Thank you for writing this Zack, it brought back memories for me!
Anita
Comment is about math 30 (9/22/2015) (blog)
Original item by Zach Dafoe
this is brilliant ray. nostalgia and wonderful onomatopoeia's. a clever last two lines as well, with life crashing like a marble into the pack.
Comment is about MARBLES (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Ah, those memories of pubescent humiliation, Harry.
You also seemed to be able to dredge tons of sand with them as I recall.
Comment is about THE WOOLLY TRUNKS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Re "The trouble with Derek" Harry we, the Labour Party were more than just " a wake up call to the Labour party to get it`s house
into some sort of winnable state,they were of some
use at the time..." Like 5,000 houses, nurseries and sport centers and much more. I will be happy to give you the details. Tommy
Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
Harry we, the Labour Party were more than just " a wake up call to the Labour party to get it`s house
into some sort of winnable state,they were of some
use at the time..." Like 5,000 houses, nurseries and sport centers and much more. I will be happy to give you the details. Tommy
Comment is about The trouble with Derek (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
I was sitting opposite this guy for a fleeting minute at last Wednesdays Dead Good Poets...I`ve never been that close to a ten thousand pound poet ever. :)
Comment is about Andrew McMillan is first poet to win £10,000 Guardian book award (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
John,
Definitely the worst bit was wearing them in the baths and trying to haul yourself up on to the side in them.
Comment is about THE WOOLLY TRUNKS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A fine tribute to your - and our - particular art Cynthia!
In particular I like the way that middle stanza uses words:
`compelling` `surfs` `deeps` `lipse` (how scarce that one is nowadays)...`slash``gruff``etc; which awaken the feel of
sound. (and in doing so demonstrate what you mean).
Your poem recalls, sound, imagery, rhythm, (even warning)
I`m glad you decided to post it.
Comment is about The Freedom of 'ART' (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
obviously not an original penny dreadful, hence the roy orbison...
Comment is about Beaujolais (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
well, you have one bit spot on sir! it was set in a penny dreadful and i think its a response to how difficult it is to be heard nowadays. oh to be ezra pound, juggling three literary magazines. nowadays there are just too many people and too many outlets.
Comment is about Beaujolais (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
What can I say, Stu. A classy piece of grotesquery in great form packed with detail not for the squeamish - it says a lot about rapport or none. Grand guignol! Not sure what the inspiration was for this poem but excellent in any event.. I think it should be set to music for French accordion .
Ray
Comment is about Beaujolais (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
Tommy,
Well fancy this one, 30 years later!
Ah! The Militant Tendency. The guys who livened up
enormously the last two years of my union career .
(including my one and only strike)
As a wake up call to the Labour party to get it`s house
into some sort of winnable state,they were of some
use at the time...It was Heseltine who saved their
reputation.
This Corbyn thing has a sort of eerie similarity to it,
somehow...It will be interesting to see if Corbyn`s
supporters attempt to put some sort of deselecting
pressure on the M.P`s...I think it would be a grave
mistake if they did.
What price Blair coming back in some sort of shape
or form? The Dail Mail hates (I mean really hates)
Tony...and all of his family.
Comment is about The trouble with Derek (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
What I love about poetry, and why I always return to it, is that it allows me to find the right words to express my take on things in a way which I all too often fail to do the rest of the time. I just have to wait and be patient.
So, Tommy, you'll get back to it when you're ready. I don't doubt it. :-)
And Laura, I'm glad you liked it! :-)
Comment is about comrade osborne and the little red book (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
Hey, I remember it well!
Thanks so much, Nigel...
D
x
Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)
Original item by Stockport WoL
Of course, woolly trunks are also to be found on woolly mammoths.
Comment is about THE WOOLLY TRUNKS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
As we have the Purple Six heading for Stockport
and have been asked to get involved the theme is the sixties and that's means long hair arty stuff and the bands and their music.
Doing Over Sixty
Wheelchair racers
deaf to
payment shoppers
coming out
of the
black Friday
sale bargains.
Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)
Original item by Stockport WoL
I'm ambivalent about posting this - it sounds pretentious - and that was not my intent. It's totally bugging me; so it's here today, maybe gone tomorrow.
Comment is about The Freedom of 'ART' (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
I bloody love this - content, rhythm, comedy. Bet it performs brilliantly :)
Comment is about C-R-A-P World Holidays (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
Ha - love it Tommy!! :) :)
Comment is about The trouble with Derek (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Ha. Bloody well said comrade! :D
Comment is about comrade osborne and the little red book (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
leah
Fri 27th Nov 2015 11:13
ATTILA'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 'ALMOST' STEALS THE SHOW
In 2000, Attila stood in an alleyway called 'Arguments Yard', in Witby, North Yorkshire, and, looking around, shouted to his mate Mick, 'This is it! If I live long enough, I'm gonna write my autobiography and this alleyway's gonna be on the cover'. Fifteen years later, in November's Write Angle, at the 'Folly Upstairs', he held up the book, to a full room of his fans. The alleyway, of course, on the cover!
The audience came from local areas, Portsmouth and afar, to see their favourite poet - a great performer - (tutored by his mother in classical violin), and after 35 years of performing his work at literary and music festivals, rock venues, arts centres, pubs, universities, schools, folk clubs and punk squats in 23 countries including Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and a hotel basement in Stalinist Albania, he completed it; almost 300 pages! The story of the good, the humourous and bad times in his life.
Whatever your politics, somehow, listening to this loveable poet rant on, 'cos we're Lefties and we smell!… you feel as if you've known him forever. Attila shares his life – in stories, poems and songs. He make you laugh, want to cry, but as he says, “All I’ve ever wanted, is to do things on my own terms, earn enough to live on, and be able to say ‘f...k off’ or ‘well done’ to anybody I want to. I publish all my own books, release all my own recordings, book all my own gigs. I don’t rely on anybody else for any aspect of what I do, and it works.”
He knows he's stubborn and difficult and his audience loves him for it. The timing of the book was perfect as 2015 proved a very bad year. Attila went through serious health problems and his poem,. 'A Spin In The Tail', written just after his autobiography was completed, tells of how he suddenly had pains and the NHS began tests. 'Flexible cystoscophy...a camera up his nob... he saw his internal organs on a large TV screen – bladder cancer. Attila's world went upside down. With Robina's support, it went better. Out of this horror, he suddenly grabbed his mandolin and did a song of his determination to live, to make it through. He has great respect for the NHS. 'Then, the fear of waiting for the news' but, somehow, he had everyone laughing...it was caught early...one message for all. 'get your nob out for your doc' He then read a poem called 'Candid Camera'. More songs and stories, bursting with emotion - with amazing energy, bursting from one to the next, non-stop.
In 'My Poetic Licence', he speaks of having to fight. Atilla, ranting rebel poetry, welcome...'We're commies, we undermine everything that moves and they fight us' ….It was the miners' strike that converted him to go 'left' in his politics and he knew it'd be a struggle but he had to say what he thought. He called 'Pakistan..a pear shaped plan'...expressed hate for Thatcher, Royalty...the rich, Rupert...newspapers that minimize the important and maximise mediocrity (Prince Harry's Nob'). In his poem 'Everytime I Eat Vegetables, I Think of You', he speaks of having seen the 'the brutal worst of capitalism. By filling in ledgers, 'he got to know exactly who was investing in other people's misery', the snobbish, status-obsessed partners and the bored, victimised clerks. Like it or not, he's determined to hold up 'that red flag till the day he dies'.
Attila speaks of his father, who died when he was 10. He wrote a poem, 'Poppy', a highly emotional poem for the man who was a published poet and fought in WW1. Four year later, when his stepdad moved in, there was a 'family feud' which lasted years, finally ending with his accepting 'You were the head of the household and I was the stroppy kid'. They admitted their love for each other. 'It's never too late to tell someone you love them'. Attila's mother, a professional musician, developed alzeimers in 2004. Attila watched how his stepdad cared for her, attending every need. He, too, stopped writing – until 2011 - and helped care for her. Attila manages to capture humour with pathos while ranting. From audience reaction, there's no doubt his audience is right there with him – all the way!
With little effort, he sold 11 copies of his autobiography to Write Angle fans (at £14.99 each!), and we hear it's already being well received, getting rave reviews. We're sure our guest performer will do very well with his performances and sales, as he continues his UK tour.
Meantime Ryan Moss opened the floor with a poem, 'Waiting for God(ot)' about being a child trapped in the rain, waiting for his parents, 'Why aren't they coming for me'. He'll join the circus if they don't come soon' – he caught the spirit of the fearful and angry young boy. He then read 'Terror', of living in world needing love. Muslim terrorists, not to confused with good Muslims. He works with many good Muslims. 'We didn't blame the Germans for Hitler. Why should we blame the Muslims for ISIS'. When Caucasians are evil, we call them mentally ill but Muslims are called 'terrorists'.
Gareth Toms then read 'A Rhythmic Response to a Question about Information in a Job Interview'. Answer. 'You won't find a job here!' Then, 'You and I will never be King of the Multi-Storey Car Park', about how big cars make statements: 'A new car for your wallet-drenching girlfriend. I'll just walk by choice', ending with, 'that baby-seat enhances everything'. Then, the embarrassment of an Englishman in a bar in a pub. Then, 'Fortune Lane' where he worked as a gardener, stole gas from his boss' car.
Colin Eveleigh read of living near a naval firing range when he was ten, and trespassing, seeing the canons, rockets...he and his friends tried to blow up a public toilet. 'It's how it was after the war'. Tim Dawes did a sonnet on the celebration of his visceral garden of summer desserts. 'A sonnet so clean, it mentions custard twice'. Then, a 'Truth and Lies' poem. 'Choosing to Ignore the Warning', based on the Miners' Strike. The meeting between Tim and Peter Tachell, another Green party member, during the strike . How some of the facts were true. Some lies. 'A whole new way of going down'. G Rimes then told of how he converted their garden shed into a craft room for his wife. The voices in her head stopped. Crafts can be therapeutic!
It was good seeing Chris Sangster again. He read of 'What hasn't been done yet? What's the next new thing? Tree felling – too dangerous. Funeral embalming...here lies granny. Seems he wants something new to do! He then read 'That Little Black Bag', how people leave it waiting for the 'poo fairy' which won't come. 'Take it with you!'
Jake then read a 'shortie'. 'Confucious he say, never lend money to kin' while Bruce Parry took out his hammer dulcimer and played a 17th century 'Medieval' tune, 'The Kettle Drum Song'. It had a lovely warm wintry feeling to it. Then, 'Bonfire Memories', with crackling twigs, chidren dancing, Guy Fawkes day – it will go from generation to generation. Keeping with memories, 'The 6ft Christmas Tree', bringing back the family around the tree and all the goodies that go with it.
Surprise guest performers Speech Painter (lyricist and singer) and Will B (singer/guitarist), always a joy to have at our mic, played somgs about two unfriendly places: 'Motel', about a place so depressed, 'there's no hope in hell' no joy – not even a bar of soap, followed by 'Hitch', in The South Downs, 'where 'someone has to die.... You wouldn't pick a stranger up.... The Saxon church is engulfed in smoke. I tell you to be careful. I tell you to beware. Cos you have no idea of the things that happen there'. Lastly, Leah did 'Carphone Warehouse' about promises made and kept, to not repair your pho
The evening ended with the winning of two three course meals at the Links Tavern, won by a very surprised young man, and preparations are now on the way for our very special Christmas Evening. It will comprise lots of truly rich as well as delicate finger-pickin' goodies, prepared by the chef of the Folly Upstairs Restaurant. That, plus our wonderful performance poet who's as funny as he is clever and a fabulous performer, Paul Lyalls, - we hope you'll all come along and join us.
Price will be £14 and we promise to make it a memorable occasion ! Do put Tuesday 15th in your diary and plan to join us for an evening of festive fun. And please bring your friends, and your poems and songs along as well! Open Mike will add to the entertainment!
Please let us know by email as soon as you can, if you're coming so we can plan the food accordingly.
Review is about WRITE ANGLE POETRY & MUSIC +OPEN MIC on 17 Nov 2015 (event)
Fabulous Louise!
Comment is about Louise Fazackerley releases CD of award-winning Love is a Battlefield (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Aye, cheers Dave! Yeh went great thanks :)
Possibly. And this year I'll try not to take out several guitars, a mic stand, and the lighting ;)
Comment is about Aylan poem in refugees anthology (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Steve I have read your work, I need to face it up again. Poetry is a kick in the shins. Fuck poetry. I'll try.
Comment is about comrade osborne and the little red book (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
he was as he believed, as we all believed, and MC proven, wonderfully proven. MC I will provide ALL the information that you would require. Tommy
Comment is about DEREK HATTON (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Ray, cheers, and thanks. All positions are between slaps on the back and face to face discussion. Tommy
Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)
Original item by ray pool
Very telling poem Tommy. Hammers its points home like a mantra and really fleshes the man out. Really impressive. Ray
Comment is about The trouble with Derek (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Well done Louise. Hope we hear some of this at WoL Wigan in December.
Comment is about Louise Fazackerley releases CD of award-winning Love is a Battlefield (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Lynn Hamilton
Thu 26th Nov 2015 19:29
Thanks Martin x
Comment is about Instincts (blog)
Very sensitive ground Frances. I look forward to reading this collection.
Comment is about Don't Mention the Children: Michael Rosen, Smokestack (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Well done Laura. Missed you last Saturday in Bolton. Hope the gig went well on Sunday. Perhaps see you at WoL Wigan for the Christmas knees up.
Comment is about Aylan poem in refugees anthology (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I enjoyed the premise of these lines - taking up the "all the world's a stage..." from a certain Will Shakespeare.
I especially relished "From the heartbreaking to the breath
taking".
Some of the misspelt words add to the Elizabethan "feel"
of the whole.
Comment is about dance (blog)
Original item by Gypno
Hello there! Could one of our Stockport WOL group let me know the theme for next time (if there is one), please?
Thanks so much x
Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)
Original item by Stockport WoL
The hidden face of a queen revealed as a "fag hag"! How
thankful I am that coughing over a Peter Stuyvesant in
the deserted wood near my boyhood home failed to
convince me of the attractions others felt for "the weed".
Comment is about queen nicotine (blog)
Original item by Robyn Valentine
Doing what poetry should do...bringing to attention the
beauty of things that often go unobserved and unremarked
in our own fleeting lives.
Comment is about The Snowflake (blog)
Original item by Roy Chetham
Yes, Gill, a marvellous achievement; you deserve a big, delighted smile.
Comment is about Gill McEvoy wins £5,000 Michael Marks pamphlet award (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Apologies, John. Fixed.
Comment is about Fran Lock wins Out-Spoken's £500 poetry prize (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Berko
Wed 25th Nov 2015 23:01
Hi.
My name is spelt Berkavitch.
Thanks
Comment is about Fran Lock wins Out-Spoken's £500 poetry prize (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks Ledger, good advice:-) Tommy re "The trouble with Derek".
Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)
Original item by Martin Elder
Ta Martin I appreciate your point:-) Tommy
Comment is about The trouble with Derek (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Thanks Ledger, good advice:-) Tommy
Comment is about The trouble with Derek (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Ian,
Those last three stanzas have a very honest identifying
connection with `human condition` about them.
Comment is about Bordering On The Rediculous (blog)
Original item by Ian Gant
Congratulations Gill, a. great success
Comment is about Gill McEvoy wins £5,000 Michael Marks pamphlet award (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
What an absolute corker Sunday night's Write Out Loud Middleton was! Joe Kozarzewski entertained us with his poetry. He thrilled us with tales of his anarchist past (& present! lol) His poetry told tales of him plastering poems throughout Rochdale subways, gluing turnstiles of public toilets and putting town planners and other bureaucrats in their place.
Joe can make us laugh with his aliens from outerspace, fume with him during his political rants (he is not known as the Rochdale Ranter for nothing) but when it comes to poetry of History, Exile and Love his words tug at the hardest of hearts. With such lines as "once we were dirty foreigners" whilst speaking of his family's arrival in Lancashire during WWII to "Bless this peace" from a beautiful tribute to his mother who fought in the Warsaw Uprising and "I am the torn wallpaper behind the guilty shelf" when speaking of his own romantic dalliances he took us on an amazing journey. Writing about a square in Krachow and reminiscing about the events and communities it has seen over the centuries he told us, "me an my Capuchino have time and can afford to dream." There was not a dry eye in the house.
Bravo Joe you were superb and I look forward (as always) to hearing more.
We enjoyed a strong open-mic with Eileen Earnshaw reading poetry from Ben Wilkinson's 'For Real', Jacqueline Phillips with a touching tribute to the Paris tragedy, Ken Eaton Dyes had us in stitches with his tales of cabbage and peas, David Ryder broke hearts with his touching poem 'How Long Can You Stay Dad' and Marion Tonge thrilled with her stories of apes and cigarettes. There were other gems too, YOU should have been there :)
That is all from Write Out Loud Middleton until 2016 when we return on Sunday, 24 January with local poet David S Ryder. Don't miss it!
Review is about Write Out Loud - Middleton on 22 Nov 2015 (event)
Hitting the nail on the head, Wendy Cope? I should cocoa. So does this review.
Comment is about Wendy Cope, Folkestone, 2015 (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thank you all for a great evening of improvised poetry. We look forward to seeing you atb The Albion Beatnik for the next POTS in Oxford on Tuesday the 23rd of Feb 2016
Review is about Poetry On The Spot in Oxford on 19 Nov 2015 (event)
What a fabulously evocative scene. Nice one David. You had me hooked from the opening lines.
Comment is about Bluff amongst the olives (For Ted Hughes and J.R.Hartley) (blog)
Original item by David Addington
John Bastard
Sat 28th Nov 2015 08:37
for those of us watching from home, i acknowledge that this is complete and utter garbage
Comment is about there (blog)
Original item by Zach Dafoe