Ken,
Just to cheer you up.
Last Saturday in the Legion we heaved our octogenarian limbs on to the deserted dance floor to do a jazzy little kind of a two step, Only for Cyril (90) and Betty (circa 90) to get up an execute a nifty jive (talk about being bested!)
We staggered back to our wheely-zimmer friends trying to look like a pair of sports,but got something from the evening when another couple of circa 90 year olds told us where we could get some reasonable geriatric travel insurance.
No wonder the Pope said that Europe was now `elderly` and haggard`.(mind, he`s no chicken himself!)
Enjoyed your lead soldier, happy Christmas, vicar spying boys brigade boyhood...That must have been a lousy dance if those soldiers would rather go back and fight.
A wartime destroyer-sailor told me that once -when they were bravely leaving the Mersey to face the u boats - the captain broadcast that they would have to return because of engine trouble...He said that they all gave the captain a loud, hearty cheer.
Comment is about As a baby I never felt embarrassed having my nappy changed...But I do now. (blog)
Hi Cynthia. I just read Hurricane and was bowled over by the sheer impact and word wizardry - almost Dhaliesque if I may say! It reminds me of a poem by Ted Hughes about wind - different style but yours makes a great treat of imagery. Ray
Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Thanks John. Words of wisdom indeed. Keep looking on the bright side, while we're still top side of the geraniums
Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)
Original item by John Coopey
Thanks for looking at 'Murder mile', John. Yes, these two nearby events were the first things I came across when we pitched up at our apartment.
Comment is about Murder mile (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Ken - you should delete your 'history' as you go. It will save the embarrassment when you shake a six. "Every six fucking weeks" - too right, soldier. Too right.
I look at the blossom in Spring and the dead leaves in Autumn and think, "how many of these fuckers have I got left to see". It's scarcely worth planting the geraniums!
Comment is about As a baby I never felt embarrassed having my nappy changed...But I do now. (blog)
Travis Brow
Thu 28th May 2015 06:47
Cheers Colin. I changed his name, but otherwise it's true. There but for the grace of god, and all that..
Comment is about ILL REPUTE. (blog)
Beautifully written poem, Jane. People such as Alan deserve to be remembered and I found it deeply moving.
xx
Comment is about Alan (Henning) (blog)
Original item by jane wilcock
Let it pour, indeed, Shirley.
Comment is about Memorial Day (blog)
Original item by Shirley Smothers
Portsmouth certainly seems to be a very vibrant place for poetry, Helen. I don't think I'm lined up as a guest poet at Guildford, but Maggie did enlist me to perform at a gig at the Rifle Club in Portsmouth in March. And I certainly hope to look in at Tongues & Grooves at some time in the future.
Comment is about Helen (poet profile)
Original item by Helen
"Hill" - such a little word for such a big ego.
(He is on the right lines about "accessibility", though; personally, I have always thought it should be banned except in connection with wheelchair ramps and crotchless panties).
Comment is about 'Self-schooled poet' Simon Armitage bids to become Oxford professor of poetry (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
<Deleted User> (6895)
Wed 27th May 2015 23:12
'Boots?'...tee hee.xx
Comment is about Arse over pip (blog)
Thank you for the kind words. Colin, it literally was an early morning wake up poem, wrote it straight onto my phone at 4.30am pretty much how it's presented here. The dream was exactly how it happened in the poem. Lucky, really, like catching a vivid silver fish from the murky depths of sleep
Comment is about A Second Chance (For Terri) (blog)
Original item by Russ Litten
Cynthia 50 shades of water :)
Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
CBT indeed - 50 shades of water :)
Comment is about On stolen sheets (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
If breasts are naturally bare, there is no shame about them. What creates 'shame' is the deliberate and provocative peep-show. As for the nipple business - pure idiocy! I have always thought the real allure of sensationalised female breasts is the male's desire to suckle - like a baby - with little thought to the erotic arousal of the female sex urge.
Comment is about something i must hide (blog)
Original item by muse
I, too, really like this. It requires more than one whip-through - with vocabulary and images that are challenging but very well-chosen both for meaning and music.
Comment is about that secret (blog)
Original item by Paul Sands
I shall try to catch up on some more of your work. I was not very active on-line in April.
Comment is about Russ Litten (poet profile)
Original item by Russ Litten
Totally engaging from start to finish. And it leaves the reader to fill in any scenario desired - very good 'poet-ing'.
Comment is about A Second Chance (For Terri) (blog)
Original item by Russ Litten
Welcome to WOL. I'm sure you will enjoy this site. The management staff is excellent, and ready to help you.
Comment is about tshepang laka (poet profile)
Original item by tshepang laka
This is a very strong poem, and by no means simple.
I see it is the same one on your profile, but appearing there in a more poetic form of broken lines. Did you have difficulty posting this here, in this format?
Comment is about deceit is my custom (blog)
Original item by tshepang laka
<Deleted User> (13762)
Wed 27th May 2015 14:23
nice one Travis. Shifty, yes.
x
Comment is about ILL REPUTE. (blog)
Who is that ugly devil scribbling on the left?
Oh, its me...
Comment is about Stockport Write Out Loud 2, May 2015.jpg (photo)
Original item by Stockport WoL
Luke is ACE. Check him out.
Comment is about 'Poetry should have bite and snarl, but it's better for joy and sadness than anger': Luke Wright (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Lynn Hamilton
Tue 26th May 2015 11:47
Thanks Tommy. That's spot on! Bloody technology.
Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
You can read one of the best, certainly one of the longest, and possibly the most enjoyable article I've seen about Simon Armitage in the Guardian here http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/may/26/simon-armitage-making-poetry-pay. You'll note that the interview was done in and around Marsden, Julian - poetry centre of the universe!
Comment is about 'Self-schooled poet' Simon Armitage bids to become Oxford professor of poetry (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I beg to differ, M.C. There is humour aplenty among open-mic/open-floor poets, in most of the many events I have attended in the past few years. I would agree that there is a tendency amongst some modern poets to eschew humour but the best deliver their serious messages in a deceptively humorous package. I love this from Billy Collins:
Introduction to poetry
I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide
or press an ear against its hive.
I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out,
or walk inside the poem's room
and feel the walls for a light switch.
I want them to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author's name on the shore.
But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.
They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.
As I mention in my review of Armitage's gig in Washington, we would all have been proud of his dry humour interspersing the serious messages within some of his poetry.
Comment is about 'Self-schooled poet' Simon Armitage bids to become Oxford professor of poetry (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I'm a thief who steals the truth from your words
Well crafted Chloe!
Graham
Comment is about Chloe (poet profile)
Original item by Chloe
Correct Graham, this is a re-edit. :)
Comment is about On stolen sheets (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
This is hard to read for me Lynn.
I think there are some good words swallowed up in here.
The laugh he threw back Hit my face.
Graham
Comment is about RePlaCeMeNT bUs (blog)
Tommy I think I must have missed this first time around (that's if you posted before).
There are some good words here.
We snatched the time
to make our marks
with sweat
and firm commitments.
and the last two lines are brilliant.
Comment is about On stolen sheets (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Wow I really like your poem! It is well thought out and always on point of the subject. I look forward to seeing more from you.
Comment is about Chloe (poet profile)
Original item by Chloe
<Deleted User> (13762)
Tue 26th May 2015 07:38
Hey, I like this one, has the feel of an early-morning-waking-up-dream. x
Comment is about A Second Chance (For Terri) (blog)
Original item by Russ Litten
Lynn Hamilton
Tue 26th May 2015 00:00
Preeti,
I'm not qualified to say what works but I really enjoy reading your written words.
Please stick with your instincts. Xx
Comment is about I can (blog)
Lynn Hamilton
Mon 25th May 2015 23:34
In reply to your comment on 'My God' Mr TC, no need to think too hard. The soul destroying experience of internet dating, the isolation of technology and being subjected, as a child, to a host of spaghetti westerns where 'hey blondie' was god.
Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
<Deleted User> (9882)
Mon 25th May 2015 22:45
Brilliant.Deep,as most of your work is Paul,but this one is at a very enjoyable depth.x
Comment is about that secret (blog)
Original item by Paul Sands
Yes, I think it is a great venue and it was a very special night indeed. I think Maggie's response to your review is the most important and she was moved by it.
I performed at the recent Mayfly Festival of Arts at the Square Tower, it was on the last May bank holiday and there was a great atmosphere. I think the owners are very willing to support the arts here in Portsmouth and it was great to have artists, musicians and poets sharing a platform.
I hear that you are a featured poet at the next Guildford event? That should be good. Have you ever been to a Tongues and Grooves open mic night?
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Harry, this is lovely. I agree with Travis, the rhythm is spot on. Perhaps if you'd have substituted 'mummy' for 'daddy' in that last verse, the element of surprise would have worked in your favour. Enjoyed!
Comment is about School time (blog)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
Hi Helen, thanks for your kind words about Maggie's book launch write-up. It was quite an occasion that night, and a privilege to be there. Glad you felt that the words did the job. There was a sense that a whole community was involved, and felt that it had played its part. I'd never been to the Old Square Tower before; it's a wonderful venue. And outside you can watch all the ferries coming in and out. Greg
Comment is about Helen (poet profile)
Original item by Helen
Shame on the magazine say I, they should have recognized real talent! I raised my 3 kids after their mum died so I know all too well how frenetic that life can be... Best wishes, Dave
Comment is about School time (blog)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
Thanks for commenting on 'The Family' Harry, much appreciated. :)
Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
thanks i"I am Lost" for words thanks
Comment is about I realised i was me (blog)
Original item by David R Mellor
First two lines were spot on Preeti. Persevere!
Comment is about I can (blog)
Sun 24th May 2015 22:22
Sun 24th May 2015 21:33
Thank you Harry, I appreciate your opinion a lot -I really enjoyed your poems too!Hope to see you in June!
Steve Smith
Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
Thanks for these comments David. I suppose it is corporate theft and usuary made respectable - so yes we do have to put faith in these people. They are just pawns in the bigger game after all and are to be pitied.
And, yes it is autobiographical, but I am old enough not to worry about it any more.!!
Comment is about WHERE DID HONESTY GO? (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Though you call yourself "I am lost," you have nothing to lose by expressing any personal thoughts, and that is a great thing in itself. Treat your mind like a blank canvas and dot some I's and cross T's and you will surely find a format that suits you, and I'm sure people will accept that as a unique effort. Nobody can have all the answers, but I think inspiration is very close to desperation and there may be a clue there somewhere!
Happy writing!!
Comment is about Clive (poet profile)
Original item by Clive
M.C. Newberry
Thu 28th May 2015 23:24
I feel far too young to comment! In any event, I was
excused unwanted participation in the Scouts (before
later years in another uniform) when my mother heard the
scoutmaster liked a drink!
:-)
Comment is about As a baby I never felt embarrassed having my nappy changed...But I do now. (blog)