Pollution Strikes Butt Tips Shower from the Sky

Comment is about Anti-Smoking Project (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

This is splendid. I'm so glad you have shared it. We haven't seen much of you lately; and, yes, that is a complaint.

Comment is about PLASCRUG (blog)

Original item by David Subacchi

And it is really funny. But only'to five'!

Comment is about Count to five (blog)

Original item by Fae

Living with you must be very interesting, never being sure of what your observations are, or where they will take you. I do like the implication of 'Silver or Tin'; (although tin is really far more intrinsically valuable than silver has ever been.) Perhaps I misinterpret the intent- no relationship to 'all that glitters...' at all.

Comment is about Silver and tin (blog)

Original item by Twilbury Wist

Thank u Cynthia ! I feel much encouragement by your reading. You are so kind and helpfull.

Comment is about Dowry, or shall we call it voluntary gift (blog)

Just plain delightful, edgy and fun. I almost had to draw a map, to sort the 'scheme' out. Very enjoyable.

Comment is about Morning, Neighbors (blog)

Original item by Tim Wright

Dave, Harry has said it all, eloquently. It is a privilege to read a good villanelle. And it is never too late for such a sentiment.

Comment is about My Bullet (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Oh, Preeti, brains AND a scathing sense of humour. How glorious!

Comment is about Dowry, or shall we call it voluntary gift (blog)

I'm really glad you have brought it back. Concluding a long but flowing poem in metaphor, the final stanza is arresting in its personification of the 'physical world beyond out own selves.

Tuck an apostrophe into 'the mind's limbs', just a typo, I'm sure.

Comment is about The Night Battle (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Dave,
In the midst of struggling with this bloody Windows 8.1 what a refresher to come upon this lovely villanelle!

It is a very true poem, which (humbly) lays bare the aftermath of our human propensity to often decide things by lethal means. It speaks about the personal (which of course is never -and cannot be - considered in times of crisis)

I particularly liked that:

`Each pallid, ghoulish face without a name`

and the sad rhythm of

`Shuffling along my street of shame`

I very fine poem indeed!

Comment is about My Bullet (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

The 'conscious act' of death - now there's a humdinger of a thought. May you be so blessed.

I totally echo M.C.'s sentiments. Rhyme and meter are refreshing.

Comment is about THE SHUFFLING GAIT. (blog)

That's a very nice comment M.C, thank you. I wish the topic wasn't so grim but there you go...human decline is rarely joyful.

Comment is about THE SHUFFLING GAIT. (blog)

Thank you for your comment M.C, I just got angry at the way people where ripping items out of each others hands, and pushing others to the floor. It made my heart heavy x

Comment is about Black Friday Stampede (blog)

Original item by tina

I surprised myself by enjoying the "hip-hop"
style of the sentiments expressed - and the
content will always carry weight. However, there
is no country with as comprehensive a range of
charitable organisations as can be found in the UK
- and the phrase "compassion fatigue" can come to mind on occasions when out in the real world.
Even the bible posed the question "Am I my
brother's keeper?".
Stimulating stuff!

Comment is about Black Friday Stampede (blog)

Original item by tina

It's always a pleasure to read the contributions
from this source. Disciplined yet wide-ranging
in vocabulary, inventive and thought-provoking
...worth anyone's time.

Comment is about THE SHUFFLING GAIT. (blog)

Hahah thank you Rose x

Comment is about Black Friday Stampede (blog)

Original item by tina

Tina-soooooo rantingly clever!And count me in with-the guilty as charged.

Every word rings true,and needs to stick in our 'grabbing claws and scoffing jaws'

x

Comment is about Black Friday Stampede (blog)

Original item by tina

glad you liked 'arroyo' MC - I found the focus on the picture and tight form requirements lead to a very descriptive piece - there's little room for excess fat on this terza rima form - thanks once again for your continued supportive comments

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

thanks for the kind comments on 'arroyo' Martin - the focus on the picture and the strict rhyme pattern really helps in getting a descriptive, tight set of stanzas - glad you liked it

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

thanks for the kind comments on 'last orders' Cynthia - that poem is short but sweet - just like your good self ;-)

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

thanks for the comment on 'last orders' Dave - hopefully we can lay those ghosts to rest at the old courts - hope to see you there in a couple of weeks time for the Xmas soiree (?)

Comment is about Dave Carr (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Carr

thanks for the kind comments on 'last orders' Isobel - yes, we're all going to be a little sadder for the Tudor's passing :-( good luck with the panto........he's behind you!!!!!

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

thanks for the comment on last orders Andy - I believe I'll be seeing you on the 7th for 'only obeying orders' (?) look forward to that

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Thank you for giving me regular feedback which will surely help to improve !
Preeti

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Really well done Sarah.........brilliant idea well executed!

Comment is about Nerves in York, laid-back in Brum, triumph in Blackpool: Quiet Compere looks back on her poetry tour (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

A heavily revised re-post

Comment is about The Night Battle (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Hello Tom,
Read a couple of pieces on you blog, very impressive indeed. Good to have you here.

Comment is about Tom Phillips (poet profile)

Original item by Tom Phillips

Hi Marianne Glad you liked my version of Rilke's Swan.

Comment is about Mitternacht (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Thank you, Cynthia. I find it quite difficult, even daring, to delete a word or even a line or two. It is something I remembered from painting that however much I might like a particular passage, if it doesn't fit, I have to let it go.

Comment is about Anniversary (blog)

Original item by Judi Strega

Change is needed i think. You are using good quotations !

Comment is about Changing Times (blog)

And it still keeps happening and girls also want it ! It is a total shame that people cannot kill this social evil of our country but a change is coming slowly slowly :) Thank you for taking interest in my work and offering valuable input's

Comment is about Dowry, or shall we call it voluntary gift (blog)

beautiful :)

Comment is about The Swan (blog)

Original item by David Cooke

Hello Martin

Thank you for reading and your kind comments :)

Comment is about Mitternacht (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Thank you for your words x

Comment is about Beautiful creatures (blog)

Original item by tina

Haha...un bloody believable.

Comment is about Dowry, or shall we call it voluntary gift (blog)

The idea of "We are the beautiful creatures"
reminds me of "We are the music makers...we are
the dreamers of dreams" and is ideal for
portraying the place of poets and poetry in the
scheme of things...while the final line leaves
us with a question to ponder.

Comment is about Beautiful creatures (blog)

Original item by tina

Thank you MC

Comment is about Tesco Ignore (blog)

Original item by Gareth Glyn Roberts

Love the title! This will surely resonate with
anyone who has experienced the likelihood of unsought/unwanted encounter while out and about.

Comment is about Tesco Ignore (blog)

Original item by Gareth Glyn Roberts

Praiseworthy for its skilful depiction of the
ordinary in poetic terms. I agree with ME about
the last lines...and take particular pleasure
from "Cobbled streets the colour of an old bruise".

Comment is about Arroyo (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

"The more things change, the more they stay the same". Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr

Comment is about Changing Times (blog)

Thank u for reading !

Comment is about Changing Times (blog)

I understood the concept of your poem but I don't know who robbie burns is.....But it is very lovely, your poem

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

After the beautifully expressed anticipatory build-up, the last four lines are shattering - a wonderful effect!

Comment is about Changing Times (blog)

PATIENCE AGBABI IS A WINNER FOR WRITE ANGLE

She's petite, thin, and stands quite still on stage, but don't be fooled. Patience Agbabi is powerful, engaging, and keeps her audience mesmerised – start to finish! –there's no doubt she captivated the packed room at Write Angle - people came from Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Surrey and other parts afar!

She's a 'natural' – just tells it as it is – and you sense her wit, and confidence, throughout her performance. Her poems had everyone on edge as she went from story to poem to story - at times, in Nigerian dialect. and though she hardly moves, her eyes and voice say it all! She switches quickly from serious to a broad grin, 'you like my headtie?... It's de latest fashion..I give you discount cos I like your smile'! - a super performer.

She played a different character in each poem and story from her latest book, 'Telling Tales', a contemporary version of Chaucer's Tales;- each unique, interesting and clever – not to mention bawdy and witty with the occasional sad tale thrown in. 'There's a lot of violence in Chaucer' - said as if she, too, just realised it. Eg. 'Unfinished business' - 'That night it rained so hard, it was biblical...a week since they beat up my wife, put five holes in my daughter. I know who they are. I know why. I'm three shots away from the parked car...I didn't bring my wife to Gravesend for this..' Then, 'The wonderful Wife of Bafa'. Mrs Alice Ebi Bafa, 'I come from Nigeria. I'm very fine, isn't it.' 'Some say I have blood on my hand's, 'cause I like to paint my nails red but others call me femme fatale....My father had four wives so I had five husband....Three were good and two were bad'...then...'Ghana is very advanced...This is their folk-tale. I tell in my own tongue: a man sentenced to death for rape will be pardoned but only if he tells 'what thing is it that women most desire', in a year and a day'. He searches and finds 'an old old madame, 'I reveal secret but 'sozaboy', promise to grant my bes' wish!' . The answer? 'Women desire to have sovereignty over their husbands or lovers'. Her wish? He must marry her! She is ugly and old. How will he do that? And how do they turn out happy? (it's all in the book!)

Then 'The Kiss' in The Miller's Tale, (bawdy) and The Parson's Tale from The Gospel Truth, from 40 pages of prose. 'Sharps and Flats' 'It's your son, J, chattin' on a mix made in Heaven, don't hit the fade switch b4 it's played. Remember, used to have perfect pitch but my pitch paid a rich trade when I got cut off by a switch-blade.' From 'The Shipman's Tale', 'I don't need love for what good will love do me. Diamonds never lie to me, for when love's gone, they'll lustre on'. Patience managed to cover several poems, all beautifully portrayed in her elegant, yet simple style. She's a clever writer and fine performer. We do recommend you check out her book. She admits to 'gender swapping', and her version will keep you in laughter – and, at times, almost tears!

Meanwhile, we don't know how our compere managed it but WA's Open Mic hosted 21 open mikers! Many familiar, and many new - Sorrell Wood, whose interest in the Tudor period, brought in two poems, one for each of Henry VIII's wives, Katherine of Aragon and 'Ann Boleyn. ..very good. Grubby Rimes, with two fun poems – a policeman and an old couple (deaf wife), and 'Warning before Christmas' – a woman caught with an expired driving license. Kathy Haworth, involved in family history, told about the Openshaws, a family in Lancashire, depicting each person visually. Of the three performers who tackled WW1, showing its gruesome side;- Joan Sullivan, (from Basingstoke) recited, 'Keep your heads down', What went on..shell-shock, and for what - all for nothing'. She read 'dementia...you don't know the pain they're feeling. You only see the signs'.

Hillary Hares, Surrey, on the same theme - based on a friend's documented journey..a good poem...'finding her way home'. Tim Dawes decided, instead of his usual 'death and destruction' to do two love poems: to his wife, 'You were true Spring when we met...then, a sonnet to his lover'...good imagery in both. Maria Hewitt had one poem made of five limericks, good fun – while Joshua Tweedale, a newcomer, played guitar and sang a song sadly hard to follow as the mike picked up the guitar more strongly than his voice. We hope he returns so we get his voice next time! Maddie Puncher, also new, played guitar, singing 'If you close your eyes, you'll almost feel like you've been here before'. Jack Warshaw, another song/guitarist, did a song about Thanksgiving as well as a love song (must be the time of year) – 'Mrs Stollen'.

Barry Smith, Chichester Open Mic, did poems 'inspired by places'. First, 'Endgame', an emotional poem inspired by a punk poet performer seen at Write Angle. 'This is the last gig I'll ever do'. 'It's like all my life is takeaway'' – a powerful poem, and yours truly, fully appreciates the sentiment expressed. His second poem, drawn from Chichester's large no. of National Reserve soldiers in August 1914, during WW1, leaving the city on their way to France..while 85 German prisoners of war arrived on the beautiful grounds of Christ's Hospital (admirable example of British hospitality)

Stella Bahin did a cynical poem about playing doctors and nurses, 'I'll show you mine if you show me yours', while Chris Sangster, who won the raffle the previous month for two free meals at India Gate, Chichester, did a poem of praise for the food, service and ambience – creating his own ambience with gong and bell. A charming additive to the evening!

Then, on his mandolin- 'Home Again'. After running training courses all day, what a joy to arrive home!JeanAnne Naumczyk did 'Days Gone By', another serious 100th anniversary tribute to WW1, and 'Just Dropping in', a pigeon in her house...Mike Knee,another guitarist, sang 'Changing Lives', about musicians being hungry after a gig, with 'Piers Morgan'- someone just like him, aware of what was taking place in the press, but couldn't care less!'
David Roberts did 'The Face' (whose face is it, yours or mine) – and a love poem, 'What a beautiful thing to tell someone you love them'....Speech Painter, poet cum singer, and Will Be, guitarist, did 'Hitch', 'A Road Song', (when you pick a stranger up – there's an atmosphere created on danger)! Speech Painter may not see himself as a singer but both he and Will Be proved 'Midhurst's got talent'! Yours truly did a poem – Harrod's Santa Claus' and as usual, managed to mess it up! Richard Hawtree shocked everyone by hanging up his poetry book, and reciting, first time, by heart! He did the first sonnet to Orpheus by Rainer Maria Rilke- translation from German. Bravo, Mr Hawtree! You're a star!

The evening was full of talent and high energy! One of the best, yet!

Review is about Petersfield Write Angle Poetry and Music + OPEN MI on 18 Nov 2014 (event)

A bit late - should have posted it earlier in the month.

Comment is about My Bullet (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Ann how are you? Be good to read something new from you. I hope you're well.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

lot said in a little piece. good stuff.

like your thought too, tommy

Comment is about Naivety On A Walk (blog)

Original item by Pity-Poetry

like the ending here in particular but nice piece all round

Comment is about Changing Times (blog)

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. You might notice, should you look again, that i've made some alterations.
Cynthia, for the purposes of the poem, and in general i suppose, i pronounce 'idling' as 'i-d-ling' such that it has three syllables, although i slightly elide the d and the l.

Comment is about A MAN FOR SOME SEASONS. (blog)

That is an interesting connection.

Comment is about Naivety On A Walk (blog)

Original item by Pity-Poetry