Neat and to the point.

What bothers me is young mothers who - instead of talking to their kids - are glued to the bloody things.

Comment is about iPoem (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thank you very much, Patricia and Stef, I missed you guys too...

Good to know that you are seeing the new profile photo - I can still only see the old one, and thought it hadn't worked!

Colin says hi, Benji is fast asleep, lazy as ever... haha.

Lorra love from here too
Lynn xxx

Comment is about Downfall (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

The last word in your poem John - plus the picture - tells us exactly what we should be feeling about our attitude to the plight of those poor Syrian refugees.

On M.C`S worry about `numbers` a personal (true) story:
Last year I was sitting in the Lady Chapel of Liverpool`s Catholic Cathedral (Part praying and part nodding off and
oblivious of various sounds coming from the open body of the Cathedral behind me) Suddenly there was a loud chant in a foreign tongue and I turned to find that the place was packed with Poles who had come to attend the Polish mass.

The Poles - I understand - are the most numerous of the present immigrants.

Mind, it`s a bit of an ask; expecting the modern Britain (Catholic or C of E) clinging on to his Bible like the Moslem
clings on to his Koran...(If only?).

(Cynthia is spot on about the aptness of the militant beat)

Comment is about PASTURES OF PLENTY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

this is a brilliant way to return Lynn!
Well written with lots of great imagery.

Have you brought an 'excuse you note'...? haha!
Wonder if kids still have to bring them when they've been off school?

Hey! love-love-love your new profile photo-wit woo!
All's fine with us two crinklies.

Great to have you back in the fold-regards to you-Col' and Benji.


Lorra love.


Patricia and Stef. xxx

Comment is about Downfall (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Great stuff John. Very evocative, like a Woody Guthrie for modern times.

Comment is about PASTURES OF PLENTY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Adam, many thanks.

Comment is about Tourists (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Martin, this is serious stuff but wonderful and evocative.

Comment is about Wedding dress (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Enjoyed reading this, made me all smileish. Cheers.

Comment is about Hey Hipster (blog)

Original item by dazzer

This is a hole in one in terms of success, for me at least Stu. Only with poetry can we express ourselves in such a pithy context and so concisely. I expect you will remember 1984 and how people were spied upon . The difference in part is that we all come under the umbrella of consumers - so that's all good then!

Comment is about iPoem (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Powerful stuff Martin. Excruciating, and the idea of the wedding dress as representing purity is a useful reference point in the sorry tale. It rather reminds me of the Les Dawson one liner;" I had a fairy tale wedding - Grimm."






Ray

Comment is about Wedding dress (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Thanks Cynthia -glad that I actually added that line in retrospect to try and open out the vista. The title is like a temptation I feel!

Cheers Martin, I had been a bit quiet on WOL, can't always come up with ideas. Where they come from I don't know.

Mark, they do fascinate me and we can imbue them with the nastier traits that nature always has up its sleeve!
Thanks for all comments.

Comment is about YOU CAN'T STROKE A SPIDER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

A poem can allow us to see things in a fresh way and
this does just that - with some carefully crafted lines
that adorn the theme in a most rewarding fashion.
The contrast between a spider's dark places and a garden
web is most imaginative, with the uneasy sense of threat
never absent.

Comment is about YOU CAN'T STROKE A SPIDER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

An emotive subject that takes the subject of humanity
and the needs of people in desperate circumstances as
a challenge to our own. No easy solution there or here,
The skill in the presentation is to be applauded - keeping
up the standard of blogs from this source. That said...
"Show us the Musselman who'll give up his Koran
When he seeks his refuge with a C of E man;
The rigidity of religion that comes in his wake
Will allow no adapting for his Christian host's sake" -
and therein lie the seeds of suspicion about "numbers".
and their effect on a national identity that has formed over the past 1000 years of recorded often blood-stained history here in this island nation - which saw the last
"mass migration" with Duke William's opportunistic invasion,
until British Empire social changes post-WW2.

Comment is about PASTURES OF PLENTY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

This is a great piece John that has a real lyric flow to it, rather like a traditional folk song.

Comment is about PASTURES OF PLENTY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Good poem Ray. I love the title and the closing lines in particular.

Comment is about YOU CAN'T STROKE A SPIDER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

How true this is Stu. there is a group of friends that I meet up with once a year if I am able who would all be defined as grumpy old men like me. Out of the fifteen or so I think there are only two mobiles between us. unfortunately I feel the same can be said about e mail.

Comment is about iPoem (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thank you Cynthia. My own view is that I didn't get the power in it I wanted. And the Anglo-Saxon reference was, I confess, an afterthought, albeit very apt.

Comment is about PASTURES OF PLENTY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks Stu and Mark.

I feel better now I've expressed it! I'm glad it had a humorous undertone , otherwise I'd be barmy by now.

Apparently "hyper" means " more than or above I believe
whereas "hypo" means less than . I suppose that means that a hypocrite is less than a non hypocrite. Who know? who cares even?

Comment is about HYPOCHONDRIA (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Delightful romp through 'Mum-hood', Anna. Much enjoyed. Some very strong and truthful points.

Comment is about We Are The Mums! (blog)

Original item by Anna Ghislena

Love it, Laura. Thank God for a funny bone, and the skills to share it! Laughing alone goes only so far.

Comment is about Inappropriate (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

IMO, really, really powerful, with hard-hitting truths sharply imaged. The final two lines are superb.

Comment is about I have a letter from you (blog)

Original item by Leo

Well done. A strong view expressed with impactive imagery, and using a sustained militant beat. I like the apt reference to the Britons and the Anglo-Saxons. History circles, and circles. As do mass migrations.

Comment is about PASTURES OF PLENTY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

A 'pot' full of diverse ideas that somehow blend to make a good 'stew'. 'when the sun is sullen and on its knees' is a sparkling line. Excellent title, luring in the reader.

Comment is about YOU CAN'T STROKE A SPIDER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Fabulous - short, spicy and spot on.

Comment is about iPoem (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Hi Angela. Your 'Twilight' is captivating. You certainly have a great ability with words.

Comment is about Angela Topping (poet profile)

Original item by Angela Topping

Hi Wendy.I love your consistent honest-to-goodness poems.This one,is no exception.Thank you love.Jemima.

Comment is about Blamed For Being In Care (blog)

Original item by Wendy Higson

good morning Wendy.No problems in replying whenever you like.With respect,you made me laugh this morning,when I saw your profile photo upside down.You haven't emigrated to Australia by any chance have you?
These little mistakes happen don't they Wendy.Take care love,and keep writing those lovely compassionate poems.
Thank you.Jemima.

Comment is about Wendy Higson (poet profile)

Original item by Wendy Higson

RE: re: moist air-Hi Cynthia.Firstly,let me put your mind at ease by assuring you that I would never consider you to be a rude person,in fact quite the opposite,kindly and helpful.With regards to the poem in question,it is fortunate that I didn't actually mention 'drops' had I done so,then I would certainly have agreed with your views.My intention was to induce an image of 'bedewing mist' building up on the window until it could no longer cling to the glass,and consequently started 'crying' down the pane.If you live/have lived in old property,I'm sure you would have 'experienced' seeing pools of condensation on the sill.Those gatherings of 'tears.' Hope this explanation is sufficient.Thank you.Jemima.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

A nice picture of dystopia, and a grand use of imagery.
I picture for some reason a roll of wallpaper being unfolded before pasting! Or a proclamation oyez!.

Thanks for your comment on Hypochondria. K.W. was a bleak character and self obsessed. Cheers! You're right though it has all those ingredients.

Ray

Comment is about the world state (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

I don't know if "enjoy" is quite the right word but I did!
A darkly humorous awareness of a common human
condition.
"Recommend whatever treatment you will
Why can't you allow me the right to feel ill?"
:-)

Comment is about HYPOCHONDRIA (blog)

Original item by ray pool

:)
Thanks. What would life be, without fruit, chickens and whimsy?!

Comment is about Fruitless (blog)

Original item by David Lindsay

thanks graham, kind words indeed. this may be one that i go back to later and tinker with (the format not the content).

Comment is about the world state (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

i spend my
days waiting
for night
and
my nights in
a daze.................how clever these words are!

poundland prayers.................genius!

I know you like to just get it down quickly sometimes but every now and then you just hit a spot, gold dust.

On the matter of the format, I only like to use one word lines when I want emphasis or the reader to linger for a second on its meaning.
Brevity is the fiercest weapon a poet has!

Comment is about the world state (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

thanks cynthia. i spent ages tinkering with the format, im still not sure it works as a spindly snake but im loathe to change it now. glad you liked it.

Comment is about the world state (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

It's a very strong poem, Tanna, on a very universal subject. Tuck an apostrophe into 'it's' for 'it is' - probably a typo. I look forward to more of your work.

Comment is about Its really something (blog)

Original item by Tanna

It's superb, Tommy. 'her fingered arguments' and 'we crawled into each other's wet laughs' are, IMO, outstanding. And the title itself.

Comment is about She pushed (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

A moment captured with compelling imagery.

Comment is about Driving in a Snowstorm (blog)

Original item by A.M. Clarke

Well done. 'daze' is terrific. For the style you've chosen I appreciate its brevity.

Comment is about the world state (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

great stuff ray, especially the last verse. for some reason im hearing this in the voice of kenneth williams. if i figure out why i'll get back to you.

Comment is about HYPOCHONDRIA (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Yup got it in one, however whom is the one? re ' Moving closer' Tommy

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Katy I'll try to recall the point in question :-) Tommy

Comment is about Katy Megan (poet profile)

Original item by Katy Megan

Hi Cynthia
Your appreciation is much appreciated.
Whether I will have the mental energy to update 'Referendum' on a regular basis, but who knows

Thanks again

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

clever lead up to popping clogs/dying/jossing/mortal coil exiting/snuffing it/reaper rendezvous/the end of oxygen stealing/the stopping of being a waste of fucking space...


;o)

P&S

Comment is about - (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Tanna-you're never alone-not HERE you're not! we say in trying to give you a smile.

tis true indeed that one can be in an actually crowded room and still feel as though you are invisible

if thou gettest our drift?

Thought provoking poem-cheers!

P&S

Comment is about Its really something (blog)

Original item by Tanna

Martin- Shadows, thank you. Tommy

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

Thanks for your appreciation Stu and Jemima.

Ray x

Comment is about THE CYCLIST (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I suspect there are relationships that bear similarity to the mischievous content of these lines and some uncomfortable
recognition going on.

Comment is about Belief and Knowledge (blog)

Original item by Leo

In a few lines, this writer defines the difference (all too
often misinterpreted) between "lonely" and "solitary".
The latter (see also "alone") is as much a choice as a
predicament that elicits pity/sympathy.

Comment is about Its really something (blog)

Original item by Tanna

Ah Heathcliff. Actually he does look naturally a bit scary now so perhaps a reprise.....

He must rank with the thick skinned surely!

Ray

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

thanks both. little baby buck is taking up a lot of my writing time at the moment but still managing the odd one. glad you enjoyed.

Comment is about when i love you next (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck