Thanks, Colin. I'm up to 2.5 hours now. I did it 7 years ago when I was 58. It's bloody hard this time round!

Comment is about SAMMY B GOODE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Much enjoyed. I like the way it probes like an all-seeing camera, through sight into situation into soul. I can see why it's published.

Comment is about THE GIRL FROM GALLIENI (blog)

Original item by john short

There are 'rules' about fragrance in Canada. I've never been quite sure whether they are local to a city/town/church/Bingo hall etc. as I 'pop' in and out these days. But they do exist, as many people totally agree with you (like me) that scent can be an abomination to the public.

The only thing worse is applying nail polish on public transport. But, maybe - taking it off with oxygen-destroying remover that could take a year's stain out of a family toilet bowl.

Comment is about No Fragrance Allowed (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

thanks for the extra location details Keith. They have put me in mind of something I wrote a year or so back on a flight to Gran Canaria. I will repost it for you to read if you get time. Cheers, Col

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

Exceptional in all ways.

Comment is about April 2017 Collage Poem: Greatness (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Thanks to you all!

Comment is about Last day of voting in Saboteur awards - deadline is midnight tonight (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

When the young die too early their sins tend to be easily overlooked as they will not enjoy the time to reflect on themselves later in life.

This is a nicely weighted tribute Paul, not too gushy. She was damaged goods for sure. If I had been her father (equally damaged) I wouldn't have let her get so screwed up.

The good news is we'll always have "back to black"

Good work.

Comment is about Queen of Camden (blog)

Original item by Paul Waring

bit Marmitey this one for me Paul. I never quite got the Wonder of Winehouse or Diana for that matter - or one of any number of modern day drugged and beleaguered celebs/royals/athletes etc yawn etc. Seems they all fed/feed on each other - media frenzy/public adoration/rehab bills. How do you separate any of it? The age thing is a bit uncanny but I suspect there is some correlation with them all finding stardom at a young age followed by a successful but short career and demise around the same point.

having been all negativey I do think there is much to admire in this poem - 'time enough to tattoo yourself on hearts and minds' is a great line and I love the ending. But I don't think she was a genius. Perhaps by asking her to say hi to Marvin you are knocking her down a peg or two?

thanks for posting Paul - she will always divide opinion and create debate which is a good legacy. Thanks also Suki for redirecting me back to Cracked Symbols and giving me the chance to reread those floral tributes again.

Cheers
Col

Comment is about Queen of Camden (blog)

Original item by Paul Waring

well written Hannah - a sad story but hope, protection and self-preservation summed up in the last verse. Colin

Comment is about Little Sister Hush Hush (blog)

Original item by Hannah Orosco

A lovely poem, Neil.

Comment is about 'Rowing' by Neil Robertson is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

as David said, a poem which transports one's mind somewhere else - and there is so much rich imagery here that it's not difficult to be transported. Beam me up Ray.

It is sad too, very sad. There are few images sadder than 'an expiring elephant on its knees' and perhaps the elephant is a metaphor for the things that went unsaid or understood between husband and wife. Which makes me think of an alternative title - The Elephant in the Garden.

again, as David said, a great idea for a poem.
Colin

Comment is about THE ELEPHANT IN THE GARDEN (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks Suki, I have just read Cracked Symbols and enjoyed it tremendously, brilliantly inventive writing. So sad how many 'stars' died aged 27, it's uncanny. Glad you liked this one Suki, much appreciated.

Paul

Comment is about Queen of Camden (blog)

Original item by Paul Waring

this is really very good and takes me back to my own poetic excursions to Paris. I particularly like the vagrant poet and the brunette, plump thighs and all. I'd be tempted to take them off somewhere to explore a different side of the suburbs. Good work John. Thanks for posting.
Colin
btw, really liked your History Lesson sample poem.

Comment is about THE GIRL FROM GALLIENI (blog)

Original item by john short

you can do it Amy - with or without your professor - I really hope it works out for you. This is a problem here in the UK too. My son's class is behind on their physics because the teacher waffles on about stuff they don't need to pass the exam. I have no time for vanity teaching. Stick to the curriculum. It's the system that fails you Amy - not yourself. You can do it and it's worth the effort. Good luck. Colin

Comment is about Because My Professor Can't Teach (blog)

Original item by AmyLogan

Hi all,

Thank you for taking the time to read and leave feedback.

elP - I haven't read any Asimov, but a fair bit of Phil k.Dick. I do enjoy his dark humour. He really predicted with uncanny precision so much about what has come to pass.

Col, cheers as always. Elon Musk - there's more to him than meets the eye..

Suki

Comment is about Escape To Easter Island A Gated Community (blog)

Original item by Suki Spangles

Hi Paul,

I didn't realise Amy is also a part of the so-called 27 club.
Lovely poem.

Funnily enough, I wrote the poem Cracked Symbols about the aftermath of her passing a few months ago.

Cheers,
Suki

Comment is about Queen of Camden (blog)

Original item by Paul Waring

This is a great poem David. Economical with words, a perfect example of how less is more. Says all that needs to be said.

Comment is about ALEPPO (blog)

Original item by David Subacchi

Thank you Ghazala for your kind compliment. And, true indeed, this life is so uncertain.

Paul

Comment is about Queen of Camden (blog)

Original item by Paul Waring

sad!!! emotional piece of work..marvelously portrayed.

Comment is about Little Sister Hush Hush (blog)

Original item by Hannah Orosco

life is uncertain...but death is certain...each one has its own time....either too early or too late....still v die!!! no matter how much fame and glory we earn, from dust we came..to it we return.....lovely poem!!!!

Comment is about Queen of Camden (blog)

Original item by Paul Waring

This was incredibly intense. Very descriptive and emotional. Keep up the great work

Comment is about Little Sister Hush Hush (blog)

Original item by Hannah Orosco

Thanks a lot David, Paul, Martin and Colin - I feel good for your likes and I agree the last line has a bit of a punch. People do get away with a lot of hot air - but not us lot i'm sure!!

Ray

Comment is about TONGUE TWISTER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Dear Harry,
thank you for going through "brand new start".....i appreciate your sincere comment....your deep connection to my feelings shows that you are connected to God Almighty....i started to write this poem with the intention of thanking Allah, despite all the tests, tribulations and worries, we have so much to thank Him for. Lord (Rabb) is a reference to Allah Almighty. we as muslims love Jesus (peace be upon him), we respect him as an honourable messenger of God.
this poem is a sincere reflection of my thankfulness to Allah, which He definitely owes.
as for "that" something missing that you feel...i will definitely try to understand and will try to put into words worth being read....in shaa allah.

regards:-
-ghazala l.

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

Original item by Harry O`N eill

dear keith,
thank you for reading my poem..."i have a dream". your appreciation means a lot to me.
i truly feel, peace is much talked about these days but rarely we feel that peace. everyone is at war..with themselves, within family, neighborhood, countries at large....i wish somehow true peace could spread throughout the world.....thank you for your sincere comment.
regards
- ghazala l.

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Col, it feels good to be posting. I write on a daily basis but I haven't found the time to post recently.

Martin, I surprised myself with the flow of this poem and I almost didn't write the last two lines...glad you liked it.

Powerball, once again thanks for the compliment

Comment is about Breaking News (blog)

Original item by Juan Pablo Lynch

(-:

Comment is about Last day of voting in Saboteur awards - deadline is midnight tonight (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Just voted for you Greg. Good luck!

Suki

Comment is about Last day of voting in Saboteur awards - deadline is midnight tonight (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

thanks Ricky. A napwrimo exercise this one but i do like it.

Comment is about Sweet Nothings (A Homage to Hugo Williams's poem of the same name) (blog)

Original item by Andy N

Done!

Comment is about Last day of voting in Saboteur awards - deadline is midnight tonight (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Respect, Stu!

Comment is about Last day of voting in Saboteur awards - deadline is midnight tonight (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Message for Nicola - and apologies! I gave you the wrong spelling for Roger McGough (that's the right one!) and I'm sure you knew that but were either too polite to say, or you were extremely tolerant of my ageing brain! Sorry!
Love, Dorinda x

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

you got my vote

Comment is about Last day of voting in Saboteur awards - deadline is midnight tonight (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Good on you, Colin!

Comment is about Last day of voting in Saboteur awards - deadline is midnight tonight (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks Colin

Comment is about Frankie LeFrisp (poet profile)

Original item by Frankie LeFrisp

#feelingcheery

Comment is about The future is bright (blog)

Original item by Frankie LeFrisp

So incredibly rich and imaginative Suki, reads like a mind-blowing phantasmagorical dystopia, escaping from or to a world gone mad. Umm, maybe not so far-fetched, you could be on to something ?

Paul

Comment is about Escape To Easter Island A Gated Community (blog)

Original item by Suki Spangles

love the bio Frank - I lasted a little while longer but dropped out of education after a month of 'A' Levels - uninspired teaching and what we would probably label a failing school nowadays but I guess a lot of it was me wanting to go my own way and do my own thing because at the time I knew better of course! Sadly I see the same failings in our schools 35 years on as my own teenage boys go through the system - take a look at this week's Poem of the Week for similar thoughts.

There are lots of talented writers here on WoL covering different themes and styles so if you want to learn this is the place to be. Read read read and have fun with words. There are no rules but one tip I would offer is to not get too hung up on the rhymes - there is more to poetry than end of line rhyming although it definitely has a place. Good luck Frank.

All the best
Colin

Comment is about Frankie LeFrisp (poet profile)

Original item by Frankie LeFrisp

Jane - yes, go find an open mic and read or sing - I'm sure you won't regret it! Take a look at WoL's gig guide - there might be something near you. Good luck and feel free to post some more poems when you get time. All the best, Colin.

Comment is about Jane Isaac (poet profile)

Original item by Jane Isaac

Thank you Keith. I only have this one so far. I shall give it another go soon.

Comment is about Frankie LeFrisp (poet profile)

Original item by Frankie LeFrisp

good luck Greg - just voted for you!

Comment is about Last day of voting in Saboteur awards - deadline is midnight tonight (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Run for the door Hannah!

Comment is about Ugly Words (blog)

Original item by Hannah Orosco

It's been a while Nicola.
Do I see a 'let's stay friends' compromise?

Keep going. Raj x

Comment is about Other cares (blog)

Original item by Nicola Byrnes

Wonderfully crafted Jane. Pure catharsis.

I've learnt a few beautiful lines:
- You know, you've found that slit of comfort in a moment of many

- The beastly preys on the hopeful and passive

- but your smile is... Is it gone already?
It has faded into a straight line

Raj

Comment is about Not Yet (blog)

Original item by Jane Isaac

hello ray
not sure where i picked up on it, my brain is patchy, but congrats on having a pamphlet published. it is richly deserved, your work is funny, touching and intelligent, often all at once. as soon as it is available please let me know so i can buy one.
wonderful stuff.

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

Clap clap clap the more I read the more I smiled

Comment is about A Mountain Journey (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

So much! To get into your brain, from whence it all came..physics, chemistry and the technocracy--that's a busy mind, Suki. I may be somewhat off, but I thought of Isaac Asimov.

elP

Comment is about Escape To Easter Island A Gated Community (blog)

Original item by Suki Spangles

Hello, just returning from a long weekend spent traveling...

Nicola, thanks for stopping by. Obviously, I've achieved a certain level of comfort in this forum, thanks to people like you and the writing I've been privileged to read. So, the thanks goes back to you for providing a safe place to share.

You know, David, when writing this, I hadn't planned on opening up in this manner. However, it seemed only fair, somehow, after the initial comments I received. I've come upon such honesty, here--such as I would never have deemed possible from any group people. You hit a big word when speaking about memory--"intrusive". It seems that some things never stop intruding, they simply lose the power to take us by surprise.

Thanks, Natasha. I've been a silent witness of the poetry of many writers, here, and have come to see value in the act of expulsion through writing. There's a certain freedom that comes from just saying things which wouldn't otherwise be said in "mixed" company.

And, Suki, you said it..memories can be triggered by any number of random stimuli--even the holders of those memories can't be wholly aware of all the minutiae that may bring them back to life. We only know it when we sense it.

I appreciate the "cold and austere" comment, Stu. I'm not terribly demonstrative in my daily life. So, naturally, I wouldn't write in such a manner as to betray overmuch "warmth". Yet, I find it hard to resist the urge to express any depth of which my natural vocabulary is capable of exploring.

Thanks to each of your for your kind and thoughtful comments.

elP

Comment is about chalk one up (blog)

Original item by nunya

Friendship certainly brings more true joy than other cares..and, sadly--at times--much deeper heartache. I'm not sure if I hit it right, but it does seem that something deeper than desire calls.

elP

"...give me love over
Love over, love over desire"

--Coldplay, "Politik"

Comment is about Other cares (blog)

Original item by Nicola Byrnes

You know, Hazel, I woke one morning last week with this word in my head and kept meaning to look it up...thanks for reminding me to increase my vocabulary!

elP

Comment is about Doggerel (I'm trying everything) (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Frank, this is good. Let´s see some more. Thanks. Keith

Comment is about Frankie LeFrisp (poet profile)

Original item by Frankie LeFrisp