Really enjoyed this poem.
Someone was saying that in the days before credit cards, a man would carry a thick wad of money in his jacket pocket and take the whole lot out, even for a small purchase, to show he had money, he was working, he had pride.
Now as you say, numbers crunched on screens.
Always enjoy reading your work.

Hannah

Comment is about LISTEN UP, SON (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Beautiful. Very moving.
One of the most tender poems I have read about loss.

Hannah

Comment is about FOREVER (blog)

Original item by Nyanjiru Wambugu

the roads are full of couriers delivering Amazon parcels to people who are out shopping down the mall for must have things that can't wait for next day delivery from Amazon. Take a deep breath Lynn and go hug a tree. You don't need any of that s**t bought on credit.
C?L

Comment is about EASY STREET (blog)

Original item by lynn hahn

interesting poem 220 and one that is open to interpretation. We have the right but it often doesn't feel right to use it nowadays. And some days it feels like we're living in one of those nightmares in which you open your mouth to scream but no sound comes out. The world is a terrifying place and retreat into silence often feels the best option. I think I'm past being groovy - the kids just laugh at me when I try. If only they understood irony! All the best. Col.

Comment is about Because  I have the Right (blog)

Original item by 220August

?! I loved that an a-that Chris!

brillsville city an-a-that.







Rose ?

Comment is about A Manc's A Man (Fer All That) (blog)

Original item by Chris Bainbridge

as David said, so many questions. Just to go off on a different thought tangent for a moment, I'm left pondering on the whole Tron and Time Machine aspect of this, a sense of the science fiction coming true one day. Nothing seems real anymore yet everything seems possible and we're all part of the play for today whether we like it or not.
'Whoo... That's some catch, that Catch-22'
'It's the best there is'

brill poem Suki.
Col.

Comment is about Far Away In My Living Room When We Have Real 3d Television (blog)

Original item by Suki Spangles

that first verse is a beaut Ray. Us humans just love to give names to things, it's an obsession but no doubt one which has enabled us to progress out of the cave and into our semis through the evolution of language and communication. But it's good to remember that once upon a time there were no names and that's a rather nice thought I think. I guess your mother maybe summed up the same sentiment when she said "I love the wide open skies here". Sometimes the view is clearer without all the other clutter. Col.

Comment is about THE HOG'S BACK, A REVELATION (blog)

Original item by ray pool

them new plackie notes don't makes for a good wad in my 'onest o-pinion guv but them silly little cards they still comes in handy for divvying up the coke if yer know what I mean? I likes yer style Raymondo. You'll go far if yer keep writing stuff like this. In fact, I might just 'ave a little job for you...

Comment is about LISTEN UP, SON (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Well done Ruby. The wonder of Write Out Loud means we all get to read work by poets from all over the world. Poetry has truly become a global community since the advent of the internet - whether here or on blogs or Twitter or elsewhere - and that has to be a good thing. I've been enjoying your recent posts including the three 'Dear...' poems - my personal favourite being 'Dear Love' - so I'm pleased to see you getting headline billing. Good luck with your writing and performing. I remember my first time and my knees shook like some cartoon character so you're not alone in that respect. All the best, Colin.

Comment is about 'Dear Sad Friend' by Ruby is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi David ; I think we're in middle earth territory here - the road through Puttenham certainly hasn't done much changing and still has the old "Arthurian" flavour. Not a place to break down at night. Everyone should be in touch with nature in the raw. My mum was a spontaneous person and quite sentimental ( a London trait I would say). Thanks for the lovely comment.

Hi Greg, yes I am familiar with the car park and the dark doings therein (not personally obviously). I did hear that poem and it was quite graphic if I recall. Rodney is master of the throwaway humorous line - pity he didn't throw it away that time!(just joking). Classic nostalgia neatly described on the way to Devon - a classic journey in the day. I imagine there were severe holdups even then as the 60s progressed. It's a pity that wasn't taken into account by Beeching et al. Thanks for that!

Ray

Comment is about THE HOG'S BACK, A REVELATION (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Loved it the first time I read it. Interesting terminology in some of the expressions but they fit well.

Well done for winning POTW Ruby, keep writing!

Comment is about 'Dear Sad Friend' by Ruby is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

thank you so much David and I'm so glad it has given you a taste of the joys of nature. I think sometimes we get so caught up in "all that glitters" that we forget where the real gold in life is. Hope its not too long before you can jump the waves again.

Comment is about come down to the beach (blog)

Original item by eve nortley

David,

Thank you for your comment which, as always, is well received. When I wrote this poem I was seeking to understand if people of faith and no faith regard themselves as being two or three dimensional. Body, mind, and spirit, which does necessarily need to connect with a particular brand of religion. If we are creatures only of body and mind then we function only within these dimensions. For me this poses the possibility of some interesting answers.

I well remember the call the muezzin in Jerusalem and elsewhere in the Middle East. I have a great love for the bells of Rome on a Sunday morning as they fill the air with a mystical enchantment.

Thanks again David.
Take care
Keith

Comment is about More than the eye can see (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

I love geological poems, Ray. And I was driving along the Hog's Back just the other night, down to Rodney's spoken word night in Aldershot. (Have you ever heard Rodney's poem about dogging on the Hog's Back? One of his more outrageous ones). The Hogs Back was also part of our route to Devon on our camping coach Easter holidays in the early 60s. I can still hear my brother asking: "Are we there yet?"

Comment is about THE HOG'S BACK, A REVELATION (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks so much ?

Comment is about Poisoned (blog)

Original item by frey

MC., thanks. Keith

Comment is about More than the eye can see (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

I like the brevity and can only agree with the final line.

Comment is about Whimsy (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Interesting thought-provoking stuff. But...
All the more reason for me to say
Let's grab some fun along the way! ?

Comment is about More than the eye can see (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

One of the great "unspoken" aspects of the problem in the
USA is the mental state of mind that appears relevant to
these criminal obscenities. The prevalence of drugs and
social alienation that serve to promote these murderous
assaults seem to take second place to the eagerness with
which the blame is placed upon guns per se - very useful,
of course, to those who seek to escape/ignore/ excuse
the deeper social malaise festering in that great country.
In the UK, the problem is now of endemic proportions,
and much seems based in the arrival over recent years
of those from countries and societies lacking stable social
origins and cohesion - alien to our more ordered
and hard-earned social well-being. Tie that to the drug abuse that feeds criminal greed and gang culture and
the problem shows no sign of being remedied by an easy "fix".

Comment is about A weapon and its morality (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Wonderful... loved it and felt it

Comment is about Poisoned (blog)

Original item by frey

i met him once in Liverpool i am sure. A nice guy and a very, very clever writer. 89 is a excellent age and more the fact he was still writing until close to the end. Exactly the way i would like to be also

Comment is about Harry O'Neill, staunch member and supporter of Write Out Loud, dies aged 89 (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks Chris. He wasn't a friend that was for sure and i can't claim to have been a massive fan of the Fall, but he was a artist i respected and when I met him for the third time kinda understood.

Comment is about Three Short Poems about Mark E Smith (blog)

Original item by Andy N

thanks Linda and Martin. Proud to read it out at WOL Stockport the other week.

Thanks also Natasha. The accidental thunder was a bit of a accident as i was originally going to write something there but it kinda stuck (:

and Jeff - thought you would like this one. Makes me proud being fromManchester when we have characters like him (:

Comment is about 'Three Short Poems About Mark E Smith' by Andy N is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Martin
I'm assuming this is about ancient conflicts between Catholics and Protestants. (i could be wrong,and often am)
Sadly it could also apply to the middle east today.
So many bad things have been done in the name of religion, and so many people have allowed themselves to be martyred, because they believe "they alone hold the true faith"

Apologies if i misunderstood it, but i did like the style and tone,all the same.

Cheers Kevin

Comment is about I lay my head (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Thank you Nicola

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by Gerald Morgan

Always prayers to you every day of my life.....

Comment is about What I Need (blog)

Original item by Chiari Warrior Soldier

Thank you Patrick
It’s lovely to meet you

Ria

Comment is about forward (blog)

Original item by Ria Richardson

This takes some getting into Martin, and really worth it! Not your usual fare perhaps. It seems to have conscience and individual choice at its heart, and takes us on a journey of self doubt , resolving into a philosophical acceptance. Nice!

Ray

Comment is about I lay my head (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

A clever portrayal of concentration and distraction if I may say Tommy - a letter still has the edge over emails in the mysterious sense as the letter is literally enveloped by the envelope.

Ray

Comment is about Classroom - vertices - (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Thanks Martin, so pleased you liked that word; just seemed to gel.

That's good, David; just trying to do a descriptive piece for its own sake . I imagine Billy Graham as a popout in a birthday card with an audio clip to boot, coming back to life and scaring the shit out of us.

Cheers, Hannah. A bit of an experiment in description.

Always welcome comments Suki. I tried scrambling the lines to give a jagged look. I'm no expert but glad you liked it.

Thanks Col, and Des for the likes.


Ray

Comment is about RHAPSODY FOR A DEAD REPTILE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Now ain't that beautiful? X

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by Gerald Morgan

As well as can be expected, Colin, since I had to get my geek of a brother to revive its ancient predecessor, put aside for just this possibility!

I am a digital idiot I'm afraid ...

Comment is about On The Border (blog)

Original item by Chris Hubbard

CPD - love it it Col!

Perhaps I should phone in unwell for work claiming I have chronic CPD. Will report back on whther that's a success or not.

Have a great weekend, CPD notwithstanding..

Suki

Comment is about Crimewatch Verses Spartacus ~ Blame Russia (blog)

Original item by Suki Spangles

Has a lovely nourish feel ~ abyss dreamtime..

Suki

Comment is about dramamine blues (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Hi Ray,

Has a slight Beat Poetry feel to the piece. Intriguing imagery:

veins of ferns..

..a subcontiment/ the sun your mentor

Perfect.

Suki

Comment is about RHAPSODY FOR A DEAD REPTILE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Hannah u r too kind as it's a simple poem, but yes I'm thankful she is a survivor, cancer is a beast we all need to help fight x your poetry is exquisite xx

Comment is about For you (blog)

Original item by Nicola Byrnes

Guns and knives being used a lot recently to kill.
A strong piece, thought provoking. I read it twice.

Hannah

Comment is about A weapon and its morality (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Love this poem.
Rich in imagery and words.

Hannah

Comment is about RHAPSODY FOR A DEAD REPTILE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Strong writing on an issue I feel strongly about myself.
Someone said, children should be seen and heard and listened to.
Thanks for writing this.

Hannah

Comment is about The Good Fight (blog)

Original item by Wendy Higson

'Normality a cultural prison'
That is so true.
A brilliant poem.

Hannah

Comment is about Normality a cultural prison (blog)

Original item by 220August

Very moving.

Hannah

Comment is about For you (blog)

Original item by Nicola Byrnes

Clever...Thanks for sharing.

Comment is about size matters (blog)

Original item by eve nortley

Hi Adam,
thank you so much for your feedback. I do have a bit of an advantage as I have the good fortune to work with asylum seekers and refugees and am constantly inspired by their tenacity and lust for life. Thanks again - it is a piece close to my heart.

Comment is about they came (blog)

Original item by eve nortley

Thanks..

Comment is about For you (blog)

Original item by Nicola Byrnes

Your a good friend to see this through.

Comment is about For you (blog)

Original item by Nicola Byrnes

Very hard to see you go through this. Way to come out the other side...

Comment is about Him (blog)

Original item by Chiari Warrior Soldier

I wish there is so much more to this poem so many lines you started with this fantastic jumping off point I wish you would've jumped And in the eye of the dead cow for a moment I thought it was winking back at me certain that I too would be dying in this night but I would not go quietly into the white ...I would instead sing in hope that old cow might hear me and
Like a newborn child come to dance with me again....

Comment is about forward (blog)

Original item by Ria Richardson

Deep and passionate and caring a glimpse of The inter-you loved it..

Comment is about my dreams (blog)

Original item by Ria Richardson

I welcome your change in your name I applaud your survival hello I am patrick

Comment is about Ria Richardson (poet profile)

Original item by Ria Richardson

We survive By having faith and finding the people we care about and by always sticking together..just as I have Found you ......

Comment is about What Is This? (blog)

Original item by Chiari Warrior Soldier