How remiss of me to overlook your comments, sorry. Just minesweeping today and here they are.

Cheers, Col my pleasure.

Martin, Frankly I wasn't garnering my own bouquet here, but so pleased you fitted me up to it!!
great comment by the way.

Liking your likes, Frances, Hannah and Pat. !

Ray

Comment is about THE MEASURE OF A POET (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks Charlotte for the like . Much appreciated.

Ray

Comment is about TEETH (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Gawd 'n Bennett, David I just found your comment, mate. You have voiced my own thoughts in that spirit of playful "sorting out" that used to occur in the old days (so i'm told and seen) me old mucker.

Cheers Ray

Comment is about CRIMINAL WAYS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Coming back Mark to say your response is welcome and yes, communities don't just happen - I believe they deepen in meaning with history and particularly with the depth of older residents' memories. These of course can't operate in the kind of invading that you describe for commuting. My parents in law considered a move to Wisbech (new builds) but were just scared off by the isolation of the place. The M40 corridor attracted many centre developments to Oxfordshire, and of course it has the Cotswolds, which are quite protected I imagine. Bring back Betjeman with his hatred of "bogus tudor bars." I think it's ok to write wryly but have a deeper centre - i'm sure you'd agree!

Ray

Comment is about DISTANT VIEWS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Wow, after the first flush of comments, more growth! Thanks all. Suki, I usually try to deepen thoughts in endings to make an observation on life, cheers.

Thanks Frances as always it's a pleasure.

Cheers Greg. So glad you came back to say that. As you know, readings are like edges of cliffs, can be too close for comfort. I think David Andrew seemed to nod in approval - which was nice!. Good to see him back.

220 - Very glad you approved !


Ray

Comment is about FIRST JOBS IN THE GARDEN (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks to Ruby Rose Colin suki and Pat for liking and thanks to Tom and Stu for commenting. I have some vivid memories of this old case among many and it's contents. I don't know where form or when . But it made an impression none the less. Dear oh dear, forgetting things , that's slightly worrying!
Thanks again everybody
Martin

Comment is about Hidden treasure (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Thank you for selecting this poem Charlotte - your comment is welcome. I think if you have a compulsion it would be only natural (not supernatural, haha) to follow it up. There are many things unexplained that can be spontaneous and need examining. I'm sure you will follow your dream in this respect as I did. Keep an open mind at all times!!

Ray

Comment is about RESTLESS SOULS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

A wonderful tone picture like a tapestry and it has your indelible hallmark Tom. Thoughtful and languid, all done without artifice.

Ray

Comment is about Cyclades (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Howdy Ray

Soz for the delay - got caught up on stuff and stuff!

Thanks so much for your note on my Valentine poem ? Much appreciated!

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

Hey Raj

Thanks so much for your note on my Valentine poem ? maybe I'll do that haha ?

Comment is about Chakraj (poet profile)

Original item by Chakraj

Thanks, both! Its funny how some poems just write themselves and others are a real struggle to get right! This came from a first line - ultimately the first line of the second verse - that I really liked and which described or led into a sentiment - feeling Welsh although born in England and not speaking Welsh. But bringing the rest together was hard work! I hope you feel that an affinity with the land making me Welsh, came through.

Comment is about Mostly Welsh (blog)

Original item by Chris Armstrong

Hi Tom
thanks for comment on Ted Crow, I re-read recently (evidently) and found it more personally Hughes at the second pass. I hope all going well at the Northampton Review, I thought the first issue worked very well.
Dom.

Comment is about Tom Harding (poet profile)

Original item by Tom Harding

Lovely poem Chris, I really enjoyed the rhythm and the sentiment, ?

Comment is about Mostly Welsh (blog)

Original item by Chris Armstrong

CPD Suki - Compulsive Poetry Disorder - we just can't help ourselves!

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

Original item by Suki Spangles

We tend to only hear the woman’s story, this needs to be said.

Comment is about #Me Too (blog)

Original item by Louis Audet

some very vivid and effective imagery here Martin

Comment is about Hidden treasure (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

hey thank you both. I know David I've been kind of stuck on the night poems for awhile now... I was thinking I need to have a change and write some 'day poems' but it just dosen't come naturally. thanks for the kind words though- always very encouraging.

Comment is about 4am (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

This was an absolutely stunning poem and I was overwhelmed with the pain and love and sorrow and tragedy all at once throughout this piece. It hits close to home as my friend went through this, I plan to read more of your work.

Comment is about To the Man I Once Called Daddy (blog)

Original item by invisible

Hi there folks,

Cheers so much for all your comments and feedback, and your time. I sometimes wonder what the heck I'm doing writing/sharing this stuff. Well, we all need a hobby!

Suki

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

Original item by Suki Spangles

Wonderful!

Comment is about FIRST JOBS IN THE GARDEN (blog)

Original item by ray pool

each verse is almost a little poem in itself. I liked the 'glamour' verse the most - it reminded me of those great actors and singers who found fame in Hollywood. Their rags to riches stories are truly incredible. Dorothy Squires was born (in her parents' carnival caravan) in the village just down the hill from me. A small but worthy claim to fame. Thanks for posting. Col.

Comment is about Mostly Welsh (blog)

Original item by Chris Armstrong

yes Greg, I suppose it must be.
A new day. Well, in a new season, a new year certainly, in these I can appreciate the new batch, the next year's batch, but the turnaround of days I find I am inclined to think of as my own. Okay, I can keep up. Thanks!

& perhaps this raises MC's point on sacrifice, that it is right not to look East, again, at someone else's sun.

Comment is about 'Who has the courage to look out to the east again at someone else's sun?' (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you Pat that is indeed a complement , coming from someone who’s poetry I admire.



All the best des

Comment is about Red Window (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

Thanks a bunch ?

Comment is about The Breakthrough (blog)

Original item by Shruti

hanks so much for your recent comments on my poems.
Much appreciated.

Hannah

Comment is about 220August (poet profile)

Original item by 220August

Beautiful poem. Wonderful lines :
'Maybe, love is for poets, to be portrayed in art.'

Thank you for your comments on my poems too.

Hannah

Comment is about A walk in the garden with Juliet (How many Romeos have you killed?) (blog)

Original item by 220August

The inspiration for this comes from thinking about a world where human reproduction is (at certain levels) perversion and violence towards humans is entertainment (at certain levels). We guard or daughters from being sexually exploited while we place our young boys in front of violent video games and inspire them to war, as if death or mutilation is not as bad as sexual exploitation.

Comment is about Choices (blog)

Original item by 220August

Ray - serious or not, you made a pertinent comment about the atmosphere of previously occupied homes.
During my formative years in the West Country, my parents
moved house approx. 20 times and there were certainly
some of the homes that had an "atmosphere" - mostly
good as I can happily recall. But none was a new build.
Martin makes a good point about the lack of focal points -
(like a shop, post office, pub or community hall) in new
developments...highlighted in a very recent peak time TV documentary about housing and planning in Oxfordshire by
those who had bought there. They seemed like bolt-holes
for commuters to the big city!
But enough from me. Thanks again for the poem.

Comment is about DISTANT VIEWS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

A riveting poem, with a beautiful flow - I feel compelled to know more about the supernatural. It is a very interesting perspective too!

Comment is about RESTLESS SOULS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Enjoyed hearing you read this last night at Write Out Loud Woking, Ray.

Comment is about FIRST JOBS IN THE GARDEN (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I agree with all the comments; lovely, gentle stuff, Ray.

Comment is about FIRST JOBS IN THE GARDEN (blog)

Original item by ray pool

an epic mind at play - constantly active and questioning, always pushing at the boundaries and never content to sit back and accept the written norm. Yet there are also nods and winks and acknowledgements of the great sagas from history. Your poems imo make for a great response to those early writers. The Homer of Edmonton? Okay, maybe that's taking the compliments a bit too far! Well done on POTW.

Comment is about 'Sea-faring' by Zach Dafoe is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I took that last line as about ageing, and mortality, Dom.

Comment is about 'Who has the courage to look out to the east again at someone else's sun?' (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you Pat, Ray for the kind words! Very much appreciated.

Comment is about Middle Child (blog)

Original item by Eric Maynard

Hi Pat, I’m glad you like my poem. Thanks for the comments, I find them very encouraging.
Hope the weather has improve over there for you. Still a bit dismal over here.


All the best des

Comment is about Red Window (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

hi there Ray,

Humorous and wistful. The last verse is lovely.

Suki

Comment is about FIRST JOBS IN THE GARDEN (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Bring on Joni Mitchell Martin and pave paradise. Interestingly I wonder if some just can't face "second hand " homes, or previously occupied ones. I had such a bad atmosphere in mine from the last occupiers that I had to bless the place. I just got all that bad feeling and told it to piss off. Damn it, come to think of it, my wife wasn't even a virgin when we got married! I'll get my coat.

Ray

Comment is about DISTANT VIEWS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks Martin. Yes, I rely on my wife for fine tuning; anyway there is no point in feigned supremacy. Those naughty plants always get their way in the end.! Sadly too she is limited by arthritis so I do my best in the labouring department.

A welcome comment indeed Stu, thanks mate.

David, as always you swept aside the no entry sign on my brain. I was thinking of doing a poem on calling out names in a school register; might still do one! Yes, they are like a family with all their nurturing requirements. You old romantic you. I must get out more often.

Ruby, Col. nice to have your likes.

Best to all. Ray

Comment is about FIRST JOBS IN THE GARDEN (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Liked no.3 the best....

Comment is about ameriKKKan trilogy version 2.0 (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

I don't get the last line, I'll have to give it a think, but I like that Julian, the poem does seem to be speaking directly to me. okay Kosmicki, watch that man.

Comment is about 'Who has the courage to look out to the east again at someone else's sun?' (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Martin . Thanks for commenting on The Totter from Toulouse. I'm glad you thought it resembled Edward Lear, as that was what i was aiming for. I was feeling low when i wrote it, so i did it to cheer myself up.

Cheers Kevin

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

Stu many thanks for comment on Ted Crow & I'll keep an eye out for this Max Porter. Dom

Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)

Original item by Stuart Buck

We were all new once Freddie. Just go for it!

Comment is about I'm new (blog)

Original item by Freddie Jacob

Hi John,
Thanks for you comment. Much appreciated as always.
Keith

Comment is about An Orderly Woman (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

zach this is just wonderful and a more than fitting winner. i have always loved your writing, the way it mixes styles and your use of striking visuals, so i am really glad to see you up here where you belong. thanks for the sout-out too, it made me happier than most would realise.

Comment is about 'Sea-faring' by Zach Dafoe is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

nice imagery martin and i love 'creak and crack' i can smell the leather and hear the groan of the hinges

Comment is about Hidden treasure (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

lovely stuff ray, you use the garden and its need for care as a metaphor very well

Comment is about FIRST JOBS IN THE GARDEN (blog)

Original item by ray pool

this flows just beautifully tom.

Comment is about 4am (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

such a wonderful writer

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

Original item by Suki Spangles

Blimey mate you pack so much into each line and force our soggy old brains to go into overdrive contemplating each image as they tumble one upon the next I'm fair exhausted by the final line. All if which means I'm utterly impressed of course. Hope your week is a good one. Col.

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

Original item by Suki Spangles