One for you then Tony...hope you enjoy it!

Lots of kinds of snow

Winter comes and with it
Many kinds of snow
Soft shy snow
Which dusts hedgerows and hills,
Giving a picturesque heart thrill.
Slushy, soaking , sliding snow
Which splats on windscreens
Bringing driving woe.
Fat fluffy flakes
Which make
For hours of paediatric fun
And eyes temporarily blinded
By reflections of
Brittle winter sun.
And hard hurled hail snow
Tiny cruel stones
Flung by the angry gods of ice
No use to man or beast
But the price
We pay for the sheer joy
Of clear crispy crunchy winter days.

Comment is about the snow (blog)

Original item by eve nortley

Hi guys, sorry, I've only just seen your comments. I'm that new to this I don't even know how to spot if I have messages in lol.
There certainly aren't many pubs left like the one above.
But it's just a really weird memory when I think about stubbing fags out on pub carpets?? Almost like I dreamt I did it rather than actually doing it ?

Comment is about YOU COULD SMOKE IN PUBS (blog)

Original item by Marc Hawkins

Those angels had better keep their 'and on their 'alfpenny if Harry starts to recite his love poems to 'em!

Comment is about THE O'NEILL (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I used to joke with him about his love poems that they were cheaper than a bunch of flowers and much more effective.

Old Harry’s off to Paradise,
His lines have reached their end;
I only met him once but found
A gentle man and friend.

No longer will he sing of love,
As those he leaves will cry;
The rascal woos the angels now
With mischief in his eye.

Yes, Harry’s now in Paradise;
It’s sad, I’ll not pretend;
He added colour to my world;
I’ll miss your stuff, Old Friend.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you for this. My father is a drinker on the mend. This poem gives some great insight into the illness

Comment is about Drinkers (blog)

Original item by Donna Saphier

The images create a visual scene, a story.
We see these dedicated benches, I always stop to look.
Someone must have cared very much to do this.
One to remember.

Hannah

Comment is about MUNICIPAL PRIDE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

The secret world of our mothers.
Love this poem.

Hannah

Comment is about My mother, a purist (blog)

Original item by frey

This is a great poem.
Love the last line. Brilliant.

Hannah

Comment is about Foreign Feelings (blog)

Original item by L. Nicole

I hadn't heard of this poet but I sense he was someone special.

Hannah

Comment is about THE O'NEILL (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I don't believe in heaven and hell etc but I like your poem's construction.

Comment is about THE O'NEILL (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Well done Andy N getting poem of the week!

Please please please read it out tonight at W O L meet up

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

I was very sorry indeed to read of Harry's death. Sincere condolences to his family and to all those who loved him,
"never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee." (JD)

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

So very sad to hear this news. Harry was really supportive and positive when I first joined WOL. Sincere and deepest condolences to his family and friends.

JH

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Deceptively clever. I enjoyed the internal rhyme and construction - even the subject!
Your words remind me of pubs in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Leeds when I was a young nurse at HGH.

Comment is about YOU COULD SMOKE IN PUBS (blog)

Original item by Marc Hawkins

Thanks, Colin - I wondered where you were going with the Sepulchrave reference, until I got to the owls! I was looking for a ghostly, night-time, dreamlike feeling focusing on lost love. I only referenced Hamlet as when I was searching around for a better title than the original working title I half remembered (and had to look it up) the new title, which fitted perfectly - Hamlet Act 2 Sc 2!

Comment is about A dream itself is but a shadow (blog)

Original item by Chris Armstrong

Ohhh, that’s really sad news. Harry was such a lovely gentle man, who wrote some of the sweetest (and at times cheekiest!) love poems. We would disagree on occasion, mainly about union activities tbh, but it was always a very polite and respectful exchange on both sides. I had a lot of respect for him, and he always spoke to me with equal respect and dignity. I will miss his tempering presence on here, and his enquiring mind. Rest in peace, Harry, it was a real pleasure knowing you.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Harry was passionately interested in poetry. You could tell that by the number of poems he commented on, and the discussions - often about technique - that he took part in with such relish. His contribution to this site can't really be measured. But with his humour, knowledge, wisdom and generosity, he undoubtedly made it a better place. He is a great loss to us, his online friends, as well as to his family and to all those who knew him. But heartwarming to know that we gave something back to Harry, too.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Harry and myself engaged in lots of amusing cross banter by way of comments.

I never met Harry But the picture that I have in my mind is of an exceptionally talented, wickedly witty, kind hearted, gentle man, His passing has left an impossible to fill space in WOL's family of poets.

Harry and I had different opinions as to where we all go after death. And just for Harry I hope his was the right one.

Ken

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

read with great amusement about the scraps that broke up at his funeral. he would of found that most satisfactory indeed. great little snippets these.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

I loved 'em Marc but wouldn't turn the clock back. But I wish there were more pubs rather than gastropubs.

Comment is about YOU COULD SMOKE IN PUBS (blog)

Original item by Marc Hawkins

Congrats on POTW Andy. Must admit I was never much of a Fall fan but I did once own The Man Whose Head Expanded on 7"! I like the way you have gone about constructing this poem in three parts to represent the three times you met the man himself, a bit like a triptych portrait viewed from slightly different angles. All the best, Colin.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Yeah I get it...full and empty at the same time

Comment is about we are golden (blog)

Original item by Youthfullyxx

the bench is a little like our poetry don't you think? Once it's out there in the community we have no control over it's use or interpretation. The poem seems to be a reflection on our good intentions and hopes - despite the reality. Col.

Comment is about MUNICIPAL PRIDE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thank you Colin, Your feedback is appreciated. I was trying something different and wanted to explore this style of writing.

Comment is about Virus in the Motherboard (blog)

Original item by Gabrielle Renee'

Love this poem. Subtle yet descriptive. It dragged me in...I followed you on your house search. Great work.

M

Comment is about My mother, a purist (blog)

Original item by frey

I like the almost "race commentary" pace of the poem Martin. Perfect description !

Ray

Comment is about Heels (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Thanks John, I never looked at it that way but I like the idea of an interchangeable ending - I might play around with that.

Comment is about Beatification and snacks (blog)

Original item by David T Jones

Such a capturing piece. Felt drawn to reading it aloud which made it an even more impassioned read.. simply a favourite

Comment is about TYPE III (blog)

Original item by Marc Hawkins

It feels like you had great fun playing with these images Chris. You tagged Hamlet but I was thinking Sepulchrave, 76th Earl of Groan and Lord of Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast. After the burning of his library by Steerpike he loses his mind and adopts the character of the Death Owl. All good stuff - yours, Peake's and Shakespeare. Thanks. Thoroughly enjoyed. Colin.

Comment is about A dream itself is but a shadow (blog)

Original item by Chris Armstrong

This is terribly sad news - Harry was a very kind and supportive member of the WOL community. He offered encouragement to me on many occasions and always had a kind word to say about everyone. He saw the good in all forms of poetry and commented knowledgeably and courteously to other poets posts.
So sorry to hear of his passing - my condolences to all his family and friends for their - and our - sad loss.
RIP mate.
Ian

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks for your feedback Leon, Martin & M.C. Harry's contribution, support & encouragement to his fellow poets will be sorely missed. ?

Comment is about Harry's Game - RIP Harry O'Neill (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

nothing scarier than the sound of approaching heels...except perhaps the sound of one heel approaching...
nice one Martin.

Comment is about Heels (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

An interesting idea for a poem - approaching a subject from a sideways angle is always a good writing trick. Thanks for posting Gabrielle. Colin.

Comment is about Virus in the Motherboard (blog)

Original item by Gabrielle Renee'

I felt compelled to read this a few times Freya, it caught and kept my attention, it asked questions but didn't necessarily answer them. It also left plenty of room for the reader to add their own story. Thanks for posting. Colin.

Comment is about My mother, a purist (blog)

Original item by frey

This is very sad news. Harry was a great and encouraging supporter and I was very thankful for his kind comments on numerous occasions. My condolences to his friends and family.

Comment is about RIP Harry (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

RIP my dear friend and God bless you.

Comment is about RIP Harry (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

My condolences to the friends and family of Mr O'Neill, a real gentleman, and fabulous poet, who will be ever so sadly missed.

Thank you, Harry, for being part of our lives.

Comment is about RIP Harry (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

One of my precious memories of Harry, and one that I think demonstrates how interested he was in matters of poetry and what a diplomat he was, is the discussion that Greg started precisely four years ago today, about rhyme; ending in March of the following year.
https://www.writeoutloud.net/public/newsgroupview.php?NewsGroupsID=3&NewsThreadsID=1488#msgcontent_120016

What Greg floated, Harry leapt into and rowed, with Steve Waling and Chris Co diving in as only they could. Chris Co had a habit of throwing the kitchen sink at his replies, bombarding the discussion with long, long, long responses that mostly either turned people off or got them frothing. Not Harry, he just came back at the initial question, determined to get to the bottom of the question, and asking his own.

This reply of Harry's followed several hugely verbose ones from Chris Co, the one ‘reply’ before this being 2,800 words long and containing full length poems from Motion, Larkin, Roetke, Hughes, Yeats, MacNeice, D. H. Lawrence, Coleridge and Stevie Smith as evidence for his (Chris Co’s) argument. Here’s Harry’s diplomatic reply:

I`m almost sorry I started this :)

( No I`m not :) )

It`s marvelous to see so many types
of poetry up there, but where are the
accompanying comments explaining why
they are considered good poetry...not
merely comments of the `I like this`
kind.

(I`m goin` down for my tea)

What a gent!

Julian

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

His contributions to WOL were never less than considered
and informative: proving that wisdom comes with age in
a generous spirit that is willing to share and care.
His photo image embellishing his posts seemed to me the
reality of the man...kindly, humorous and well aware of
the frailties and hopes of others.
RIP.

Comment is about RIP Harry (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

No! Not Harry?
Those angels had better watch out now Harry’s charming them.
Miss you, old friend.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hear-hear. His contributions were never less than
interested and encouraging: the proof that wisdom
comes with a generous spirit that lets others benefit
from what you know.

Comment is about Harry's Game - RIP Harry O'Neill (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

A lovely obit for a lovely chap. I finally had the privilege of meeting him, at Laura Taylor's Flapjack Press launch session in Liverpool. A thoroughly nice chap and a constantly interested, always learning, generously sharing poetry lover, who will be missed by all of us at Write Out Loud.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Assume you are talking about yourself here ray for which it is certainly true
marvellous poem

Comment is about THE MEASURE OF A POET (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Filled with strong visual images.
I can almost hear those heels.
Great stuff.

Hannah

Comment is about Heels (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Well said Tom. he was a fine poet and encourager of others.

Comment is about Harry's Game - RIP Harry O'Neill (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Cheers guys. I've just realised that the first couple of lines make absolutely no sense but huh, never mind!

Comment is about Story (blog)

Original item by David Blake

wonderful dedication Tom.

Comment is about Harry's Game - RIP Harry O'Neill (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

A really wonderful gentleman, poet and helpful humorous friend who will be sadly missed by us all on write out loud without any doubt and will never ever be forgotten.

My sincere condolences to his family and thank's to God for his beautiful presence in this life.

God bless you Harry lots of love lots of tears.

RIP.

Leon.

Comment is about RIP Harry (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Very sad, very moving.

Hannah

Comment is about Pain (blog)

Original item by Damon Blackery

Congratulations David this definitely has a nice flow to it and as has been mentioned the feel of Dylan Thomas
Nice one

Comment is about 'Roots and branches' by David T Jones is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman