thanks Steve - glad you didn't ask me to explain them!

Comment is about The Lowku Arena (blog)

I'm coming back to you on your comment on Clippie. First of all its very gratifying to receive input from the fair sex, as it is a rarity and nice to know it has not been interpreted from a "feminist" perspective. I have not only the photo, but the paraphernalia that clipped the tickets and the rack! She seemed so fresh faced that time just disappeared in the interim.
Regarding the wider issue of mathematics, I feel it that the esoteric side of it should be more widely acknowledged, as it would humanize the subject and include the more far reaching consequences of a love of form and our utilization of it. There is nothing weird about science, but maybe more research should be done to broaden it out. The future is there to do it, so lets hurry up while we have time!!
The Kabbalah was adopted by the Jewish faith long before Christianity as far as I know. (The tree of life is worth checking out). Regards, Ray.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I have an itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny inkling of Sacred Mathematics of Ancient Civilizations, enough only to be impressed by the thought processes of so long ago, and the relative lack of real progress made since then. There was a U.S. Mathematical Movement to reintroduce some of the ideas, complete with ancient vocabulary. It was worth a look-through, enough to appreciate it, not to master it. Ye Gods! So to speak.

Also, I know of the kabbala? (spelling uncertain). I'm pretty sure it came up in 'Foucault's Pendulum', and I had to search out some info, just for my own satisfaction. I have a lengthy computer printout somewhere, offering a kind of precis. Hardly adequate, but an effort to be a bit knowledgeable. I could be totally wrong about this connection.

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

I agree, MC. I don't defend their violence when it does take place. But I would still argue that it is now one of the world's more benign religions.

Comment is about QUI ES IN CAELIS (...who art in Heaven...) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks, Harry, this is brilliant, with a howl for blood screaming all through it.

And, Helen, I'm copying out your much appreciated format. Don't know if I'll ever try it, but I have a family visit coming up, and this would certainly ensure no boredom no matter how many hours I might have to while away by myself. Geometry does the same trick - completely engrossing, just for fun. Paper and a Helix Pack - sheer delight. Algebra - not so much. Poetry and Geometry are not so far apart, like Music. IMHO, of course.

Actually, I'm never bored.

Comment is about Form and function (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Absolutely delightful, short, but pushing all the empathetic poetry buttons. That is skill.

Comment is about CLIPPIE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Most enjoyable - very clever - very true. ((Maybe a tad on the long side, like the preamble, using up your precious open-mike minutes... ): ....)) IT'S A JOKE with a teeny-tiny point.

Comment is about Performance (notes to my self) (blog)

Original item by dazzer

Refreshing to find some words of real love and praise about
this often criticised under-valued country of ours.
And topped with a really evocative photo of what is so
fondly remembered about its enduring - but increasingly threatened - charms, bringing to life that magical phrase
"Over the hills and far away".

Comment is about OH ENGLAND (blog)

Original item by THE PEN AND THE PAGE

JC - indeed, I noted your use of the present tense...
hence my differentation between the past and today.
However, there are so-called "Christian Militias" bringing
no credit to the faith in backward countries in the
modern world...albeit they might claim they are acting
in self-defence against attacks by others.

Comment is about QUI ES IN CAELIS (...who art in Heaven...) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Q: 'the jaws of her open thighs' is superb. How can a woman ever relate to this expression?

A: How indeed?

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Tracing tears caked around your heart wow!

But the main thread of your life is woven for all to see this poem seems to sum up all the ups and downs.

Can't wait to hear it next week mate.

Comment is about Autobiography (blog)

Original item by Andy N

I appreciate your full appraisal on There is no God.. thanks for taking the time; the poem came about as a kind of comment on how divisive this subject can be, rather than a defence of religion - which after all has so many affiliates who cannot agree on the fundamentals.
I would say that there is a mystery in life which leads me away from purely material considerations, and I would go with your theory about continuing on after death; this is a hot potato in society (how can you discuss anything that can't be proved). I have had some unusual experiences that back up that version of life, but that's another story. It'll never be resolved, I fear. (not in this life anyway!)

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Fabulous. Lynn x

Comment is about therapy (blog)

Hi Harry,

Yes, I have tried the form on a couple of occasions and both times I found that by the middle you lose your way.

You said above about the same words popping up throughout each stanza.

In simple terms - there are 6 end words that are repeated through each stanzas. The placement of these words is determined with the strict form. For example:

Stanza 1: ABCDEF
Stanza 2: FAEBDC
Stanza 3: CFDABE
Stanza 4: ECBFAD
Stanza 5: DEACFB
Stanza 6: BDFECA

Envoi: BE
DC
FA

Quite complicated and difficult to keep the flow.

Also, the 39 line Sestina is traditionally non-rhyming.

Comment is about Form and function (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Cynthia, as you know I love formal poetry and I admire any poet who takes the time to get to grips with it.

Although, I have attempted many forms, most have been written in Iambic Pentameter and the reason for this - well it is a natural instinct for me. I think it is like music, it's an inbuilt thing :) that's why I am drawn to the lyrical Sonnet - 14 IP lines but with the chance to break some rules in the process - I like that.

So what you have produced above is, to me, rather impressive and the fact that it was a labour of love and you have taken the time to tinker with it is wonderful.

In terms of formal v free verse, I can't understand why there is so much debate about it, a good poet is a good poet!! And you without a doubt are a good poet :)

I would LOVE to read a CBT Sonnet!

Comment is about Two Formal Poems (re-posts) (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I cannot deny that Christianity has a violent past. But so too did Chingis Khan, but we don't haul the rulers of Mongolia in front of The Hague.
I did say"it's" (= "it is").

Comment is about QUI ES IN CAELIS (...who art in Heaven...) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Certainly the various Christian factions fought for supremacy in centuries past, despicably using their
chosen version of the faith to achieve domination,
ignoring the "love your fellow man as yourself"
teachings of Jesus Christ.
But things have moved on apace in developed
countries practising that religion and it has settled
down to a "benign" status in western lands (for many
years), and it can be argued that it is in the less-
developed lands that depredations in its name still
occur as certain "factions" cruelly careless of its teachings fight for supremacy.
Slavers were just as often Arab (non-Christian) -
served by profit-mongers among the leaders of African
tribal nations happy to sell on their countrymen and
women when the opportunity or excuse arose. One
North African country still allowed slavery until very
recently and cases crop up in UK courts of wealthy
incomers from certain lands in that direction keeping
"staff" in conditions of servitude that amount to the same thing.

Comment is about QUI ES IN CAELIS (...who art in Heaven...) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

You can find more of my poetry here on WriteOutLoud or simply by searching on line for DAVID SUBACCHI.

Comment is about CILLA (blog)

Original item by David Subacchi

Tommy - I think you ridiculed MC Newbury some time ago for raising the Scottish Nationalists overtures to Nazi Germany. You know that was 70 years ago not 2000?

Comment is about QUI ES IN CAELIS (...who art in Heaven...) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Christianity has been around for 2,000 years John. You really need to do your maths. British, Spanish Portuguese Christians destroyed Ancient civilizations and peoples in north, central and south America, which included burnings, beheadings, torture and rape. Then there were wars in every European country waged by Christians against Christians. Check the facts. Try checking out the near, middle and far east. Lots of material there John. What about Africa? First were the slavers and armies (Christians) and after the wholesale destruction of millions of villages and lives came the priests bearing crosses. Try reading the facts and the horrors of their benign greetings.

Comment is about QUI ES IN CAELIS (...who art in Heaven...) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

You don't often hear of beheadings, stonings, throwing from rooftops....

Comment is about QUI ES IN CAELIS (...who art in Heaven...) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

"it is one of the worlds more benign religions"
Hahahahaha for gods sake someone get me a chair before I fall down.

Comment is about QUI ES IN CAELIS (...who art in Heaven...) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Is this the voice that I hear on the TV ad. telling us about
where the sea comes in?
Lovely to know we have an apostle for our seaside and
its many neglected delights - too often victims of the
cheap foreign holiday. But all the more welcome for
rising like the phoenix from the ashes in recent years and
providing a renewed appreciation of what we have here "at home" to enjoy.

Comment is about Why Dr John Cooper Clarke loves to be beside the seaside (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

If we need to believe in anything - why not the essential
goodness of our fellow human beings? - with the added
advantage of an awareness of how some can fall by the
wayside and be tempted to the "dark side" - to use a
popular modern phrase.
Religion is basically a man-made phenomenon - an instrument of social control cloaked in the mystique of
"holy" fantasy that appeals to the human imagination and
desire for hope for something more than the basic - and often base - aspects of existence.
I prefer to think that there is indeed something beyond
what our senses reveal - like an example I have mooted
previously: the tv signal that can't be experienced
UNLESS you have the equipment to decipher it. Does
death present an added dimension to earthly existence
that permits progress to a state of being of which we
are unaware in our mortal form?
It is certainly one way of considering the chance of "immortality".

Comment is about THERE IS NO GOD! (blog)

Original item by ray pool

i have to admit to being moderately laymonic (if its not a word it should be) regarding metre and verse, having never touched an english class aside from what was deemed necessary. so i have no intellectual input to give on the subject. however...

Tinkling-glass tones trembling on restless breezes

...is just lovely, even to my uncouth lugholes.

Comment is about Two Formal Poems (re-posts) (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Cynthia,
your intelligent wisdom in actually having a go at resurrecting some of the old forms in modern style gave me the courage to post the blog I have done today.

I know it is devilishly difficult to re-create the feel of some of them.

But full marks for trying

Comment is about Two Formal Poems (re-posts) (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

thanks! i read the line 'her daughters smile wears hinges' in a poem by theresa davis and it just flowed from there. its such a great image, and perfectly describes the fake smiles we plaster on our faces when prompted to by our guilt.

Comment is about pang (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

well, since i am a fairly new writer, and as i mentioned in my profile somewhat unsure as to what is good and bad when it comes to my writing, i like to put it all up. i would change this if the latest post did not delete the last one, as i would feel guilty clogging up peoples home pages. however, it only shows one, which leaves it up to the user if they wish to delve deeper. also, i dont have many outputs for my poetry, no friends or family with which to entrust it to, so im guilty of excitedly hurling it about. im sure, as the weeks and months pass, this will ebb away, leaving a trickle of genius, not a deluge of mediocrity!

Comment is about you reap what you sow (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

The revision is superb. I knew it was there.

Why dump on us your unfinished/unedited work. I truly object. And no smiley face either.

Comment is about you reap what you sow (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

thank you

Comment is about memories (blog)

Original item by mollie learmonth

Brilliant writing, and a viciously true topic. The first line is a master 'hook', as are the two closing lines that twist in the gut.

Comment is about pang (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Helen, this posting is for you especially. I sweat blood over these particular two, through countless revisions - although not recently. I wanted works that could not be discerned as 'modern'. A friend took them both to challenge a poetry group as to their period origins. Unfortunately, I never did hear the outcome.

I am inordinately pleased with them, regardless of how they strike anyone else. It was a labour of love, and respect for earlier writers. I don't think I could so discipline myself on a regular basis. Perhaps I should try again. I have never written a sonnet - read hundreds in every style and topic - but can't get past a kind of personal mental block. Maybe an August challenge.

Comment is about Two Formal Poems (re-posts) (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hey Cynthia,
Thanks so much for your comment :) I have the singular ability to ignore butt hurt comments. My piece was directed more at myself than anyone here. However, it's not to say how utterly boring I find the works of those who are so intent on form, style, designated names that their work is no longer natural, pleasing or free flowing. Quite like the chef who measures agonizingly from the cookbook and creates a dish with something valid missing: taste.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

thanks John - for giving me a new perspective and some early morning good karma - both of which I need right now - I will press on

Comment is about Zach Dafoe (poet profile)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

it's a sad reflection on this site that your contributions receive so little comment John. As I've said before, I never fully understand your work - maybe I really am lowbrow - but I admire the way you connect your words - I could pick examples from almost every line.

your quiet stoicism (?) inspires me not to delete my profile and slip off the radar, for the moment anyway.

jesus christ this crucifix is heavy...

Comment is about karaoke 2 (07/23/2015) (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

great title and thought provoking - I'd like to say more but I daren't

Comment is about echolocate (08/01/2015) (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

Texture so silky smooth
black satin was good
soon to be replaced
because we just kept
slipping and sliding off
plus a slight injury
bruised my little head.

I agree she is gorgeous.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I never know if I'm replying correctly on this site. But I'm giving it a try anyway :P
First off, you always give good feedback. It's well thought out and never brutal or mean. Too many people on the internet like to let their egos get in the way when commenting on other people's work.
The word 'between' is there to imply that closing is something the flowers do in secret. I never really catch these flowers in the process of closing. I just always see them open or close. The 'quiet hours' in this poem are the hours in the late part of the day when things are slowing down. So 'between the quiet hours' is almost exactly that. The flowers are closing between the hours when nobody can look.

Comment is about Two Impressions of Early Summer (blog)

Original item by A.M. Clarke

These are lovely lines. May I suggest another word than 'between' which implies 'in the centre of two things'. I've tried to search out the intent, but I can't find it.

Just a thought.

Comment is about Two Impressions of Early Summer (blog)

Original item by A.M. Clarke

Oh, Preeti, I just laughed out loud over the poem, and a bit more over the comments. You have stirred up some strong feelings, most of insufficiency. Your poem is, after all, highly personal, referring to your own likes and dislikes of subject and style. You are very brave to be so positive, and eloquent, of what is or is not 'good'. So, I guess I was a bit dismayed by the responses, that the readers/poets took your scathing comments so personally.

Comment is about How does it feel (blog)

Portsmouth Tongues and Grooves on sunday 23rd August :) *nudge* *wink*

Comment is about Louise Etheridge (poet profile)

Original item by Louise Etheridge

Hi again. Thanks for your comment on Seasonal Tides. It made me chuckle. I guess when I look back on some earlier stuff it can be a tad cringe!

Your comments reinforced that fact and raised a smile too :) x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Very classy -downright beautiful - and you've called it 'Tasty Flesh'! Like a filet of steamed fish!

'the jaws of her open thighs' is superb. How can a woman ever relate to this expression?

Comment is about tasty flesh (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Brief and effective. Could be a metaphor for all types of relationships where 'dominance and submission' are emotional or mental, etc. etc.

IMO, I would separate the first line into two parts for even greater emphasis of the major shift, and thus not needing a weak comma. Just a thought.

'momentarily' is brilliant; domination and submission are hard bonds to break, however 'kismet' a 'moment' may be.

Comment is about Kismet (blog)

Original item by Katy Megan

i never post edited poems here, as i use this as a proving ground to see what does and doesnt stick. as i have mentioned before, i am guilty of overindulgence. its the amateur in me!

Comment is about you reap what you sow (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

cynthia, on the ball as ever. soon after posting this i set about editing it. i wanted the overall image to be of a tree shooting through a human being, casting him stiff and upright before overpowering him totally. the edited version reads...

Roots grow through his body
Sinews splinter
Organs drown
Sun bound
Sins of the flesh
Ripen to fruit
Branches split and splint
Reach beyond the stars

He sits at Natures feet
Weeping tears of blossom.

Comment is about you reap what you sow (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Haven't quite untwisted it; almost there. Don't want help yet. I'll try again tomorrow. Maybe I'm tired.

PS. I've popped into this on the strength of your name alone. I so admire your work.

Cynthia

Comment is about Not White To Weft (early poem for public art sculpture in Oldham) (blog)

Original item by CathyLCrabb

Definitely a good point.

Comment is about TWO SIDES TO THE COIN (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Fast and funny, mostly because it could be true, and why not, to the multiple-sexed-inclined? Hothouse sex is ancient. I don't suppose the action needs 'black satin sheets.' Such a detail probably separates the fanciful from the actual.

Is the photo Eva Langoria? Some years back? She sure was/is gorgeous.

Comment is about One Suggestion Is All It Took (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

I am totally with the intent of this poem. But, if I may be honest, I think a much shorter, tighter version, would enhance the immensity of the theme. IMO, it has become 'laboured' with 'Let -' piled on 'Let -', even if you are striving for a Biblical tone, which would then have separate 'verses' for emphasis.

Always with respect - just an idea.

Comment is about you reap what you sow (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck