I am always wary of protests which appear to
indicate official error yet may, in fact, be
ignoring the complete picture.
What of prison libraries? Are these now out of
bounds? If so, then the error is indeed wrong-headed.
Chris Grayling MP mentions packages from outside
prison walls. Are these being used to include
otherwise innocent items that serve to smuggle
less educational content? Books have a history
of being used for this purpose...often with
great skill.

Comment is about Carol Ann Duffy leads poetry reading outside Pentonville jail in books protest (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Remind me which century we are living in again ...

Comment is about Carol Ann Duffy leads poetry reading outside Pentonville jail in books protest (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

There you are, Yvonne! I was getting Lover's Balls waiting for you to re-appear.
I hope you are keeping well and you mysterious disappearance was not caused by anything serious.
Have you dried up? You haven't posted any poems for quite a while.

Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)

Original item by Yvonne Brunton

I listened to the the radio play and the repeat twelve months later, and must admit I have never been effected so much emotionally, before or since.
it reduced my daughter, and several other friends I know to tears. A masterpiece born of a terrible tragedy.

Comment is about The Killing of Sophie Lancaster: a tragedy that continues to haunt (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Yvonne. Thank you for liking my Disturbing Verse. It's very encouraging.

Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)

Original item by Yvonne Brunton

Thank you, Yvonne. Glad you enjoyed it.

Comment is about MY LONDON - music setting (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

'Poems about our children' is a topic currently in the Discussion Arena. I would like to see more on site. I do not consider them 'schmaltzy'.

Comment is about The Mirror (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I better not listen cry like a river over little,
like a child´s laughter

Comment is about If you have tears, prepare to shed them now: the poetry that makes chaps weep (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Daisy Behagg, winner of last year's Bridport prize, has won the first award http://mad.ly/ad47a4?o=tm

Comment is about Templar launches quarterly short poetry pamphlets award (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

more please.

Comment is about Disturbing Verse (blog)

Original item by Louise Etheridge

lovely.

Comment is about MY LONDON - music setting (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Aha, an artful bodger eh? nicely done!

Comment is about Being not very good at lots of things (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hello Bare Fiction and welcome to Write Out Loud. I’m really looking forward to reading some of your work. I know that you will be warmly welcomed by fellow WOL-ers on the site. If you haven’t already added a picture to your profile please try and do so. It’s good to see what our fellow poets look like.
Have a good browse around the site, there’s lots going on and if you have the time make some comments about the work of other poets please feel free. It’s the best way to get some constructive feedback about your own work too.
Any problems, please ask. There’s always someone who’ll get back to you. It’s a friendly place, so welcome once again.

Graham Sherwood

Comment is about Bare Fiction (group profile)

Original item by Bare Fiction

Thank you guys, it's lovely to receive positive comment of course...but at the same time it so often sits awkwardly.

Comment is about She loves me not... (blog)

Original item by Christopher Dawson

this is a very simple but effective offering Jeremy - I like the biblical imagery and the way that you play down and keep hidden the more obvious character - in favour of his forebear - a nice slant on a well trodden narrative - but given a twist with the perspective it takes

Comment is about First Meeting (blog)

Original item by jeremy young

thanks for the kind comments regarding 'breathing in the dusk' Jeremy - I'm enjoying your output so far - keep up the good work mate

Comment is about jeremy young (poet profile)

Original item by jeremy young

thanks for commenting on 'the red regret of thomas' john - in answer to your question: because he/she is a heartless, angry bastard! :-)

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

thanks for stopping by and commenting on 'the red regret of Thomas' Tommy - as you say, more to it than just religious imagery

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Little Machine are indeed ace! Saw them at Kingston's Rhythm & Muse last year. They're playing at the upcoming Cheltenham poetry festival. Btw, I believe the quote is from Don Paterson, also at Cheltenham; not John.

Review is about WRITE ANGLE POETRY & MUSIC +OPEN MIC on 18 Mar 2014 (event)

Thanks for taking the time etc, and yes this time I really mean 'the time'
Hey'up Dave was done a while ago, and then I decided that I should show some balance, and the next two (making up the Trilogy) came along quite close together. The Church was obviously the next target, but Michael Grove? Is Michael Gove a real person?? Surely not! He can't be can he?

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

I wasn't protesting, at all. I was confused, and then thought I'd guessed at what lay beneath your cryptic comment.

I'm shit at darts and I can't knit. Pool, but only if I can smoke inside the pub.

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

WRITE ANGLE MARCHES ON WITH 'THE LITTLE MACHINE' AT ITS HELM
March's Write Angle guests, The Little Machine, a three man band, filled the room with music and song, making it a magical evening! There's no question they're on the way to the top! 'One of a kind', they take poems from 3000 years ago to the present, including Sappho, Shakespeare, Keats, Byron, John Donne to 'anon' (and on and on) - to Lewis Carrolls's Jabberwocky to Philip Larkin's ''This be the Verse' to Carol Ann Duffy's 'Mean Time' and even Hylda Sims, of The Poetry Cafe, London – who came down especially to hear them sing her song, 'Summer's Gone Too Slow'. She was delighted..It was fabulous!

Though only three, Walter Wray (accoustic guitar & vocals), Chris Hardy, (electric guitar, vocals); and Steve Halliwell, (keyboards, bass, guitar & vocals), work so closely, they create an orchestra of sound; perfect coordination and even add elements of mystery using sound effects. From 'scary' to magical fun! No two songs alike. They ran from folk to blues to country to ballads to...you name it! They sang a song 'A Piece in Bloom' from their CD, 'Madam Life' – 'Madam Life's a piece in bloom, Death goes dogging everywhere, She's the tenant of the room, He's the ruffian on the stair... – the songs often have a sinister quality but then they're quickly followed by something completely different. Mesmerising sounds that kept the ambience of the room on a 'high' from start to finish!

And, music sheets were handed to the audience so they could read or sing along! Seeing the words as they were being played and sung, added a lot to the evening. It was hard not to get 'caught up' in the lyricism of the words! Every song was sung with a vitality and variety that prompted much applause. We do hope they'll come back again. By the way, when asked why they're called 'The Little Machine', they told us 'A poem is a little machine for remembering itself' (John Paterson) and they said their aim is to bring 'Poetry to the people and People to Poetry'. We've no doubt wherever they go, they'll succeed! They certainly did with Write Angle!

Meantime, our Open Mic had Hylda Sims, reading an excerpt from her latest book, 'Peckham in Person', about. Brian Walters, 40, overweight virgin, living in squalor – but a good poet, who not only gets discovered, changes his name but has his first sexual experience with a delectable gothic punk named Yula. Also a poem from 'Reaching Peckham' called 'Skin', the story of Brian(aka Olly) – and Yula! Barry Smith then spoke of attending a concert in Bath, the one place you meet people 'older than you'. 'This Way Up; (The chandelier casting light from another age on the wheelchairs steely back rest....'. Then 'Pay and Display' (on a car park) and 'Pilgrims of Light', about an ancient area on The Isle of Wight where pre-Raphaelite glass, built into the church of St Lawrence, brings description of the past; 'Quiescent solitude'. Beautifully written.

Dexter Morgan stimulated by a prase in the Bible, And Esau was an hairy man', aqnd his poem was about a hairy child, born out of wedlock, whose mother was given a banana for her 'baby chimpanzee'. Clever tale greeted with much laughter! Bruce Parry then read a short story about the adventures of first using his bus pass, 'first time' from Fareham to Gosport. Tea breaks for the drivers, no signs at the bus stops, and everyone having shopped at Iceland! Very funny tale! Maria Hewitt followed with poems based on a picture of a boy sitting on the edge of an infinity pool. Based on, we think, Sutherland, the man who earned £3m advising corporations – 'no limit to my imagination', 'They call me because of my infinite knowledge...'. (a bit of sarcism) She then read 'Ad Infinitum', starting with a happy couple going through life finding 'too much to do' to see each other – till it's too late!

David Roberts, did Woody Allen's 'Mighty Aphrodite, 'Deconstructing Harry'and 'Sleeper' in poetry form. 'Asleep for 200 years'. 'Time to kill the dictator and his dog and build a new Jeruselum'. Audi Maserati and his Appalachian Zither, then stood up to a lot of applause as usual. Between ad libbing, he did two DaDa poems, ' the piano speaking to the peach' (wonderful), - where 'all's well that ends well', and the four famous men ('you have to dispend belief') Aristotle, Jean Luc Goddard, Buffalo Bill and Billy the Kid got together, 'polished off the biscuits and sorted out the World'. Then a song about Clancy, 'never too late to be a rock star'!

Jack Warshaw used the 'theme of the year' and guitar/sang about 'The Green Fields of France' and WW1. His second song, written by a 13 year old Black girl in the Seeger household, was joined in by everyone. 'Freight Train, Freight Train, Run so Fast'. Michael Sherman did 'Homeward Plods His Weary Way', about time passing. Then, love poems. 'Love's Bargain', 'Once upon a kiss', (...slipping thin athletic nights no more. Now is the time for holding hands;' and Molly's World'. Daryl Revko, visiting from Cheltenham, read 'Get the pigs off the beach', a topical political poem, contrasting the haves and the have-nots. Leah did 'You know I'll go back' and 'Possimist', an optimist/pessimist.

And Jake, every the gracious Compere, once again, managed to get everyone in! A credit to his skills. David Stone also did a grand job videoing the performers! Now time to make up youtubes!

It was a good evening, bringing out a lot of guitars and song but never excluding the poetry which makes up most of the Open Mic. The raffle was for a 'no limit' two free meals at the newly managed Links Tavern! A great restaurant where you can get anything from kids meals for £6 to sandwiches to light meals to seabass to T-Bone Steak! And the ice cream is home-made! Great prize – won by Daryl Revko.

Review is about WRITE ANGLE POETRY & MUSIC +OPEN MIC on 18 Mar 2014 (event)

Thanks for the kind words, fellas. MC - I suspect my sense of mischief would interfere with the greeting caard market and. Anyway it would compromise my amateur status (what with the olympics coming up). Ken - Joe ddoes indeed look good enough for another 50.

Comment is about Joe 90 (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

A great piece of work John, loved it. Joe in the picture looks to be in wonderful condition, and good for another half century.

Comment is about Joe 90 (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Whatever! The book was visible on my yesterday
browse on Amazon. Quick work - and a plus for
poetry and the enterprise of all concerned in
this particular volume.
I recall being moved to tears when watching a
superb TV film of some years ago combining views
(via helicopter) of England through the seasons
of a year with poems ranging from Shakespeare
to Betjeman and Larkin. It was called "The
Queen's Realm".
That final scene: the camera pulling up and over
a wonderful vista of a solitary figure leaning
on a gate looking across a verdant English spring
landscape...with the exultant soundtrack declamation -
"Afresh...afresh...afresh!"
remains with me still. Some older contributors may remember this superior BBC product. I have
sought it on DVD but so far without success.

Comment is about If you have tears, prepare to shed them now: the poetry that makes chaps weep (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

JC - have you considered making a few bob by
contributing to the greetings card industry?
By the way, when you next see the subject of your
admirable tribute, remind him there's a famous
track by Frank Sinatra of the song "Don't Cry Joe".

Comment is about Joe 90 (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I would like to echo Ken's comments. I was fortunate to be at the Ringers on what began as an evening looking like there would be few attendees which grew into an evening of stunning poetry, stunningly presented with great warmth and humour by every poet lucky enough to be there. Thank you Norm for inviting me to be your guest poet on an evening to be remembered as one of the most enjoyable I have been to.

Review is about Write Out Loud - Middleton on 23 Mar 2014 (event)

Well said, Jonnie. Now we're not talking about football any more, I'm quite happy to talk about what makes me cry. And it's not football, or, I have to say, poetry. Moments in films ... when Rick gives the nod and the band strikes up La Marseillaise in Casablanca, and the Germans are confounded - which I have recently mentioned in a poem, as it happens - and Ken Loach's Spirit of '45. And Churchill's war speeches. Kinda dates me, I guess, although I wasn't actually around at the time!

Comment is about If you have tears, prepare to shed them now: the poetry that makes chaps weep (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Interesting we could have discussed emotions, gender apartheid, we could have revealed our softness, could have talked about what makes us cry. Instead we talk about ..... football! Only Greg Freeman had slight misgivings!

Is there a generational thing going on here? Younger men don't seem to have the same inhibitions when it comes to expressing emotions, being tactile or genuinely not giving a hoot about any body's gender or sexuality. What do you think?

Comment is about If you have tears, prepare to shed them now: the poetry that makes chaps weep (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

...erm..spose its...oh go on then..it'll do.

haha! nice one Mr B.x

Comment is about Being not very good at lots of things (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

so heartfelt.x

Comment is about Everything is full of you... (blog)

Original item by Noris Roberts

Congratulations on your success in the York Mix 2014 competition, Andy.

Comment is about Andy Hickmott (poet profile)

Original item by Andy Hickmott

Tommy - think you may have misunderstood 'Environmental Intercourse'. It's satire.

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Thanks Dave.
I presented it to him, framed and mounted, at his birthday party. Joe cried (personally, I didn't think it was that bad).
I seem fated to do these tributes for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries etc. Noble though that is, I envy Harry who manages to get inside girls knickers with his stuff!

Comment is about Joe 90 (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks John.

Your comment is much appreciated. when my donkey dies you can have it for nothing,

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Loved this one John. If we're not on Earth to appreciate our fellow human beings then what? And you do do it well.

Comment is about Joe 90 (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks M.C. A much appreciated comment

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Powerful ju-ju, Ian. It's hard to fathom why God would give us Curiosity, Inquisitiveness, Doubt etc and not use them. Why give birds wings and fishes tails?

Comment is about the red regret of Thomas (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Thank you M.C. Newberry for your eloquent observations and comments on Vernal Equinox. I wrestle with notions of judgmental assumptions, thumbs up or down opinions and whether we know anything about perfection. Its all weather to me anymore; I either dress appropriately for it or stay inside.
J. Otis‽

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thank you M.C. Newberry for your eloquent observations. I wrestle with notions of judgmental assumptions, thumbs up or down opinions and whether we know anything about perfection. Its all weather to me anymore; I either dress appropriately for it or stay inside.
J. Otis‽

Comment is about Vernal Equinox (blog)

Original item by J. Otis Powell‽ (with interrobang)

A sombre but worthwhile reflection on the unknown
within life and death shaping human knowledge
and experience. I like the opening theme that
evokes nature's irresistible march through her
seasons - most visibly from winter to spring
- that wondrous time of renewal.
In the end, standing in the church pew or by the
open grave, we are all "selfish and forgetful
wailers" - albeit that perhaps actually being
there in either location means that we try to
remember, however imperfectly, after all.

Comment is about Vernal Equinox (blog)

Original item by J. Otis Powell‽ (with interrobang)

As a keen cyclist from boyhood - now much reduced
after a crashing fall that left some restriction
of movement - it was rewarding to have a poem
selected...especially one that allowed humour as
its theme. I wish this publication every success
in the approach to the hugely important sporting
event that is "Le Tour" and its start in Yorkshire
later this year.

Comment is about Spokes cycling anthology to be launched at Otley Word Feast (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Whut? Whaddaya mean?

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

GF - Noted! If there is anything likely to
bring tears to the eyes of grown men it's the
sight of a football team playing like infants!

Comment is about If you have tears, prepare to shed them now: the poetry that makes chaps weep (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

haha gerrout!

Comment is about For Bob Crow (blog)

Original item by the #week-trending

Invasive words Ian- something hangs with those words. Tommy

Comment is about the red regret of Thomas (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Hi Harry, could you check your email. Both myself and Kemal Houghton have been trying to contact you. I have sent photographs of yourself taken at the spoke - very good ones, I think you'll like and also details of Chester Poets. Kemal, I think wanted to speak to you about the possibility of going on his radio show with your poetry.

Hope all is well...love to you and Yvonne from me and my better looking half :)

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

Original item by Harry O`N eill

I am a simple non academic soul, although I have attended 3 Univesities, I don't hold with much academic thought now. I write my straight from the heart [simplistic] poetry because I feel the need to express myself this way. I do not feel obligated to any political movement, although I consider myself well left of centre. I have a particular hatred of the tories and what they are doing to ruin the country with their targetting of the poor, oblivious of all the harm they are doing. I try not to bear grudges but then I am human and can get upset when attacked by people who should know better. I try to be true to myself which isn't always easy in this lying cheating world. I do the best I can in spite of indifference and rejection but then I believe I am a non=conformist and have been most of my life with all the pain that incurs.

Comment is about joe ranter (poet profile)

Original item by joe ranter

Dave, Barnsley is the cultural soul of Yorkshire. (Many would say, "Arsoul"). The dialect is almost unintelligible and I say so as someone who lived there for 11 years. I went to an Open Mic in Thurgoland some weeks ago. Kes meets Deliverance.

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Yes, it made me smile too :)

Comment is about Being not very good at lots of things (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley