splendid article Keith and a real encouragement.
Cheers
Martin

Comment is about Poets: Voices of Prophecy and Custodians of Truth (article)

Original item by Mike Took

Thank you for this article Keith - good to see your name up here. I look forward to more. All the very best, Colin.

Comment is about Poets: Voices of Prophecy and Custodians of Truth (article)

Original item by Mike Took

Hi Suki,

I am glad to have noticed your latest comment, I might have otherwise not seen this gem.

"spiritualise your new eden.."

..followed by that final stanza--good heavens I'm breathless.

Take care, Suki--I always look forward to reading your posts.

Rachel

Comment is about Ascension To Prophecy (blog)

Original item by Suki Spangles

Thanks Keith for observational comments. The lady in question is my wife's friend of many years, her mother was in service - from humble beginnings the inflation began -there is a need for pretence ingrained. She has enough money to live the dream!

Brian, I checked out that track - what a genius. He was Undervalued at the time, but full of social gems. I love "back yard bacchanal." Cheers!

Thanks for all your likes, Col, Jon, Anya, Becky and Uncover.

Comment is about NAMEDROPPER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thank you, Jane.

Sorry I forgot to thank you, MC.

Comment is about So inattentive and so frail (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

Thank you, Jane. x

Comment is about I know (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

Thanks Big Sal. That's the thing isn't it? We have limited control over ageing but more choice about how we think about it. It can be really frustrating but we have to adapt and find different ways to make the most of life, otherwise we waste what time and capacity we do have left.

Comment is about Still 23 (blog)

Original item by Janey Colbourne

Thank you Keith and best wishes

Comment is about Still 23 (blog)

Original item by Janey Colbourne

Encouraging and optimistic...I love it❤

Comment is about I know (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

Your words ring true for many. A great poem!

Comment is about So inattentive and so frail (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

This poem is beautiful and heartbreaking. It makes me want to reach out and give you a hug. I hope I am not offending you! I don't want to believe that you are really alone. Perhaps you are like many who are victims of social media. Personally and I quote "Personally" I think Facebook is poison! It makes us feel that we are missing out on things when perhaps those who spend their days posting on FB are missing out. Keep writing...it heals the soul. Thank you and I apologize if I have said too much.?

Comment is about No Purpose (blog)

Original item by Mikey V Kinsey

I like the couplets of your sample - that is often the format I write in since it makes rhyming a lot easier. And like Anya said, welcome.?

Comment is about Mayah ROSE (poet profile)

Original item by Mayah ROSE

another piece of you given with open heart and compassion
thank you

Comment is about Wait for me (blog)

Original item by Nicola Byrnes

Thanks for liking Jon !


Glad you like it Jane, thanks.

Comment is about BYE BYE BLACKBIRD (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Hello Suki. Nice to meet you. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my poem. Your thoughts are appreciated!?

Comment is about Suki Spangles (poet profile)

Original item by Suki Spangles

wonderful stuff chris, 'a late moth blunders' is beautifully penned

Comment is about A Dark Night (blog)

Original item by Chris Armstrong

Excellent depiction. I enjoyed the read!

Comment is about A Dark Night (blog)

Original item by Chris Armstrong

Thank you for this excelleny journey of the Saharan Sands. A storm generated in the Sahara carries the sand up to quite an altitude and then progresses westwards, as you so rightly say. However, ´en route ´it deposits a considearble amount on the Canary Islands where I presently live. Locally it is known as a Calima of which there are several in any one year. A muggy yellow cloud causes temperatures to rise and many suffer as you have described. I never realised it managed to reach Texas. Glad to know that we do not suffer alone.
Thank you for this,
Keith

Comment is about Sahara Sand (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Those so besotted in the throes of their prose
Would dearly love to say go get knotted, (up your nose)
But rhymers like us would say with a cuss
Don't mess with us, prosers, 'cause we'll make a fuss

Now I'm not as skilled as the masterful MC
My verse is plain drab (which many tell me)
I'm no William Shakespeare, can't even spell write
Is it right that I'm wanting, dunno, maybe it's rite

See, I'm real hopeless, MC he's a'cringe
Why am I commenting, he'll think I'm unhinged
Perhaps I should go prose-like, I might have more luck
Bugga, just remembered I might get nose-stuck

D?

No offence intended MC or any attempt to 'undermine' your verse which I thought was clever and delightful. Thankyou for sharing it. I have this annoying habit of rhyming into action with the smallest of prompts....I call it minds intellectually bouncing around... (I'm surprised no-one else has commented. Prosers should be up in arms..)

Comment is about SNIFFY (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

A poem with profound meaning. Congratulations!

Comment is about BYE BYE BLACKBIRD (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Stop it now, elPintor. You’ll have the Poetry Police onto you. ?
Seanin - Not sure you saw this first time so I’ll post it again knowing that you’ll want to do something positive for kids with cancer. (I guess not, seeing as the total hasn’t moved). Anyone else with a good heart is welcome to do so, of course. I find doing something positive more constructive than bleating.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/john-coopey1

Comment is about UPSKIRTING (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Of course you don't have to read them. That way you never have to challenge your own racist assumptions. Many of them are now published by highly respected publishers (including Carcanet, Faber and Bloodaxe) since being mentored by this scheme. But heck don't let facts get in the way of a good prejudice.

Comment is about Addressing The Poetry Periphery (article)

Original item by Mike Took

I happen to recall a series of vile pornographic posts from a particular female blogger that garnered absolutely no negative feedback...

The sensibilities of the crowd certainly are fickle.

Comment is about UPSKIRTING (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Martin,
Thank you for your comment. The person in the poem is known to me personally but it makes me wonder how many other souls are in similar predicaments. Many blame her for not divorcing her husband but to have done so fifty years ago it would have seriously damaged her reputation and standing with her wider family. Therefore she suffers on.
Thank you again,
Keith

Comment is about Facing the Truth (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

A fine poem well delivered, all the better that it is based upon and actual person and events though sad that this has happened to this lady.
Nice one Keith

Comment is about Facing the Truth (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Matt, "Thank you" seems so frivolous in comparison to the comments you have written referencing "The Beach". But, nonetheless I do thank you. Your comments give me the courage to plow forward with my writings in the hope that someday I may have something published.

Comment is about Matt Tyldesley (poet profile)

Original item by Matt Tyldesley

No need to be defensive, Colin.
It is what it is.

Comment is about UPSKIRTING (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you for sharing your thoughts about "The Beach". I believe we all want to hold someone's hand, I know I do.

Comment is about Jon Stainsby (poet profile)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

Wise words indeed, elPintor. But too "grown-up" I fear for some of the company on here.
"You know what happens when you're offended?
Nothing.
Nothing happens".

You might like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceS_jkKjIgo

Comment is about UPSKIRTING (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Gosh Matt, this is so damn good...

D ?

Comment is about Deadly. Beautiful. (blog)

Original item by Matt Tyldesley

I've just come across you Matt. Another rhymer to enjoy. Your sample to me was clever. You intertwined clever rhyme with message. Something not easy to do when creating good rhyme.

Pleased to make your acquaintance

Don ?

Comment is about Matt Tyldesley (poet profile)

Original item by Matt Tyldesley

Thanks all for liking.

Jon

Comment is about Would or wouldn't? (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

Very frustrated. Thanks Brian.

Comment is about Would or wouldn't? (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

I've seen plenty of hate speech on this site. It seems that, maybe, WoL honors only the rules of state, in this respect. Furthermore, I don't recall seeing anyone else address the issue of "upskirting" on WoL.

To the WoL public...Self-censorship can turn into an endless loop and is truly mind-numbing when a writer encounters fear as to the reception of their output--take it or leave it or even argue but at the very least, take what a writer says as only an idea about what they are thinking...

How many directions can thoughts take? STOP BEING OFFENDED BY WOOOOORRRRDS! because this is an ongoing dialogue...

Comment is about UPSKIRTING (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

the period before my grandma died was the time i let her down?..i've never forgotten nor shed the guilt
your grandma was dearly loved...and she would be proud that you're strong.
Wonderful openness.

Comment is about Grandma (blog)

Original item by Mikey V Kinsey

?
?

Comment is about Dusk To Dawn (blog)

Original item by Ashley Jaimes

Profound poems/relative articles on environmental degradation, anything related to the Holocene extinction activity, even scientific and medical facts weaved into artistic poetry would be nice. Anything that breaks the mould would be a nice change to love ballads and one-liners. Oh, and maybe some stories related to long-gone poets that are relevant either through their words or actions in some way to things happening today. Just food for thought.

Comment is about Are You Content with Write Out Loud's Content? (article)

Original item by Mike Took

i have attended a number of poetry events, and registered the quite sparse audience but have never paid mind to it-too busy enjoying my own self to let it ring something..
Is poetry enough? to attract a good number of category number 2 to round a noticeable audience? Maybe not, as you have said. If we have them in mind, then we should offer alongside poetry what they could not so easily wave; perhaps add comedy or sale of small artful items-purses,customized diaries..., what would appeal to their non poetic selves to spare sometime to be invited into such event.
Accessibility is truely a very key factor.

Comment is about Competing For Audience Attention: Is Poetry Enough? (article)

Original item by Mike Took

I prefer to use profanity when I write, as I feel it helps get the message across just a little more bluntly than if I try sugar-coating it and try to force it to come out more-than-savory for the sake of a few critics. However, I have recently completed work on a brand new poetry anthology, and I managed to write the entirety of it without the use of a single expletive or curse word. I tested myself to see if I could write an entire anthology targeted toward younger readers to get them interested in rhyming and reading again, and I believe that I have. This isn't your average rhyme of 'cat' and 'hat' though, so if some pretentious people that call themselves poets like to think that it is below them, then so be it. There's always going to be those that prefer no cursing and those that prefer everything to be laid out bare. You can't please everyone all the time, so don't waste your time trying.

Comment is about Please don't apologise: Swear! (article)

Original item by Mike Took

One of those pieces that deserves to be read out loud in front of a crowded room of eager listeners. Truthful, poignant, and powerful with its punctual delivery of short lines packed with emotional counter-balance. Well done.?

Comment is about Divorce (blog)

Original item by Louise Clarke

Ray - was this inspired by Jake Thackray's 'Kirkstone Road Girl'? If not it should have been.

Comment is about NAMEDROPPER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

The breath of experience should be seen in every poem even if it is one's pattern of their journey. Here you have bravely stepped up to give your sense of how life has to be faced whatever your hopes may be Louise. By sharing this we should all take stock, and at the very least wish you the very best, with or without these props you list.
Please come back to us again when you get some light back.

Ray x

Comment is about Wishing for me (blog)

Original item by Louise Clarke

Excellent, poetic repose with thoughts evoking the metaphysical aspects of emotional poetry itself.?

Comment is about Everblooming Rose (blog)

Original item by Arina

I really like the rhythm and rhyming pattern in this - the way the 2 verses match.

Comment is about Applause (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

It's all semantics Jon. I can sense the frustration in your voice.

Comment is about Would or wouldn't? (blog)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

Do that then, Seanin. Google Just Giving and enter my name. I look forward to your contribution to Candlelighters.
This might help in the event you can't find it

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/john-coopey1

ElP - this is not the place for irony, evidently. ?

Comment is about UPSKIRTING (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

People like those you've written of may not be bothered by indignation or a even by a slap on the wrist in a court of law. However, you can be sure any such voyeur would experience quite the inconvenience when permanently disfigured by a good feel around the back of his eyeball ?

In the spirit of fitting humor,

Rachel

Comment is about UPSKIRTING (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Beautiful!

Comment is about Dusk To Dawn (blog)

Original item by Ashley Jaimes

Or I could just donate to Candlelighters and keep the space on my bookshelf for poets I respect.

Comment is about UPSKIRTING (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Ray,
You paint a picture of some gushing woman who desperately seeks attention. I have known a number os such people, men also, who conceal a rather inadequate personality. The poem is well put together and the final stanza really does have the final say.
Thank you for this.
Keith

Comment is about NAMEDROPPER (blog)

Original item by ray pool