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Jim Trott

Wed 16th Mar 2016 05:16

I really like this, Tom. I could almost hear the evening moving from friendly chatter to silence. Well written!

Comment is about Balcony Porto Cristo (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

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Tommy Carroll

Wed 16th Mar 2016 00:58

Movement seems to vie with sexual allusion for prominence here Vic, but that would be stating the obvious - so I did. :-)

Comment is about Riversong (blog)

Original item by Pixievic

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raypool

Tue 15th Mar 2016 22:25

Very interesting and arresting poem Tom. I'm curious at the last two lines which must provide a key to the questioning mind. A nice touch to have the analogy of the divers..

Ray

Comment is about Swallows (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

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raypool

Tue 15th Mar 2016 22:15

'quite right both..... entrenchment can mean sticking one's head over the top with the obvious risks. Vive la differences (or should that be les differences). Moderation and compromise doesn't necessarily mean capitulation.

Ray

Comment is about ENLIGHTENMENT SENSE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

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raypool

Tue 15th Mar 2016 19:57

I must say how much I enjoyed this as a tribute to our four legged friends. Such a nice rhythm to the piece and quite touching as the integrity of the horse is maintained although in reduced circumstances.

Ray

Comment is about The retiree (blog)

Original item by Leo

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John Coopey

Tue 15th Mar 2016 18:24

Quite, MC.
I find it enlightening that many of the comments I post on Facebook are reviled by fellow leftie chums because I am not as unconditional in my views. Many of my pals seem uncomfortable embracing diversity of opinion.

Comment is about ENLIGHTENMENT SENSE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

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Angela Topping

Tue 15th Mar 2016 17:41

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M.C. Newberry

Tue 15th Mar 2016 15:56

A neat "lead" towards the final "oh right" realisation in the pay-off.
Imaginative and enjoyable. From my own part-ownership
of a racehorse in the past, they are cared for by their
owners and given a proper paddock retirement if their
temperament is suited to it. I recall my own shared
ownership found a retirement afterlife as a "hack" for an
appreciative owner.

Comment is about The retiree (blog)

Original item by Leo

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Nigel Astell

Tue 15th Mar 2016 14:15

Hi Sheridan

good idea please bring your camera along on the next meet.

it was great to see you and your poem was well put together and read out in a true poetic voice.

Comment is about Sheridan (poet profile)

Original item by Sheridan

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Lynn Dye

Tue 15th Mar 2016 14:07

Good one, I enjoyed this, Mike.

Comment is about Charred (blog)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

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Martin Elder

Tue 15th Mar 2016 11:08

Thanks for your comments guys, much appreciated. This is based on an event I witnessed.

Comment is about Wedding dress (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

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Martin Elder

Tue 15th Mar 2016 11:06

Another great piece Stu. I love the 'root balls of great trees' and 'the great big sky and its is falling, falling just for you.'
Fab

Comment is about Winter (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

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Angela Topping

Tue 15th Mar 2016 11:01

Many thanks to Alex and Adam for their kind comments above.

Comment is about Angela Topping (poet profile)

Original item by Angela Topping

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Anna Ghislena

Tue 15th Mar 2016 10:51

Thanks Harry and Cynthia :)

Comment is about We Are The Mums! (blog)

Original item by Anna Ghislena

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Steve Higgins

Tue 15th Mar 2016 10:25

This is actually one of my old poems that I have tinkered with so much only one verse, the first one, remains. I do find though that sometimes a glass of something loosens up the inner poet in me. Thanks for looking in friends Wilde, cheers, and may your shadow never grow less!

Comment is about The Background Guy (blog)

Original item by Steve Higgins

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raypool

Tue 15th Mar 2016 10:10

Thanks for liking this one Jemima. You have revealed my "Achilles' heel" although I do tend to discard the mags that have served their purpose. I note that the female form is as varied and fascinating as anything that nature can offer! It was just a bit of fun really, but these sales can be sordid, and I've been there and done that. Come to think of it, aren't all sales a bit degrading?

Cheers Ray x

Comment is about THE LURE OF THE CAR BOOT SALE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

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steve pottinger

Tue 15th Mar 2016 09:49

A good point about 'reading the audience', Seamus. It's another one of those often-unconsidered skills a performance poet needs to bear in mind along with clarity, engagement, body language, pace and rhythm, eye contact etc. True whether you're reading one poem or doing a 40-minute set.

Comment is about Applause or the sound of silence - should you clap between poems? (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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steve pottinger

Tue 15th Mar 2016 09:44

A great review, Dave. Thanks.

Comment is about Lucky: Graham Buchan, Lapwing Press (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Jemima Jones

Tue 15th Mar 2016 06:18

Hi Ray.There isn't a single line that I don't love in this poem,the last one especially.Superb! In order to help stop your 'trestle from sagging' further,would you let me buy that heavy looking pile of nude modelling mags that I'm sure you have used only for artfully studying the female form.But before I do,may I ask if any of the pages are likely to be stuck together? haha! great poem Ray.Thank you.Jemima.

Comment is about THE LURE OF THE CAR BOOT SALE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

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sheridan

Mon 14th Mar 2016 23:46

Hey was lovely coming back tonight!
I have a camera and need to learn how to use it a bit more, who fancies some pictures next meet up? I can take some of the group and of individuals reading! Let me know x

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

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Lynn Dye

Mon 14th Mar 2016 20:09

Hi Tommy, thanks for the compliment :-)

The photo was taken in my daughter's garden last summer, so no, haven't been anywhere that interesting lately! Lol.

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

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Adam Whitworth

Mon 14th Mar 2016 19:47

"Words after re-reading Shelley, The mask of anarchy"

I really like this!!

Comment is about Dave Booth (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Booth

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Jackie Phillips

Mon 14th Mar 2016 09:09

Long time no comment - sorry about that, been off-piste for a short while but then when I return I find it was oh so worth coming back for. I love this and it is going in my, 'Oh so jealous I didn't write it' pile, which unfortunately is so much larger than my, 'I wrote this and I'm kinda proud of it' pile. These few words you have brought together speak to me of so many aspects of life and death and the inbetweeny bits, it talks directly to my feely parts. Sorry I'm not being very eloquent here but then I don't really need to be as what you have written voices so many of my un-worded thoughts brilliantly. Bit of a waffle but hey, basically I just love it.

Comment is about the nightmare of the spray (01/02/2016) (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

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John Coopey

Mon 14th Mar 2016 08:16

Thanks, Jemima. I think you are right but it was very much a minority view at the time. You will remember that Cameron was defeated in the Commons on his proposal to take military action against Assad. I posted a piece at the time condemning the inactivity called "Not in my Name", which went against the grain of my fellow leftie chums.

Comment is about PASTURES OF PLENTY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Jemima Jones

Mon 14th Mar 2016 07:37

Hi John.Mine might be a simplistic view,but the Syria situation is definitely a case of closing the stable door after the horse has gone.Why oh why didn't the west take Assad and his cronies out as soon as they started showing signs of the evil they were about to inflict on their own people? They gave Saddam Hussein his come uppance,admittedly a little too late also,but at least his atrocious hands were off the controls.Assad should without any doubt whatsoever,be tried for war crimes.And if he is lets hope he gets what he so rightfully deserves.Thank you.Jemima.

Comment is about PASTURES OF PLENTY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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David Cooke

Mon 14th Mar 2016 07:11

Glad you liked Mendeleyev Cynthia.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

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Demi

Mon 14th Mar 2016 02:20

very nice

Comment is about The Day Of Her Leaving (blog)

Original item by Jon Darby

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Demi

Mon 14th Mar 2016 02:16

like it.

Comment is about Trails (blog)

Original item by Smash Lee

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John Coopey

Sun 13th Mar 2016 23:36

Thanks for the comments, guys.
Martin and Tom - this is, in fact, a Woody Guthrie song originally about Dustbowl migrants exploited in California.
MC - there is no doubt that controls on security should not be compromised but it doesn't trump the moral obligation we "haves" have for the "have nots".
Harry - I have no issues at all with immigrants coming to the UK for self-improvement through work. They certainly have more gumption than our numpties.
Lynn - thank you for your thoughts, although, as I explained to Cynthia, my own view is that it lacks a bit in power.

Comment is about PASTURES OF PLENTY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Tommy Carroll

Sun 13th Mar 2016 23:21

Hiya Lynn, you're looking good, been anywhere interesting? ;-) Tommy

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

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Harry O'Neill

Sun 13th Mar 2016 22:32

Cynthia,
The essence of all poetry is mythic.

Comment is about Do not dismiss Mythology (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

<Deleted User> (6895)

Sun 13th Mar 2016 22:30

Once again Lynn-lovely to have you back!

All the best to all.

Patricia & Stef.xxx

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

<Deleted User> (6895)

Sun 13th Mar 2016 22:01

Nice one Steve.Quite original wethinks.

Now will you drink up and put that bloody glass down!

;o)


Cheers matey.

Patricia & Stef.

Comment is about The Background Guy (blog)

Original item by Steve Higgins

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Lynn Dye

Sun 13th Mar 2016 22:00

Powerful stuff, John. Well written, and I agree with the sentiment.

Comment is about PASTURES OF PLENTY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Stu Buck

Sun 13th Mar 2016 21:57

thanks all. i'm always amused by the so called 'science fiction' stories and films about humanity becoming enslaved to technology.

fiction indeed...

(i feel email has far less parameters to be abused - i rarely see anyone actually calling people on phones nowadays)

Comment is about iPoem (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

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Harry O'Neill

Sun 13th Mar 2016 21:52

Neat and to the point.

What bothers me is young mothers who - instead of talking to their kids - are glued to the bloody things.

Comment is about iPoem (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

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Lynn Dye

Sun 13th Mar 2016 21:49

Thank you very much, Patricia and Stef, I missed you guys too...

Good to know that you are seeing the new profile photo - I can still only see the old one, and thought it hadn't worked!

Colin says hi, Benji is fast asleep, lazy as ever... haha.

Lorra love from here too
Lynn xxx

Comment is about Downfall (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

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Harry O'Neill

Sun 13th Mar 2016 21:42

The last word in your poem John - plus the picture - tells us exactly what we should be feeling about our attitude to the plight of those poor Syrian refugees.

On M.C`S worry about `numbers` a personal (true) story:
Last year I was sitting in the Lady Chapel of Liverpool`s Catholic Cathedral (Part praying and part nodding off and
oblivious of various sounds coming from the open body of the Cathedral behind me) Suddenly there was a loud chant in a foreign tongue and I turned to find that the place was packed with Poles who had come to attend the Polish mass.

The Poles - I understand - are the most numerous of the present immigrants.

Mind, it`s a bit of an ask; expecting the modern Britain (Catholic or C of E) clinging on to his Bible like the Moslem
clings on to his Koran...(If only?).

(Cynthia is spot on about the aptness of the militant beat)

Comment is about PASTURES OF PLENTY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

<Deleted User> (6895)

Sun 13th Mar 2016 21:25

this is a brilliant way to return Lynn!
Well written with lots of great imagery.

Have you brought an 'excuse you note'...? haha!
Wonder if kids still have to bring them when they've been off school?

Hey! love-love-love your new profile photo-wit woo!
All's fine with us two crinklies.

Great to have you back in the fold-regards to you-Col' and Benji.


Lorra love.


Patricia and Stef. xxx

Comment is about Downfall (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

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Tom Harding

Sun 13th Mar 2016 20:21

Great stuff John. Very evocative, like a Woody Guthrie for modern times.

Comment is about PASTURES OF PLENTY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Tom Harding

Sun 13th Mar 2016 20:14

Adam, many thanks.

Comment is about Tourists (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

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Tom Harding

Sun 13th Mar 2016 20:13

Martin, this is serious stuff but wonderful and evocative.

Comment is about Wedding dress (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

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Jackie Phillips

Sun 13th Mar 2016 19:36

Enjoyed reading this, made me all smileish. Cheers.

Comment is about Hey Hipster (blog)

Original item by dazzer

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raypool

Sun 13th Mar 2016 19:29

This is a hole in one in terms of success, for me at least Stu. Only with poetry can we express ourselves in such a pithy context and so concisely. I expect you will remember 1984 and how people were spied upon . The difference in part is that we all come under the umbrella of consumers - so that's all good then!

Comment is about iPoem (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

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raypool

Sun 13th Mar 2016 19:13

Powerful stuff Martin. Excruciating, and the idea of the wedding dress as representing purity is a useful reference point in the sorry tale. It rather reminds me of the Les Dawson one liner;" I had a fairy tale wedding - Grimm."






Ray

Comment is about Wedding dress (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

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raypool

Sun 13th Mar 2016 19:07

Thanks Cynthia -glad that I actually added that line in retrospect to try and open out the vista. The title is like a temptation I feel!

Cheers Martin, I had been a bit quiet on WOL, can't always come up with ideas. Where they come from I don't know.

Mark, they do fascinate me and we can imbue them with the nastier traits that nature always has up its sleeve!
Thanks for all comments.

Comment is about YOU CAN'T STROKE A SPIDER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

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M.C. Newberry

Sun 13th Mar 2016 18:44

A poem can allow us to see things in a fresh way and
this does just that - with some carefully crafted lines
that adorn the theme in a most rewarding fashion.
The contrast between a spider's dark places and a garden
web is most imaginative, with the uneasy sense of threat
never absent.

Comment is about YOU CAN'T STROKE A SPIDER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

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M.C. Newberry

Sun 13th Mar 2016 18:26

An emotive subject that takes the subject of humanity
and the needs of people in desperate circumstances as
a challenge to our own. No easy solution there or here,
The skill in the presentation is to be applauded - keeping
up the standard of blogs from this source. That said...
"Show us the Musselman who'll give up his Koran
When he seeks his refuge with a C of E man;
The rigidity of religion that comes in his wake
Will allow no adapting for his Christian host's sake" -
and therein lie the seeds of suspicion about "numbers".
and their effect on a national identity that has formed over the past 1000 years of recorded often blood-stained history here in this island nation - which saw the last
"mass migration" with Duke William's opportunistic invasion,
until British Empire social changes post-WW2.

Comment is about PASTURES OF PLENTY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Martin Elder

Sun 13th Mar 2016 18:00

This is a great piece John that has a real lyric flow to it, rather like a traditional folk song.

Comment is about PASTURES OF PLENTY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Martin Elder

Sun 13th Mar 2016 17:58

Good poem Ray. I love the title and the closing lines in particular.

Comment is about YOU CAN'T STROKE A SPIDER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

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