Why don't you read it at the Marsden Jazz Festival Poetry Jam, Martin, on Sunday 9th October? It's always a great event with a great atmosphere in the village.
Railway Inn, Marsden 10.30 for 11.00 to get on the list. I think the poem would go down really well. And I believe some of your Stockport Write Out Loud colleagues are coming along too (so lifts shared?).

Comment is about 'The black and the white' by Martin Elder is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks David - yes, I did make that quote deliberately; it adds some irony to what is such a diabolical situation. It's great to here the few American satirical singer/pianists that ply their trade.

Ray

Comment is about CULTURE SHOCKS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Funny you mentioned Holmesley John. It still has its railway station (now a tearoom) no sign of a trackbed now. I've got one of those pre grouping atlases. A bit of fun for sure!

Ray

Comment is about MILFORD, NEW MILTON AND BARTON-ON-SEA (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

This is great Stu, I think that you have also captured the idea of obsession and compulsion here. Nice one

Comment is about so kiss me, hold me and eat me (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

A moving piece Stu that almost has a nursery rhyme like quality about it. Like it

Comment is about little nightmares (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thank you so much Eva. Much appreciated.

Comment is about The black and the white (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

What year did Larkin write this John?

The question today may be; do we even acknowledge the billboards? Are we so desensitized that they have become road clutter?

Don't we demand computer animated advertising and video boards?

Which then begs the question; where will it end when we are desensitized to those? What will be needed to grab our attention in the future?

Food for thought?

Comment is about September 2016 Collage Poem: A Better Place (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

i am glad this won potw martin, its excellent, one of your best. sorry i couldnt be there to support you on the 21st, the cost of my book launch and shipping the required books over from the US is much higher than i first thought and as such I am left eating cheap lemon curd out of a jar with little to no hope of going anywhere until it is paid off.

Comment is about 'The black and the white' by Martin Elder is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

i love the shape of this poem and it reminds me very much of the film 'the descent'. worth a watch if you arent allergic to a scare. good job.

Comment is about "Descending into the abyss" (blog)

Original item by James Rudin

Tight rhythms and a rhyme scheme of abab which I'd difficult to manage in such short lines while still remaining on message. Enjoyed the image of "myriad ghostly fingers".

Comment is about RIGHT TURN by Richard Seymour (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks, guys.
We did enjoy the twin pleasures of Wimborne Minster and then Darmouth in June, MC. So we have ventured a little further westwards too.
Ray - we were actually caravanning at Holmsley earlier this month, though the seaside towns I write about were on the menu. Very pleasant indeed, especially the walk from Keyhaven to Lymington.

Comment is about MILFORD, NEW MILTON AND BARTON-ON-SEA (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Wonderfully uncomplicated John. Meself and Mrs were in the New Forest during the recent storms overnight . Quite a different experience.

Ray

Comment is about MILFORD, NEW MILTON AND BARTON-ON-SEA (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Anyone who knows London would nod sadly at the image
it evokes...another "landmark" in London life consigned to memory: the price of progress and the cost
demanded by change.

Comment is about A Night At The Astoria (blog)

Original item by Anna Ghislena

Strong meat Stu - short on romance long on the gothic. It reminds me somewhat of the witch trials and the repressed sexuality inherent in that torture.

We all have to wait patiently for POTW.

You might enjoy a book I'm reading called Vampire Forensics by Mark Collins Jenkins pub. National ~Geographic; it is very graphic.

Ray

Comment is about so kiss me, hold me and eat me (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Lovely touches in this seaside holiday "postcard".
.....................................................................
And if you go travelling, heading westwards a way,
You find more to relish, overlooking Lyme Bay,
So glad you enjoyed your vacation JC
And there's much else awaiting...just take it from me.
One of my most vivid holiday memories was with family
crewing a yacht from the Solent to Dartmouth and back,
with my late brother-in-law as skipper one long-ago summer...seeing the coast from a different perspective altogether. .My poem "Sailing Days" was inspired by the
experience.

Comment is about MILFORD, NEW MILTON AND BARTON-ON-SEA (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I dont hold out much hope for POTW with this one

Comment is about so kiss me, hold me and eat me (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Hey, David,

You might like this..I know I do..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s-Z5Mn60Ok

elP

Comment is about transaction (blog)

Original item by nunya

Another wonderful poem from you, Martin. I particularly love 'winter was just another blister/On the sole of life'.

It's a shame readers can't hear you saying it aloud; you are a fantastic performance poet.

Comment is about 'The black and the white' by Martin Elder is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks from Rodney and myself to all those who came along to September's Write Out Loud Woking and contributed to another splendid evening - Greg Clare, Geoff Pimlott, Lorri Pimlott, Karen Izod, janet Collinson, Peter Taylor, debutante Beth Flitton, Andy V Frost, Ray Pool and Carla Scarano. Thanks to Carla in particular for reading poems by her late friend Elizabeth Burns ...

and special thanks to Andy for his technical assistance with the mic stand!

Review is about Write Out Loud Woking on 19 Sep 2016 (event)

Indeed I was the youngest there, Graham. And the only one without a bloody pooch too!
Man City next up.

Comment is about MILFORD, NEW MILTON AND BARTON-ON-SEA (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

"You’ll probably find you’re the youngest sat there".

Bloody hell JC, are you sure it wasn't an out of body experience? Wake up quick!!

In all seriousness its a lovely snapshot, almost postcard like.

Best lines for me, obviously......

"Blue rinsed old ladies, threatened and frail Swiping at wasps with today’s Daily Mail"

well done sir! (2nd place 2nd place 2nd place etc etc)

Comment is about MILFORD, NEW MILTON AND BARTON-ON-SEA (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks, Steve. I tried to mirror the simple innocence of the place. You can imagine Captain Mainwaring marching from around every corner.

Comment is about MILFORD, NEW MILTON AND BARTON-ON-SEA (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you for taking the time to read it Suki, I am glad you liked it. Anna.

Comment is about A Night At The Astoria (blog)

Original item by Anna Ghislena

Hi John
As ever, I loved this piece. A lovely calming way to start the day

Comment is about MILFORD, NEW MILTON AND BARTON-ON-SEA (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Ray Glad yoiu liked the High Window. I co-edit it with Antrhony Costello. By all means try us with some poems, although I'm afraid competition is pretty stiff and and the winter and spring issues are now full. ASnything that comes in now will be considered for issue #6 in June.

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

Kelly,

I like the straightforward tsumami-like way the metaphor of this progresses.

Comment is about Survival (blog)

Original item by Kelly

Love it. Really enjoyed your Sorrento poem too. Thanks for sharing. Suki

Comment is about A Night At The Astoria (blog)

Original item by Anna Ghislena

Great atmosphere, it reminds me of Cider with Rosie.

Poverty is a great inner radiance!

Comment is about 'The black and the white' by Martin Elder is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I love this so much. Such a beautiful poem

Comment is about The black and the white (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Hi MC
Very funny
One simple comment made me think what I'd feel like when folk stopped telling me I looked well.
I think I'm getting close

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Ken,
Stop worryin`about Celestial `throughput`!

Old age is a doddle down here now (see my comment on Steve Mellor`s `That time of life`)

At the earthly input `end` the enormous advances in the
contraceptive and abortive movement should take care of any worries from there.

I reckon that - after a few hundred years of uninterrupted
longevity - we will all arrive at the Decrepitudinal Heaven of the Grand Climateric and, in a magnificent gesture of universal suicide, all disappear up our own craggy arses in
constipationally vaselined peace.

But remember our agreement...stay on your own muck heap! ?

Comment is about IN OUR OWN IMAGE (blog)

Original item by ken eaton-dykes

Yes Colin, a curious afterthought , probably requiring counselling (for me that is). Imagine one day having a chip fitted to glasses that logs memories, like a minute by minute diary. You never know.

I hope you're back safe and sound and enjoying the footfall in the good old UK once again.

Regards, Ray

Comment is about NEW GLASSES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Hi David, I have checked your online journal and mighty fine it is. Is this something you run yourself and/or contribute to? I would be very interested in submitting a hopefully suitable piece myself if that is possible. I am trying to spread my work and need to make a concerted effort, with a possible result in having a pamphlet at least to my name. If you have any helpful suggestions I would be grateful. You know by now my style as such I'm sure.

Regards, Ray.

Comment is about David Cooke (poet profile)

Original item by David Cooke

Hi Harry

Glad Time of life made you smile.

It was after a comment was made that I "look really well", that made me wonder, what it would mean when the compliments stopped. I figured I must be close to my 'peak' what with the compliments starting now.

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

Original item by Harry O`N eill

M.C.
You can`t plead innocence now..I`ve already booked the holiday on the strength of the blackmail money!

Comment is about LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

thanks Cynthia - you're very kind

Comment is about black clouds on a sunny day (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

thanks for the comments on F34r Th3 Numb3r5 Stu - something a bit different and way too difficult to write easily - cheers

Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Powerful points taken, Julian.

Comment is about 'The black and the white' by Martin Elder is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I'm really looking forward to Sale in October. Super to have you.

Comment is about black clouds on a sunny day (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

This really does justice both to the grim- and greyness of life in a 1950s/early 60s industrial northern town; but also, thanks to your word 'apparently', to the sense that the swinging sixties tended to swing elsewhere than in most of our towns. You wouldn't feel nostalgia for the filth and the grime, the smogs and the narrow-mindedness if you'd lived through it. Each time my mum wanted to put washing out she'd to clean the line thoroughly of the oil-like substance that clung to it. Buses were full of cigarette smoke, chimneys belched death.
TV was in its heyday. Coronation Street (it was never Corrie then) was the first drama programme that was about people like us, real folk. I understand that Granada's World in Action made a huge contribution to obtaining the Clean Air Acts through its programme that showed the link between air-born pollution and death from bronchitis, by opening the programme with a Coronation-type street with an unending convoy of hearses rolling through, Brilliant, and thank goodness for that Clean Air Act.
A very good reflection of a life that has, thankfully, passed, Martin.

Comment is about 'The black and the white' by Martin Elder is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I appreciate the vision in this, Martin, and the 'summer of love' twist at the end. Weirdly, I feel the opposite - a nostalgia for those black and white days, and particularly those gritty northern films of the late 50s, early 60s - A Kind of Loving, Whistle Down the Wind, This Sporting Life, Billy Liar, with the sound of a steam train always in the distance. Plus early Corrie and Z Cars, of course.

Comment is about 'The black and the white' by Martin Elder is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank's MC

Yes it's nice being able to take the mick, without the fear of losing one's head. That's true democracy.

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hi Ray.

Thanks for your comment. Much appreciated

Ken.

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

I searched for 'Shirley' for most of 50 years - no trace - I even travelled to Fleetwood following up a dead lead. Not a trace of her could be found.
Two days after writing this poem and full of nostalgic tears and emotions I gave facebook one last try - mispelled her surname and up she popped.
We are fb friends ?

Comment is about "First Love" (blog)

Original item by Rick Gammon

tiny coffin is good - there's more to be made of that.

Comment is about NEW GLASSES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

How bizarre. We don't mind a plumber who's good at plumbing making a living out of it or a footballer or an author; but a poet, well that's just prostitution. (Come to think of it, I don't mind a prostitute making a bob or two out of her assets).

Comment is about Spoken word poets Hollie McNish, Matt Abbott and Sugar J Poet film ads for Nationwide (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

This is truer than I care to share ? Still smashed hearted but trying to forget ?
It makes for a good performance piece - the lady in question is no fan of poetry so her 'starring role' will remain sub rosa ? 'entre nous'.

Comment is about "Meeting Mrs Potiphar" (blog)

Original item by Rick Gammon

Fucking fantastic Rick. Lots of detail as always, and the insatiable worm is a classic coupling, especially as it rhymes with sperm. So many great lines and the layout and repetitions make it a real pleasure. A sort of kitchen sink feel that often pervades your material may I say, with respect.

Ray

Comment is about "Meeting Mrs Potiphar" (blog)

Original item by Rick Gammon

I like the conversational tone which gives a wryness to the poem, and can go anywhere once in motion. It reminds me of the monologues of Stanley Holloway, touch in cheek. Clever last lines, kicks the whole thing into touch !


Ray

Comment is about IN OUR OWN IMAGE (blog)

Original item by ken eaton-dykes

Cash for keeping mum about poetry? Now that's a
revolutionary (and in some cases not unwelcome) thought!
Nothing to do with my brother but originated from getting
in a tangle with my own duvet while putting off a move
out of bed. I enjoyed inventing something macabre out of it.

Comment is about LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry