanks Mark. Quite right... Enjoy the Xmas break.

Hannah, There is indeed a mystical element to all seasons and in the observation of them too. You of all poets would know that. Thanks for your support this year!

Brian, Jon Anya and Avishek, thank you all for the likes. Have nice Xmases.

Ray x

Comment is about THE SHORTEST DAY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

if you are standing naked when you perform
please do not perform
anymore.


Congratulations.

Comment is about The Write Out Loud Poem of the Week is ‘To Life (full colour version)’ by Rick (article)

Original item by steve pottinger

Yes maybe I need to rewrite that bit!

Comment is about Virus Alert! (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

We don't believe in God
and we don't give a sod
We won't take the path to Heaven
The path to the shops is the one we trod

Comment is about Advice for Nonbelievers (blog)

Original item by Randy Horton

Hi Thanks for the toughtful commentsonmy poem 'A Waldorf Salad'. Much appreciated.

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hi Ray glad you liked my Waldorf Salad poem. We'll soon be stablemates at D & W as it's in 'Reel to Reel' the book they are publishing for me in February. David

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

I can relate to this. Twin flames are supposes to teach each other and reunite when they have both worked on their own soul healing. An interesting concept... but it is true some people we are destined to meet and not forget and maybe theres a reason for that ....

Comment is about Connections (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

The most contagious decease!
Very nice.

Comment is about Virus Alert! (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

At times it really happens while writing, you seem to b spell bound and words just flow from somewhere. I liked your poems so much...please keep writing!!?

Comment is about My Muse (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

I like this website. Thank you. Last few lines are thought provoking but true. Everything happens for a reason n in its time.?

Comment is about Quill (blog)

Original item by Vautaw

So true!! Sometimes an unbreakable bond is woven around us, v keep discarding the thoughts not realising they are overpowering us. Strange connections which hurt n gv tremendous pain. Well written!!

Comment is about Connections (blog)

Original item by Vautaw