Hi Matt, thank you for your comments on my profile, regarding my poems, and I am glad you like 'Uncertainty'. I've decided to post another which could be a sequel, although hopefully, it could read as a stand alone poem too.
I like your work, especially The Evil Tree. Welcome to Write Out Loud, and please keep writing and sharing.
Comment is about Matt (poet profile)
Original item by Matt
Thanks for your comments and encouragement fella's. it was one of those spur of the moment pieces that captured my thinking. everything seems to happen so quickly and easily without us being aware at times. Thus the title.
Thanks for the History details M.C. it certainly helps us to be more aware and therefore be careful in how we react. The recent death of a newsagent in Scotland who was liked be all the community and sent an encouraging message to his customers serves to underline this.
Thanks again
Comment is about Just a minute (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
This is fab Lynn. The feelings that you portray here often resonate with me. Particularly that of the dog. nice one
Comment is about I'll try not to listen (blog)
My kind of sentiments exactly, Ian. And a well written poem too.
Comment is about Catechism (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
Noble sentiments - well put. But I'm troubled by this
recurring thought...
"When evil attends in spiteful might
Who still make a stand and fight?"
Comment is about Catechism (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
Hard hitting in its almost casual telling of an ordinary day
suddenly made something entirely different.
In terms of a historical footnote, let's go back over two
hundred years when Thomas Jefferson, one of the great
US presidents, was seeking a resolution to the Barbary
Wars: Algeria, Morocco, Tunis, Tripoli all seeking
levies for American hostages taken captive. The Tripoli
ambassador was asked why attacks should be made
on a country that was giving no offence to the nations
concerned and was told "it was founded on the Laws
of the Prophet, that it was written in their Koran, that all
nations who should not have answered their authority
were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make
war upon them wherever they could be found, and to
make slaves of all they could take as prisoners."
Jefferson resolved to confront and defeat the Barbary
Pirates. The US Navy and Marine Corps were
created - and did the job.
NOTE: It has been calculated that between 1530 and
1780 as many as a million and a quarter Europeans
were kidnapped and enslaved by Muslim autocracies on
the north west coast of Africa.
Comment is about Just a minute (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
The "matter of fact" mixed appealingly with a little human
sentiment for times past and what meant much in other
days being given up to time itself.
As a lover of rhyme I would have liked a little more of that
but that's me.
As for the subject: been there, done that.
All things change - for a little change!
Comment is about I came upon a car boot sale (blog)
Original item by Tramping Artisan
Aha...my sister tells me she's gifted a new shed for hubby
- wise woman!
"Young married men may love their beds;
Their older kind give thanks for sheds!"
Comment is about SHEDS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
This feels like deja vue Jim. This one and mine make a great pair - yours has a religious theme running through which is excellent. Mine is just grot that time forgot !
See you I hope....
Ray
Comment is about I came upon a car boot sale (blog)
Original item by Tramping Artisan
Hi Ronnie
Many thanks for your note on Mothering Sunday :)
Comment is about Ronnie Leek 1 (poet profile)
Original item by Ronnie Leek 1
Thanks for y'note on Consequence Stu :)
Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)
Original item by Stuart Buck
A fantastic venue, and one I recommend visiting (if you haven't already!)
Comment is about Write Out Loud Bolton is back - at new venue tonight (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
A beautifully evocative picture of those quiet moments in our lives. Wonderful.
Comment is about 'He liked to watch the old houses stir awake' (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Anthony, I can reassure you that the poem will be chosen each week *only* from poems posted that week. We haven't the time or the inclination to go delving into the WOL back catalogue!
Comment is about Coming soon ... picking a Poem of the Week on Write Out Loud (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Great fun, Cynthia. And topical too with the young lady in the news popping a poo in her purse.
Comment is about Privacy was never promised ... (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
A fine poem Ian,
The sad thing is that the poor guy in Glasgow was a man of words too.
Comment is about Catechism (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
It's important to give them a hard time like this once in a while, Harry.
Comment is about SHEDS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Alem,
I like your word-play between fickle, fiddle, and also
Fidel (fidelity?) in what must be for you an unfamiliar idiom.
Also that `Unfold the unexpected could`
And the alliteration in stanza seven.
The moral of the thing is spot on.
Comment is about Stop Licking A Wound! (blog)
Original item by Alem Hailu G/Kristos
When they`re like that you need the sanctuary.
I used to feel a lot better if I slammed the shed door as I went in (It was at the end of the garden, so I was still pretty safe)
Comment is about SHEDS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Concerning the occasion that this deals with:
Tony Blair`s comments that we are in for a very long slog
seems very relevant.
This poem deals with the ordinary casualness of the entry into the terrorised situation and the numbed daze of the after-shock very well.
Comment is about Just a minute (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
It all Happened on Saturday at Stockport Art Gallery - - -
Andy started the show don't you know
John the film director making that camera roll
Linda reading Liverpool poetry work-shop coming up
Maggie using expressive words for positive poems
Meshach arrived to give us pure gold
Nigel had orders not to be naughty!
We were joined by a fine band of experienced poets who made it a worthwhile event through and through!
There will be a W O L work-shop on April 9th 10.30-12 .30 also at the Art Gallery.
Followed by an open mic in the afternoon at 3.30-4-30.
Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)
Original item by Stockport WoL
Mon 28th Mar 2016 20:49
another good one David.Hope you don't mind considering a little suggestion?
No joker
No ace
No substance
No filled space?
and,I would have left the last stanza out.
Thank you.Jemima.
Comment is about No (blog)
Original item by David Lindsay
Mon 28th Mar 2016 20:38
something of a black comedy poem.As to the subject,oh yes! done that,been there,worn the t-shirt I bought off the stall next to mine,at a knocked down price of course!
Thank you T.A. Jemima.
Comment is about I came upon a car boot sale (blog)
Original item by Tramping Artisan
Lovely rhythm to this Angela. I also enjoyed the universal behaviours we all do at these times.
Comment is about Music.... (blog)
Original item by Angela McCrimmon
Thank you for your kind comments, Ray. Yes, you could be right about my 19 year old sounding a bit too mature.
But then again, perhaps I have a penchant for mature 19 year olds - after all, I married one! :-))
Comment is about Uncertainty (blog)
Original item by Lynn Dye
THanks so much Stu. I fretted over that line !
Comment is about THE HILL CLIMBER (blog)
Original item by ray pool
wifey very much enjoyed 'mythology' and quite agrees, huge lessons to be learnt that are often ignored.
Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
leah
Mon 28th Mar 2016 10:18
Greg Harper & OUR OPEN MIKERS - AN EVENING OF HIGH SPIRIT
March was our last evening at 'Folly Upstairs' and we managed to drum up a crowded room with many new and familiarfaces, and a lot of enthusiasm. The evening was a huge success.
Due largely to Guest Songwriter/Singer/Guitarist Greg Harper who won everyone's hearts and, as several of the audience said, not only were his voice and guitar playing at top range, but his songs conveyed deep and important lyrics conveying the importance of staying in balance with nature.
Greg's love of nature and anti-war sentiments came through loud and strong. He used sound effects, replicating airplanes overheard during WW2 as he performed his songs about war, and had birds tweeting in tune with the peace and tranquility of the countryside. Greg's a 'country boy' with folk songs that emphasise his true love of the environment. 'Bricks and Dust'is a perfect example of what's replaced the beauty of forest and wilderness. In 'All Gone' and some other songs, he had the audience join in. Where are the trees now – the colours...the cool, clear water.
The audience loved him and emails have come through asking us to have him back.
Jake started the open mic with 'Is It True?', his son asking if he wasn't wanted – followed by 'The Photograph in my Father'sWallet'. He carried Jake's mother's photo through two additional wives, only daring to take the yellowed photo out after theydied. Barry Smith then followed with a very visual 'At the Turning of the Tide', historical and mythological associations of Harbour Place in Bosham Harbour where the High King [Canute] ordered the flooding tide to turn, to today's oyster catchers, tourists etc. He then read 'Dallas Belle', of some things you don't forget, like your first girlfriend, President Kennedy being shot…
Sally Davis, first timer, read 'Pavlova', a fun poem, referencing English desserts, 'I can't forget our first sticky date', hoping it wouldn't end in 'strudel' - to good audience response. Then, 'Who do you think you are', a wonderful descriptive poem about someone'.(..his fists are fat with punches never pulled in his imagination') but the ending.'a child still waiting to be rescued'..said it all. Jood, another newcomer, read, 'Well, I Never!', generalising Brits, Yanks, Italians...as the Irish jiggle along..'our point of view is down the loo', 'while Jihadi Joe – let them all in. The World's on the Edge'...got much applause. Then 'Gossips', How tittle tattle can ruin people's lives. Finally, 'Mountain Music' about how everything seems so clear up there whereas in the plains, one can lose themselves.
David Roberts began with Woody Allen's 'Crimes and Misdemeanors': 'You don't know who you can you trust these days..followed by the 'Jade Scorpion'; then, 'Emmer', a wonderful tribute to Keith Emerson, composer, for whom David conveyed much affection and sadness. 'He was 'a true musical iconoclast' - The 'Jerry Hendrick of the keyboard''. Finally, 'Dancing in the Rain', '... nothing as wonderful as….'. Lesley Prior, another newcomer, did 'Cappucino Lady', whose conversational poem included meeting with a friend who cares...things sometimes are rough. 'No offense, Matey. Today I emigrate'. Again, much applause.
Mandy Law, first timer, did a short love poem, 'It may run deep or perhaps shallow..just a kind word or two may soften…' (be good to hear more). Denise Olley, also new, did several haikus which spoke of birds (travelling the hibiscus heart), and love. A successful form for her poetry (would be nice to hear more). Hazel Swainson then did 'Marmalade', (beautifully read) – it had a 'wildness' 'He spread the sun like marmalade but now the sun began to fade'…. Richard Hawtree, in an effort to help Irish speakers who add syllables such as 'fillum (film), wrote a humourous poem, 'Helping Syllables'. Ending with 'Stockholum'. He then read about Meredith Hammer, who translated the 'Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius' from Greek into Latin, which never went to print. Colin Eveleigh read a loving poem about his father, 'A Brush with Life'. 'Painting the house, (and everything), battleship grey, going to war, never still, always resourceful...they were inseparable. Colin displayed his dad's painting brush and palette which he'd turned to a work of art This writer shared some poems as well and lastly, Greg got up to finish the evening and continued with his wonderful array of songs and music. A lot of smiling faces led to a perfect end to a perfect evening! Many left with comments about how 'it was the best yet'. (Heard that one before!)
The raffle was for a meal at La Piazzeta won by one of the newcommers.
It was our last evening at 'Folly Upstairs', and as the Spring Equinox marks the beginning of the new season, April will now mark the beginning of our new 'home' at Townhouse Pub/Bistro at 28 High Street, Petersfield. We're very excited and are looking forward to it. They have wonderful food so you can have a 'pre-entertainment' meal before coming upstairs on a Write Angle Tuesday...or whenever! They also have a beautiful garden where you can sit and relax. A lovely, lovely place and we're grateful to the owners for letting us have the room upstairs!
We hope to see a lot of the 'regulars', as well as newcomers, as we reach into our 9th year. There'll be a Press Release out very soon on our April guest, Cam Brown, so make sure you put 19th April into your diaries!
Hoping you're having a Happy Easter Holiday!
Review is about WRITE ANGLE POETRY & MUSIC +OPEN MIC on 15 Mar 2016 (event)
great stuff, martin. i agree with stu but it is very skillfully wrote indeed.
andy
Comment is about Just a minute (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
No comments?
Here's one. This gets the Yes stamp of approval. Nice work. DB.
Comment is about No (blog)
Original item by David Lindsay
Great slumbering slabs spit back the wet spoil
on their silver skin, dredging.
i wish i'd written that, its wonderful.
Comment is about THE HILL CLIMBER (blog)
Original item by ray pool
great stuff martin. i knew from the first verse where this was heading but it still packed a punch when it got there. i love the ending, the ironic sense of thankfulness that he is still alive.
Comment is about Just a minute (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
thanks guys. lets hope that the rest of 2016 contains more beauty!
Comment is about write poetry (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
Sounds wonderful ! The guy sounds rather mature for 19 to be honest but life moves on and today quite possible I suppose.
Ray x
Comment is about Uncertainty (blog)
Original item by Lynn Dye
This is like a massage of beauty to an old cynic like myself Stu. Really there cannot be joy without sadness tapping on the shoulder; and depth of experience has its good and bad sides. (an old fart proclaims).
Ray
Comment is about write poetry (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
Hey Lynne,
I really like your poems. The one about the young lovers was ace (19 year old lad and 25 year old girl). I'm very much learning the trade, so that's all for now
Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)
Original item by Lynn Dye
Amen to that Stu . Life is beautiful, it is just that we don't always see it feel it or appreciate it. Well at least I know I don't. keep writing mate.
Comment is about write poetry (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
What a wonderful way to communicate through music. Really enjoyed this piece. I look forward to reading more
Comment is about Music.... (blog)
Original item by Angela McCrimmon
Usually I might be put off reading such a long piece because I have such short attention span. But when I started to read this it caught me up in its flow. It has such a nice pace to it, at times picking up speed. I don't know if you have read this at an open mic event, but I bet it would go down well. Nice one
Comment is about Into The Wilderness (blog)
Original item by Matt
Hiya Louise, took your advice and signed up to this. Cheers for your help, see you soon. Matt X
Comment is about Louise Fazackerley (poet profile)
Original item by Louise Fazackerley
Thank you guys.
Jemima, you could be right about those Wildeys, in which case I expect we may be drawn again, ha ha.
Stef and Patricia, I think I would make a lousy PM - probably much too honest for the job, ha ha. Not that a little more honesty wouldn't be a good thing...
Cheers all x
Comment is about Haiku(s): David Cameron (blog)
Original item by Lynn Dye
Hi Cynthia, thank you for your comments on my profile, and for missing me!
I agree that there are a lot of good poems on WOL, also that we can never be 'all things to all men'. We are all different and appreciate varying things, but the main thing is to respect those differences, as I'm sure you agree.
I like 'Girl in a lake' very much, and I'm honoured you like 'Teardrops in my Coffee'.
Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Thank you Rob - I'm just a frustrated single pixie!! Best to get it out eh?!! xx
Comment is about Synaesthesia (blog)
Original item by Pixievic
Lynn Dye
Tue 29th Mar 2016 19:34
Very enjoyable, Matt, made me chuckle.
Comment is about The Evil Tree (blog)
Original item by Matt