Ha - hello stranger! How ya doing?

Love this! I am usually the one falling off the barstool though - I like to think of it as denouement. *cough*

Comment is about Tall tales (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Mmm mmm yes indeedy - I hear this! Some lovely lines in this, it's incredibly evocative. I feel exactly the same. I tried to nap in the afternoon for YEARS and without fail I would be interrupted. I love how you speak to sleep in this, with affection.

These lines are just fantastic:

and in that moment the boom boom boom is replaced with the faint hum of my ceiling fan

giggles and gaggles scramble out the front door

car door slams just below my window

small driveway rocks rumble softly

into distance, engine fades

Comment is about Swallow Silence (blog)

Original item by Candice Reineke

Haha - I was trying to think of something about this subject - nice one.

I am loving the undignified, nae DESPERATE, scramble by the three amigos :D They've been getting their mates on the banking boards to put out their bullshit warnings about how oooo we'll take all your banks away and oooo you can't have our money and oooo etc. And now this. A last-minute pathetic puppet show, whingeing and whining and crocodile tears. Bloody hilarious to watch.

Comment is about Scots wha hae! (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

love it! x

Comment is about Swallow Silence (blog)

Original item by Candice Reineke

Thank you Natalie, Patricia, Stefan.

Comment is about A CROWD. (blog)

I know this feeling Candice. I really like the line 'turn up the stillness'. Are you always up so early, or late?

Comment is about Swallow Silence (blog)

Original item by Candice Reineke

I love this! so intimate and sweet. The structure is great. x

Comment is about The Undies Moment (blog)

Original item by Candice Reineke

... and the truth to me is like craic to a comedian ;)
Nothing like honesty. Another short and good one Natalie.

Comment is about Truth Junky (blog)

And he sounds ok to me too ;)

Comment is about What a Foreign Concept (blog)

A girl after my own heart - though it can hurt sometimes! What a cool idea for a poem and very nicely executed.

Comment is about Truth Junky (blog)

You can wait a long, long time to meet someone who makes you feel like that. I'm so happy for you and it's so good to read happy poetry - wish I could write some LOL! x

Comment is about I am here (blog)

Original item by Pauliegreg

Enjoyed this - I love poetry that makes you laugh but then has a serious twist to it.

Now having just read Cynthia's comment, I see how in line I am with her thoughts.

Comment is about Is it safe? (blog)

Original item by Pauliegreg

Couldn't put it any better than Cynthia - compelling poetry Jon that come from that raw place inside. I wonder how many of us on here have taken a similar fall - so glad you survived it xxx

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by Jon Darby

Hello you! You read my poem well - though perhaps it helped seeing me perform it :)

Restrained - that's me - I'm incapable of gushing publicly - but you should see me in private ;;)))xxxx

Comment is about Jon Darby (poet profile)

Original item by Jon Darby

I LOVE this! It's wonderfully un pretentious, accessible but so cleverly put together. (My favourite kind) xxx

Comment is about The Single Man (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hello Cynthia, thank you so much for your comment on Just the three of us, its greatly appreciated to have thoughts on my works as I'm always trying to improve, I will revise the last line as you said ;)
Thanks again and I hope you're well xx

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks Dominic for your wonderful comment on Just the three of us, intimacy is exactly what I was aiming for! It's a challenge to write romantic poetry free from cliché haha. Thanks again!!!! x

Comment is about Dominic James (poet profile)

Original item by Dominic James

Indeed! and I appreciate your quiet professionalism as it saves me looking like a total plonker ;) haha, thanks again x

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Thank you so much for your comment on Just the three of us. I'm steadily getting there, wonderful comments always motivate me to keep going so I do really appreciate it. Thanks again :)

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

I have sent my BIO to the wrong place - God knows where. Another one coming up later today. Damn!

Comment is about John Darwin (poet profile)

Original item by John Darwin

we totally agree with all previous appraisals.xx

Comment is about A CROWD. (blog)

long time,no read!tis indeed good to see you back Josh.Love this poem.xx

Comment is about Beyond Doubt (blog)

Original item by Joshua Van-Cook

This Way

Words work this way
enraptured together this way
preserved always this way
collectively endorsed this way.

Comment is about September Collage Poem: Merseyways (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

This is interesting. Whoever he is, he sounds like a good'n.

Comment is about What a Foreign Concept (blog)

Good to hear back from you, Josh. I really like the comments under your profile, because I totally agree with them.

Comment is about Beyond Doubt (blog)

Original item by Joshua Van-Cook

ps SA, what is 'Bazzin? (spoken in the manner of: ''what is this thing called 'love'?'')

Comment is about Shirley-Anne Kennedy (poet profile)

Original item by Shirley-Anne Kennedy

Hi Kassandra
I like the flow of this and the way you have rounded it off 'And once again the moonlight was her only friend'
great

Comment is about Silence (blog)

Original item by Kassandra Morris

Germ ingestion is a gamble. Allowing germs into the gut etc can be beneficial, it is dependent upon what germ and to what amount. I think exposing bacteria/viruses etc to sun and air can often weaken it and becomes a type of inoculation. We played 'ollies' in the street gutters and were exposed to a myriad of germs including dog dirt. I think the coughs, snivels, sores and tummy aches (especially around the mouth and eyes)could be a sign of this 'inoculation'. I think children's fascination with excrement is an acquired version of this self inoculation.

Comment is about Back To Basic Bacteria (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thank you all for your kind comments. Forgive my ignorance, M.C., I'll have to check out Invictus. This poem sprang from the announcer's words you hear after a radio play; 'other parts were played by members of the cast'. That line was rattling around my head for ages.

Comment is about A CROWD. (blog)

Thank you for your comments on 'Beyond Doubt' Cynthia. You are always generous with them. I have made some edits in accordance with your suggestions.
-Josh

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

"if only I had been so beautifully
camouflaged as I am now"

Stunning, striking line. And then the end does it again. Another great entry in the canon Mr Whiteley.

Comment is about Snipers (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

thanks for reading and commenting Daniel

Comment is about Daniel Dwyran (poet profile)

Original item by Daniel Dwyran

Hi Cynthia, thanks for commenting on my latest. 'Mistitled' is more directly examining the human trait of wanting to shed fame through self-destruction. It was actually written before Robin Williams (RIP) was still with us, a couple of months ago, but I agree that it can be linked directly to his own 'case'.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Isobel...lovely poem about finding love again as i recall from your tudor performance? Nicely done...alnost restrained yet full of meaning. Loved it! X

Comment is about Turning Over Stones (blog)

Original item by Isobel

unbelievably fantaz!xx

Comment is about Fibonacci on the last school run (blog)

Original item by CathyLCrabb

I can't improve on Cynthia's comment so I'll just echo it with "Bazzin" ;)

Left me wondering about these two and craving more. Is it love? Is it a covert operation? Is there more?

Comment is about A meeting in Algiers (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

there is a lot of anger in this natalie but i like the reference on a plate and waiting for crumbs is a great image.

what's also good is the fact is you kept it short and sharp. certainly not short and sweet. excellent.

Comment is about Too Late! (blog)

i really like the pacing and the detail in the words kassandra. would hate to try and perform it however as would be out of breath after the second line however.

excellent stuff

andy n

Comment is about Flame (blog)

Original item by Kassandra Morris

piece has a really good circular affect, ian. i really enjoyed this. top stuff m8

Comment is about Snipers (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

probably my favourite of yours so far, Charlotte - great throughout but the first four lines really pulled me in. well done x

Comment is about Just the three of us. (blog)

Original item by Charlotte

proud to been a part of this as always john. i think cynthia is dead right here with this

Comment is about September Collage Poem: Merseyways (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

I find this fascinating. Electric atmosphere. Visual details like a police camera, or a keen-eyed observer, enhanced by other senses made possible by actually being within the scene. Thoughts like a novelist playing the God-hand. Opposing characters offering relationships.

The last stanza is genius.

You must be writing a novel.

Comment is about A meeting in Algiers (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Simply put but very compelling.

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by Jon Darby

This really is an insightful 'modern' poem, actually quite 'dark' as underscored 'with broken ankles'. I can hear clear-voiced artists singing this to the lament of a simple guitar - someone with excellent diction. The simple 'message' is almost buried in details, yet breaks through relentlessly with the reminder of 'broken ankles'.

Or I'm totally off-mark.

Comment is about Tiger Mountain (blog)

Original item by Tom

This is very good, intense in theme and presentation, with precise diction supporting strong images. I like the ancient idea that life itself is nothing but mirrors.

Did the fate of Robin Williams bring this work into focus?

Comment is about Mistitled (blog)

Original item by David Blake

This is really good - the diction, the imagery, the atmosphere built on details. But most of all the theme -the 'posing' - literally and figuratively, with ruthless intent, which is neatly re-phrased in conclusion. Juxtaposed against fragility!

Check 'the one who marks her letters...' to avoid a grammar misstep at the very end.

I must do some catching up on your works.

Comment is about Just the three of us. (blog)

Original item by Charlotte

These collages are very interesting. The 'hodge-podge' effect of such disparate ideas is like reading a many-authored chapbook.

Comment is about September Collage Poem: Merseyways (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

The intent of these words is excellent, clear and rich. The directing of these ideas with so much punctuation is awkward. I do think you have three basic sentences. Let them breathe. IMO, if in doubt, leave out.

Also, IMO, pick 'dampening' or 'despondency'. Me, I like 'despondency' with 'dampening' inherent in its effect, and it sounds better in this context. :) I'm really not bossy, just interested.

It's really great to see you on-line again. I hope you are well, and happy.

Comment is about Beyond Doubt (blog)

Original item by Joshua Van-Cook

This is an excellent theme, and very atmospheric in development.

IMO, it runs into wordiness which, if sensitively culled, would leave a more impactive poem, without loss of intent.

Comment is about Stillness (blog)

Original item by Ad Astra

Hey Natalie...love the line "thinking i'd still be on a plate". Love the poem too and thanks very much for recent comments. :)

Comment is about Too Late! (blog)