great stuff. what i love about your writing is its so vague, it seems to exist on the fringes of a dream that one can barely remember. you work in mood and imagery which is a great talent. i find myself having to be so specific most of the time because i lack the intrinsic skills needed to convey emotion through abstract forms like you do. its quite lovely.
Comment is about anomalous (blog)
Original item by nunya
not what the piece is about but this what i have in my mind each time i listen to it., such a wonderful piece of music, if you dont know it, listen to it here;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kTffgdNhNw
Comment is about benedictus (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
thanks ray, im glad this one went down well as its a fairly personal piece, albeit one written due to a challenge by steve pottinger on facebook.
Comment is about cold pizza, nudity and the moon (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
A very fine piece of work stu. I can't add to the comments in any better summary but really enjoyed it - a classis Stu example!
Ray
Comment is about cold pizza, nudity and the moon (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
Excuse the expression Rob but I think we sing from the same hymn sheet on this. My whole point with this runs with you in that man contrives all the creaking superstructure himself ! Your rant is not necessarily a northern one by the way.
Thanks , Ray.
Comment is about THE GREEDY GOD (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Cheers both. I'm flattered. Dreams are a spiritual and creative goldmine I think.
Comment is about cold pizza, nudity and the moon (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
I bloody well love this. I'll say it again, I bloody well love it. To me dreams are the non-drug taker's absinthe. I could have dreamt this! Did I say I bloody well love it.
Comment is about cold pizza, nudity and the moon (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
thanks david. i had written a version of this that was really quite troubling and, for once, pared it down a bit. i was up all night last night (and the night before) and just sat on my bed watching the moon and eating cold pizza. it was quite a nice, spiritual moment.
Comment is about cold pizza, nudity and the moon (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
There's much to savour in this piece. Like Graham, I come back to it and find something fresh each time. Nice work!
Comment is about 'Man and Camel, & others, animal' by Dominic James is Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I like the idea of poetry and cycling. Thanks for going down to the poetry coalface to dig that report out, Greg! A tough job, as you say... ;-)
Comment is about Poetry bike tour, South Downs, 2016 (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Ray - we think anyone south of Sheffield is soft so you've got no chance! Haha
Rob
Comment is about SOUTHERN RANT (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Ray - personally I don't have a problem with any God because I don't believe any of the fairy tales or their interpretations. Religion needs to take responsibility for itself and the leaders or heads of 'churches/mosques/temples/synagogues etc. need to send out united messages of condemnation of extremism/deviant behaviour and self promotion. To take any action in a 'God's name' is an excuse and should be exposed for what it really is.
Sorry about the rant, but religion is a curse! Nice piece by the way.
Rob
Comment is about THE GREEDY GOD (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Ray - the cycle of life must have felt the same for generations. We can only hope that our kids and grandkids don't make some of the same mistakes we did!
Rob
Comment is about FAMILY MATTERS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Faith can wipe away dark sin
but when strong memories surge forward
in poetry you will always return.
Comment is about Resurrection (blog)
Original item by Katy Megan
I rather thought challenging was a good thing?
I think I read it 6/7 times and saw something different each time. Sorry if I wasn't clear.
Comment is about 'Man and Camel, & others, animal' by Dominic James is Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Second that.
Comment is about Write Out Loud Woking at the New Inn tonight (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks guys,
Greg you put it at its best and Graham, thank you for persevering, Most challenging POTW to date, eh? ouch.
Dom.
Comment is about 'Man and Camel, & others, animal' by Dominic James is Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Very enjoyable evening. Wide range of poets reading, introduced with flair by Rodney and Greg.
Grub and beer recommended also.
Comment is about Write Out Loud Woking at the New Inn tonight (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
One of "Mother" Nature's little plans to ensure that Man
- like some other life forms - are designed to impregnate
and die, leaving the female to nurture and protect the
offspring, requiring a longer life free from the hazards
of health depreciation before the offspring can survive
and take over in their turn.
Comment is about Man Flu (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
I remain perplexed about the lack of preventative security
that enabled a wicked mindset to steer a 20 ton truck
unimpeded along a famous coast route in an equally
famous city. I wonder why, in view of the history of
terrorist attacks using vehicles to arrive and depart, a
series of strategic barriers had not been put in place
slowing but allowing pedestrian flow that could be
controlled and inspected, whilst preventing vehicular
access on such an important national day. Has the
French state really caught up with what we here in the
UK understand and accept as an inconvenience in our
interests?
Comment is about One mans thoughts (blog)
Original item by Quiet Comet
The passing years - embodied in the often painful reminder of youthful enthusiasm for sport - especially "footie".
I felt I had been a witness to the event...and had left to
go my own way with its memory lingering on.
Comment is about "Brisbane Road" (blog)
Original item by Rick Gammon
The first verse? Is a wonderful travelogue where the colours sounds and smells leap off the page.
The meat of the piece I found quite complex and hard to reconcile (not unusual for me) but it leaves the reader more determined to spend time deciphering it.
I had remembered V1 when it appeared on the blog section.
Perhaps the most challenging POTW to date but well done!
Comment is about 'Man and Camel, & others, animal' by Dominic James is Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
The mindsets are worth evoking.
In1945, the Japanese warlords, presiding over a brutal
expansionist regime, were all for fighting to the last man
(and woman presumably), with the prospect of hundreds
of thousands of Allied lives being lost to achieve final
victory. Even after the first bomb fell, they still refused
to accept that the world had changed irrevocably.
The Cuban crisis - and I was a scared 19 year old at the
time - was two major world powers with ideologies
in opposition. Fortunately, the Russian leader Kruschev,
had been in combat in WW2 and knew about war. His
decision to turn his missile-carrying ships around was the
result of that experience and we all know how communism has declined globally, with only the absurd
North Korean leadership holding on by whatever means.
As for the present day - a great American president of
the past advised "Speak softly and carry a big stick".
As Churchill observed: "You cannot hope to appease the crocodile". Work for peace and be prepared for war
seems eminently sensible in human affairs.
Comment is about For Peace & For Pride (blog)
Original item by Simon Widdop
Great nostalgia CBT,
Mine is of my father's fishing equipment. A somewhat unpleasant stale, earthy, herbaceous aroma that could never be eradicated. I still have an old wooden fishing reel on my office shelf!
Aromas never die, they just keep coming around and around like memories.
Regards,
Graham
Comment is about My Father's Pipe (following Ian's blog) (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Well said - Vive La France :)
Comment is about Nice July 2016 (blog)
Original item by Dorinda MacDowell
I wrote this years ago - Dad's been dead a long time.
Comment is about My Father's Pipe (following Ian's blog) (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
A real classic Ian. I am a pipesmoker (I love that term inveterate which sometimes goes with it by the way). Those who smoke today are treated as pariahs - a whole other subject. I love the brevity and succinctness of this . It conveys the comfort and the habit perfectly. (Don't smoke indoors incidentally).
Ray
Comment is about Blue Smoke Ghost (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
I admire this poem for its relaxed, conversational approach, reminiscent of a lot of American poetry, although I am no expert. Then the mood and direction changes. The poet empathises with "a view of departing sorrow", although "at this juncture" he does not necessarily share it. He thinks he is happy, but he is not counting his chickens. A wise man!
Comment is about 'Man and Camel, & others, animal' by Dominic James is Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
hi kaety. nice to see you here. i love 'i am awake' its a proper good poem.
Thoughts of you
Stain the crease of my smile
Like blackcurrant
On summer fingers.
boom. what an opening. cracking stuff.
Comment is about Kaety Moon (poet profile)
Original item by Kaety Moon
Sat 16th Jul 2016 23:52
I sometimes feel the same way. Please don't judge me for saying that. But I find writing helps me cope with my feelings and emotions
Comment is about If I Died (blog)
Original item by Chrissy R.
Sat 16th Jul 2016 23:48
Thanks for those kind words Chrissy. I don't usually share any of my poems online or to anyone but I'm getting used to posting on here. I love writing. Thanks again for those kind words.
Comment is about I wish you were here (blog)
Original item by Selina Plante
I could only manage two lines, then I got the vapours !
Thanks for your funny response David. A small but select group we may be, with our suede shoes and quiffs etc but underneath that soft exterior beat the hearts of oak.
Ray
Comment is about SOUTHERN RANT (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Please support WOL evening in the southern counties. Hope to see you there.
David Andrew
Comment is about Write Out Loud Woking at the New Inn tonight (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
elPintor
Sat 16th Jul 2016 16:32
Thank you so much, David..such a kind word--"beautiful"..
It is odd to me how memories are triggered sometimes and how things we would rather forget keep hold, however faintly, somewhere in the backs of our minds..haunting is an apt description.
elP x
Comment is about distant (blog)
Original item by nunya
I`m sorry for dragging this haggard old thing out again, but I still haven`t found out about this conference.
I believe it was about the economic and political power prospects of handling this perfect automated world to which we all assume we are heading.
The problem is already apparent in the remarks which Mrs May is making about prosperous London and the rest of us.
it seems to me that this can only be solved in the long term by compulsory re-direction of business and industry (which will probably go down like a lead balloon in the south)
The solution of the problem on an international scale would be mind-boggling...But I like the idea that someone is thinking about it.
Can anyone help?
Comment is about `Dat old debil consequence` (blog)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
Thanks folks for the comments.
(Looking at it again, I think it needs another `them` stanza with that `us` one separately tagged on as a finisher)
Ah, well, if the inspiration strikes again - who knows?
Thanks again.
Comment is about Love at the nets (blog)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
Nicola please put your poem on that you read out - - - all about the mad crazy poets of Stockport Write Out Loud!
Comment is about Nicola Hulme (poet profile)
Original item by Nicola Hulme
thanks john. took me a while to realise that c flat doesnt really exist but i have left it in anyway. artistic license i believe they call it.
Comment is about feral (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
I'll work on it, MC.
Comment is about HERE WE GO ROUND THE MULBERRY BUSH (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
<Deleted User> (13762)
Fri 15th Jul 2016 21:14
A yellow patch
Above his chair
On the ceiling
I remember that well Ian. My father died when I was 7, he was 38 - the nicotine stain above his armchair - heart attack.
Didn't stop me from smoking though - daft innit - stopped a good while ago I should add.
Blue spiral
Of smoke
Over a memory
Perhaps not the best of memories for me - but nonetheless you have written this poem in such a way to evoke those memories so clearly - which is a fine achievement. Thanks for posting.
Comment is about Blue Smoke Ghost (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
The care in this construction is evident...leading to a
most satisfying conclusion. Unusual, and all the more
rewarding for that.
Ira Gershwin would have appreciated this format for the
musical stage, that much is apparent from his own skill
in word play found in his book about lyric writing.
Comment is about Love at the nets (blog)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
Cheeky and cheery in equal measure.
I have a vision of Corbyn, like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, leading the Labour Party a dance to political obscurity.
Perhaps you can come up with something for vicar's
daughter Theresa May?
Comment is about HERE WE GO ROUND THE MULBERRY BUSH (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
These lines powerfully portray the essential in our lives that is "hope", using the image of those who stand and
wait in vain. Time is the ultimate arbiter of all things and
in that capacity can ease suffering when hope is gone.
I like the way the poem embraces the passing years to
make its point.
Comment is about "V.E.Day" (blog)
Original item by Rick Gammon
thanks harry much appreciated. im glad i succeeded on some level
Comment is about a cat, a bird, a rock (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
Stu
An excellent example of getting (by personal memory) into the mind of another child and - by just describing the
reaction of the mother shortly - fetching out the incongruity (and poetic tragedy) of the situation.
Very effecting poem.
Comment is about a cat, a bird, a rock (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
Stu Buck
Thu 21st Jul 2016 10:13
a fine use of toilet humour to convey a serious message. not an easy thing to do.
Comment is about THE RICH KNOW HOW TO (blog)
Original item by ray pool