Preeti,
However did you manage to find out how I feel when I`m reading one of my own poems :)

Comment is about How does it feel (blog)

Brendan,
Posh Boys.

Bravo!...what is essentially (an intelligent) rant
which not only criticises, but lays out the reasons...and all in the form of a villanelle!

This is classy criticism (forgive the pun) advising us never to send Cameron for the milk if youre dying for a cup of tea`.

Enjoyed and hope to see more of yours.

Comment is about Brendan Buxton (poet profile)

Original item by Brendan Buxton

Wigan is close. I might even get a stay-over with a fellow poet so I'm not travelling late-ish at night by train and tram, by myself. I'd sure love to try a slam. Any offers ?

Comment is about The joy of slam: sign up to be a superhero in Commonword contest (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Greg, I'm glad you are able to attend many different venues, to appreciate them wholly, and then share them so vividly with the rest of us.

You must find being 'official staff' of WOL both a great pleasure and a real challenge, especially in time consumption. Thank you for your many interests and your applied talents.



(I know I write like a real dork, but I can't help it.)

Comment is about Poems about the Taliban, the US, and husbands: the Afghan women who risked their lives for self-expression (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Wow, thanks. Beautifull tough words.

Comment is about the raven speaks unto the dove (new edit) (blog)

Original item by Rachel Bond

Andy, thank you for your comment on 'R'. Much appreciated.

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Glad you liked it - - - good luck with the West End Writers!

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Thank you Tommy for reading and commenting. Though I do appreciate your and Cynthia's view (I made line break changes because of Cynthia's comment), I didn't want irony in the title of this, I wanted to make a direct point. Thank you.

Comment is about He’s a Drunk (blog)

Original item by Michelle

Hi Cynthia, I have just read Michelle's 'The drunk' and concur with you. Your advice on the piece is excellent- replacing drunk with dancer. Excellent.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

made me giggle this, Nigel.

guessing this is your autobiographic poem for stockport, Nigel? lol.


Am nearly at the end of mine. should be blogged later on this week but it's very serious and depressing unlike this which is very you (: Excellent mate

Comment is about Enter the Forbidden Zone (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Hi Michelle, an image I have seen and engaged in many times, rarely now. You have captured the moment precisely.
I think Cynthia has a strong point re 'dancer'. If you replace 'drunk' with dancer, top and bottom of the piece it makes it powerfully ironic(?) Tommy

Comment is about He’s a Drunk (blog)

Original item by Michelle

Eventually all things run into one..........McDonalds

Comment is about counterpoint (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Stu! I laughed so loudly out loud at the end of this I scared my dog. I was so invested in the abuse listed above that by the end I wanted them all to get some karma. Nicely done! Brilliant!

Comment is about counterpoint (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thanks Siobhan heartwarming that you thinks so . Thanks for commenting

Comment is about When I see the word music, i do not think of war (blog)

Original item by David R Mellor

This is the truth packed in a poem, which is beautiful and sad at the same time. I love it.

Comment is about When I see the word music, i do not think of war (blog)

Original item by David R Mellor

@davidmoore thank you, I forgot who I wrote it about but I just realized it's about Tom Bergeron from Americas funniest videos. At first I felt that fact trivialized the poem but now I feel it made it more powerfull haha.

Comment is about Tom (blog)

Original item by Corr Lens

@davidmoore thank you, I forgot who I wrote it about but I just realized it's about Tom Bergeron from Americas funniest videos. At first I felt that fact trivialized the poem but now I feel it made it more powerfull haha.

Comment is about Tom (blog)

Original item by Corr Lens

Hi Daniel
Thanks for your comments on brighton beach much appreciated. They are memories for me of when summers seemed eternal and eternally hot. Now I am droning on like the boring old fart I warned my children I would become.
He he !
Cheers mate

Comment is about Daniel Dwyran (poet profile)

Original item by Daniel Dwyran

Daz.. thank you very much for your very kind appraisal on 'Truncheon for Luncheon'. Your own account relating to this part of our social history is superb.
Met and sat with you at 'Guitar and Verse' in Tyldesley with Jeffarama last year. (Ian Whiteley and Paper Town gig). Keep on writing Dazzer and I look forward see and hear you and your stuff again. (Like your audio stuff as well). DD

Comment is about dazzer (poet profile)

Original item by dazzer

I have read this a few times now Martin... a beautiful and descriptive piece of work... you can almost smell the seaside.
The last line gives me the impression of complete childlike tiredness overtaking the beauty of the day. Love it!

Comment is about Brighton Beach (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Thank you for suggesting that I seek this poem out Cynthia. I see what you mean about it running along the same lines as some of mine. I absolutely love it. So many lines are now stuck with me and will tumble about for some time. I like your idea of accpeting that "the child you were is the child you will always be" No point in constantly looking back in hopes of changing something that has no ability of change. Excellent work.

Comment is about Trilogy of Heroes (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Cynthia
Thanks for your comments on 'Brighton beach' and 'going with the flow'. I always like your comments as they are well thought out.
Hopefully I might see you next month at Sale.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Leave undone
and wait
window latch
leave free.
The so
called gentleman
will call
be ready.
Corset ripped
vampire strikes
no longer
frustrated wench.

Comment is about Vampiric Chivalry (blog)

Original item by Katy Megan

Thanks for your comment

It is both forbidden and secret so only a select group can enter.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hello Gray and thank you for reading and your comment on 'Emotion'. Much appreciated x

Comment is about Gray Nicholls (poet profile)

Original item by Gray Nicholls

Forbidden or just sensitively secret?

Short, sharp imagery full of well-developed description using classic skills. The use of couplets is very humorous - like a throwback to the Middle Ages of ribald, mocking verse.

Comment is about Enter the Forbidden Zone (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Fabulous. A scene encapsulating a whole relationship, a whole 'type' of relationship - like a butterfly on a pin.

Your ideas, the vocabulary to support them, and the line development to express them are enviable.

Comment is about a quiet revolt (blog)

Original item by jeremy young

Like Rachel, I really like this. Actually, I was writing a comment yesterday when I got kicked off the system, and I couldn't get back; so I left it.

This extended description breathes with life, full of the child's personal experience inside and out. The detail compounds but never becomes cloying, just embracing. That's not an easy skill. A poem worth many readings - now that's a compliment.

Comment is about Brighton Beach (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Bloody brilliant! You are IN STRIDE here with clear observations and strong imagery which is hugely effective.

Comment is about Going with the flow (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

This is a truly excellent poem Stu both in what it has to say and the way it s delivered. Nice one

Comment is about neighbourhood (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Hi Rachel
Thanks for your comments on Brighton beach. Yes I realise on reflection the last line didn't make a great deal of sense. It was more a sense of irony in actually being ready for bed but not wanting to admit it as I was tired.
Glad you liked it

Comment is about Rachel Bond (poet profile)

Original item by Rachel Bond

liked this descriptive visit to the beach. i like the lack of sentiment and the feeling of dissatisfaction. the gentle misery of a small boy that even the beauty of the sea will not set free and the not wanting to go home, the assault of all the little stones...good. i don't get the last line??

Comment is about Brighton Beach (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

i don't normally like poetry about poetry but this one is intriguing. there so many ways of answering why your friend might say that...cool

Comment is about dont post a poem (blog)

Original item by Corr Lens

great!

Comment is about the tea party (blog)

Original item by jeremy young

Thank you for the kind words. I will try to continue posting.

Comment is about Silence (blog)

Original item by Honestlyfrank

Great Lines.

It suddenly reminded me of the song "When you know" from the movie "Serendipity".

Emotions really captured well.

Please keep writing.

Comment is about Silence (blog)

Original item by Honestlyfrank

This was my second visit to Write Out Loud Marsden and I think the event should be available on prescription. It’s a feel-good festival of an evening with poetry, prose, storytelling, tea, biscuits and excellent company.

The venue has a gentle atmosphere, comfy feel and is conducive for those who wish to share their own words, or those of others, in relaxed company and surroundings. I certainly felt safe enough, during both my visits here, to share some new poetry for the first time and the feedback from the group helped me with finding the confidence to write more.

The love of words threads the entire evening and people are happy to share the words of others as much as they are keen to share their own work.

I came away feeling in fine poetic fettle and looking forward to my next visit.

Review is about Write Out Loud Marsden on 15 Jul 2015 (event)

I never fail to enjoy a visit to Write Out Loud Bolton. There is always a warm welcome and a feeling of camaraderie amongst the audience and poets. Jeff Dawson (Jeffarama) and Gordon Zola are Bolton’s answer to Ant and Dec - only they have talent as well! Their (seemingly) effortless hosting is to be commended and their welcome, encouragement and support for regular and visiting poets alike is priceless. Mention should also be made of Tracy Bucknell (the non-hosting third member of the team) who organises the raffle and the photographs.

Sunday’s evening kicked off with a lovely poem from Jeff about his recent holiday in Rome followed by Gordon Zola with a nifty and pithy poem about the latest Government budget.

John Howard Reeves, aka Potting Shed Pete, served a poetic tale of “cough and drop” military examinations. John’s performance was accessorised with a pair of white gloves decked with flashing fairy lights. One of those occasions when you had to be there.

Jodie Smith-Richardson read a sweet poem written by her late great-grandmother followed by a cleverly crafted and witty poem of her own which had us all in stitches.

Wordsmith Dave Morgan delivered two of his latest touching and well observed works. Next up was Pete Slater whose deep rich voice adds performance and rhythm to his strong words.

It is well-known Eileen Earnshaw is a friend of mine yet I am not influenced by this when I say her second poem, from her collection, Three Gins In, was pure class.

Individual musical performances were by Ellie Kennedy, Don Parry and Andy Robbo. Good stuff.

William Neary was up next with a gentle performance dealing hard words with an entertaining punch later cushioned by Paul Blackburn’s “poetic insurance”. Again, you had to be there!

The words of Darren Thomas were hypnotic, deep and compelling.

Ronnie Leek, new to Bolton, debuted with a poetic sperm sample. Again, you had to be there! His second poem, about a “non-sexual” first time was dynamite. I ran a torrent of emotions with him including terror. I am unable to remember the last time a poet stirred that emotion within me.

I read two of my “Raining Ghosts” poems. I think they went down alright, the night certainly did.

Write Out Loud Bolton at the Brooklyn – make sure you’re there next time :)

Review is about Bolton WOL on 19 Jul 2015 (event)

News Flash

Place, Space & Memory

Life in Stockport
an exhibition showcasing
creative writing and
photography

Preview: Saturday 25th July, 12-4pm

Sarah Butler has sent these details!

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Thanks so much for your comment. Having read your work, I know this is a subject that affects you, so I am pleased that you think I have captured it well. I know it is a difficult subject so I hope I did it some justice.

Comment is about neighbourhood (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

I am so moved by this poem. My emotions are all over the place. Memories flooded back--good and bad. You captured exactly what it is like for a child to live in that sort of dysfunction. The thoughts that repeat and the prayers that are sent up to a God they aren't sure really exists. Very well done. This poem has very much become a favorite for me.

Comment is about neighbourhood (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

morning stu
thank you for reading me. I'll definitely submit a couple things to Prolific. It's not often I write haiku, but that day I was just feeling lucky.

Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)

Original item by Stuart Buck

i disagree with cynthia: movies have scenes because art imitates life in exaggerated ways that serve to explore the depth of human feeling.

sometimes a kiss strikes you so deeply and so hard you dip down deep, touching a greater panorama of feeling where goosebumps are miles apart. every detail of the world for a city block spins around you, her, and that blissful eternity of a minute stretches out -- out and out and down for what could very well be forever -- until at last you part and return to the droop-lidded cold reality. Holding hands feels monochromatic by comparison.
or at least that's what i've felt.

you could call it a movie scene or you can call it a moment, bigger than the kiss itself. sometimes it goes the other way and your everything turns into the warmth and tactility of lips touching lips, which is great. but sometimes it goes from outside to inside to outside. really it all depends on what you remember (or what you want)

blah blah blah, ramble ramble
amen

Comment is about palm polly (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

"shoot, coward. you're only killing a man."

Comment is about network (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thanks so much, Ali

Comment is about GUARDIAN ANGEL (blog)

Original item by THE PEN AND THE PAGE

these are all excellent, especially the first. have you tried sending them to haiku journal (prolific press)? its a good way of getting yourself in print and the paperback books are really quite sexy.

Comment is about haiku dump 1 (07/17/2015) (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

Hi Ali, read and be dammed; write and be redeemed.

Comment is about Ali Bell (poet profile)

Original item by Ali Bell

I liked all the lines! Thanks :)

Comment is about Garden Thoughts (blog)

Original item by Ali Bell

Am glad you liked the lines. (except the 3rd one.)

You describe them well. Thanks for that.

Keep writing. Take care.

Comment is about Garden Thoughts (blog)

Original item by Ali Bell

Amazing poetry. Great rhyming pattern too. This would be a very nice lullably for a child as well as a beautiful poem.

Comment is about GUARDIAN ANGEL (blog)

Original item by THE PEN AND THE PAGE