Wow. Thankyou for such encouraging comments.

Comment is about Difficult work colleague (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Hi Ray, nearly missed this under the deluge of recent postings! You reveal this great story with real skill. Heartwarming on a cold winter's night! Thanks, Paul

Comment is about OLD LOVE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

complicated in its simplicity or simple in its complexity? I'm not sure which but I like it. I'm reminded of the image of the big wheel turning so often used in song lyrics and elsewhere. Nice one Paul.

Comment is about Full Circle (blog)

Original item by Paul Waring

Beyond healthy analysis this stands alone in a sort of miasmic contemplation . Always intriguing in this frame of mind elP it could almost be a painting by Dhali. (Is that the right spelling?).

Ray

Comment is about cataclysm and containment--Stage 1 (blog)

Original item by nunya

This is a welcome offering Stuart coming as it does with inside knowledge and a fine observational sting in the tail.
It is refreshing how we can learn so much and get into the real nature of things. Bravo!

Ray

Comment is about Panic in the Paddock (blog)

Original item by Stuart Bright

A lesson for us all Hazel. Turning this situation round takes a lot of guts and conviction. Nicely described and parcelled up to be sent packing. How lucky I've been , always self employed (though this brings other insecurities) !
Rajs comments are a delight too and pertinent.

Ray

Comment is about Difficult work colleague (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Seems surreal and rather intriguing - it reminds me somehow of The League of Gentlemen, as it is unsettling.

Ray

Comment is about The carbon cycle (blog)

Original item by Alex Smith

Hazel, very enjoyable, powerful stuff and some great lines, too. Paul

Comment is about Difficult work colleague (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

I know you're back Stu ! Into that dark place between truth and fantasy where all imagination lies. This seems a sort of elevation of quite sordid matters into something quite redeeming and has your original questing stamp on it. It's clever how you dip into a journey and then arrive back right you started. Miles away from a Kellogg's advert but still ...Welcome back!
Ray

Comment is about i will ruin everything eventually (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Just keeping the title race honest, Harry.

Comment is about "IT'S BROUGHT US HERE" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Really enjoyed this...Jeff....

Comment is about i will ruin everything eventually (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Ronald,
This `minds me of Van Goch...and the differences between painting and poetry...and `artificing` whether the boots are `doing something` or `going somewhere` (but I gave up, this kind of thinking can go on forever)

Comment is about These Wooden Boots (blog)

Original item by Ronald Hoffman

Uncharacteristically delicate John...you should try your hand with a novel.

I`m lightin` a candle for the Spurs tonight (but I`m snuffin` it out tomorrow)

Comment is about "IT'S BROUGHT US HERE" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Steve: thanks for you comment on World of Plastic. I'll have a go at this at WOL in Send. I did think it would be a sort of tongue twister, to be read in a fairly brisk manner; much obliged.

Ray

Comment is about steve pottinger (poet profile)

Original item by steve pottinger

Hi Hazel, my mother has that picture up in her kitchen and it reminded me of myself in old photos, although that kid would be a few years older than me. I was born in in 1953. Anyway, I posted it as a taster from my next book After Hours out in April from Cultured Llama.

Comment is about Hazel ettridge (poet profile)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Hi Paul, my mother has that picture up in her kitchen and it reminded me of myself in old photos, although that kid would be a few years older than me. I was born in in 1953. Anyway, I posted it as a taster from my next book After Hours out in April from Cultured Llama.

Comment is about Paul Waring (poet profile)

Original item by Paul Waring

'the locals were knuckling down' starts this off with a nod to Cameron's Big Society ideal - or, let's get the public mugs doing for free what the government should be paying them to do. Tory Socialism lol. Then someone literally gets mugged - yep that was all of us right? And meanwhile the local council continues on its own corrupt decision making processes. But love saves the day and we drift off into a lovely little sidestep story of two old pensioners in a nursing home.

Maybe this is two poems stitched together but the old couple couldn't give a fuck about verse one - maybe we should adopt their mantra for dealing with this present political madness by saying fuck you we're not doing it unless you pay us a proper wage. Now there's proper Socialism Dave.

I remember a comedian back in the Thatcher era saying I cannot achieve an erection under a Conservative administration. I guess that's maybe not an issue for your two nursing home sprites Ray. But 'with life moving into a new gear' who can tell.

Great poem this. Cheers, Col.

Comment is about OLD LOVE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

It would be nice to see some more poems from when we were young here on WoL especially when the original sentiments continue to ring true down the decades as this does. A different war but just as horrifying as today's conflicts.

This feels like a prelude to John Lennon's Happy Xmas (War is Over) which was released two years later. Read in context with the knowledge that you were just 15 years old makes this a highly thoughtful and evocative piece. Thanks for posting Phil.

Comment is about Twelfth Night (blog)

Original item by Phil Ireland

Beautiful Hazel. I've been there before.
But through 'mindful' practice I learnt to take negativity, convert it into compassion and give it back to them. It's great to see the blockages dissolve and the resistances release themselves.

The results are amazing:
"Your small and narrow mind charges at my open arms

Collapses against my soft breast

You falter and turn, you retreat and I let you go".

One cannot fight aggression with aggression.
Couple this with positive affirmations which work on the energy fields around you.

Om Shanti. xx

Comment is about Difficult work colleague (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

Ok, so i was trying something new to me with the rythm and flow of this poem and i hope it reads well to you.

The inspiration for this came from my experiences in farming. I have spent the last 6 years in agriculture, 4 of them farming in Australia (which coincidentally is where i am now) and the last 2 as an Artificial Inseminator.

There is no worse a sound than an unplanned breakout-you've been up since 3am, just got home and ready for brekky/beer/sleep and boom you hear it - like a hoard of zombies moaning in the distance.

I hope you enjoyed it.
Stu.

Comment is about Panic in the Paddock (blog)

Original item by Stuart Bright

like this a lot. it has loads of lovely assonance and would probably sound very good read out at a fairly fast pace over some form of music. if only someone had a name for that kind of thing it might get popular.

Comment is about cataclysm and containment--Stage 1 (blog)

Original item by nunya

thanks elP. much appreciated, its nice to be back. just going to read your latest now!

Comment is about breaking an azeotrope with unidirectional pressure manipulation (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

It really is great to see a post from you, Stu..such a fantastically unique imagination that really does its part in setting things alight around here.

elP

Comment is about breaking an azeotrope with unidirectional pressure manipulation (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

cheers steve, glad you liked it!

Comment is about breaking an azeotrope with unidirectional pressure manipulation (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thanks Connie! ❤

Comment is about Tears (blog)

Original item by Zane

Hi Paul, this was the last verse of a renga and was just meant to be optimistic - so Mrs Doubtfire is a perfect vision.

Comment is about Joy (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

me likey dis...dead big lot!





Rose ?

Comment is about Miracle of wondrous canal lock (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

I can hear Hank wailing, even now. Kinda nice slow tempo too.

And have nobody answer back,
JUST silence from afar?

More people top themselves to C&W than to anything else.

Stay with us, Eric. This is good!

Comment is about My Misery (blog)

Original item by Eric Berard

Hazel, sorry for posting this message so late. I really like this, it brought to mind an innocent young girl at play.....but (please forgive me), I then somehow imagined a Mrs Doubtfire freewheeling down that hill in her red cardigan and couldn't keep a straight face! So, well done on many levels! Paul

Comment is about Joy (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

....and there was me thinking prolixity was something GP's prescribed....to stop people rabbiting on?? Ha-ha!!

Comment is about BlameShameGuilt (blog)

Original item by Paul Waring

Hahahahaha!......my old boss told me my technical reports have "prolixity" years ago.....never forgot it....l always try to pop it into polite conversation to sound pretentious, it works too...especially with the Welsh..Jeff....

Comment is about BlameShameGuilt (blog)

Original item by Paul Waring

best advice anyone can give.Thank you Josie.Jemima.

Comment is about Living With Roommates (blog)

Original item by Josie Harris

I really enjoyed this, M.C.

Comment is about STILL WAVING AT TRAINS (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

This would be a great performance piece, I think...

Comment is about WORLD OF PLASTIC (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I'll echo what others have already said. The lines about
'little refugees sailing
their slim luck in the dark'

are just beautiful.

Comment is about Night Music (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

David, for me the style of this poem is wonderful, you have brilliantly combined the little nipper's energy and excitement to get home with the portent of danger that leaves us wondering what happens next. What a cliffhanger.....! Thanks for posting this. Paul

Comment is about Le Petit Parisien, 1952 (blog)

Original item by David Cooke

Love this, Stu. The combination of language and setting and that incredible title... Wonderful.

Comment is about breaking an azeotrope with unidirectional pressure manipulation (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Don't you just love predictive Text?

Comment is about Le Petit Parisien, 1952 (blog)

Original item by David Cooke

Love it. Observatonight with love.

Comment is about Le Petit Parisien, 1952 (blog)

Original item by David Cooke

This was a scene I dreamt, Graham. (I woke up this morning thinking I'd dreamt the result too).

Comment is about "IT'S BROUGHT US HERE" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks Jeff, nice comment. I see you've had breakfast at Dictionaries again! Cheers, Paul

Comment is about BlameShameGuilt (blog)

Original item by Paul Waring

Really well written & in a style I enjoy reading too.....thanks for sharing......Jeff

Comment is about Living With Roommates (blog)

Original item by Josie Harris

Nicely written ☺️

Comment is about Just another night (blog)

Original item by Pheonix None

Nicely written ☺️?

Comment is about Tears (blog)

Original item by Zane

Love Hangover

Creased nylon sheets
upturned pillow head
leave untidy bed.

Hot black coffee
squeeze secret ingredient
together gently drink.

Drained energy returns
two cups empty
what love hangover?

The theme for Monday night is hangover or hungover
from Christmas nights full of enjoyment and a carefree new year to ease that throbing head!

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Coopey, you old dog! Take a tablet quick!!

2-0 2-0 lalalala!

Comment is about "IT'S BROUGHT US HERE" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Really like this...flows well & it's a style I enjoy reading...no prolixity......Jeff..

Comment is about BlameShameGuilt (blog)

Original item by Paul Waring

Thanks too John, for your comment about the atmosphere of this piece. Cheers, Paul

Comment is about Portland Court (blog)

Original item by Paul Waring

Thanks Colin, I have just Googled Onslow Court and looked at the pictures of it, it looks a really interesting place, I'd love to live there! Portland Court is in New Brighton on the other side of the River Mersey at the point where it meets the Irish Sea, and has views across to Liverpool. Thanks for your comment, it's great to hear this sort of stuff, what a community we are part of on here! Paul

Comment is about Portland Court (blog)

Original item by Paul Waring

Very atmospheric, Paul. I too initially thought it was a hotel which had seen better days. They all seem like that in Weston super Mare. Well captured.

Comment is about Portland Court (blog)

Original item by Paul Waring