brilliant ray. i watched this documentary a few years ago about people adopting monkeys as babies because they couldnt have kids. heartbreaking. such a great last two lines as well. especially like 'glassy eyes', sums the whole thing up and gives it a further, distant darkness.

Comment is about SURROGATE MOTHER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks for the like on My Pinpoint :)

Comment is about steve pottinger (poet profile)

Original item by steve pottinger

Martin, thank you for taking the time to read and comment on My Pinpoint :)

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

Hey Stu, thanks for your comment on My Pinpoint and for knowing me a little more too :)

Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)

Original item by Stuart Buck

great stuff especially the last lines. to detail something mundane then use the pay off lines to transform the work into something personal/worldly is a good skill. i like your writing, its energetic and spiky.

Comment is about Coffee shop (blog)

Original item by Alexandra Lorenz

enjoying your work

Comment is about Coffee shop (blog)

Original item by Alexandra Lorenz

thanks all, im chuffed you liked the poem but more chuffed that i have somehow managed to translate something which is so baffling into something that makes some sense.

Comment is about anxiety tanka (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Cheers M.C.
Your assessment of my work is really great. Totally hits on what I was hoping to do. Thank you for putting such time and thought into your feedback.

Embarrassingly though, while I've obviously taken an element of artistic licence, there is far more reality in this than imagination :|

Thanks so much for reading :)

Comment is about 'We're off to Never Never Land' by Matthew James is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you for the likes xxx

Comment is about Coffee shop (blog)

Original item by Alexandra Lorenz

Very clearly expressed Stu. As I've got much older I've grown out of the fear of these occurrences, and tend to rise up to meet them, but you'll maybe have to wait many years for that (if at all).

Hope that makes sense! Ray

Comment is about anxiety tanka (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

A real flight of fancy and the imagination - with the
intriguing possibility of something from real life meshed
in, all set to a speech rhythm that adds to the appeal.
Not my usual sort of material but somehow very
refreshing in its vivid evocation of the wayward experiences that youth can meet without always seeking
or understanding them.

Comment is about 'We're off to Never Never Land' by Matthew James is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Harry - as the technical expertise of humanity progresses
in leaps and bounds, the need for human labour is bound
to decrease. Indeed, one wonders how many human hands
are kept employed until robotic devices of whatever type
can be cheap enough and advanced enough to achieve just about anything. We are already a long way down that road. Immigration to a small island nation needs careful
supervision for various wholly realistic reasons.

Comment is about `Dat old debil consequence` (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Thanks to everyone who came along to the second Write Out Loud Woking on Monday night, and contributed to a wonderful night of top-quality poetry. Particular memories will be Simon Wright's debut public poetry performance, and Denise Bundred's Hippocrates prize-winning poem, plus others about footballers in a children's ward, and one referencing Sharpeville and Soweto. There were also brilliant contributions from Ray Pool, Peter Taylor, Peter Morley, Eddie Chauncy, Janet Collinson, Andy V Frost, Jonathan Cressey, and Geoffrey and Lorri Pimlott. Thanks also to our extra audience member who wandered in from the bar, maybe to get away from the England match, and stayed for the duration. And Peter Morley - hope you managed to retrieve your hats!

Review is about Write Out Loud Woking on 20 Jun 2016 (event)

Thanks so much Suki!
Well hopefully I'll be able to get it videoed soon as I'm performing it on Saturday night at PaperCut in Wigans Old Courts and next Wednesday at unity Works in Wakefield. Feel free to come along and watch it

Comment is about 'We're off to Never Never Land' by Matthew James is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Proper little nugget of a poem, Eula!

Comment is about My Gemini (blog)

Original item by Eula

elPinto,
Thanks for your interest.

I was just trying to point something obvious out again.

The key word in what you say is `abundance`...when there is abundance families enjoy it by a `fatter` life style and having less children (who they can feed and educate better)

The increased abundance has to be more and more serviced so therefore service industry increases . The fewer children translate into less native workers so the shortfall needs to be filled by E.U. immigrants, or immigrants from outside the E.U. (at the moment they are half and half) but wherever they are from they are needed.

`Pregnancy` seems not to be a very popular word in the modern women`s movements today (nor among most of the modern women generally) so our replacement rate
for new children means that we must have immigration (in or out of the E.U.) for the foreseeable future. (half of our
present immigrants are from outside the E.U. now)
This is why I dedicated the piece to an old pro-choice colleague of mine.

All this is apart from the argument about the actual rates of immigration. But my own opinion is that any change in this is better decided within the E.U.

Sorry to go on so much, but the `aging` problem in the
developed Europe, and in Japan, and China is going to be something of a future `time bomb`. We have developed an amazingly efficient contraceptive system which will be adopted by more and more women, but we have not yet really considered the demographic consequences of it....As they say: `Nature abhors a vacuum`

Thanks for the chance of getting it off my chest.

Comment is about `Dat old debil consequence` (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Alexandra - we've probably all been there at some time, and for various reasons, but this is very succinctly expressed. Nice writing.
Rob

Comment is about Exhaustive Energy (blog)

Original item by Alexandra Lorenz

Thank you Toby!
I am glad you enjoyed reading it

Comment is about Exhaustive Energy (blog)

Original item by Alexandra Lorenz

Love this piece. Short but expresses that middle of the night feeling of panic and worry - and you don't over complicate the piece either, it expresses and then allows the reader to imagine that feeling in their own personal capacity.

Comment is about Exhaustive Energy (blog)

Original item by Alexandra Lorenz

you know, ive called my first book 'casually discussing the infinite' but i may call my second one 'into the gaping maw of existential bliss'. actually, when i wrote it i was thinking it sounded like a shpongle song, but i can get behind a silver mt zion double concept album as well.

Comment is about Suki Spangles (poet profile)

Original item by Suki Spangles

..into the gaping maw of existential bliss.. That would be a great title for a Spiritualized album, or a Mogwai album. Or a collection of your poetry!

Comment is about canvas (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Hi there,
Congratulations on winning POTW. I would love to hear this poem read by you. Is there any chance, when you have the time, to record this poem and upload it here?
This is a performance poem that is worth reading, but I bet would be amazing to listen to also. No pressure!

Cheers, and look forward to reading more of your stuff..

Comment is about 'We're off to Never Never Land' by Matthew James is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

No, it's true Stu..we all knew the Cat-in-the-Hat was kind of a bastard..I mean, he knew what the P's would've done to us had we been blamed for the mayhem (and we would have been blamed, because the P's can't see the Cat, or even worse, he can't help but hide)..and, even more, he knew how much we dreaded them arriving home..and all this for his little bit of fun.

Comment is about The Snurdle-urdle-urdle (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Hi, Harry,

This brings to mind a sequence in a movie called, "Lucy". I didn't much care for the ultimate direction the story took, however, there was a narration of a theory of the way humans view procreation and longevity--presenting the two ideas as almost exclusive of one another. Stated simply from memory, the theory holds that we are likely to choose quantity of life when quality of life is harsh and hard to bear; and more likely to choose longevity over quantity of procreated when basic needs may be fulfilled abundantly. It is to me, somewhat reminiscent of our proverbial existence in Eden and our subsequent expulsion.

In regards to a pro-choice stance, I'm not sure what that says; however, I thought it an interesting idea that may relate, albeit indirectly, to your post.

elPintor

Comment is about `Dat old debil consequence` (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

This reminds me of one of my first office jobs and finding that I had to take the long way 'round to the restroom to minimize the possibility of meeting up with another person along the way..so much anxiety over small talk..and, even though my reactions aren't nearly as extreme as they used to be, I'm still not entirely convinced that too much chatter isn't bad for my health.

Very descriptive of overwhelming reactions to who can say what, sometimes.

elP

Comment is about anxiety tanka (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Hey there, Stu and Phil,

I wrote this more than a decade ago when the words seemed to come a little easier. I remember (somewhat fuzzily) penning them and I liked how the words just sort of rolled out. Truthfully, I tried, but I can't completely connect with how I felt then. Maybe that's a good thing.

Anyway, I reworked it slightly and the closest I could come is a sort of statement of struggle, like deciding how best to confront manipulation when others would prefer that you just "behave". And, also maybe a bit of dismay there in the middle if dirty tactics start to get to you.

Glad you both enjoyed it and thanks a bunch for the comments.

elP

Comment is about standing fast (blog)

Original item by nunya

i tend to read loads into stuff that has no real metaphorical meaning and completely miss the deeper meaning of most things. it makes life confusing. still, im just reading this through again and its making me chuckle so its all good.

Comment is about The Snurdle-urdle-urdle (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

good piece Corr,but we would have ended it with...


'But all right.
Alright?'

P&S.

Comment is about Sometimes theres a Guy. (blog)

Original item by Corr Lens

haha Lynn! we just knew the folks on here would love this fab piece.You MUST write more,asap!


P&S.xx

Comment is about The Snurdle-urdle-urdle (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Wow, thanks everyone, I am feeling quite humbled :-)

It was originally written as a child's picture book, but I never got it illustrated, so elP is nearer right on this, nothing deeper intended, although it is gratifying that Stu was able to read more into my nonsense, ha ha.

Thanks again to all.
Lynn xx

Comment is about The Snurdle-urdle-urdle (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Great poem Stu, and well put. I never thought of late night shopping what a good idea.

Comment is about anxiety tanka (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

That's great Colin! Just didn't want you to think I was offended by your comments as they were totally constructive and balanced. I genuinely appreciate them.

Comment is about Matt (poet profile)

Original item by Matt

Hi Matt, I'm taking a break from posting for personal reasons and nothing to do with recent shenanigans. I appreciate your concern and thank you for that. I'm still reading new poems that are being posted on WoL and may well add a comment or two if the urge becomes too overwhelming! Cheers, Colin.

Comment is about Matt (poet profile)

Original item by Matt

Super alliteration abounds. A veritable feast for the tongue.

Comment is about standing fast (blog)

Original item by nunya

You captured so many emotions in this poem. Beautiful.

Comment is about Tears tears and love. (blog)

Original item by mentalelf. Philk.

I've always wondered why we connect to some but not others...how we usually hide our true selves in a first meeting unless there is a strong underlying connection.

Started to think about that again while reading your words. A poem that makes you stop and think is a strong one.

Thanks for sharing.

Comment is about Stranger things (blog)

Original item by mentalelf. Philk.

I am definitely not the same person anymore. I think of my past a lot and how I just went through life like there was a certainty. But, my eyes are wide open now and that in its self will change a person. The feelings of being left behind sparked this poem, I'm glad you could connect to it. I hope to read more of your poems soon. I understand getting lost in thought and that usually turns out to be the best poems.

(I feel God with me through my sorrow and do need to thank Him more often)

Thanks for your comment.

Comment is about Fighting (blog)

Original item by Amanda Daughtry

I feel this...

Comment is about Waiting (blog)

Original item by Amanda Daughtry

I don't know why but I felt pain and guilt in here.. which is either me or some form of transference the words evoke. I enjoyed it though.. the poem I mean.

Comment is about standing fast (blog)

Original item by nunya

Its a terrible thing...well described.. a gift for people who need to understand.

Comment is about anxiety tanka (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thank you Lynne for your kind comment on Shared Dreams :)

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

thanks david.
some recent upheavals have brought it all back into crisp definition.
what better way to express oneself than with ancient japanese poetry...

Comment is about anxiety tanka (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thank you both :)

I live in Yorkshire now Steve and have 3 Yorkshirian kids so I've had to learn to tolerate their strange, foreign ways :D

Comment is about 'We're off to Never Never Land' by Matthew James is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

this is great. reminds me of edward lears nonsense rhymes but shot through with a touch of realism. i love reading too much into things, but i can easily see this representing something deeper than it does. it seems a nonsensical way of warning others about users. or is it me.

Comment is about The Snurdle-urdle-urdle (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Well done Matthew. I couldn't put it down.
Dom.

Comment is about 'We're off to Never Never Land' by Matthew James is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I just wanted to say how much I liked the poem. I don't know if you've read Ian MacMillan, but he too can use the dialect well (though he's from Yorkshire, poor lad...)

Comment is about 'We're off to Never Never Land' by Matthew James is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Stu, that post has spread honey all over my pot, not just the rim. And actually, I feel so loved up by you all now that it's as though I've been rubbed all over with honey, including my rim... Oooer!

Love to all of you x

Comment is about 'We're off to Never Never Land' by Matthew James is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

To Die For

Shaken and stirred
ice cool poetry
stumble you never
instead flowing words
come from your
sweet killer lips.

Comment is about Nicola Hulme (poet profile)

Original item by Nicola Hulme

this is very evocative for me - its a bit spike island, a bit 'this is england' and a bit 'caught by the fuzz' by supergrass. it also reminds me a lot of me and my friend godfrey, who would routinely over-egg a can of fosters in order to impress each other. i agree with the previous comments about the dialect, to write with such strong diction (is that the right word?) but keep it readable is clever. you have also captured well the sort of adolescent safety glasses one see's through at that age. in fact, there is danger in the poem, but its all pushed to the background and replaced by excitement and wonder.

also, to spread honey on the rim of a broken plantpot (my analogy and i'm keeping it) i probably wouldnt have read it if it wasnt a) POTW and b) so heavily commented on. so there's a silver lining (or a honeyed rim if you see fit)

good job.

Comment is about 'We're off to Never Never Land' by Matthew James is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Oh I like this. Very dark, primal, original in content, lots to think about and associate with in very few lines. Nice one.

Comment is about My Gemini (blog)

Original item by Eula