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Ged the Poet

Tue 11th Nov 2014 12:44

Families divided, separated and forced to spy on each other. Great hardship and the Berlin Airlift and people power saw the triumph of good against evil.

Comment is about THE BERLIN WALL - REMEMBERED (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

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M.C. Newberry

Tue 11th Nov 2014 12:08

Words we can readily relate to in the context of
family and the passing generations.

Comment is about A Mother's Lament (blog)

Original item by Judi Strega

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Graham Sherwood

Tue 11th Nov 2014 09:58

The Great Entertainer! I still think of him as Cassius Clay, an altogether more wonderful name.

Comment is about THE GREATEST (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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joe kozarzewski

Tue 11th Nov 2014 09:55

I knew the family vaguely, as I used to pass their 'eccentric' house on my way to work in the sixties. The house had a shop window front which was filled with every variety of cactus [cacti?]I occasionally used to see Stefan himself, although we weren't on first name terms. He was somewhat of an 'oddball' which is probably why he was targeted by the deeply corrupted police force at the time. They were responsible for hiding Cyril Smiths crimes, and the people who battered Stefan into a confession got early retirement!!!! His mother died 6 months after of 'a broken heart' Afterwards I used to think that what happened to him could have happened to me as I felt 'picked on' myself a few times by unfriendly coppers!

Comment is about For Stefan Kiszko (blog)

Original item by Andy N

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Graham Sherwood

Tue 11th Nov 2014 09:34

I don't remember this piece Tommy, not sure whether you've published it before or not.
Although I would prefer it in the "usual" format, I think the words are very effective indeed.
"I grind to bits my words and teeth" is excellent. The brevity is almost a curse.

Well done

Graham

Comment is about B ro ken mas onr y (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

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Adele Ward

Tue 11th Nov 2014 00:38

Thanks Anthony. Your message about corporate lobbyists reminds me of the words of Donnachadh McCarthy who has written about political corruption. He's going to be a speaker soon at our Barnet Green Party social. He was inspirational at Occupy Democracy in Parliament Square. We really do need change.

Comment is about Poet and publisher Adele Ward enters general election fray with the Greens (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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Greg Freeman

Mon 10th Nov 2014 22:16

Well, it wasn't an interview, Frances, but I do hope we'll have one with Tom some day soon. And yes, I did enjoy the festival!

Comment is about Newcastle's rebel poet from the 60s, and still fiery - Tom Pickard at Aldeburgh (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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Julian (Admin)

Mon 10th Nov 2014 21:50

Write Out Loud Poetry Jam at Marsden Jazz Festival, 2014
Photos David Booth.

Comment is about Isobel Malinowski, Write Out Loud team member at 2014 Write Out Loud Poetry Jam (photo)

Original item by Marsden Write Out Loud

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Julian (Admin)

Mon 10th Nov 2014 21:49

Write Out Loud Poetry Jam at Marsden Jazz Festival, 2014
Photos David Booth.

Comment is about Paul Broadhurst, poet at 2014 Write Out Loud Poetry Jam (photo)

Original item by Marsden Write Out Loud

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Julian (Admin)

Mon 10th Nov 2014 21:48

Write Out Loud Poetry Jam at Marsden Jazz Festival, 2014
Photos David Booth.

Comment is about Greg Freeman, Write Out Loud News editor at 2014 Write Out Loud Poetry Jam (photo)

Original item by Marsden Write Out Loud

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Julian (Admin)

Mon 10th Nov 2014 21:48

Write Out Loud Poetry Jam at Marsden Jazz Festival, 2014
Photos David Booth.

Comment is about Jan Scrine, Write Out Loud Poetry Jam at Marsden Jazz Festival, 2014 (photo)

Original item by Marsden Write Out Loud

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John Coopey

Mon 10th Nov 2014 16:03

There is indeed a cruel irony for Ali in that, MC.

Comment is about THE GREATEST (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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John Coopey

Mon 10th Nov 2014 16:00

I think the most significant factor in those later fights was that he couldn't dance like before and his reflexes weren't up to leaning back from punches as he could in his earlier years.

Comment is about THE GREATEST (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Frances Spurrier

Mon 10th Nov 2014 14:56

Sounds like quite a character. Thanks for this interview, Greg. Glad you enjoyed the festival.

Comment is about Newcastle's rebel poet from the 60s, and still fiery - Tom Pickard at Aldeburgh (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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Alem Hailu G/Kristos

Mon 10th Nov 2014 14:52

I want convey I became a paranoid and began to suspect all girls for theft.A paranoid to the extent I may miss my finger as well. Your ways also works because their is a saying
"When a poet writes a poem only God and he knows the message, after it is published only God knows the message!"
Thank you for your excellent feedback!

Comment is about The incident I never forget (blog)

Original item by Alem Hailu G/Kristos

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Nigel Astell

Mon 10th Nov 2014 13:01

Thanks for the write up John see everyone tonight.

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

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M.C. Newberry

Mon 10th Nov 2014 12:44

Jan Dean is right. Context is everything.
If a word works that is all it need do.
There is no reason to comply with someone's
idea of what is not accceptable.

Comment is about Shard, daffodil, palimpsest: should some words be banned in poetry? (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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M.C. Newberry

Mon 10th Nov 2014 12:28

Fate has the final say:
Ali, the epitome of self-promotion, now barely able to express a thought or apply himself, while Foreman twinkles with avuncular bonhomie promoting
his labour-saving appliances.

Comment is about THE GREATEST (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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M.C. Newberry

Mon 10th Nov 2014 12:03

The imagery of the poppy likened to a black bullet
wound spurting blood is well done. As Harry O
remarks - apt and timely.

Comment is about Wounded (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

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M.C. Newberry

Mon 10th Nov 2014 11:59

Like it!
"These physical impairments certainly rankle
If it's not the knee, it's the hip or the ankle!"

Comment is about My Knee (blog)

Original item by Gareth Glyn Roberts

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Laura Taylor

Mon 10th Nov 2014 10:47

Haha - thanks Judi! Yeh, once the temperature drops I just become ravenous!! Glad you enjoyed :D

Comment is about Winter Belly Love Poem (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

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Laura Taylor

Mon 10th Nov 2014 10:46

Aye, give it a go Steve! It's really interesting how writing about another piece of art can spur ideas in strange ways.

Many thanks for your comments, and taking the time to read it properly :) Appreciate that.

Comment is about Jigsaw (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

<Deleted User> (9882)

Sun 9th Nov 2014 20:10

haha!-ouch!-haha!-ouch!-haha etc etc-

gudden Gazz!

P.S.-you might need a needle...coat time!
P.P.S. good job you hadn't nobbled your n...

ohhh!!! and I've only got one coat! x

Comment is about My Knee (blog)

Original item by Gareth Glyn Roberts

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Andy N

Sun 9th Nov 2014 18:10

Linda has set an good exercise here. I don't think my piece for it will be done in time but it's still a good un.

Comment is about Inspired by Wilfred Owen: Write Out Loud at Stockport art gallery tonight (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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jack purvis

Sun 9th Nov 2014 16:54

Thank you Cynthia
I am but trying, with a great deal of sighing

Comment is about IT'S SO HOT (blog)

Original item by Jack purvis

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Harry O'Neill

Sun 9th Nov 2014 16:48


It`s her hands you need to check Alem.

Comment is about The incident I never forget (blog)

Original item by Alem Hailu G/Kristos

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Harry O'Neill

Sun 9th Nov 2014 16:18



Understandingly feeling.

Comment is about A Mother's Lament (blog)

Original item by Judi Strega

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Tommy Carroll

Sun 9th Nov 2014 16:16

Hi Greg, was it you that commented upon a scene from Kubrick's 'Paths of glory'? Tommy

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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Harry O'Neill

Sun 9th Nov 2014 16:14

Ian,
Neat, apt, and timely

Comment is about Wounded (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

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Harry O'Neill

Sun 9th Nov 2014 16:09

John,
Angelo Dundee was hilarious (seeing as he had himself slackened the ropes before they started) Watching it again shows that Ali actually took quite a bit of punishment to the body, but it was partly `elaticated` by the ropes, but also standing relatively still - a (somewhat laughable) kind of `rest`. They had observed Foreman not `following through` enough

Ali had the opposite used against himself when Ken Naughton beat him...Ali was an expert at backing that half inch away from opponents punches expertly, but Naughton followed through just that little bit more and caught him quite often.

Comment is about THE GREATEST (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

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Anthony Emmerson

Sun 9th Nov 2014 13:59

No one can really ban a word, just as no one can ban a thought. However, I have seen so many instances of the words mentioned (especially shard/shards) used almost plagiaristically, as if to give writers some kudos for including them in a poem. Poets should be able to use whatever words are appropriate - with one small caveat - that they first and foremost consider their originality.

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about Shard, daffodil, palimpsest: should some words be banned in poetry? (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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Anthony Emmerson

Sun 9th Nov 2014 13:53

I wish you every success Adele; the "traditional" parties offer nothing to their electorate and this country needs a brave new direction, which is not controlled by the forces of corporate lobbyists and the well-connected.

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about Poet and publisher Adele Ward enters general election fray with the Greens (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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David Cooke

Sun 9th Nov 2014 13:33

Hi Cynthia Your comment on the 'Burghers' is very encouraging. It's a poem from my new collection 'A Murmuration' scheduled for Autumn 2015. Watch this space! I am using the WOL site with its handy format of poem + picture to re-post poems from the forthcoming book onto my facebook page.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

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Weston Parks

Sun 9th Nov 2014 13:19

This is good work. Excellent use of hyperbole in my opinion. I enjoy reading it. Thank you for sharing it. Keep it up.

Comment is about Alaska Anthony (poet profile)

Original item by Alaska Anthony

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Cynthia Buell Thomas

Sun 9th Nov 2014 13:18

Superb. Your mind and experience, and your talent to express your ideas, thrills me. And that IS the word I want. You provoke so much thought, and the desire to explore further the subjects of your poems.

Comment is about The Burghers of Calais (blog)

Original item by David Cooke

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Cynthia Buell Thomas

Sun 9th Nov 2014 13:09

Mr Purvis, I like the gist of this very much, the charm in both art and poem. Conversation is not easy to insert without punctuation, but I did sort it out. The lines could be made more easily followed.

Comment is about IT'S SO HOT (blog)

Original item by Jack purvis

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Graham Sherwood

Sun 9th Nov 2014 12:59

In my experience, as soon as the word ban is mentioned, the world goes out of its way to do just the opposite. Let it be!

Comment is about Shard, daffodil, palimpsest: should some words be banned in poetry? (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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Cynthia Buell Thomas

Sun 9th Nov 2014 12:51

The verb 'to ban' is surely one of the vilest aspects of snarky, one-up-man-ship' academia. Beware the plebeian populace who will defy the experts by coining a fresh, even inspired, way to use a hackneyed word (which wouldn't be so trite if it were not rightly revered for its suggestive power.)

I so HATE smug people! And especially those in positions of power, to dictate or eliminate.

My word, this almost sounds like a rant, sort of; it might make a poem, sort of.

WOL is NOT smug.

Comment is about Shard, daffodil, palimpsest: should some words be banned in poetry? (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

<Deleted User> (13139)

Sun 9th Nov 2014 11:23

gday love. my names rhys, just made a profile myself i really liked this, ive got a friend that went through some rough times, id like to know if youre ok with me sending this to her?

Comment is about Spoken_Thoughts (poet profile)

Original item by Spoken_Thoughts

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Alem Hailu G/Kristos

Sun 9th Nov 2014 06:27

It showcases how it is possible to use 'defamilarization' a technique the Russian formalist critics uphold in rendering a poem power. Making a paradigm shift you wished for something almost no lady wishes for;a man who smokes and drinks.
It shows it is possible to apply this technique in content as well as in style.

Comment is about My Man (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

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OUTSIDE OF COMFORT

Sat 8th Nov 2014 23:14

Thank YOU! :)

Comment is about Wrinkles (blog)

Original item by Outside of Comfort

kevin bamford

Sat 8th Nov 2014 21:49

It's not particular words that are a problem, but how they are used. Poets and poetry lovers should be the most open minded of people. Sad to say, many of them are anything but.

Comment is about Shard, daffodil, palimpsest: should some words be banned in poetry? (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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Nigel Astell

Sat 8th Nov 2014 17:21

Linda read out a poem of how one part of our bodies can inspire our whole life span - - - I have called my poem It Was To Blame!

Comment is about Linda's Link (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

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Judi Strega

Sat 8th Nov 2014 13:55

He's Not the One - Ha! I've been there and you've caught it so well. I really like it.

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

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Judi Strega

Sat 8th Nov 2014 13:51

Thank you, Martin. I appreciate your kind words.

Comment is about Judi Strega (poet profile)

Original item by Judi Strega

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Martin Elder

Fri 7th Nov 2014 22:46

Hi Judi
Welcome to WOL. I like Brownie points. its got a nice flow to it particularly with the dialogue at the beginning. Great.

Comment is about Judi Strega (poet profile)

Original item by Judi Strega

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John Coopey

Fri 7th Nov 2014 21:52

Hello Laura,
Nice to see you posting on here. You should add an audio. I'm sure the accent would add a new dimension of sensuality.

Comment is about My Man (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

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Nigel Astell

Fri 7th Nov 2014 17:57


When the war
Itself has ended.

Half are alive
Half are dead.

Those that live
Miss the dead.

Comment is about Inspired by Wilfred Owen: Write Out Loud at Stockport art gallery tonight (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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Cathy Bryant

Fri 7th Nov 2014 17:31

Penguin Modern Poets 10: The Mersey Sound was the first poetry I ever read and much of the work still stands up today. Brian is marvellous and inspirational and thanks, Greg, for this interview.

Comment is about 'When you're very young it's not hard to change the direction of your life': Write Out Loud interviews Brian Patten (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

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M.C. Newberry

Fri 7th Nov 2014 16:27

Possessions can bring freedom but they can also
keep us prisoner in a variety of ways. Our wish and need for them change with the passage of time, according to our values and our situations. The trick is to know what to keep and what to discard - and when - because the
reasons for having them are the most important aspect of their possession.
Keep up the good work.

Comment is about Suitcase (blog)

Original item by Judi Strega

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