love it!

cheers Joshua.


Rose

Comment is about Beauty Day (blog)

Original item by Joshua

having read,feel as though I have physically been with you,all the way through this sad journey.

Stunning piece Phil.

Rose

Comment is about My mate Nick. (blog)

Original item by mentalelf. Philk.

cheers all. much appreciated as always!

Comment is about sad/beautiful (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

A powerful piece, Phil. Beautifully observed.

Comment is about My mate Nick. (blog)

Original item by mentalelf. Philk.

There's a lot to comment on here! Firstly, it's good to see a POTW draw such a response: our hope when we started it was that it would stimulate debate, introduce people to poems they might otherwise have missed, and showcase a piece of work we felt deserved it.

It's also worth remembering it's a bit of fun. You may read the POTW and wonder what the fuss is about, or think you could write (or have written) something better. You may love – or hate – the style, the subject matter, or the language. That's all fine. POTW is, as I said, a bit of fun, and a chance to give a poet the oxygen of a little publicity, a day (well, a week actually) in the sun.

So, if you *don't* like the poem, and want to say so, I would respectfully suggest that something as simple as adding "I think..." to your comment is not only a good move, but also good manners. (If you're not convinced, imagine the difference between being told "You're rubbish" and "I think you're rubbish"). Doing so doesn't, in any way, stop you expressing your opinion!

For those who may have missed it, all the information regarding the POTW, and how it is chosen, is here: http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=55344

Comment is about 'Airways, Breathing, Circulation' by Peter Knaggs is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Me again! Could somebody please clarify who the Judge/s actually are for these poems. Other writers may be aware but I'm not.

Comment is about 'Airways, Breathing, Circulation' by Peter Knaggs is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you Lynn... I value your comments xx

Comment is about To be a Nobelman or pauper? (blog)

Original item by Ria Richardson

Wow!

Lynn x

Comment is about unwritten (blog)

Original item by Corr Lens

Hi Phil

Oh my I'm not sure where to start. You've managed with your words to transport me head and heart first into the dilemas, complexities and frustrations of this relationship.

Thank you

Lynn x

Comment is about My mate Nick. (blog)

Original item by mentalelf. Philk.

Hi Ian

Really enjoyed reading your words.

Lynn x

Comment is about Splendid Is The Flower (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Hi Ria

Our paths have crossed and sometimes that can dampen a comment but I absoluetly love this piece. This comment comes bone dry.

Lynn x

Comment is about To be a Nobelman or pauper? (blog)

Original item by Ria Richardson

Very nice, Stu. I totally agree with Martin about the lines. Fellas, if you love someone just tell them.

Lynn x

Comment is about sad/beautiful (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Well-spoken, Ian..

It can be difficult to bare one's inner thoughts. Our most common interactions with others can be so mundane because truth is more than superficial. And, sometimes, our truths become fodder for the common when they are spoken.

Thank you for this, Ian.

elPintor

Comment is about Splendid Is The Flower (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Thanks for the in comments regarding 'Head In Hands' Ray - I really appreciate you taking the time to comment and am pleased that you like this rather sombre effort - cheers
Ian

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks, once again, for the kind comments on 'Head In Hands' Tommy - I admit to be poorly read and hadn't heard of 'The Mezzanine' but having looked it up I can see where you're coming from with regards to the tone of this piece. I'm pleased it resonated with you - cheers mate
Ian

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Thanks much for reading and sharing your comments..it's greatly appreciated.

elPintor

Comment is about attention deficit (blog)

Original item by nunya

Would it mean something different if it were a typo?

The words were chosen specifically to encourage individual interpretation..glad to see that they were effective..thanks to all, for reading and commenting.

elPintor

Comment is about prod and projection (blog)

Original item by nunya

Lovely, nice voice in prose, a visual journey.. Tho' Die Toten Hosen 'Live in Argentina' is THE definitive version of Guantanamera...:)

Comment is about Our man in Havana checks out the poetry scene in Cuba (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you x

Comment is about Water (blog)

Original item by Ria Richardson

Thanks for reading and commenting, LCPTB.

Yes, I'm sure you're right, shops will be pushing everything they want to sell in whatever way they can.

As for weights you've hit on something there, and what a con to include the packaging in the total weight.

Comment is about Pesky packaging (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Stu I love these lines especially
'I roll your emotions like a rubber ball between my glowing palms and take your minds yolk in my veins'
beautiful and as Ray says that word Love can be so difficult to say in public.

Comment is about sad/beautiful (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Heart rending stuff Phil and a very good poem to boot.
Nice one

Comment is about My mate Nick. (blog)

Original item by mentalelf. Philk.

Thanks Stu. Is this cynical ?- I suppose so but I hope it leaves room for a sort of redemption - not too proud to mention.

Ray

Comment is about THERE ARE NO RIGHTS OR WRONGS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

It's funny how public pronouncements of "love" always seem like a sort of cop out of deeper things, which is a shame, and it has the same universal appeal as say the sky but has to be proven and probed to bring a dimension to it. That's my view anyway and what do I know? I think the last two lines are sort of down to earth after the delicacy of the other ones. It works well. Ray

Comment is about sad/beautiful (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thanks Ray and LCTPB much appreciated . I like the fluidity of this style. Believe it or not I came across a C.D of sting 'songs from the labyrinth' which is based on some Elizabethen writing and songs.
Thanks again guys

Comment is about sleep (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

lovely ray. most people should have to say this mantra-esque before speaking/typing. myself included of course.

by the way, i made a rather spiffing pun on facebook that you have yet to admire.

Comment is about THERE ARE NO RIGHTS OR WRONGS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

If you are prepared to place yourself in the dock, you have the choice to plead guilty or not guilty. Not guilty leads to questioning by both the defence and the prosecution. The jury then passes their verdict and the Judge passes sentence. I see lots of people writing and putting themselves in the dock (I refuse to use the word poet). I don't see the Judge/s nor do I see the jury get the chance to pass their own verdict.... just sayin....

Comment is about 'Airways, Breathing, Circulation' by Peter Knaggs is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

45.1% of the UK's trade is with the EU, MC. This is an all-time low figure. What will it be if we leave? Will we get the same trading arrangement as Norway? Who knows? I don't. But I do know that we send 45.1% of our trade there now.

Comment is about SHOULD WE STAY OR SHOULD WE GO? (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks Harry

Comment is about harry (poet profile)

Original item by harry

It's not a question of seeking a return to the "Great"
Britain as in days of Empire (the original appellation was
geographical), it is the desire to return the governance
of the country to its elected Parliamentarians who can
be changed at elections. We produce many of the great
minds, inventions and creative enterprises and there is
no reason why the world should not continue to seek
them out once we regain control of our own trade.
Billions of our money is invested in lands everywhere
and there is hardly likely to be a rush for these to disenfranchise themselves of that situation and the two-way benefits its represents around the globe.
Why have we become so timorous and easily duped?
Is it REALLY acceptable to be told what to do at every
turn? (Quote: "Community law is required to take
precedence over domestic law i.e. if a Community law
conflicts with a statute, it is the statute which has to
give way..."). How far removed is this sort of thing
from a trading market we originally elected to join?
Hands up those who REALLY KNOW WHAT IS PLANNED
within the EU once its one-way trap snaps shut and
there is no going back or any chance to change
whatever effects its decisions have for us. What value Shakespeare's famous lines then?

Comment is about SHOULD WE STAY OR SHOULD WE GO? (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you!Yes there is a saying a poem must not let go its meaning with out a fight!It is based on a true story!Such a feedback gives poets a sense of direction ,fighting injustice!

Comment is about The better evil (revised) (blog)

Original item by Alem Hailu G/Kristos

Thank you I beg God to help me fight injustice!

Comment is about Liberating the mind before the land (blog)

Original item by Alem Hailu G/Kristos

The last two lines
But do we still wish to live in a solitary moratorium
coveting our feverous hearts in a slate stone mirth?

we and our shows there was no final yield and your love stays very much alive not dead and blown away as your poetry tries to show but dramatically fails to convince.

Comment is about Immortal Soliloquy (blog)

Original item by Katy Megan

Harry does have a good point and of course positive/negative commenting on any particular poem will draw out the colours of both sides.

I also agree that when the subject matter is deviated from, the main point of the exercise is somewhat lost.

The prime point of POTW is to showcase good work and good poets.

Whether commenters agree will of course be eternally open to debate.

Comment is about 'Airways, Breathing, Circulation' by Peter Knaggs is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

It seems to me that Ken is quite clearly giving his opinion, who else's could he give? If as has been said we all know that the appreciation of art is subjective then why reinforce that by directing ken on giving his entitled opinion?
Maybe some people would do well to become a little more robust.
People must be permitted to give their opinion without fear of being cut off at the tongue by school mistress type corrections.
Unfortunately much of the lively part of this discussion has veered away from the work, which is a shame to my mind.
If people are not permitted to pen their true feelings politely and honestly regarding all work posted, how much of a true representation is being presented. One might question the merit of having a POTW section if only praise is permitted to be bestowed upon the piece, maybe some involved in its selection are being over protective, we couldn't know that as the reading audience is not clear on who selects the POTW, maybe it could be considered to name the selector, and present the piece as their chosen poem of the week, to be honest I think that might be a better type of presentation for those selecting and those submitting and reading. It would certainly be more transparent a process. Of course that said, it is merely my opinion, no more no less.
We may not be pugilists, but I think most on here are adults.

Comment is about 'Airways, Breathing, Circulation' by Peter Knaggs is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Ken - "...it had no great shakes as a literary work" - in your opinion. We all know that appreciation of any art is subjective, so let's bear that in mind rather than making definite statements.

Also, "Read it and get your own back" is not particularly helpful, or appropriate. We are poets, not pugilists.

Thanks everyone for a lively discussion! The very nature of this kind of poetry does stir strong emotion, so in that respect, it's done its job very well.

Comment is about 'Airways, Breathing, Circulation' by Peter Knaggs is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

have to agree with previous comments. great short piece and open to several interpretations. super.

Comment is about prod and projection (blog)

Original item by nunya

You write and convey very, very well.

Thank you

Lynn x

Comment is about Live On - Awake Till Death (blog)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

Enjoyed reading and making my own interpretation. Especially like the middle verse.

Lynn

Comment is about prod and projection (blog)

Original item by nunya

Thanks for reading, observing and commenting Mr M. Much appreciated.

Lynn x

Comment is about Thick Nib (blog)

Mr LCTB! Of course, and I saved any decent docks. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Lynn x

Comment is about Cigarette Burns (blog)

Thanks, Lynn. I think the nub of the Out campaign harks back to our past and is that the EU has held us back; without it Great Britain can be Great again.
We can't.

Comment is about SHOULD WE STAY OR SHOULD WE GO? (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Peter. Didn't mean to ruffle any feathers, but you didn't really expect a one hundred per cent accolade on the quality of the piece? I was simply pointing out in my appraisal that drained of it's emotion it had no great shakes as a literary work.

As for a better alternative. Mine of course?

Read it and get your own back

Ken

Comment is about 'Airways, Breathing, Circulation' by Peter Knaggs is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Good one, John!

I couldn't agree more with your last comment that we know what IN looks like, but not what OUT looks like.

To MC though, I would just like to add that if there is an out vote, I hope he gets proved right! :-)

Comment is about SHOULD WE STAY OR SHOULD WE GO? (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you Jemima and LCPTB.

Apologies for delay - been away in our caravan...

Yes, homelessness up while Social security is dismantled, couldn't agree more!

Or as I posted 4 years ago:

Shocking backhanders in politics
Such bare faced effrontery,
Petty criminals are in prisons
While big crooks run the country.

Comment is about Haiku: Justice (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Peter, anyone who can get "verisimilitude" into a sentence is certainly worthy of merit!! Brilliant (I'm just off to look it up).

Well done, as your week in the limelight is drawing to a close, keep up the work.


Graham

Comment is about 'Airways, Breathing, Circulation' by Peter Knaggs is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Brilliant, Mike, I enjoyed this.

Comment is about Live On - Awake Till Death (blog)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

CAM BROWN WINS THE AUDIENCE WITH HIS FLIGHT OF SONG!
It was a musical night. Not to say there was no poetry but music was definitely the theme. The audience was geared for it but Cam was always a step ahead. His fingers move like lightning, his grey curly hair swings round his shining face, his eyes smiling, and you know what follows will be lyrics that catch you 'off-guard' and keep you listening till you're hysterical laughing! He plays to the audience, loves it and it shows! His songs were from the '50s, '60s and '70s. His influences, Paddy Roberts and Jake Thackeray.

Having read, 'They don't make characters like Paddy Roberts anymore - the civilised English gentleman type - his humour recalling a time when mischief could be made with the inclusion of a double entrendre, - a 'nod and a wink'.. (Paddy, called one of his albums, 'vulgar', then delivered a charming series of a more refined era of British humour!)' That, for me, aptly describes Cam's style. Risqué but gentle and too clever to be not taken lightly!

From the time Cam took to the stage, he had his audience well in grasp. My favourite, an American song, 'She Left me for Jesus', was a big hit. But then, so was 'The Ram of Derbyshire', 'Christopher Columbo' which got laughs galore. Cam went on with 'The Finding of Moses', 'Cowboy Poem', a contest between two cowboys who had to use 'Timbuck Too' in a poem – 'The Philosophers Song', 'Bedbug Song', (hysterical), Sister Josephine (well known tune), 'The Vicar and the Frog', 'Tights in White Satin', 'The Tattooed Lady', 'The Ballad of the Two Town Shoes', 'A 'Cautionary Tale', 'The Hole', and finally, 'Let's Do It'. He could have gone on and on. No one left their seats. They loved it and he did as well. Cam runs the Open Mic at Chelsea Arts Club, London. He has a collection of guitars and has been playing over 50 years (he must have started at age 5!) He is a star, in every sense of the word! A man who leaves his audience humming his songs long after they've left the room and maybe even looking up the songs and doing a bit of karaoke when they get home.

Meantime, the Open Mic had Richard Barnes on guitar singing about the lonely sailor, 'Ready for the Storm'. Then, 'Our Town', where things have changed – and the good things become memories to hold onto. Richard Hawtree read his poem, which was entered in the Limerick Poetry Trail and is on display in Archer's Clothing Store, Ellen St, in Limerick. 'April's Flame', about the welcoming of Spring. 'Let Spring sway in both your wintry hips and linger where the wind is strongest in the April air'.

Sondhild read 'Aegean', a very descriptive piece about living in Greece. Barry Smith did 'Antidote for Babylon', about the Tennyson Walk around the edge of the Isle of Wite. 'a walk, well worth taking!' He followed that with 'Airbourne', about a 'brush' with the eagle owl, 'who have been targeting bald headed men!' The audience laughed at Barry's shiney head. He followed with a tale about Yehudi Menuhin who owned the oldest concert Stradiverious which he lent to a man named Giles, who accidentally dropped it, and as it tumbled down the stairs, Yehudi just got another violin! Barry detailed the contrast between the Canterbury and Chichester Cathedrals, always with the eagle owl in view
Leslie Prior read, 'Getting Out of the Box'(of crisps – trying not to break any,) which she knew she had to do. To ensure it, she got the suntan and is keeping her scruffy hair, to remind of the 'good times' that are there ahead of her, after her 'careful' escape. Chris Sangster read an 'ode' to his new conservatory, 'Through the Roof', where you see sky, sun, rain, changing seasons. Then, on his 'baby guitar', aka ukelele, he did 'Sweet Dreams' describing how love makes the world go round. Jilly Funnell followed with her guitar and a lovely song, 'El Paso', based on rock country singer, Marty Robbins. She then sang 'Dublin Wife', the poor woman left at home as hubby goes round the poetry circuit but she finally gets on-line to do some research, only to type right into hubby's profile!

David Roberts did 'Shakespeare's Skull' which was stolen. Then, 'Black Swan', with bright red beak. Wild and dangerous - a free spirit. Finally, 'Never Trust a Naked Bus Driver'. Certainly tell your teenage daughters to never trust one! Murrough read from his book, 'The Moment You Know', a poem about 'It's out...the secret...but you'll still never be free'. Then, he told about the experimenting and curiosity of young children – all so exciting - but also irritating'. Paddy Brady and guitar, got up to sing 'I Loved the Ground She Walked Upon', written during the time of Joyce, but he knew she'd never have him'. Then, an Irish song, 'Maloney wants a drink'. Everyone sang along. Bruce Parry followed with some lilting Irish tunes on his hammer dulcimer. 'My Own House', (lovely) followed by 'A Walk in the Park'. Gwenith Trudy Griffith dedicated her life to collecting everything about Queen Victoria. Her one regret – not living in the V&A museum.

Liz Verlander won the audience with her clever poetry and excellent performance style. 'What would I say to my 20 year old self'. 'Eat chips'. Divorced 5 years ago, she read 'I have a crush'.'I have no right to have the crushes, when gone are the days of girly blushes, and I should be focusing on hot flushes!' (Please come back, Liz. You are a star!). Her poem, 'Upeck' about Charlie having nothing against pigeons, indeed he is tolerant of all religions..Charlie is a seagull and just feels all pigeons should go back to Trafalgar Square to be with their own kind. (oh yeah - Ukip, lend an ear).

All in all, a very good evening. People laughing all the way out the door, commenting that this was 'our best evening yet' (said so often but we still love to hear it). This was our first time in Townhouse and it's a perfect venue for our gigs so please try and come over and see for yourself! We're always getting new people, new talent but the comments stay the same. It's our ninth year but we're still bringing in new talent and a good audience!

Cam Brown's friends won the raffle for The Half Moon meal for two, so that means a trip back from Surrey to our part of town!

Review is about WRITE ANGLE POETRY & MUSIC +OPEN MIC on 19 Apr 2016 (event)

Might I say, I never linked the poem to Hillsborough. However I stand by the verisimilitude of the occasion and the poem. Fans did mill on the pitch and stretchers where loaded on to ambulances in a chaotic situation. I do not make the stretcher bearer out to be a hero or incompetent, that is an interpretation I leave to the reader. Of course, if I could write a poem that was so good it would bring a Liverpool fan back to life, then I would, but none of us can.
At the turn of the century I read a lot of poetry anthologies, purporting to commemorate important events of the century. Alas, Armitage, O'Brien and Patterson and their cronies not once broached, what I though was a significant event. So I wrote a poem for the working class people, to mark that this had happened (it could be Scotland or Bradford). This stuff isn't written lightly and it is authentic. Clearly there may well be a poem out there where a Liverpool fan who saved lives, or a life gets pissed off with an ambulance man. That poem is for someone else to write.

Comment is about 'Airways, Breathing, Circulation' by Peter Knaggs is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Really like this short piece elPintor!

(is that a typo in line 6 an/on etc?)

Keep posting! Well done.


Graham

Comment is about prod and projection (blog)

Original item by nunya