Glad you enjoyed "As Sure As God's In Gloucester", MC. I'd never been until a few weeks ago and was very impressed, particularly with its history and architecture. The £3 walking tour of the city was excellent value.
Re the tombs of former monarchs, Edward 11 is buried there, of course, along with Robert, the eldest son of William the Conqueror.

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Many thanks for commenting on "As Sure As God's In Gloucester", Dave. I'd never been until a couple of weeks ago. It's certainly worth a day or two's visit for anyone with an interest in history.
Re "Double Gloucester", the locals will tell you it's like "New York, New York" - so good they named it twice.

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

...and, of course, you're right about the Cathedral stones. When I've locked up Selby Abbey and am alone, I can hear them breathing.

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Thankyou for your thoughts on '1069 And All That', Harry.
Re the re-alignment of the arches in your local church, "PRAISE THE LORD!".

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Hi Harry, thanks for the comment on symphony of the elements.
Hazel

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Good Morning Cynthia

As ever your critique is bang 'on the money'...but try as I might I feel the tinge of purple is never the less integral.

I've performed this poem both ways to the middle and just feel that the over adjectivised version suits my ear....rather than the page...wherein you are correct.

Anyway, as always Cynthia so good to hear from you.

Hope to see you soon.
love
Gus xx

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Yes Katy,I did enjoy the bank holiday.
How very kind of you to ask,hope you did too!x

Comment is about Katy Megan (poet profile)

Original item by Katy Megan

Thanks for you comment on 'This Dog' Marksy, a fellow bass player I see.
Just read The Misfits, the section, we're northerners, put me in mind of the Black Knight in Monty Pythons Holy grail, Brilliant, well written Marksy

Comment is about Marksy (poet profile)

Original item by Marksy

Hello Ann,
You may not remember but you commented on my 'This Dog' poem nearly twelve months ago now, I did get the message and belated thank you for the welcome to WOL and your very kind comment. I did intend to respond but, y'know life just happens and althoughI intended adding more to WOL, and responding to you message I just didn't get there, anyway I found time this week and here I am, hopefully will use the WOL a little more now.
It's surprising what you can learn by reading other peoples poetry. Some of the phrasing and sentences in 'Great north diver' are fantastic, also noticed that you've got your rescue dog, well done! That short poem is really clever and your reading of it is from the heart.
There are a lot of clever writers on WOL some proper wordsmiths, I keep having to look in the dictionary to get the gist of what they're saying. the stuff I've written isn't as wordy as some other poets I've read and I have to still get my head around poems that don't rhyme but maybe I'll get there one day.

Thanks Ann
Ste Bee x

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

thanks for commenting on 'I wish I had a harley' Yvonne - my fear of speed would mean I never went near a petrol lawn mower - never mind a Harley - as John says 'born to be mild' :-)
Ian

Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)

Original item by Yvonne Brunton

thanks for the comment on 'I wish I had a harley' john - love the tagline 'born to be mild' wish I'd thought of that - then again, 'twat out of hell' is equally appropriate :-)
Ian

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks for your comments on 'I wish I had a harley' Tim - yes, there comes a time in a young mans life when his thoughts turn to motorbikes :-)
Ian

Comment is about Tim Ellis (poet profile)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Harry
just posted this with the poem itself so anyone reading it can see the change you have suggested:
Harry
many thanks for pointing out the error in this Petrarchan Sonnet - I wrote it rather quickly to 'book-end' my first collection with a piece I put on here earlier ('A Step Towards Winter')Despite checking the manuscript a number of times this wasn't spotted, so you've saved my bacon :-)
I've amended the verse pattern if you want to have another look at it - I value your opinion and am so pleased you spotted this - so thanks once again
Ian

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

For you - punctuation; for me - proof reading.
I find it really irksome to find AFTER posting something that I have made an error in a word, usually due to the proximity of letters on the PC keyboard (well, that's my excuse!). Happily, not all is lost and in the latest example, it actually works just as well. In my comment on JC's poem about Gloucester Cathedral, I typed "ensuring" when I had intended "enduring". But it shows how these things can slip by, doesn't it?

Comment is about Hazel Connelly (poet profile)

Original item by Hazel Connelly

I like your Love poem very emotive, welcome)

Comment is about Edie Hope (poet profile)

Original item by Edie Hope

Hi Tommy I didn't really understand it, so I deleted it.

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Hi M C, thank you for your comment on Symphony of the Elements. Thank you for pointing out the apostrophes, I am totally useless when it comes to punctuation.
Hazel

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

3rd Annual Cadence Festival 14/15 june

Tyldesley Wigan

Comment is about Richard Alfred (poet profile)

Original item by Richard Alfred

Hello Hazel - apropos my comment on your post
"Symphony of the Elements" elsewhere:
You put "symphony's" in a couple of places
but I read this to be "symphonies" (in the
plural). As shown it indicates possession with
the use of an apostrophe.
Best wishes.

Comment is about Hazel Connelly (poet profile)

Original item by Hazel Connelly

Ocean Trapped"
I liked this very much )

Comment is about Irina (poet profile)

Original item by Irina

Great finishing line, Steve. Love twists and turns. Little Ben is great too.

Comment is about Ste J Bee (poet profile)

Original item by Ste J Bee

Sorry you've disabled comments on your wartime memories piece Harry because I'm sure you would get lots. Fascinating and so vivid!

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Yes Pete I did enjoy it, so did everyone else.
Your presentation was excellent and very moving.

Ken.

Comment is about Pete Slater (poet profile)

Original item by Pete Slater

howdy Ian- ta for the comment on my last effort.

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

once again A you have shown yourself to be a chap of style and discernment re my last effort.

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

I read with interest your war time memories, Harry. It's great that you've committed them to paper - it's something I should get my mother to do.

She often tells me how bad Liverpool had it and remembers quite vividly the trail of refugees pouring out along the East Lancs Road. I should bring her to a venue some time - I'm sure you'd have a lot in common.

The note you end on is so true of much in life. It's amazing what you can get used to and live with day to day.

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Hi Tracey finally found you, love the quiet contemplation, and the deep thoughts that this poem evokes, was he in some way related is this your great grandad ?
Looking forward to hearing you perform.
Christine xx

Comment is about Tracey Bucknell (poet profile)

Original item by Tracey Bucknell

Hi MC

I've been over doing the not doing anything lately
need to find something less demanding.This comment has really taken it out of me zzzzzz
Appreciate your appreciation.

Ken

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I'm not sure I'm with the "right wing" or "left wing" view of poetry but I certainly suspect that the absence of rhymed poems indicates a worrying absence of the commitment to the discipline and command of the language that this type of writing requires to be done well. "Free" verse certainly has its appeal IF done well but it can often be a framework for sloppy, inaccurate and and unattractive use of the language.
As for competitions these days: like tends to follow like - and, as in other areas of creative endeavour, those who may lack the qualities I have described are very likely to go for the sort of stuff they themselves write. I remember the late famous script-writer Barry Took roundly criticising the BBC for its tendency to settle for the lowest common denominator (as he saw it) in such matters...noting again "like follows like". Quality is hard to define but we all know it when we see it, even if some prefer to ignore it for unscrupulous (professional/competitive?) reasons!
But - in time - the wheel turns.

Comment is about Richie Muster (poet profile)

Original item by Richie Muster

Cheers for the welcome Ann and the comments Tim. Misfits was actually a song originally, funny enough, so it has been performed many years ago.
Would do performances but work nights at the moment. Maybe some day...

Comment is about Marksy (poet profile)

Original item by Marksy

Hi Richard. I think the next Neo:Live will be on Wednesday June 19th but I expect Scott Devon will put up an event at the start of next month. Cheers for asking :D

Comment is about Dominic Berry (poet profile)

Original item by Dominic Berry

Thanks for your comments Simon. I like your Misfits poem. I reckon it's something that would work well in performance.

Comment is about Marksy (poet profile)

Original item by Marksy

Loving Carbon Footprint! Middle-class guilt personified.

Comment is about Tim Ellis (poet profile)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Hi Poppy - a very warm welcome to WOL. I really like your poem here. Maybe you could put it on the blogs section where I'm sure more people would read it. :)

Comment is about Poppy (poet profile)

Original item by Poppy

Hi Edie - welcome to WOL. Hope to see more on your profile page and some poems soon :)

Comment is about Edie Hope (poet profile)

Original item by Edie Hope

Hi Starfish - hope you enjoy the site - look forward to your verses! :)

Comment is about Starfish (poet profile)

Original item by Starfish

Hi Mike - welcome to WOL. Hope you are enjoying the site. Maybe you might like to put a poem on the blog section - more folk get to see your work there :)

Comment is about Mike Morris (poet profile)

Original item by Mike Morris

Hi Marksy - a very warm welcome to WOL - good to see you blogging! Hope you are enjoying the site :)

Comment is about Marksy (poet profile)

Original item by Marksy

Sewerby park wow playing golf on balmy red hot days,late afternoons happy times for me.
The boats, you said you didn't love Brid, but do you not remember the pleasure cruises on the Bridlington queen etc? I remember being 17 and so full of myself looking pensive and feeling handsome day dreaming in all these places along the ne coast. Truly happy

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

If ever I'm on duty, Tim, I'd be happy to take you on a tour.

Comment is about Tim Ellis (poet profile)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Hello Richard.
Danes Dyke - yes. In fact, we've just had a week at Sewerby.
The boats? I'm sure I will have as a kid. I'm absolutely certain about the Hispaniola, though; and bashing the Germans in Peasholm Park!

Comment is about Richard Alfred (poet profile)

Original item by Richard Alfred

Thanks for your comments x

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Hello Richard.
Danes Dyke - yes. In fact, we've just had a week at Sewerby.
The boats? I'm sure I will have as a kid. I'm absolutely certain about the Hispaniola, though; and bashing the Germans in Peasholm Park!

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Richard, thank you for your positive comments about the site. very welcome indeed. came at a good time.

Comment is about Richard Alfred (poet profile)

Original item by Richard Alfred

Hi Dom the Bolton Neo sounds interesting maybe you can let me know the date in June when you find out

cheers :)

Comment is about Dominic Berry (poet profile)

Original item by Dominic Berry

Scott Devon and Neo Poetry-Matrix of Neoartists have made a friendly, caring, supportive and fun space for poets with the NEO:LIVE event in Bolton. I heartily recommend it. Nat and Paul Blackburn were excellent, well-organised hosts and will be guest poets at the next one in June. I'll be going to cheer them on.

Bolton is easier to get to from Manchester than Manchester folk might think, a few quid return on a train that takes just a few minutes.

It is dead hard setting up and running an event, it takes a bucket load of work (recalling Bang Said The Gun: Manchester and Freed Up) and I know the effort Scott and co have put into making this splendid event.

I was impressed by the variety and quality of the open mic. There was a lot of comedy that proper made me laugh but never did it get to the point where poets with quieter, subtler, more serious work were not able to make the space their own. The audience laughed and listened in equal measures and, speaking as someone who often feels music and spoken word do not work well at the same event, the balance of guitar and voice throughout the night was spot on. Who can resist a chorus of 'Common People'?

Nat is a stunning poet, I am dead jealous of his 'Half' poem and his songs are exceptional. Both he and Paul have great comic timing and were so generous and giving in their hosting - I'm really looking forward to seeing them guest.

Well done all involved. NEO:LIVE is a special event.

Comment is about Dominic Berry (poet profile)

Original item by Dominic Berry

Hi Richard

you're nearly right - I'm on at Cadence on 18th July - it is my book launch event (book is titled 'A Step Towards Winter')but it isn;t really baseds around Poe - although 'That Which Autumn Leaves' is in the collection and a couple of the other poems are quite dark. Hope your reading of 'In The Belly Of The Whale' went down well :-) look forward to meeting you at Cadence
Ian

Comment is about Richard Alfred (poet profile)

Original item by Richard Alfred

Did you ever go to Danes Dyke John
Sail on the Flamborean or the Bridlington queen The Yorkshire bell,,,its nuts they just stick in your mind like toffee, did you ever meet the guy who used to play the fiddle on those boats?

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Glad you liked "Filey" Richard. You're right about so many of those other Yorkshire coast towns (I'm not so sure about Brid, though!). The attraction of Filey for me personally is its memories rather than any intrinsic character.

Comment is about Richard Alfred (poet profile)

Original item by Richard Alfred

What ho, the Old Devonian! I think Torbay outshines Filey in just about every aspect I can think of!

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry