Tim - I appreciate the measured tone of your reply.
I have always taken the view that any important
subject deserves a rigorous and fearless examination -
especially one so well-known and widely promoted as
"climate change(global warming)". The problem is that
there have been strongly opposing views and the subject
has achieved something of a "religious status" whereby
it is heresy to question its existence/teaching. I spent a
working life in public service and know all too well of the
belief that if something is SAID to be often enough, then, ergo - it MUST be. I have no problem querying this
state of affairs and would love some impartial body far
removed from the subject to produce a time and evidence "schedule" of fully evaluated findings - right up to date - for public consideration and consumption.
For every David Attenborough, there seems to be a
David Bellamy and the confusion is palpable and in no
one's interest in a global world when there is even belief
that it is being "engineered" to prevent the development
of an increasingly powerful/resentful third world.
Cheers

Comment is about How To Be A Denier (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Pure poetry-reading it I felt as if I was walking along behind that miner and witnessing the whole scenario: and if a poem can draw the reader in like that from the first verse and carry them through to the end it is, to me, pure poetry.

Comment is about A MINER'S RETURN HOME (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thank you Greg Freeman and Ledger de la Bald. Thank you also M.C.Newberry - you're comments are welcome, and you are quite right to say this is an issue that has grounds for discussion. I have been trying to discuss it with anybody that would listen for about 30 years now! But what the world needs more urgently than discussion now is action! (See my previous blog entry) I guess I should be flattered that you have followed my instructions in this poem so diligently, but I recommend you acquaint yourself with the current science before you say any more. There is a good summary of the most recent IPCC report here http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/AR5_SYR_FINAL_SPM.pdf If you don't have time to read it all, the Met Office, the BBC and NASA all have good information on climate science which I can recommend.

Comment is about How To Be A Denier (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Regardless of whether a certain commenter is under the impression that this poem may be aimed at him personally, or the issues that it raises, I'd just like to say what a pleasure it is to see such a well-crafted work on Write Out Loud, Tim. Roger McGough might appreciate the fact that it rhymes, too. And that's my last word on the subject!

Comment is about How To Be A Denier (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

A person with the luxury of waiting in bus queues and worrying about mobiles etc can be depressed but someone will say something- and it will be a lot more than "you can take no more".

Comment is about Every Mobile is on Silent (blog)

Original item by David R Mellor

I agree- great stuff! Like an old ballad.

Comment is about A MINER'S RETURN HOME (blog)

Original item by ray pool

brevity is this poems friend. saying so much in so few words is a gift!

Comment is about TREES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

great stuff ray! i'm getting hints of the sirens, fairport convention (again), wonderful atmosphere that reminds me of conan doyle (especially baskervilles), all sorts of wistful doom and gloom. great. i love it.

Comment is about A MINER'S RETURN HOME (blog)

Original item by ray pool

"Inconvenient facts" can be a two-way street and we need to accept that when expressing a point of view.
Consider the following - from the Sunday Telegraph back in 2007 on mankind's effect on the climate...especially
when it was reported that "the temperature rise at the
beginning of the 20th century (prior to 1940 when
human emissions of CO2 were relatively insignificant)
was as great - most graphs show greater - than the
temperature rise at the end of the century". The item
continues:
"No one any longer seriously doubts the link between
solar activity and temperature in earth's climate history.
During the post-war economic boom, while industrial
emissions of CO2 went up, the temperature went down
(hence the great global-cooling scare in the 1970s).
<N.B. WOL readers would need to be circa pensionable
age to recall that far back with any degree of understanding of the subject>.
Why? They say maybe the cooling was caused by SO2 (sulphur dioxide) produced by industry. Thanks to China
and the rest, SO2 levels are far, far higher now than they
were back then. Why isn't it perishing cold? Too many
journalists and scientists have built their careers on the
global warming alarm. Certain newspapers have staked
their reputation on it. The death of this theory will be
painful and ugly. But it will die. Because it is wrong,
wrong, wrong."
Strong stuff! Hence the sense in approaching such an
emotive subject with considered impartiality and
properly substantiated information across the spectrum
of "for" and "against" to be sure of achieving a BALANCE
of expense and effect in dealing with the situation.
Who would press for anything less with so much held
to be at risk?

Comment is about How To Be A Denier (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

thanks Cynthia for taking the time to comment and thought provoking . i can only write what comes to the mind or spirit

thanks again

Comment is about This is a Holy Death (blog)

Original item by David R Mellor

A true "busman's holiday", Ledge.
I was a little saddened that nouveau political correctness seemed to have afflicted the "battleships in the park" as the announcer no longer refers to the "Germans" but it's now just the "enemy". What stuff and nonsense; they shouldn't have shelled the town in the First World War.

Comment is about SCARBADOS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I hear that the locals refer to their town as 'West Yorkshire By The Sea'.

Comment is about SCARBADOS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Well put Tim.

Comment is about How To Be A Denier (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Hahaha, thank you very much :) I'm liking a lot of the other pieces on here as well, it's nice to see more people who write

Comment is about Be as water flows (blog)

Original item by Eric Berard

Bahahaha that would be a little bit different

Comment is about Giving light to those who need a brighter day. (blog)

Original item by Eric Berard

Hi MC
Thanks for taking the time to comment on Penalised.
I am an Englishman living in Scotland, and got (and still getting) tired of listening (local TV) to the moans. Apart from anything else, Oz scored 5 tries to 3, which I've always believed was what rugby was supposed to be about.

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hello Harry and Ledger.
I am a bit cruel to Scarborough where we spend a number of weekends every year.

Comment is about SCARBADOS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks for your comment Huw. My aim with this was to highlight man's vanity in trying to control nature for his own purposes chiefly, yet short of genetic engineering has not bettered the "divine plan" which was perfectly in place without his interference. Obviously a contentious issue.
I think it works on an ironic level and can't quite see how it doesn't all fit together!!

Incidentally, I followed up Tea cosy Pete and was very moved by the man and how he brought light into people's lives - it must have been nice to know him even in his reduced state. Its funny how lives can turn on a rejection..... Thanks again. Ray

Comment is about TREES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

This may be timed as a reply to my Samuel Pepys
extracts in my recent little poem. Certainly, there are
grounds for healthy "for and against" discussion.
The origins go back a long way to be sure. I recall a
French source attacking the promotion of CFCs as the
cause of damage to the ozone layer - and cited very
plausible backers in the commercial world for pushing
this policy for financial/development gains. The ozone
"hole" was as far away from human industrial activity
as was possible in this world - and no mention was made
of the high rate of volcanic activity thereabouts.
And the massive pollutant output from the 19th century
Industrial Revolution seems to have passed by without
blame or comment.
On the plus side, today we have more trees - the great
absorbers of pollution - than ever before (very recently
reported in a global survey...don't ask me how they
did that but science can be a wonderful thing!) - AND
it's been reported that the ice shelf is thicker than previously assessed. Who knows what to think?
So - basically, this is not a clear cut issue by any
means. Let us BE alert and confine pollution by all means
possible whilst acknowledging that the world is an ever
evolving reality employing devices far beyond our own
effects (and knowledge) over the long (very) term.
Being a fervent "believer" can be as misguided as
being a fervent "denier".

Comment is about How To Be A Denier (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Now then John, we went to Scarborough yesterday and it was very nice. Except for the fact I had to take out a fucking mortgage to park the fucking car!

Comment is about SCARBADOS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Good one, Harry. It packs a lot of punch.

Stick another 'n' in 'beginning' (since it's right up-front.) Just a typo, I'm sure.

Comment is about Resisting a beginning (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

John,
John, absolutely true!

(But - pssst - don`t tell Yvonne I said so)

Comment is about SCARBADOS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Nice write up and a worthy subject for the night. However, I'm not sure if the murder was merely caused by Sophie's 'appearance'. There were undertones of class envy, too. Ryan Herbert and his cohorts were all underclass no-hopers simmering with inarticulate rage at Robert and Sophie for being what they could never be: attractive, intelligent and articulate.

Just my ten cents.

Comment is about The Killing of Sophie Lancaster: a tragedy that continues to haunt (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Stimulating stuff that is more about seeking a response
perhaps?
I confess to relishing my bed, gaining a lot of mental
exercise and inspiration lying within the warmth and
comfort of my duvet, ready to transfer the results to
paper and cyberspace. As for TV - a marvellous medium
for being informed about - and taken out in - the world
around us. The world at large has never had so much so
readily available for eager and inquisitive eyes and minds.
We can be "dead" when we shut those to exclude the
opportunities we are given in life.

Comment is about We Are The Dead (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Who me? Are you talking to me?

Comment is about now see what you've done? (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

whats clever about this is, with the title, you could remove lines 2 4 and 6 or lines 1 3 5 and 7 and still comprehend the idea. also, have you been spying on me? i have these 'arguments' every night with the wife. im very much an odd liner.

Comment is about The Argument (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Ah those were the days of innocence and hope -usually followed by a dodgy transit journey to hell! Your brother is right about the Marshall - usually it was a 4X10
for guitar heaven. Much too boomy for bass. I am old enough to have a similar experience with skiffle (fifties period) with a broomstick and string for bass. Will that be believed by 'im indoors? Lonnie Donnegan was the chief exponent. You're much too young to remember him. Good luck obviously pursued him!! regards Ray

Comment is about Band Wagon (blog)

Thanks Stu and refreshing to have hit a button in a thought and be noticed for it. It's not what you are aware of sometimes but the unexplored that has the most influence, I believe(there,s that word!)

I still have to check out your link but have been in light use of the internet for two days as it winds me up too much!! My latest thought along those lines is: people watching a TV screen which advertises mobile phones (another type of screen) like an ever reflecting world self sealing in a sense. (Wot?!) regards. Ray

Comment is about CAGES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Hi, Steve,

Thanks for your comment about the content, the 'aha' moment. I think the words of a haiku should flash outwardly and inwardly, like a diamond well-cut.

I know 'English' haiku has a broad brush with syllables these days, but I still enjoy the pleasure of 5/7/5, even aware that it does not equate Japanese syllabification.

Please sort me out between haiku and senryu, if you don't mind.

Comment is about In the stillness of (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

A Slave to Love

A whore to his bidding
She was in his world.

When the night went cold
She still had his love.

When he wanted her back
Heartache could stop but return.

Comment is about Benediction (blog)

Original item by Katy Megan

Very nice, you sir are a poet, now go out and show it..... Sorry!.

Comment is about Be as water flows (blog)

Original item by Eric Berard

Hahaha, in my notepad on my computer I usually use the first line as the titles, but I feel weird about actually titling them like that :P

Comment is about Giving light to those who need a brighter day. (blog)

Original item by Eric Berard

Hi Ray

You may say and thanks for reading and commenting. This curio is based on my childhood memory of my brother's band rehearsing in by bedroom (approx me 8, they eighteen), which had the most floor space for the job. There was a full band set up, full drum kit, guitars, amps, mics, lots of bloody wires etc... It's a wonder we weren't killed by the makeshift lighting (made by my other brother who was subsequently asked to provide lighting with his 'live' coffee cans for other bands). To appease me, I was given a tambourine and asked to join in and play to the beat. Also, within the poem is the later torment of the rock and roll lifestyle combined with the 'very nearly signed' to the 'no we are not'. Must have to say that he did tour Europe and played with a band that now has a bit of a cult following and has some great stories to tell. Ray, he did also comment, when I showed him this poem, this afternoon, that in his opinion, a Marshall amp is not best suited to bass and he offered a slight smile at the last two lines!

Lynn

Comment is about Band Wagon (blog)

Thanks Colin. I will not tell - cross and hope to die!

Comment is about Band Wagon (blog)

Once you accept these bars

you barely notice them

this is such a powerful line.

Comment is about CAGES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Propinquity towards death shelters virgin chest panic
And then
Panic Panic Hum A Tune.
Chaos, shit and drums
I could go on!

Oh My

Brilliant Discharge Stu

Comment is about discharge (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thanks for checking in on our profile. We write on our own, and will eventually post more frequently

Comment is about Listen (blog)

Original item by mindful.duo

Hi Ian, back again for further comment . The poem you wrote certainly engendered a lot of discussion. You have pointed out a very good point about singer songwriters getting paid but not a poet. This is obviously a right liberty. I am a muso but choose not to sing - as I find the average offering full of bile and remorse and self pity and all the negatives of life. Why pay to hear that? I find also a lot of poetry hard to listen to back to back in open mike because of distractions - soda siphons, etc.
If there is money to be made, yes hand it out. Personally I don't expect to make money but that's not an opinion that's a fact. Cheers for now!!

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Excellent -- you are a Modern Metaphysical!

Comment is about We Are The Dead (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Thanks to everyone for their kind and supportive comments - I've replied to all the points (I hope) direct to you all - but, in summary, my main thrust is
PAY THE BLOODY POETS :-)
cheers
Ian

Comment is about Don't Pay The Poets (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

thanks for your, as usual, insightful comments on 'Don't Pay The Poets' MC - I think you're pretty close to the mark in what you say - and as I perform on pretty much the same circuit as Laura - let me tell you, it is prevalent to pay musicians, but not poets, even on the same bill. So these are cases where you've paid your dues, done the open mics and someone wants to put you on and present your words. Showing my hand here, but I never turn the gigs down - but the more it's given for free the more it's expected. Still, it is REALLY nice when you do get paid and certainly gives a lift to your self esteem
cheers
Ian

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

thanks for your kind and insightful comments on 'Don't Pay The Poets' Ray - very interesting points you make - and I would never expect a poet to be paid for an open mic spot - because, generally, they are performances with/between peers - so all equal. Where the problem lies is in landlords and promoters putting events on where some of the performers get paid - but rarely the poet - even though they put just as much into the performance. As an example - if I use the same words and put a guitar around my neck, I'm likely to get paid. If I just use the words it's, somehow, different. An interesting topic, really enjoyed reading yours (and everyone's) take on it
cheers
Ian

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

thanks for your kind and insightful comments on 'Don't Pay The Poets' John - my comments weren't directed at Open Micers - more so at Landlords and Promoters who throw poets onto a bill with other acts and pay everyone BUT the poets because, as Laura comments, they don't hold the same 'value' even thought hey are entertaining just the same. I get quite a few odd payments here and there and it's always nice to be recognised as 'valuable'. None of us do it for the money - but put a guitar around my neck and let me use the same words and - hey presto - the money appears.
On another note - I was hoping to be at Sale this mon th to see Gerry.P - unfortunately Steve Earle decided to play Manchester on the same night - but I'll be back (that's not a threat)
Ian

Comment is about John Darwin (poet profile)

Original item by John Darwin

I LOL at your succinct comment on 'Don't Pay The Poets' Cynthia - so much else being written but you nailed it in one :-) hope you are keeping well
Ian

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

thanks for the kind comments on 'Don't Pay the Poets' Laura - of course I knew you'd 'get it', particularly after our chat ;-). That being said, I've been paid a couple of times recently - so maybe there's a light at the end of the metaphor
Ian

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

thanks for your kind comments on 'Don't Pay The Poets' Anna - I'm so pleased you liked it
Ian

Comment is about Anna Ghislena (poet profile)

Original item by Anna Ghislena

your comment on 'Don't Pay The Poets' - succinct as always John

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

What lissom poems! So visual and with tightly apposite metaphors and similes. Sumptuous! I hate picking bits out of poems when the poems are a fine and muscular unit, but I keep seeing the bullets returning to guns like faithful dogs -- and Richard Dawkins weeping into his teacup; yes, he'd have a teacup and not a grotty mug that had gained a slew of tree-ring tannin stains. Hooray!

Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thanks for looking in Cynthia, best wishes from the 'warrior''!

Comment is about Warrior of Words (blog)

Original item by Steve Higgins

Hi Cynthia, thanks for reading and your lovely comment on Bowl, much appreciated x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas