I found the sheer length of this post somewhat difficult
to embrace. Indeed, the first two verses set well enough
with me to form a complete and pleasingly evocative
poem on their own.

Comment is about On the Nature of Inspiration II (blog)

Original item by John Lowndes

The individual in the photo strikes me as someone who maybe be lying at rest against his will, when previously
he would have been lying at will when arrested! :-)

Comment is about THE LORD'S PRAYER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Having recently acquired a stick to assist mobility following
the onset of spinal stenosis (via a bike accident) I see no
reason why those modelling these aids should not be
pleasing to the eye. But perhaps I'm just optimistic when
I propose that intrusions into mobility often affect those
otherwise of vigorous and appealing aspect. Models should reflect that happy position.
Mind you, I can enjoy being "Blind Pew"...waving my stick
at importunate passers-by when need arises - ho-ho.

Comment is about UPLIFTING MOBILITY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

An interesting thread. The theatrical/acting profession
has more than its share - perhaps it's the "once upon a
time" basis of their working lives that overtakes the
reality and forms their own opinions of what "we" should
be doing about any given set of circumstances. I
continue to pose the questions: why are these emigrants
heading away from a part of the world with which they
share religion, culture, customs and history towards the
west and why is there a "deafening silence" on the
subject from the often wealthy countries in that vast abandoned region not involved in conflict?

Comment is about Breaking the silence: a call for poems 'in solidarity with refugees' (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Harry - Taking into account the four million votes for Ukip
a party which many insist is made up of disaffected
Tories and add that to the eleven million I saw reported
for Cameron's Tories, that makes up a hefty number of votes in all for those "not of the left". I look on with
interest to see what Corbyn does but he has already
blotted his copybook in my eyes with his "U" turn on
leaving the EU.
Tommy - contributing to the benefit of the less well off
can take many forms - creative, inventive, enabling by
generating jobs, and this is not the province of any
particular political "class". If so, the question asked is
why very wealthy supporters of "the left" (think show
biz - Elton John, Emma Thompson and so many other
successes) manage to keep their millions and their
lifestyles intact rather than share their wealth around in true social(ist) fashion. It's never been a fair/perfect
world and altruism has appeared from many disparate
sources towards trying to make it a better place. Long
may that continue. Any government that oversees income reaching a higher level before income tax is
payable also helps the less well-off.

Comment is about COR - LABOUR'S FOR THE BYN! (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks Tommy and Harry.

David

Comment is about CROSSWORDS IN THE PUB (blog)

Original item by David Subacchi

I'm sure you don't have any enemies, Harry.

Comment is about THE LORD'S PRAYER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Ha John - thanks but I'm not stalking your scribblings - you crack me up! I have too many of my own to stalk, fragment and disorder. Such lovely narcissism deserves a stalker tho. Find one and pay them if needs be - preferably young and willing.

But take no notice of me. I've been out in my doughnut shirt for the first time today and I'm feeling very wicked indeed. Snip snips are good. Cut 'n' splice too. But don't get too lucid and accessible - you'll be selling your soul.

Keep on being a wreckless Bastard and Yay! for the menopause but no idea why.

Comment is about Zach Dafoe (poet profile)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

Brilliant verse of rhyme burst
cuts out the sour notes
of those jazz music critics.

Comment is about Jazz - September Collage Poem (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

John,
what are you doin` postin` pictures like that!...And me in the state I`m in! :)

Comment is about THE LORD'S PRAYER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

David,

What a perfectly appropriate across and up and down and mutually connected and dependent metaphor for your theme.

This is what I call well fitted!

Comment is about CROSSWORDS IN THE PUB (blog)

Original item by David Subacchi

Life`s hectic but I can`t help commenting that:

1...the Tory election victory was due to fear of the financial
situation and the bag of last minute goodies that the Tory`s
promised and were compelled to offer...It wasn`t a landslide.

2...The present situation of a `social apostolic` but powerless
leader backed by a `socio - relistic` shadow cabinet actually
holding the reins might be a workable blessing to the (let`s
face it) absolutley bland leadership that the Labour Party
might have been faced with otherwise.

2...It could be the best of all possible worlds...We keep the
Rebel Music for the heart and keep the common sense for
the mind.

Comment is about COR - LABOUR'S FOR THE BYN! (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

classic Zach Dafoe - been missing your words my friend.

First 6 lines so simple and beautiful. And then you take us on your magic word trip - every line a joy to read - I'd pick examples but it's pointless - and back to simple beauty at the end. Mesmerising. I am so jealous of your writing.

ok - I love the line in brackets - can't resist picking out one.

Comment is about letters from an alchemist (9/20/2015) (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

title changed from autobiography ii to Jazz Record cut off half note for a few reasons.

Comment is about Jazz Record cut off half note (blog)

Original item by Andy N

*I'm not prepared to accept that the majority of, say, Conservative voters would not do a good turn for someone else, or help out someone they could see was in trouble.*

For them, it depends on who the person is.

Comment is about Breaking the silence: a call for poems 'in solidarity with refugees' (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Viva! To the middle to right ground - for they have done so much for the poor and low paid and moderately off, viva! f*****g viva.

Comment is about COR - LABOUR'S FOR THE BYN! (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

That's two different arguments, I would say. Maybe it is true that most creative people in all spheres are more left-wing than right. But "left-leaning people more inclined to altruism"? No "big society", then? Very depressing, if true. Call me a naive leftwing idealist, but I'm not prepared to accept that the majority of, say, Conservative voters would not do a good turn for someone else, or help out someone they could see was in trouble.

Comment is about Breaking the silence: a call for poems 'in solidarity with refugees' (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Well Greg, I would have to say that left-leaning people are more inclined to altruism, almost by definition. And most creative people in all spheres are more left-wing than right.

Comment is about Breaking the silence: a call for poems 'in solidarity with refugees' (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

This is an odd thread to put such a comment on, John, if I may so. Are you suggesting that only left-leaning people want to help refugees? Or did you mean to attach it to another story?

Comment is about Breaking the silence: a call for poems 'in solidarity with refugees' (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

And how about that shock win by Japan? A last minute
gasp of a try to secure an extraordinary victory over one
of the most famous rugby sides in the world. The stuff
of legend!
"They came, they saw, they TRIED - and won
And a great rugby nation saw its side undone."

Comment is about George gives poetry its moment in the floodlights at Rugby World Cup opening ceremony (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

People from other parties vote for the bearded Messiah because he is an unelectable Marxist relic from the 70s.

Comment is about Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn 'writes poetry on the train' (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Why are so many creative people left-leaning? Someone needs to do research on it.

Comment is about Breaking the silence: a call for poems 'in solidarity with refugees' (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I don't think he will even get the chance to cause a mess, to be honest.

Comment is about COR - LABOUR'S FOR THE BYN! (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hi MC
Cheers for your recent comments. Hope all is good.

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Re-reading this, I have to say it is quite brilliant.

Well done, everybody.

Comment is about August Collage Poem: Making Poetic Hay (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

I've just read Attila's book myself, and fully concur with Laura's verdict. There is much humour in this autobiography, and in the course of documenting his life and times, he has produced an invaluable historical guide to the performance poetry and music scene over the last 35 years, as seen through his eyes. Fascinating stuff.

Comment is about Arguments Yard: Attila the Stockbroker, Cherry Red (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

the daily mail will not be happy martin. not at all.
lovely piece, i agree with tommy, its like a cross between bill pullmans speech in independence day and a treaty for fairness and love. thumbs up.

Comment is about We (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Hi Stu, thanks for reading & commenting on Sophistication, I really appreciate it, and enjoy your work very much x

Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)

Original item by Stuart Buck

You would get more takers if this list were put on the gig guide, Mr Stockbroker. Well done to you all the same.

Comment is about Arguments Yard: Attila the Stockbroker, Cherry Red (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Dear M.C Newberry
Thank you for the excellent feedback. I wanted to write shock treatment .
Yes the theme is good it is during war and up on sickbed many remember God.

Comment is about A Shock Treatment (blog)

Original item by Alem Hailu G/Kristos

Hi John. Thank your for your comment on 'Daddy' and for taking your time to read it. Very much appreciated :)

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi M.C. Thank so much for your comment on 'Daddy'. Much appreciated.

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks Mark. Mermaid was not planned really, and it is non specific. The truth remains hidden, I'm afraid!!

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks Stu for comments on Mermaid. One of my shortest - just a moment really. Glad you liked it.

Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Not sure about the second word in the title. But the
theme that health is the real wealth is unassailable.

Comment is about A Shock Treatment (blog)

Original item by Alem Hailu G/Kristos

An intriguing vignette of...suicide? accident?...and the
immediate aftermath.

Comment is about MERMAID (blog)

Original item by ray pool

clever! nice twist in the middle taking it from fantasy to reality. also like flotsam in a silver sun, its a lovely line.

Comment is about MERMAID (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Neat! Wit is always welcome.

Comment is about REM's Premonition (blog)

Original item by George Stanworth

Interesting David. Never a cross word between them? ;-)

Comment is about CROSSWORDS IN THE PUB (blog)

Original item by David Subacchi

O killer of rare plants - great sense of pathos and the last line rightly separated for impact. Another killer blow to mediocrity with the power of simplicity.

Comment is about bonsai (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Harry
thanks for the comment on 'Black Spire' and sorry it's taken me so long to respond. Too busy with the gigs than writing at the moment - so haven't been showing my face on here anywhere near as much as I used to. Once I clear a few gigs off the list I'm hoping to get back to writing, which has all but dried up, and then I should be back posting again.
Those old cathedrals really are something _ I hosted a workshop in the Wakefield one (the picture) and that's where the idea came from - I love the unclean building being looked up to and revered by the worshippers.
Hope you're keeping well - all the best
Ian

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Ray
sorry it's taken a while for me to reply - I'm not on WOL as much as I used to be - too busy performing rather than writing at the moment.
Thanks for your kind comments on 'Black Spire' - I hosted a writing workshop in Wakefield Cathedral earlier this month and this was the output.
I was born in Wakefield and have an obsession with its history - the picture accompanying the poem is so evocative of that turn of the century industrial northern landscape - I just loved the idea of this 'unclean' building being revered and looked up to..
Hopefully I'll be posting more poems on here again once I clear some gigs - thanks once again for your kind comments
regards
Ian

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks Tommy

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Thanks Andy or is it Sexy Legs?

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

'Vital contract' :-)
'betraying freedom's vital contract'
'abandoning freedom's vital contract' so good you could play around with the line and it still has resonance.

Very good lines #21 +#22

Comment is about The Shameless Liars (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

thanks guys. he was an astonishing person, the kind of person we should be putting out there and hearing about. but hey ho, i hear miley cyrus did something vaguely controversial so i guess we will just focus on her instead...

Comment is about Corinthians 2.4 (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

bet that went down well, Jeff.. good stuff m8

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

Original item by Jeffarama!

i would love to hear you perform this one, lynn.. excellent x

Comment is about Nodding Bitch (blog)

great piece nigel but the last two lines are particularly brill

Comment is about The Shameless Liars (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

there is always hope, martin

top stuff m8

Comment is about We (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder