Happy new years my poet friend blessings and grace to you always..

Comment is about Karen Ankers (poet profile)

Original item by Karen Ankers

great piece martin. you do nostalgia and portraits of history so well, but i do love when you let it all go somewhat and your imagination takes the pen. ends on a cracking line as well. i loved this. as colin said, it reveals itself more and more on repeated readings. hope your well, one of my new years resolutions (alongside learning the saxophone and being nice) is to get out more to poetry gigs like i was doing in 2016, so hope to see you around and about.

Comment is about is he (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

lovely. i adore this kind of short, mysterious piece. the addition of 'dear' gives the whole thing a menacing quality.

Comment is about Tempus Fugit (blog)

Original item by Nick Coleman

cracking last line doug. lifts the whole piece for me.

Comment is about FOUR (blog)

Original item by Douglas MacGowan

so good chris. i love the dark vein (excuse the pun) running through the whole thing, much like the heroin itself. it works beautifully with the more standard (in language not in quality) words you use to describe the galleries and public. really good. i hope that makes sense, i'm a little tired.

Comment is about Retrospective (blog)

Original item by Chris Hubbard

lovely stuff adam. love the onomatopoeic nature of the third verse. sits nicely between the others.

Comment is about Sea City (blog)

Original item by Adam Whitworth

excellent. i wish i could tag people on here as i know a lot of people that would love to read this. really well written and carries itself beautifully. read twice now. for me, thats a lot of reading!

Comment is about Limits (blog)

Original item by Sidra Shahid

excellent work. i received Vuong's first collection for xmas, i absolutely love his work and while this is reminiscent of his style, it carries itself on the strength of the words and the placement. lovely stuff, great to see a proper, alternative piece of poetry get POTW.

Comment is about 'Snippets 2' by Ghost is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Keith,

Thank you for these comments. They are much appreciated.

Whiteley's images and his sculpture left a lasting effect on my mind, now some twenty years ago in that Gallery. Their sheer power was visually overwhelming.

I sometimes think that the most maddening part of this art form is the way it impels you forward in search of some perfect poetical nirvana. As a reformed perfectionist I know that "down this road be dragons".

But still I try.

Chris

Comment is about Retrospective (blog)

Original item by Chris Hubbard

Indeed Leon maybe it's quid pro quo for verse.

Comment is about Lissy (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Chris, this poem evokes many images of galleries, art and their impression on us, but the poem is a focus on the artist, his struggle which eventually resulted in his death. So many gifted, talented musicians and artists share this fate. The poem poses many questions as to the nature and burden of creativity and genius. I enjoyed it enormously as you have reached beneath the surface and discovered the kernel. Keith

Comment is about Retrospective (blog)

Original item by Chris Hubbard

Hi Col,
This poem has had a long gestation period since I saw the Whiteley retrospective in the late nineteen nineties. I still remember the almost electric effect it had on me.

In those days I was only starting out in poetry and did not know how to approach the structure or atmospherics. I recently dusted it off, gave it a thorough renovation and launched it on an unsuspecting audience.

The exhibition was in Perth though, at the Art Gallery of Western Australia - it caused quite a stir at the time.

Best wishes,

Chris

Comment is about Retrospective (blog)

Original item by Chris Hubbard

Beno, thank you for your comment. It is much appreciated. If you ever come up with any ideas to put matters right, then please ley me know and we will do it together. Keith

Comment is about Enraged (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Is it wrong just to feel powerless about all this rather than enraged? I haven't got the first idea how you put it all right?
A very powerful piece Mr Jefferies. Beno.

Comment is about Enraged (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

There is much to intrigue the reader in these and your other 'snippets'. In many ways it is not important for the reader to ever know the full back story. The snippets of information offered are like images plucked from a story board or the jottings of a reporter. There is also a certain amount of restraint and detachment from emotion until the last three breathtaking lines.

Congratulations on POTW. Your desert island luxury is the best answer given to this question. I couldn't agree more although I think I probably requested chocolate! Good luck with your writing.

Colin.

Comment is about 'Snippets 2' by Ghost is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Beautifully written Abi. I enjoyed it. Beno.

Comment is about Amour Brisé (Broken Love) (blog)

Original item by Abi Morris

this is an excellent and well-constructed poem Chris with so much going on - the art, the gallery, the artist's life, the critics, the public - all skillfully thrown onto your writing canvas. I would have loved to have seen the exhibition. Was it in Perth recently? Cheers, Col.

Comment is about Retrospective (blog)

Original item by Chris Hubbard

Thank you Douglas ?

Comment is about Af.....v.....let... (blog)

Original item by PatricioLG

I agree with Douglas. Super sad poem dude. Beno

Comment is about My Biggest Fear (blog)

Original item by Kristy

A beautifully crafted piece which I enjoyed very much. Very moving and thought provoking. Thanks Tom. Beno.

Comment is about Friday Night, We Walked Along The Beach (blog)

Original item by Tom

I liked this a lot. Good display of opposites.

Comment is about Pink Money (blog)

Original item by Robert C Gaulke

For Martin, the link to The Oldknow Review

http://www.reviewnewspapers.co.uk/local-news/articles/2018/01/poetry-performers-come-from-far-and-wide/

I hope it works???

#totalluddite

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

beautiful with great purpose and meaning, it is the best of you shining through..

Comment is about Pathways (blog)

Original item by Nicola Byrnes

this poem gives up a little more with each read and the fairground mention adds another dimension. Great stuff Martin and I like the profile pic too. Make up a few more of those signs and you could do a take on Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues! Still the best music vid ever made imo. Col.

Comment is about is he (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Jemima, Thank you for your informative comment. I was born on the very day Gandhi was assasinated, if that is of any value, other than I hold him in the highest regard. Your question is very pertinent as you ask how can, in so many cases, dictators rule over millions for so long. The answer is probably threefold: apathy, powerlessness and dictators who ensure they are well protected. What you say about Israel and the Palestinians is spot on. The abused has become the abuser. Thank you again. Keith

Comment is about Enraged (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Nick, thank you for your comment. What enrages me most of all is that we cannot turn our anger through poetry or art into something positive. Picasso painted the famous Guernica which depicts many of the horrors I have described but to no real avail. We are powerless observers. Thank you again. Keith

Comment is about Enraged (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

I am not a lady of violence by any means keith but what I always am amazed by is the fact that people like Gandhi, John Lennon, Martin Luther King who were great promoters of peace and goodwill to their fellow man were assassinated and yet evil people like Assad, Putin and Mugabe were and are left untouched to continue their vile actions against the very people they are supposed to be representing. How is it that the hateful minorities can and have done in so many cases ruled over millions for so long. And as for the Israelis are they not almost doing to the Palestinians what Hitler did to millions of their own people in the way of persecuting? I can imagine many Holocaust victims must be rolling in their graves. Shame on Israel! Thank you (keith) Jemima.

Comment is about Enraged (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Sorry for reading this late but I have been sooooo busy at work over Christmas I haven't had time for anything else.
Ray,
The first two verses made me think of something someone told me the other day. It is thought now that your DNA dictates your health and chances of surviving serious disease. Is there destiny in your biology? Does God play a hand in this? Are science and theology moving closer together, as we discover more? I'm with Wolfgar, not for me. But it made me think.
On a biblical theme, you reap what you sow. I think evil is probably nurtured and allowed to bloom. Innate badness is probably the exception to the rule? I hope so, it would reassure me.
Super sad and disturbing poem. Very thought provoking and maybe I enjoyed being made to think.
Beno.

Comment is about MUMMY AND DADDY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Expressive to be sure.

art and poetry can and should prick the conscience of the population and our leaders

I share your anger but how to turn it into something positive is a different matter.

Comment is about Enraged (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thanks to Pat Andy and John in commenting. and thanks to Nigel for liking.

I am glad you picked up on the undercurrent on this one Pat. I often feel that people treat such events as attractions when others are hurt or even die.

Comment is about is he (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

I wish you a wonderful and glorious new year and all the blessings it may bring..

Comment is about Sarah Mae (poet profile)

Original item by Sarah Mae

I wish you a glorious new year and all of the blessing it will bring..

Comment is about Chiari Warrior Soldier (poet profile)

Original item by Chiari Warrior Soldier

I hope you are off to a glorious new year, I wish you well my muse ..

Comment is about Dana Lee (poet profile)

Original item by Dana Lee

Sorry to be late coming back on this one. Thanks Suki. Pure devilment on my part to construct this - but I like to challenge.

Very generous David, thanks. I personally feel that this poem is like a road diversion that maybe readers may not want to tangle with (that's if they read it at all of course). Life with the dressings removed.

Thanks for liking it, Col, Kevin, Des, David and Fred .

Ray.

Comment is about MUMMY AND DADDY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

All Aboard

The vision express
leaving negative thoughts
far far far behind

For full details
see Nicola Hulme
cash or card acceptable

Only those with
positive dreams not happening
need to apply

Comment is about Write Out Loud at Stockport art gallery tonight (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Again, thanks for reading...?

Comment is about She only ever kisses me goodbye (blog)

Original item by 220August

cor blimey guv'nor! you mean to tell me that her beautiful face alone ain't worth a comment or two never mind the beaut of a poem-uh? I'll 2nd that!

Comment is about Lissy (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Thanks John. Changed it now

Comment is about is he (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Nice.. Enjoyed that Fred..

Comment is about Does Anyone Like Me? (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Where are you Harry. Hope you're OK

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Should 'read' be 'red'?

Comment is about is he (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Some nice and rich mental imagery here.

Comment is about Rare (blog)

Original item by Robert C Gaulke

Thank you for your comments Martin,much appreciated.


All the best des

Comment is about Dead Anger Haunts (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

very very good Martin. Hope you read this out at Stockport.

the use of the repetition at the beginning of it works particularly well.

good stuff.

Comment is about is he (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Aww thanks people, yes you wonder how life is going to be for young people even in five years time. Thanks Rose for the lips, you look quite likeable yourself! Ha, ha. Cheers

Comment is about Does Anyone Like Me? (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

full circle reflectiveness I'd say G.

Comment is about Anger Issues (blog)

Original item by Grape

There are some great lines here Desmond. You have really caught a sense of tension with this one.
love ' dead anger haunts our absent faces'
nice one

Comment is about Dead Anger Haunts (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

Good to see you writing and posting again Daniel. reading this had got all my senses going thinking about a G and T.
nice one
hope you had a good Christmas and happy new year

Comment is about MY FRIEND GINNY (blog)

Original item by Daniel Dwyran

Thank you Rose,I’m glad you LIKED!my poem,thanks you very much indeed.


All the best Des

Comment is about Dead Anger Haunts (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

some of the young of today are walking on thin ice when it comes to the want of being like Fred, the awful results of which we are becoming all too familiar with. Thank you.Jemima.

Comment is about Does Anyone Like Me? (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden