Lovely piece, full of the apathy and despair of winter, and the desperate need for 'growth and decay to pound me awake, the hot crisis of summer to pin me to my body', as well as yet another tender layer of nurturing. Absolutely spot on.

I identify with this so closely, and you have crafted it beautifully. Love it!

Comment is about Winter Growing (blog)

Original item by Alex Smith

Thanks Yvonne and Vicki - all aboard the nostalgia bus.
You have a point Yvonne with the last verse - but I still like it there!

Ray

Comment is about THAT WAS THE SEVENTIES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Ah brilliant, you blogged it :) I really like this, and have to say I identify with Raymond :)

I love the 'ordinariness' of the story-telling, and the heart-warming inner life and self-confidence of him. That kind of 'sod you world, I don't need you, I'm happy to be me'.

This is fab:

If it's right to comply
And wrong to be different,
Then Raymond accepted,
Without a care,
That he was a passive rebel.
So be it.

Pancho Villa, Che Guevara,
Robin Hood -
And Raymond

Start to finish, this is a cracker. Nice one :)

Comment is about The Rebel (blog)

Original item by Jim Trott

Excellent news. Best of luck, Steve!

Comment is about Stepping up to the mic: Steve Pottinger is Write Out Loud's new chief executive (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Haha you've just described my childhood! Nice one!

Comment is about THAT WAS THE SEVENTIES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I like it - you've perfectly captured how our past can follow us - I hope you're not haunted forever! Vic x

Comment is about Haunted (blog)

Original item by Pauliegreg

Oh yes waiting & not staring - I get that that!

Comment is about Craved (blog)

Haha!! Love it! Although I'm always better at the general knowledge round than the show biz/celebrities - but in music I excel (being a musician an all that!!)

Comment is about COOPEY'S GROUPIES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Acid tongues spit twisted words

I love that! It's an apt description of a tortured relationship - I like it - Vic x

Comment is about Queen of Sorrow (blog)

Original item by Rachael J. Low

Wow thanks for your comment on Foreboding Martin - I'm delighted to be compared to the Bard! Xx

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

Wow thank you Martin! That was the line that started the whole piece if I'm honest. Thanks again x

Comment is about Foreboding (blog)

Original item by Pixievic

Hi Ray

Glad you enjoyed "The Rebel". Eccentricity rules!

(Talking of which, you didn't imagine Jimmy Greaves; I had mentioned him on Graham's profile when I commented on his "Sis" poem)

Stay well

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

Aha. Cynicism becomes you. A jolly poke at the IT generation!

Comment is about SAME THING (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

To take these intimate moments and cast them so well in words which convey a breathtaking intensity of emotions is a great skill.
I love the way you have linked it with Finlandia. You have coloured the way I perceive that piece now.

Comment is about The Melting of the Ice (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Ah the beauty of nostalgia is we can edit our memories.

I like the pace of this, so resplendant with sharply penned images.

I prefer it without the last verse since the title has already established the era.

Comment is about THAT WAS THE SEVENTIES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Your groupies put on quite a show
It seems there's not much they don't know
But ask them this please if you will
Can a woman really MAN a quill?
I know this query's quite a tester
But as someone from Personchester
I'd really like to know if there's
An anti-PC group that cares
Not one whit for the thought police antics
But finds their pleasure in semantics.

Comment is about COOPEY'S GROUPIES (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

So glad I read this one- several times. Lovely writing.

Comment is about THE BIRTH (blog)

Original item by Yvonne Brunton

Esp like the fourth stanza..."words that were said and words unsaid hanging in the air, barging into your head when least expected "...words,memories, it's all about learning to turn things around when the buggers show up ! Great insight x

Comment is about Haunted (blog)

Original item by Pauliegreg

Are you taking the piss again? YOU comforting someone in distress? Mont Blonk!

Comment is about SAME THING (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Oh God, did I just have a senior moment. I now can't found any mention of Greaves . Sorry if so.... gulp.

Ray

Comment is about Jim Trott (poet profile)

Original item by Jim Trott

hello Jim. Thanks for comment on That was the Seventies. I just noticed your mention of Jimmy Greaves who I saw briefly at Spurs in 1970. Without boring you , I remember Gilzean backward heading a goal at the same match , I think. Owzat.

I agree with Laura, your sample poem is excellent. There is something magnificent about eccentricity. Let's hope it doesn't get squeezed out of society any time soon. Ray

Comment is about Jim Trott (poet profile)

Original item by Jim Trott

Well, I knew there was a reason to keep running back to poetry.

I am now a big Laura Taylor fan.

Congratulations on your so moving poem.

Comment is about The Melting of the Ice (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Oh my goodness.

If I were wearing a hat, I'd take it off to you. One of the best poems I've read in a very long time. Hand on heart.

Congratulations :-)

Comment is about The Melting of the Ice (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hiya Jeff. Not been on here in ages. Glad I read this, though. It's a cracking write, Jeff. It feels very much of a tradition without being wistful or sentimental. Reads well off the page/screen. It looks lyrical - is it a song? Good structure and play with words. Colour me impressed. Hope you're well, mate.

Comment is about Diggers of the World Unite! (blog)

Original item by Jeffarama!

This is something that feels like it was written by the bard in terms of it's rhythm and pace. I particularly like
'Your silence screams at me' what a great line Fab Vicky

Comment is about Foreboding (blog)

Original item by Pixievic

Hello John

Thanks for your comments on "Martha Street"

Glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks also for reminding me about Gerry Rafferty. Am now about to search for my old Stealers Wheel LPs!

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Laura this is a magnificent work, something I would love to hear you read. As Stu says an emotional piece.
My favourite stanza begins
' her chest become a bellows' in return of the snow queen
Fab

Comment is about The Melting of the Ice (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hi Vicki

Thanks for your comments on "Martha Street". Glad you enjoyed it.

Comment is about Pixievic (poet profile)

Original item by Pixievic

The seventies, as the line in the song goes I remember it well. I am still waiting for 1970 ten to come round !

Comment is about THAT WAS THE SEVENTIES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Hi Laura

Thanks for your kind comments. I'm slowly getting used to how this site works and hope to blog my profiled poem when I can work out how to do it :-)

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Yes, I got the Billy Joel rhythm too, Stu.

Enjoyed the poem, Ray. Great reminder of the 70s. I still miss them!

Comment is about THAT WAS THE SEVENTIES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

laura,
reading this all together is a very emotional experience.there is so much intimacy (particularly between you and your dad) and moments that perfectly capture the thoughts and feelings of times like that. it fits perfectly with finlandia and the whole thing is just wonderful. im really glad you reposted as a whole, as 1) its allowed me to fully appreciate it and 2) it reminded me of 'tempest swells the brass intent' which is brilliant.

Comment is about The Melting of the Ice (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

am i the only one who started singing 'we didnt start the fire' after the first verse?

like this ray, its hecticity (must be a word surely?) sits against the sedate and stately remembrance.

Comment is about THAT WAS THE SEVENTIES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I like the rhythm in this and plenty of the images, but (and you know there's almost always a but with me) - Robinson Crusoes? Don't get that. Did I miss a glaring 70's reference?

Comment is about THAT WAS THE SEVENTIES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Robinson Crusoes and Ouzos, you get respect for those two!.
This brings back reminders of the tragic Fairport Convention road accident to me.

Comment is about THAT WAS THE SEVENTIES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Steven I was referring to weight of numbers rather than a very few specific individuals. You will be pleased to know that I have indeed heard of the poets you mention. As regards to your male testosterone point - I rest my case.

Comment is about First the cheers, now the arguments over TS Eliot Prize winner (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I really like the flow of energy in this, it weaves, ebbs and flows again. It feels like it could be about ageing, or depression, or possibly both, as they go so well together it seems.

Comment is about Beige (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Thank you everyone for commenting very much appreciated.

Gus

Comment is about Never Knowing (blog)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

Hello Jim and welcome to WOL. I really like your two blogged poems, some lovely use of language/sonics/ideas, but wondered why you hadn't yet blogged your sample poem, cos that's my favourite one of all :)

I look forward to reading more of your work.

Comment is about Jim Trott (poet profile)

Original item by Jim Trott

A dream of a poem

Comment is about Sleep (blog)

Original item by Lucas B. Foley

A dream of a poem, very well done. Does exactly what it says on the tin. But the tin is painted by Degas, an acrobat hangs on by her teeth to spin faster and faster... given time.

Comment is about Lucas B. Foley (poet profile)

Original item by Lucas B. Foley

i shall join the ever growing circle of admirers, but add nothing, as its all been said. hoping to read more of these.

Comment is about Man and Dogs (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Cynthia
Had I been quicker to read and comment I would have said what Robert Mann said! A beautifully observed moment.
M:)

Comment is about Man and Dogs (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

great stuff martin. using colours as a vehicle for the changing landscape of life works very well, as does the floydian flow of the piece in general. its an eternal subject but you have made it fresh. nice!

Comment is about Beige (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

staggered no one has mentioned plath, dickinson, angelou

Comment is about First the cheers, now the arguments over TS Eliot Prize winner (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Frances - women poets you may have missed: Sappho, Aphra Behn, Elizabeth Barret Browning, HD, Marriane Moore, and many more.

They were always there. They were just hidden by the fog of male testosterone...

:-)

Comment is about First the cheers, now the arguments over TS Eliot Prize winner (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Cracking ending which gives it a whole new perspective.
As I was reading it I had echoes of Gerry Rafferty and "Night Mail"...
...and then the ending, which suggested something entirely different - that quote something like "the lights are going out....we shall not see them again".

Comment is about Martha Street (blog)

Original item by Jim Trott

Yes very nice not much more to add to Robs comments x

Comment is about a haiku (blog)

Original item by Alex

Wow I like it - clever - as Graham said the 'shots' firing brings it home x

Comment is about Martha Street (blog)

Original item by Jim Trott

Yes to look back & realise nothing is ever as we perceive it to be (or at lest that's how I've read it!) I like it - grey can seem a very boring colour but I like how you've given it life with the last line. x

Comment is about Beige (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder