The very fact that this poem has been voted Poem of the Week is meritous in itself surely?

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Fair enough Ken. What was your poem of the week?

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

The voice in the poem is of an heroic ambulance man at Hillsborough.

Tommy points out the verdict of the enquiry was that the ambulance guys were not very heroic.

So, while it might be a lovely poem, and as a reader you get a fantastic sense of the writer in his mind's eye - the fella from the newsreel in his St John's outfit rushing toward terraces - this is not the visceral [nor the authentic] poem that the total vindication of the fans demands...

- wonderful eloquence none the less, celebrate voice, creativity, perspective...of Peter, thank you Peter for making me think.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

When you say that trade is less of a problem than it's likely effects, the problem for me, MC, is that we don't know those effects. I know what I'll get if we stay, I don't know what I'll get (and nor does anybody else) if we leave.

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

Original item by John Coopey

Buttoned Lips

Slipping out the back door
bedroom curtains open she looks
quick goodbye wave he leaves.

Concerned third party sees everything
as unsuspecting husband returns later
coming home for his tea.

Before long it is time
joining them with lips buttoned
while dropping off two grandchildren.

The theme for Monday night is - - - looking through other people's eyes.

Comment is about Write Out Loud at Stockport art gallery tonight (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Cool and untouchable - - - the advert reads.

Comment is about Wongel (blog)

Original item by Nicola Hulme

The aspect of "trade" seems a worry beyond its likely
effects. In the EU (just 1 of 28) we're subject to the
EU's controls. Outside the EU we could resume our seat
on the World Trade Organisation. The world awaits.
Ken - being a sad anti-social with conifers is surely
better than being a con artist set on acquiring the
possessions of a neighbour to gain benefit and control of all they have worked for and achieved over so many years.

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

Original item by John Coopey

Tommy, i don't need to read any facts, i know what went on, i had three mates there, i've been a Liverpool fan for over 40 years and would be the first to cling to the throat of anybody who even attempted to point the finger at them. It's a good poem, a great poem, the site needs 'em.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Tommy, I'm sure the poet is not trying to belittle the efforts of fans or 'big up' those of ambulancemen on that terrible day. It's a poem that seems to be trying to capture some of the horror of the moment; it doesn't attempt to be a transcript of the Hillsborough inquest evidence. It doesn't specifically identify whether the emergency worker is a regular ambulanceman - maybe he is - or a St John's volunteer. For what it's worth, I found this on the internet http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/nine-heroes-day-hillsborough-disaster-11214743 in which the coroner paid tribute to the efforts of at least one St Johns volunteer. In its report the Echo says: "St John Ambulance volunteer Philip Saxton was the first person to go into the pens to respond to the emergency ... He cleared the airway of 67-year-old Gerard Baron through the mesh fencing and removed his false teeth ... After he finished his evidence, coroner Sir John Goldring said: “Thank you very much indeed, Mr Saxton. Nobody could have done more.” I take the poem to be an attempt to imagine what it was like to be there, and an attempt at empathy. Some will say it succeeds; others that it fails. For those that weren't there, it is certainly very hard to imagine what it was like.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Lovely poem 'sleepless ....' and thank you for welcoming me to WOL.

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

"Last week’s proceedings at Warrington, the offspring of the Hillsborough Independent Panel of 2012 which found that Liverpool fans were in no way responsible for the carnage, were witnessed by some 200 people, numbered among the survivors, the grieving, and activists.

They witnessed coronial proceedings that found that spectators at the match had died of compression asphyxia, a situation compounded by a /CATASTROPHICALLY INADEQUATE RESPONSE from the SOUTH YORKSHIRE METROPOLITAN AMBULANCE SERVICE (my emphasis) and police personnel."


Hey Mike- check the facts. The Ambulance service came under strong criticism just days ago. I sometimes despair at the ignorance of the issues exposed by the recent findings by many members of the public. Ambulance staff stood and WATCHED as untrained Liverpool fans did their best to help.

" The ambulance service's initial response to the Hillsborough disaster was "woefully inadequate", a jury has heard.
Expert paramedic David Whitmore criticised how a senior ambulance officer failed to look into the pens where Liverpool fans were dying. "

Emergency services could have saved up to 58 of the Hillsborough victims if they had responded quicker, it has been revealed.

" ... the Hillsborough Independent Panel said that 41 of the Liverpool fans who lost their lives could have lived if the police and ambulance service response had been better. "

I can supply posters with a vast amount of verified criticisms of the Ambulance service.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

cheers for the great comments laura. i thought being a chef would dull me to my love of food but now im out of the kitchens i find my love has grown again. i cook fresh food every day for us, its a labour of love. on tuesday im booking the hotel for our stay in liverpool. dead excited!

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Helloooo :) and thank you for y'note on Mothering Sunday. You'd think once they're gone, you'd be done with it all, but it seems not. At least, not yet, anyway.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I really like this. The disjointedness - I recognise it. I can drive myself round the bend sometimes by simply not being able to just do one thing.

Comment is about attention deficit (blog)

Original item by nunya

Moil. Mmmm. Moil. Thanks for new word :D

Great last line - so clever.

Comment is about i am hopeless and you are hopeless and together we have hope (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Ooo this is great too! We once had a gull fly slap bang into our kitchen window, leaving behind a perfect waxy imprint of its whole body, with its head turned to the side. Didn't wash the windows for months after that.

Perfect: the whole room lifted an inch before rushing to the window.

Yes!

Comment is about the jackdaws... (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Love times a million.

I love to cook. For me, it's alchemy, therapy, and all the food I make has love as an ingredient. This is a perfect poem for me. I couldn't boil an egg when I left home at 18, but I taught myself, over long years, and it's a skill that I am very proud of. I wake up mulling over what is in my cupboards, what my body fancies (it will tell you what it wants to eat if you treat it well and listen to it), what else I may need to buy to make this thing that will make us feel so good.

Sorry for epic reply. Love this poem though :D

Comment is about arborio (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Dorinda, our computer is finally up and running again, after nearly a month. Not that I was capable of being on line. I had eye surgery the very next Tuesday after the Stockport event (emergency sort of) and the rest is almost a blur (no pun intended). I am fine, mending well, and amazed at the increased beauty of colour all around me, literally shocked at the shades of my wardrobe, and the brilliance of the pictures and artwork hanging on my walls. I won't have to buy new clothes or paint walls for ten years! My other eye is also scheduled in the near future, so I will have dual clear vision, cataract-free. Yippee!

Like your good self, I am blessed. I knew you were a kindred spirit.

I'm sure Martin will lug Stan's glove around to Sale this May. He's a really nice person, isn't he? And a good writer.

Comment is about Dorinda MacDowell (poet profile)

Original item by Dorinda MacDowell

performing? not at the mo Matt,up to my sussies in all that goes with the damnation of diy.

Rose.

Comment is about We're off to Never never land - Paracetamol, cucumber sandwiches and the Lost rent boy (blog)

Original item by Matt

spiritually enlightening piece Jean.Lovely!

P&S.

Comment is about WHERE THE RIVER MEETS THE SEA (blog)

Original item by jean lucy thompson

beautifully descriptive...quite touching as well...once dusk has bruised the pink peach flesh of the day... love it!

Comment is about diner (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Quite often, whenever a poem with 'guts' appears on here people generally have little or nothing to say, so the last two comments don't surprise me. To call it 'an unremarkable commentary' is breathtakingly ignorant and then attacking the character for not saving lives is just bollocks. I despair on here sometimes.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks for your comments, Ken.
What is refreshing is that the whole debate does not divide along the usual partisan lines.
Ironic that the song is one by The Clash.

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

Original item by John Coopey

Aw, cheers.
Do you perform or just write?

Comment is about We're off to Never never land - Paracetamol, cucumber sandwiches and the Lost rent boy (blog)

Original item by Matt

Thanks for reading and commenting. I do not purposely give short comments but if I feel you have seen the snapshot through the words what else can I say and ask for. Thank you x

Comment is about Cigarette Burns (blog)

Good stuff JC. I'm all for staying in if only for the political stability it brought.

Those for Brexit are to me like those sad antisocial neighbours who surround their properties with giant conifers.

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

Original item by John Coopey

So can we say with certainty, MC, what the trade arrangement with Europe would be if we left?

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

Original item by John Coopey

JC - Happy to discuss.
My idea of the future does not find itself at ease with
your own. We have a past to compare it with & I fear
"the hidden axe" when it comes to what is likely to occur
if any "Remain" vote wins and there's no going back about
anything that is precious to us.

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

Original item by John Coopey

Having experienced many elections in my eighty six years, I'm just grateful the human race is a little more civilized these days in the ways of exploitation. The basic principle of creatures eating one another for survival has not and never will change. It's just the way we go about it now.(in the nicest possible way) I throughout my life without exception have never noticed any significant change to the quality of life for the man in the street subsequent to a change of administration no matter the shade. For most
life is too short to notice any of the super, protracted improvements there might have been. "It's Gods fault"

Comment is about Universal Suffrage (blog)

Original item by terry ireland

Topicality apart. Nothing of outstanding merit an unremarkable commentary of a very tragic event

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Sometimes the only response that can be given...sigh ;)

Comment is about Your emptiness (blog)

Original item by Maria

At least they can be voted out in a general election -
and out elsewhere in more local elections.
The most important vote comes on June 23rd...when
democracy itself is at risk for us here in the UK.

Comment is about Universal Suffrage (blog)

Original item by terry ireland

Thanks chicken! Am ridiculously excited about it haha :D

Ooo you called yourself a southerner!! There's no going back after that you know :p

Thanks so much xx

Comment is about Helen (poet profile)

Original item by Helen

'bidderbin' was another one much enjoyed Matt.

Rose

Comment is about We're off to Never never land - Paracetamol, cucumber sandwiches and the Lost rent boy (blog)

Original item by Matt

Yes you are right such feedbacks spur poets like me to fight injustice across the globe.You see lately I have joined a group Poets Unite Worldwide!

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

Original item by Alem Hailu G/Kristos

Thank you elpintor. I wish they could find peace. I don't object to the state of Israel, but their tactics are an obscenity.

Comment is about Warsaw 1944 Ghetto (blog)

Original item by mentalelf. Philk.

Tough humorous truthful and from the heart. Thank you Terry.

Comment is about Universal Suffrage (blog)

Original item by terry ireland

I read this piece when you put it up a couple of days ago..it's very compelling and I feel I can't refrain from commenting..

I saw a movie several months ago..a very touching story that I feel references the delicacies of the relationships between these two peoples..

It is called "A Bottle In The Gaza Sea"..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPbja6AXj44

Thank you.

elPintor

Comment is about Warsaw 1944 Ghetto (blog)

Original item by mentalelf. Philk.

Pity the character in the piece didn't get his/her arse into gear earlier perhaps more lives would have been saved. Also the mention of fans milling about- the fans did more to save lives than the ambulance staff and police combined (Remember the hoardings?)

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks Thomas. Just playing with words really !

Comment is about O C D (blog)

Original item by ray pool

This stylised soliloquoy is great and it does reveal the fascination of the depths of Shakespeare; very enjoyable. Ray

Comment is about sleep (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Exquisite fluid use of simple words in a masterful description of something so familiar. It almost feels like a meditation. Nice to read you in this frame of mind.

Ray

Comment is about Head In Hands (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

A really effective treatment of an everyday gesture with consequences to consider , deep layers of possibility, and your captivating short lines. Ray x

Comment is about Cigarette Burns (blog)

a lovely vignette , a moment sweeping in on a nostalgic sunset. I can't help thinking of the Edward Hopper corner diner with the lights on.

Ray

Comment is about diner (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Hey hun, just read your update. Congrats on the book. I will buy it! Wish I could be at your launch but us southerners don't venture to anywhere north of Brum lol x

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Wonderful. This really moved me. Some really beautiful lines and excellent imagery throughout :)

Comment is about Sea Dreams (blog)

Original item by Pixievic

My own thoughts, MC, are that there is no future in going back.
The one certainty in all the arguments on both sides is that I know what Stay looks like. I haven't a clue (and neither does anyone else) what Leave looks like.

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

Original item by John Coopey

Just daft stuff, but thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. Anyway, back to my cuppa...

Comment is about A mugging (blog)

Original item by Andy Smyth

Having noted your comments, I had a look through for "Retriever". Made me bark with laughter.

Also enjoyed your "lost shoe" poem (spelling mistakes and all). Reminded me of moving to a new area at age 13 (Dad's fault) and starting a new school where I knew absolutely no-one. Spent all morning on the loo before Dad dropped me off at school. I didn't lose my shoe, but it pretty much felt like I had. God. Memories of growing up, so painful, yet, now, quite inspirational as far as verse goes (it was still Dad's fault).

My poem - "Fragment of a tree" has the same sentiment but not the impact of yours, so well done my man, Enjoyed it. Wrote mine yonks ago, so not trying to steal your thunder or dig up those carefully hidden bones...


I feel the sting of your harsh rebuke
I sense your annoyance and dripping disapproval
Rather than rudely sticking out my tongue
And legging it, I stand to face the music

I adopt what I think is my best plaintive, hang-dog, expression
Slowly lower my eyes and dip my head in shame
Whatever I think, I can’t argue too much
We both know who wears the trousers around here

Understand who is the master, who takes the lead
Who puts the roof over our head, dinner on the plate
But I do feel, for once, you’ve been a bit short-sighted
You probably should have seen this coming

I don’t think I should really take all of the blame
After all, we’ve been here before
And when you lobbed that gnarled fragment of a tree
Right into the middle of the slowly meandering river

Let’s face it, you were always going to get wet
When I lovingly brought it back,
Dropped it expectantly at your feet
And vigorously shook off the excesses of the river.

Cheers,

A

Comment is about Andy Smyth (poet profile)

Original item by Andy Smyth

Too true mate. I have to go to the Dentist tomorrow at 10:00 am for a filling, then have an interview at 14:00 for a Local Government Authority in which I have to give a 15 minutes (timed, then told to stop) Powerpoint presentation on how to digitise Local Government... Then on to the 1 hour F2F interview.

I am looking forward to the Dentist.

But if I can (and I don't know if I can yet), perform a meaningless PP presentation for 15 mins in front of a stern faced panel trying to stay awake, then why should a 2 minute Poem/verse/made-up-crappy-thing present a problem? Who knows. Tell you tomorrow!

Andy

Comment is about Andy Smyth (poet profile)

Original item by Andy Smyth