Thanks for your comments on my January Fairy poem! :)

Comment is about Ged Thompson (poet profile)

Original item by Ged Thompson

Ah bon! Je l'attende avec attention!

Comment is about Michel Francois (poet profile)

Original item by Michel Francois

Thanks Nigel!

Comment is about Ian O'Brien (poet profile)

Original item by Ian O'Brien

I totally recognised your sincerity in 'totem', because I share it. I actively soaked in so much 'Indian' history and literature as I was growing up in the region of the junction of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. I read countless books on First Nations mythology, with wonder and delight. I had to make myself be analytical, to dig a little deeper and put details into wider context. It's hard not to be reactive to European arrogance, throughout the entire world, not just the America's.

Would you believe, I am right now reading an old textbook called 'Breastplate and Buckskin' which details the European takeover of the 'New World'. It seems remarkably honest, considering the whitewash of history so prevalent in some major textbooks. It refreshes a whole period whose major points had become fuzzy in my mind.

The only thing 'history' is, is a 'story' as constructed by the 'winners'. Much deconstruction will surely come, even now, as scholars demand more honesty from accounts, and, by extension, inform ordinary people like us. Who can even trust the local and international news, let alone history!

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Thanks for your comments on my two latest posts. You alone seem to take the trouble to approach the need for "balance" on the subjects involved. The idea that "racism" is essentially attributable to "whitey" is nonsense and needs an occasional poke where the sun don't shine!

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Ian - ta!

Re the code - thought long and hard about that, and in one way, it's not a code, but in another, you use separate letters (symbols) to communicate meaning/represent words, so in THAT way, it is a code.

You're right, qwerty should be in capitals, ta. I did think about making the verses equal as it goes haha, trust you to notice that :D, but 'diarise' got its own line in the end, hence being one line longer. Could easily shuffle it back together again though.

That last verse - nnnggg. I worried that to death. Here's another version of it that I worked on, that I actually liked more, but another person I showed it to preferred the version on here. Would appreciate you looking at it (and using the 'Both' in this ties it to 'One' and 'Two'):

Both
hands clapping;
a parity of palm.
In goat skin tandem
slapping rhythm in a beat;
equality
in QWERTY code;
touch type testifies to
balance in the word.
One hand clapping
seeks the silence of the world.


Cheers!

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Good to see you back, Graham! or is that 'frack'?
important contribution to the debate.

Comment is about Gray Hamm (poet profile)

Original item by Gray Hamm

Eh up - same author ;)I've got both :)

Fairy muff re the rhythm, chuck

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Hi Larisa, thanks for the comment on my profile. I am attempting to de-cypher its mysteries. T

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

keep me informed how you with Poetica, Cynthia. I will try to come along if i can if you get something sorted out.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Laura
thanks for the comments on 'totem' - much appreciated as always.
haven't read the book you mention - but the must read book regarding first nations/native Americans is Bury My Hear At Wounded Knee' which is the native American perspective of the 'wild west' - fascinating and moving read.
The list of tribal names is there for rhythmic purposes + 'if we cannot name them we cannot remember them' so I liked it to push start the rhythm into the last section
cheers
Ian

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

thanks for your constructive and informative comments on 'totem' Cynthia.
I have been travelling to Canada for the last 10 years - usually 2 or 3 times a year. Unfortunately I have had to miss it this year as I was made redundant last August and am trying to find my financial footing again. I am already missing Vancouver :-( my favourite place in the world and somewhere where I would love to live.
I am very interested in First Nations art and mythology - this wasn't meant to be a 'breast beating' ode to guilt or a romantic view of the first nation people - it was just the feelings I had when visiting sites and looking at their own art and crafts.
I have an anti-colonialism stance anyway - so am disgusted and averse to the way that Britain colonised the old and new worlds and destroyed what was there - yes, they gave a lot to these continents - but was it needed? I guess I would never have got to see the wonderful Canadian countryside and forests if they had not done so - so the poem makes me happy and sad in equal measures.
Thanks for taking he time to comment
Ian

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

You are more than welcome and thank you too for your comment re my boy :-)

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Tommy,

Just seen your comment on my untitled poem ( about fucking ) Pardon my french ha ha Sometimes it's as much about releasing pent up agression and stress as it about emotion and 'relationships'. Not always 'making love' to use a corny phrase :-)

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

I know - nearly every poem was exceptional.

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Voilà - un autre Français !
sounds good - well done for a full house

When I introduce my audio in a few weeks
you will hear a little more of this Frenchman

all the best
Michel François

Comment is about stephen smith (poet profile)

Original item by stephen smith

Cher Michel,Merci pour votre commentaire -je n'ai lis qu'un morceau de votre poesie en francai mais je vois un talent! "Comfort" a eu du bon succes,mais louer un teatre est assez difficile parce que on doit reserver l'espace six mois en avant.Nous avons eu deux" maisons pleines" et n'avons pas perdu de l'argent -au contraire avons gagne/ un peu.

Comment is about Michel Francois (poet profile)

Original item by Michel Francois

Ten out of ten for - -
all poems read at the
Stockport Write Out Loud event.

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

You will have no problem Ian with performance poetry
as you proved on Monday night.

Comment is about Ian O'Brien (poet profile)

Original item by Ian O'Brien

Ann, so glad you are active here again. I have really missed your input, your fine poems and your comments.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Harry
added the following to you post on my blog 'totem' - wasn't sure you would revisit:

thanks Harry - and very good point - I've amended it from 'screaming' to 'calling' which softens it a bit
thanks for the feedback - much appreciated
Ian

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

Original item by Harry O`N eill

thanks Harry
I got the box set bought for me at Christmas, but I haven't had time to start watching it yet - too busy writing daft poems :-) looks like my sort of thing though - thanks for the explanation
Ian

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

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Ian,
Like the silly old fart I am I always imagine everone is addicted to the same tele shows as me, sorry.

(They are three characters from the Big Bang Theory)

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Hi Ann, nice to hear from you again. many thanks for your very kind comments on radio... agree with your observation on 'sloshing'will try and think of a better word!

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

cynthia, thanks for your very kind comments on 'radio'

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Bonjour Stephen
I have seen your work 'Death of a Leader'
- enlightening with passion and well-crafted
How did you get on with 'Comfort'
my best, Michel François.

Comment is about stephen smith (poet profile)

Original item by stephen smith

Thanks for your kind comments on 'To Love In Vein' Starfish - I'm pleased that you liked it :-)
Ian

Comment is about Starfish (poet profile)

Original item by Starfish

Fireball XL% eh? I liked Stingray - "Aqua...Aqua Marina..." ;-)
Ian

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks for commenting on 'sci-fi' so good Harry, pleased that you liked it. Not sure I 'get' the full meaning behind your last comment - is Leonard a reference to Mr. Nimoy and no idea about the other 2 characters you mention - give us a clue :-)
Ian

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

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Thanks for the comment on 'sci-fi so good' Laura - glad you liked it :-)

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Thanks for your comment on 'Scifi so good' Chris - pleased with the comparison with Spike Milligan - a bloody genius - less so with Stanly Unwin (lol) even though, he too, was a British eccentric genius - but he used to get on my nerves :-)
cheers
Ian

Comment is about Chris Co (poet profile)

Original item by Chris Co

Hi Freda, glad you saw the review! I think the Puzzle Hall Inn is a smashing venue. My drastic attack of hay fever even cleared up during the evening, so you can't ssy fairer than that. Hope to see you at Marsden in October. After all, it's only just over the next hill, or two!

Comment is about Freda Davis (poet profile)

Original item by Freda Davis

Thanks for your kind words Harry, I will have a look at your poems shortly!

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

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Hello MC,
Glad you liked "Lending". It does seem starnge to me that Angela Merkel (who is, after all, wanting to give Greece some money) is villified for doing so!
Re your piece on Mauretania, it makes sobering reading for anyone of a liberal disposition. You add a challenging perspective which we should all consider before undergoing our usual self-flagellation on all matters racial.

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hello Steve,
Thankyou for your kind comments on "Lending".
You're absolutely right about Grease.

Comment is about Steve Higgins (poet profile)

Original item by Steve Higgins

Hello Kath,
Thankyou for your kind comments on "Lending".
I think your son is showing early signs of writing talent!

Comment is about Kath Hewitt (poet profile)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

Hi Lettie - welcome to WOL. That's a great poem here on your profile page - maybe you'd like to put it on the blog section? I'm sure it would go down well with some of us on here :)

Comment is about Lettie Mckie (poet profile)

Original item by Lettie Mckie

Hello Nigel,

Thank you for your comments on my poem "I Have the Right to Write." LOL! I had fun writing this poem. My husband asks "Where should I kiss you?"
I tell him to behave. LOL!

Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Hi John,

Thank you for your comments on my poem "I Have the Right to Write. LOL! My husband loves this poem and asks "Where should I kiss you?" I tell him to behave.

Thanks,
Shirley

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Hello Freda,

Thank you for your comments on my poem "I Have the Right to Write." I had fun writing this and I have gotten a few funny comments on this poem.

Thanks,
Shirley

Comment is about Freda Davis (poet profile)

Original item by Freda Davis

Hello MC,

Thank you for your comments on my poem "I Have the right to write." I had fun writing this and get a variety of comments.

Thanks
Shirley

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

HI JULIAN

yes i mean wrapped in the patina.
the other is just a typo.
thanks for your comment!

Comment is about Sunshine Faggio (poet profile)

Original item by Sunshine Faggio

Hello Cate,
Glad you enjoyed "Lord Frackin Howell".
On another front I have received from Isobel the prestigious 3rd prize from the 52 Hertz competition. I must say I was a little disappointed with the "inflateable" but have successfully adapted it for purpose.

Comment is about Cate (poet profile)

Original item by Cate

Hello MC,
I very much appreciate your take on the North-South divide vis-a-vis 1066 and William the Frackin Conqueror.

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Many frackin thanks for your frackin comments on Lord Frackin Howell, Harry.

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

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Apologies, Greg. I did, of course, mean "Lord Howell".

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hello John,
Many thanks for your thoughts on "Lord Howell" and, once again, apologies for the stab at the accent.

Comment is about John Embley (poet profile)

Original item by John Embley

Many thanks for your kind thoughts on "The Rhymes They Are A-Changin'". One I wrote for Bob Dylan which he never used.

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Ahhh! I really like the comment on Matchbox, clever!! : )

Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Hi Dave

No I haven't but will check it out!

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley