The quality of this, Ray, is that it seems to evoke something for everyone. For me it's Alfred Noyes's The Highwayman.

Comment is about ON THE MILLPOND BRIDGE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Well spotted, Stu. Such a classic and salutary poem to compare mine with - I am flattered.
I had trouble after the first line but gave way to the idea of seed and I developed the parallels.

Thanks a lot.

Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Picture postcard nostalgia, MC. We're getting old, my friend.

Comment is about YESTERDAY ONCE MORE - a re-post (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks, Martin. Having your testicles held by the school nurse was a surprisingly solemn affair and not the stuff of masturbatory fantasy it later became.
We also played a variant of British Bulldog whereby those caught formed an ever widening linked chain which became impossible to elude. You always saved the big tough-nuts till the end!

Comment is about WE-WON-THE-WAR-IN-1954 (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

You are quite right Tomas...sex `gets into` everything.

It used to have to do with re-producing, but we`ve left all that to our immigrants these days in Europe.

Enjoyed you stuff, particularly `Lovers of Voldaro`.

Comment is about That Little Four Letter Word Called Love (blog)

Original item by Tomás Ó Cárthaigh

Crikey John. I have suddenly had memories flooding back to me. I can still remember that chant going round the playground at junior school when I was about that age. I also remember playing british bulldog at secondary school on particularly wet days in the school gym when the playing fields were a no go area. However the only testicle grabbing I can recall was by the school nurse once a year and being asked to cough Ouch!

Comment is about WE-WON-THE-WAR-IN-1954 (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I like it Andy, particularly the first line 'calloused into a whisper'
Bolton bus station. I have passed through there many a time. I forgot all about the best of Bolton submissions, even after Jeff told me about them. Darn!

Comment is about Late night bus from Bolton (blog)

Original item by Andy N

Thankyou, MC. I suspect you'd have been at the Big Boys School when I was at the Juniors. The playgrounds of today certainly seem much more sanitised spaces than in our era.
Other past-times included the near-violent British Bulldog, hanging from bars, grabbing testicles (Milkers Guild) and handball. Formative stuff indeed to equip a boy to become a man!

Comment is about WE-WON-THE-WAR-IN-1954 (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Shades of Jeffrey Farnol (look him up if the name doesn't ring a bell). As a South Devon lad, I liked the lusty
aspect applied to Tavistock. Just as well the pub wasn't
in Lustleigh!!

Comment is about ON THE MILLPOND BRIDGE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I would never underestimate the value of form but I hold
the view that it is the "servant" of content.
Thanks for your comment.

Comment is about CONTENT AND FORM (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

An immaculately read vignette of a 1950s schoolboys'
existence at play. Perfect for a radio slot!
Are you sure you don't supply the voice for Mr Carson in
"Downton Abbey"?
The book "Yesterday's Harvest" by the late Brian Carter
is a wonderful evocation of a childhood in wartime and
immediately afterwards and from your material I'd guess
you'd find it well worth your time. As a local lad who
followed on - being some years younger than Mr Carter -
I found it both moving and perfectly tuned to the reality
of changing times from the point of view of a precocious
town kid from a poor family who discovered the wonders
of the natural world and went on to serve that world in
his own way in adult life.

Comment is about WE-WON-THE-WAR-IN-1954 (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Enjoyed reading this one Ray, excellent story telling with images which spring to life.

Comment is about ON THE MILLPOND BRIDGE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

this is rather excellent. it reminds me of 'matty groves' by fairport convention. nice use of metaphor and a ripping yarn. and gratuitous use of the word seed. what more could you ask for.

Comment is about ON THE MILLPOND BRIDGE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

i love you all.

Comment is about waxwood prayer (10/04/2015) (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

Form is important, sure the content is the spuds and cabbage and meat, but if you mix it up like a dogs dinner, it wont taste as good...

Comment is about CONTENT AND FORM (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Sure it grew in the best of fertilizer... great tale...

Comment is about Berrylands (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

love this Ray - I can hear Fairport Convention playing a lilting and mesmerising jig. I shall read again in the morning.

Comment is about ON THE MILLPOND BRIDGE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

It hits you right in the eye, Stu. A bit of Orwell in there and a kaleidoscope of twaddle. You've obviously done your homework. I don't envy you younger guys having to go through what I've been through in many guises on the political stage in all its shapeshifting.
Does nobody actually have any control over anything?
Imagine if our achievements were as nebulous . Would there be a job for anybody.?

Well done.

Comment is about Britain First (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

all words taken from the britain first mission statement which can be found on their website if you feel the need.

i always enjoyed playing monopoly.

Comment is about Britain First (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

hi jackie. i can see how that must be gut wrenching! apologies for any mental trauma caused! i myself went on one of those holidays earlier this year (the holiday camp was like a ghetto strapped onto the side of a welcome break) and can sympathise. on this occasion, ITS FOXY TIME came from foxy bingos 900th attempt to get me playing a game i hate with people i dont understand. glad you liked the poem though, im really liking found poetry at the moment.

Comment is about Junk (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

The poem that is, not the holiday, that was bloody awful.

Comment is about Junk (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Hi Stu
I loved your poem but a few years back I took my kids on one of those cringingly soul sucking holidays with forced to participate, so called, 'family entertainment'. It took place in a a dingy room with a bar and a stage and it just happened to be called The Foxy Club. Every damned afternoon, evening and night for two solid weeks, that felt like an eternity, would come that dreaded chant 'Its Foxy Time! Its Foxy Time! Its Foxy Time!'. I'm afraid it put a whole new spin on your poem but I enjoyed it never the less.

Comment is about Junk (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Atrial fibrillation - it's a bit like going to "War-farin" for those
in the know. I had the surprise diagnosis after a crashing
bike fall on to my hip (another story!) but was told the
heart had returned to normal synus rhythm soon after.
But that "shocking" cause was enough to obtain an
ongoing anti-coag. medication from a profession that will
always cover itself against "could have done more" and
now the daily drug dose is a medically induced habit that
seems impossible to break. But life goes on, doesn't it?
And my consolation is the reduction in chances of getting
a stroke, so should I worry when they think an exercise bike should be encouraged for my mobility? Nah!

Comment is about After the consultation (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

So deep. I do enjoy your poetry, sometimes I have to search to find meaning within your poems, as your are not one to be overly direct but this one spoke to me immediately. It's a beautiful poem.
Jackie x

Comment is about waxwood prayer (10/04/2015) (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

really enjoying this found stuff. might just be me...

crossword can be found here;

http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26696

Comment is about Cryptic Crossword 26696 (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

cheers. im getting into this found poetry business. im a bit wary, as i try to stick to my style as much as possible, but im seeing how my cynical, world hating bullshit can be pedaled this way aswell! dachbot is excellent, im checking it out now!

Comment is about Junk (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

wifey votes greens every time. i am rather at one with nature (especially now i am on anti-histamines from the doctor) so maybe i'll give them a go.

Comment is about Budgetary Democide (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

You're just being contrary now Stu! Get off the fence lad :p

Hey, nowt wrong with the Greens - I stood for local councillor last year and intend to do so again this year. Not wasted at all.

Me - I can't help myself. I have always become enraged at injustice, in all of its dirty forms.

Comment is about Budgetary Democide (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Thanks all,
It`s not literal (I `ope!) It is just the old Atrial fibrillation. (when a pensioner meets another these days the first comment is `Hows you atrial coming along?).

It`s like Obesity and Dementia - if you haven`t got either
you feel a bit `left out`.

(At least it gives you something to occupy your mind) :)

Thanks again for the comments.

Comment is about After the consultation (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=899467896755312&substory_index=0&id=559020570800048

You have a plagiarist in Fb who has stolen and posted at least one of your lovely poems as well as another friend of mine. Seems his whole page is full of stolen works, from my google searches. Just thought you should know.

Comment is about Amanda Shelton (poet profile)

Original item by Amanda Shelton

reminds me of dachbot, which is an app on facebook that mashes your posts together.
brilliant found poetry in there:


so that's what will never
-DachBot

The athletes are still reigning as the rapture happened how I'd ought to.
-DachBot

I am genuinely lesser than these photos
-DachBot

I am mcluvin, world's best bastard
-Dachbot


I am mcluvin, world's away
-Dachbot

Comment is about Junk (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

holy fuck
i'm in love with this.

Comment is about Junk (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Ah Nigel, sometimes I think you know me better than I know myself!

Comment is about Dumb Destiny (blog)

Original item by Katy Megan

Thanks for your words! Who knows where the road is going...x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

It's been said that photography is a universal language :)
Love this, and the image it creates in my head.

Comment is about Reading the Sign (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I have to say I rather like a boozy pub crowd. It's an excellent arena to find out if your stuff interests anyone else other than polite poetry performers awaiting their turn on stage to be politely applauded by other performers.
At the last "zoo" I performed at a woman bared her tits to me while I was on stage. Result!

Comment is about Poetry Review editor Maurice Riordan urges prize judges to declare any interests (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Cynthia, it is so good to have you back :) I have missed your comments and the grin they bring to my face.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

A brave poem Harry and it feels like a sort of resignation
if this is literal. It almost seems to pour out like a stream in the way you have presented it.

Disconcerting and again: great last line.

Comment is about After the consultation (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

i pasted this from found lines in my junk box. apart from the last line. i realised about half an hour after that i left links to my email on the bloody thing. brilliant... anyway, sorted now.

Comment is about Junk (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

its a great book. i get i should be interested, but i cant fake it im afraid. not that i dont enjoy political protest, i own every billy bragg album! its just i dont have it in me to be politically minded. i only stuck myself on the electoral role last year for the first time. now labour have swung far enough left, they are worthy of a vote. better than just wasting it on the green party i suppose.
i totally get poverty stricken by the way, i grew up on a council estate in hull. it just made me cynical and bored rather than political. it can go either way i guess.
i admire people who care enough about the plight of people and the obviously outrageous, orewllian divides appearing left right and centre (pun intended), especially if they can turn the anger into art. turn those clapping hands into angry balled fists indeed.
but honestly, i just dont have the depth of empathy in me. its not something i am proud of. but at least im honest.

Comment is about Budgetary Democide (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Ooo not heard of that book, will see if they've got it in the library.

It's a dashed-off rant tbh Stu - I am absolutely enraged by what they've said and plan to do. I've been entrenched in politics all my life, growing up in the Thatcher years and being poverty stricken (with all the shame and humiliation that that brings) will do that to a person. You do realise that what you've said is very close to "First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out - Because I was not a Socialist", don't you? Just because something does not affect you directly, doesn't mean you shouldn't be worried/frightened/angry about it. It COULD affect you, at some point, anyway.

Comment is about Budgetary Democide (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

interestingly, im currently reading brave new world revisited, where huxley talks about how much of the original book has come true. and that was written decades ago. still, we can sleep easy knowing we have cereal cafe looters fighting our cause i suppose.
the third verse is my favourite. its all angry and hugely readable though.
i genuinely try to stay out of politics. living where i do, with my olds out the country, i dont need to worry to much at the moment. its all just puppets and muppets anyway.

edit: tendentious is gorgeous, and a new one on me. i must write it down.

Comment is about Budgetary Democide (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

bloody hell, where to start...

i'll stay out of the debates i think although if a poem can bring about such discussion i suppose thats a good thing!

thanks for all your positive comments.

ledger - i wrote a blog this week about charles bukowski, who i regard to be the master of the 'close'. maybe some of it rubbed off.

i'll post the link below if anyone fancies a gander.

https://medium.com/@Under_the_Fable/find-what-you-love-and-let-it-kill-you-charles-bukowski-2beac3e73c5

Comment is about garibaldi (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Blimey - that was quick!!

Haha Ledger :D It is getting to seriously scary levels of inhumanity now eh? And bang on - 50 odd years of paying national insurance should be more than enough to ensure you are not left 'out in the cold' as it were upon reaching pension age.

Graham - when you look at what they are actually proposing, as a friend pointed out to me, it's teetering on incitement to murder. The situation is out of hand.

Comment is about Budgetary Democide (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Well Graham, that's not at ALL what you said in the first place, so you can understand the reaction.

Poetry slams are only one small part of performance poetry. I can't stand them, as it goes. I prefer to perform to an audience, at a proper gig, to entertain them, not to win prizes or money (although that would be nice, but it doesn't bring out the best in many people).

Also - pubs are not the only, or even main, venues for performance poetry. Your assumption of a 'boozy pub crowd' against 'pros' still carries value judgements I'm afraid. You're displaying performance poetry prejudice again. Poetry is for EVERYONE, not 'pros'. Let's get away from elitism, not serve it.

Comment is about Poetry Review editor Maurice Riordan urges prize judges to declare any interests (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Strong tendentious rant Laura. you should be sitting in the foyer at Manchester Central this week!

Comment is about Budgetary Democide (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Well put Laura, it just shows what we're up against with these people. If people like Alex Wild obect to anybody receiving the benefits they spent their working lives paying for then they should fuck off to a country which doesn't have a national insurance scheme.
Hey-that would also create a bit of emigration and rid the country of a few useless twats.

Comment is about Budgetary Democide (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Thanks for your comment Cynthia and you most certainly can ask. After looking again, I agree the piece would benefit from a little jiggle.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Well Stu, I have two observations to make: firstly, I am well impressed with how you rounded off this poem with those final six lines. Secondly, I think you dealt with a packet of unwanted biscuits splendidly.

Comment is about garibaldi (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Huw, rightly or wrongly these poor homeless people do need help but it should be to help rehabilitate them and not just keep them in the trough in which they find themselves. Tossing money into a cup does little if anything to move them into a better situation.

Saying we do not understand it because we've never experienced it is trite. Many people wish to help and give their time to do so.

Comment is about garibaldi (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck