<Deleted User> (18980)
Tue 26th Jun 2018 09:33
Tom - you're absolutely right, laughter is great and there's not enough of it about. Take this site for example...most of the posts seem to be about sadness and loss. A few of us do try to introduce a touch of levity.
Have you got a GSOH Tom? Let's check...does/did your father play the bagpipes?
Comment is about GSOH (blog)
Original item by Tom
Keith,
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I've been a little dubious about joining/posting however I'm hopeful that I'm going to enjoy being part of the community.
JP
Comment is about Manchester to Me. (blog)
Original item by John Prior
Thank you Anya maybe one day she will come back?
Comment is about Oath (blog)
Original item by Mikey V Kinsey
............and some fell on stoney ground!
Comment is about One of those weird unexpected moments (blog)
Original item by Hazel ettridge
Hazel, I worked on a homeless shelter last Christmas until March this year. To a man/woman they were all really good and very polite people.
The only issues that the organisation experienced was at the assessment stage and there I’m afraid your experiences were also noted. Drugs and Alcohol being the culprits.
Over the four months the MK Shelter organisation placed 35 people into secure accommodation so they could apply for work they badly craved.
Sadly (for whatever reason) those who are more deeply entrenched need more than a bed for the night, food for the day and some professional help.
As David regularly describes via his hard-hitting work, sometimes a sticking plaster isn’t good enough, major surgery is required.
Your piece is very thought provoking as you can see below.
Comment is about One of those weird unexpected moments (blog)
Original item by Hazel ettridge
The main problem here is that when the “David and Brian Show” gets going it tends to make other commenters run a mile and then Hazel’s excellent piece is reduced as a result. Please consider this as a outcome.
Comment is about One of those weird unexpected moments (blog)
Original item by Hazel ettridge
<Deleted User> (13762)
Tue 26th Jun 2018 08:24
Well done Damon - your poetry often contains some drop dead gorgeous stand out lines to die for and that's a real talent. Your titles are pretty good too. Keep writing and sharing. All the best, Colin.
Comment is about 'Cafe Blues / space cowboy poem' by Damon Blackery is Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by Mike Took
Thanks, Hazel. There was a 'but' however, I left it out as I wanted the piece to remain positive. So, the 'but' remains within me, and also for those that feel it coming.
Comment is about I know (blog)
Original item by Jon Stainsby
Big Sal
Tue 26th Jun 2018 00:47
Laura is quite the voice isn't she??
Comment is about Lioness Laura (blog)
Original item by "Call Me Graham" (Graham McKay-Smith)
Big Sal
Tue 26th Jun 2018 00:34
Absolutely beautiful piece of art.?
Comment is about Nothing Last Forever (blog)
Original item by Chiari Warrior Soldier
Really enjoyed this - esp the final line. Thumbs up!
Comment is about 'Cafe Blues / space cowboy poem' by Damon Blackery is Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by Mike Took
Thanks for your comments on 'there are no angels here' Hazel - I think you are right - Angels are a retiring breed
Ian
Comment is about Hazel ettridge (poet profile)
Original item by Hazel ettridge
<Deleted User> (18980)
Mon 25th Jun 2018 22:53
Hazel - that is very brave of you to admit it.
Sorry about my earlier W.I. comment...I realise in retrospect it came across as rude.
Comment is about One of those weird unexpected moments (blog)
Original item by Hazel ettridge
leah
Mon 25th Jun 2018 22:49
BRENDAN CLEARY AT END OF ELEVENTH YEAR OF WRITE ANGLE POETRY & MUSIC
One hundred and forty eight gigs – the tally this month....starting in July 2007 when Leah brought in fourteen poets for an event in what was then Django's. It was an attempt to help the bistro, where a crowded out room (over 70 people – and others turned away) surprised everyone, showing there was a demand for poetry in Petersfield. Brendan Cleary was a fitting person to round off the eleventh year, this June, attracting a large and enthusiastic audience.
Brendan is a consummate word-smith, creating pictures that draw in his audience. In Waking In Czechoslovakia, he says “ I woke up this morning, I was in Czechoslovakia, speaking fluent Czech, with a Czech wife and three Czech children.... reading Kafka in the original”; you are there. His Letters to Esmée are so realistic, you believe she exists.
Another old favourite was Planet Steve. Brendan doesn't know anyone called Steve. He goes through all the Steve's he doesn't know - “No-one ever asks “Where are you and Steve off to at the weekend? Or “Steve never pops by for a smoke in the afternoon”, ending with “Can anyone out there lend me a telescope to look for Planet Steve?” So totally believable that you start thinking, 'Does he really know no-one called Steve?'
In Kylie Be Mine, he recounts his fascination with Kylie Minogue - “It's profoundly tragic you'll never cuddle up to me.”
Brendan was once a stand-up comic and everything about his humorous poems reflects that. His timing, facial expressions and body-language impeccably express humour. Yet he can be serious too. His series of poems after his brother's death ends with The Hospital That Night -”delirium & snores breaking the quiet as every so often there's a screech of another siren drawing closer.” He works as a DJ and ended his set with It's Our Dance, a highly evocative poem of the atmosphere in the pub - “I play Nina Simone's 'My baby just cares for me' ….you spring out from the bar & I leave the mixing desk & we dance with our hangovers..” Brendan is a ‘natural’ poet and his ‘drunken’ Northern Irish accent makes his performances memorable.
At the open mic, Colin Eveleigh led off with You Alright? How Are You? How's it Going? accurately describing the discontinuity that exists in everyday conversations - “You mean my life in general? How long have you got? Do you care?” Richard Hawtree gave us Oh Poem!, The Night I Spoke Irish in Surrey and Why Do You Wake the Sleeping Tear – the last of which was based on a fragment from the ancient Greek poet, Callimachus, explaining that he tries hard not to overload his poems with classical allusions! - “Aeneas did things we schoolboys could not.”
Chris Sparkes recalled how he had been there the first time Brendan was at Write Angle, writing in his book “This is the page when I decided that Cleary was much better than Heaney!” Chris told of his favourite novel, 1984, and how he saw it as prophesying the current world situation, and gave us Switching Off the Television After 1984, followed by Cornwall, a tribute to the musician, Jim Hughes - “We thought we were going to change the world.” Leah read It's Time We Met - “Now I look at my selves merged into one and say 'It’s time we met'” Then Possimist - “(optimist/pessimist). They can't make a decision.” Finally Masochist - “...how I hate me cos c'mon, what have I done lately?” Your reviewer provided Twelve Days, questioning whether cats only wanted food and warmth - “They gathered round as if to say 'Where did you go, why did you stay away from us, so long away'”. Then Make Lunch, Not War - “What if...instead of fighting tooth and claw, all decide to make lunch, not war.”
There were three newcomers. Mike Spilberg read Violation and, then, I've News For You – about finding someone who's written something you thought of - “There's someone out there using your ideas.” Graham Brown read Pointless, about a town called Pointless - “Later the poppy red sun will set....over the pointless war memorial to pointless wars.” Then Tarzan, who “no longer swings from creeper....... Health & Safety say too dangerous, it's like jungle out there!” Chris Taylor, clear voiced, did not really need the microphone; gave us two stirring poems.
Jezz rounded the evening off with emotional renderings of two new cover songs, Hootie and the Blowfish's, Let Her Cry and Radiohead's Fake Plastic Trees. He got lots of applause – and deserved it!
The raffle sponsor was Chichester's India Gate – the prize, a dinner for two, won by one of Write Angle's regulars – it pays to come to every gig!
Review is about WRITE ANGLE POETRY & MUSIC +OPEN MIC on 19 Jun 2018 (event)
Brian, I'm thinking there is a very wobbly line between interference and interaction. I got it wrong this time.
Comment is about One of those weird unexpected moments (blog)
Original item by Hazel ettridge
<Deleted User> (18980)
Mon 25th Jun 2018 22:01
I try to be honest David even if it's not PC to do so, particularly on a forum such as this. And I don't change my position even when an attempt is made to embarrass me
Comment is about One of those weird unexpected moments (blog)
Original item by Hazel ettridge
The experience shook me. I really get that I'm living on another planet and that i crossed a line big time. He has shown me something really important - something I needed to see. Sitting at home tonight thinking, my god - I've got a house, I've got a comfy bed, I can play music, I can watch Netflix, I can make myself a cuppa, I can sleep easy....
This is a terrible poem (if it is even a poem) but I needed to put some words around the experience.
Thanks for the conversation.I
Comment is about One of those weird unexpected moments (blog)
Original item by Hazel ettridge
<Deleted User> (18980)
Mon 25th Jun 2018 21:51
I'll be honest, I don't have any comprehension of other people's lives. This applies equally to people who live rough or those who live round the corner from me. I don't interfere in their lives unless requested. I also don't want them interfering in mine. Sounds like they didn't care for Hazel's interference either.
Comment is about One of those weird unexpected moments (blog)
Original item by Hazel ettridge
elPintor
Mon 25th Jun 2018 21:40
Your heart shines, Hazel.
Comment is about One of those weird unexpected moments (blog)
Original item by Hazel ettridge
<Deleted User> (18980)
Mon 25th Jun 2018 21:09
Booze, drugs, money yes...but custard creams? Did you think it was the local W.I. gathering Hazel?
Comment is about One of those weird unexpected moments (blog)
Original item by Hazel ettridge
Hob Nobs would have done it!
Comment is about One of those weird unexpected moments (blog)
Original item by Hazel ettridge
With a name like Sherwood, what would you expect me to say?
Delightful tree-huggery
Comment is about Comfort (blog)
Original item by Hazel ettridge
I feel a 'but' coming. Or perhaps that's just me. Lovely images.
Comment is about I know (blog)
Original item by Jon Stainsby
<Deleted User> (16099)
Mon 25th Jun 2018 19:47
I know there is nothing you fear..it comes out in everything you write if there is anything I can ever do please ask..you are not ever alone..
Comment is about Death Warrant (blog)
Original item by Chiari Warrior Soldier
Thank you Ray and Stu. It means so much to get comments from all you lovely people who focus on the positive while giving a glimpse into your own journeys.
Comment is about Comfort (blog)
Original item by Hazel ettridge
Poignant, that was me 18 months ago
Comment is about 'Cafe Blues / space cowboy poem' by Damon Blackery is Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by Mike Took
You are always so supportive. Thank you Collin
Comment is about HE HAS HIS HANDS (blog)
Original item by lynn hahn
Pat Hughes
Mon 25th Jun 2018 18:44
Congrats,delighted to see you having a well deserved poem of the week.
Comment is about 'Cafe Blues / space cowboy poem' by Damon Blackery is Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by Mike Took
<Deleted User> (18980)
Mon 25th Jun 2018 17:47
Well done Damo
Comment is about 'Cafe Blues / space cowboy poem' by Damon Blackery is Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by Mike Took
Damon,
Congratulations indeed. Well earned. Keep writing
Keith
Comment is about 'Cafe Blues / space cowboy poem' by Damon Blackery is Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by Mike Took
John,
Welcome to Writeoutloud and thank you for commenting on my poem ¨The Streets of London ¨. It was kind of you. This is a good site as you will meet fledgling and seasoned writers who will comment and encourage you with your writing. This poem of Manchester is one which I will recommend to my sister who lives in Salford. You write well.
Thank you
Keith
Comment is about Manchester to Me. (blog)
Original item by John Prior
The more I read this Keith the more subtle and clever it became. You even did some 'sort of end-rhymes'..... Well done. ?
Comment is about Restoration (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Hello there John, my name it is Don
We haven't met yet I'm afraid
My mentor Brian Maryon, we get on quite well
I just joined your group (and won't fade)
I tried to make sense of your rampage of words
Right to the end when you'd done
I listened to each single word like you said
But sorry, don't remember a one
I think there's a rapper hiding deep within you
Wanting, no bursting, to come out
You're rapping in riddles to me I'm afraid
I've no idea what you rapped about
Don ?
Comment is about Slam Poem (blog)
Original item by John Togher
When it comes to anime I only like older stuff.
I love "In love with a Ghost" She is great.
This poem is about Shinto.
Comment is about My Neighbor and His Leaf Umbrella (blog)
Original item by Mikey V Kinsey
Good rhyming and a clever use of words.
Thanks
Keith?
Comment is about Slam Poem (blog)
Original item by John Togher
Sorry, no. Haven't read any of Don's stuff.
Comment is about Slam Poem (blog)
Original item by John Togher
<Deleted User> (18980)
Mon 25th Jun 2018 11:01
<Deleted User> (19421)
Mon 25th Jun 2018 10:42
<Deleted User> (18980)
Mon 25th Jun 2018 09:51
<Deleted User> (18980)
Mon 25th Jun 2018 09:06
Keith - I know what you mean. I was taking your poem too literally. I myself was in a situation where I was comfortably trapped...so I broke out and am now even more comfortably trapped, though now I like it!
Comment is about Restoration (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Darren, Anya and Brian,
Thank you for your comments. This need not be in any particular location. It is a situation borne out familiarity and bordeom when one suddenly realises that one is in a trap and needs to be liberated in order to realise one´s true potential.
Keith
Comment is about Restoration (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
<Deleted User> (13762)
Mon 25th Jun 2018 08:22
'louse' is such a good word - thanks for these two poems this morning Lynn. All the best, Col.
Comment is about HE HAS HIS HANDS (blog)
Original item by lynn hahn
<Deleted User> (18980)
Mon 25th Jun 2018 08:08
I'm guessing that the concrete shell was a flat in Manchester or somewhere similar...
Comment is about Restoration (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
<Deleted User> (19421)
Mon 25th Jun 2018 07:47
‘Sometimes a mistake we make on purpose’ - love it!
Great line and a great observation.....
Comment is about Re: what is love? (blog)
Original item by Zach Dafoe
<Deleted User> (19421)
Mon 25th Jun 2018 07:43
Nice one Ray - I have only ever placed one bet, it came in. Never again, before the result I was giving myself a hard time about wasting my money.....
Love the line: Hope is raging like a bull.
If his wife were still there, then perhaps the typo ‘home’ would also have worked.
D
Comment is about NO GOING BACK (blog)
Original item by ray pool
<Deleted User> (19421)
Mon 25th Jun 2018 07:40
<Deleted User> (18980)
Tue 26th Jun 2018 09:40
Don - you are like a breath of fresh air. I wish I could put you into an aerosol can and spray a bit on me whenever I need to. (If that's not poetry I don't know what is. And before anyone says anything the aerosol is CFC-free and the can is recyclable.)
Comment is about Have Tornado. Need Rope (blog)
Original item by Don Matthews