Hello MC. Excellent stuff. And, yes indeed, the choice of subject for the monica was wide and varied - a rich vein. Blair would have given me more rhyming options (care, dare, there etc than Gove) and, in truth, I do agree with some of Gove's policies. The main advantage of Gove though is that he is so ugly - he looks like a target.
Thankyou for your thoughts.

Comment is about Slime-Ball Wizard (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

"United we stand, divided we fall".
The investment in North Sea oil surely came
largely through the money and confidence that
accrued from the United Kingdom as a whole - not from Scotland as a single entity. The words
"BRITISH Petroleum" come to mind.
Scotland already has its devolved seat of
government yet there still seems to be a large number of Scottish accents in the Commons and in
the Other Place, often affecting matters of interest to the English. Even so, we have
negotiated "give and take" to common benefit
for centuries, notwithstanding the SNP's
documented approach to the Nazis during WW2.
Is this really the time or place to pursue some
Fantasy Island scenario for a country with 5
million people but no guarantee of EU membership
or wider acceptance where power and influence lie in this increasingly global world? Is a
"romantic" idealism overwhelming the pragmatic
reality of life in a modern world?

Comment is about Some of us want no part of a UK 'brand': Kathleen Jamie on independence (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Wow...a stiletto job - and clever with it!!
I used to see Tony Blair in the same light - but -
(sing along)
"Tony Blair sent thousands off to war
Never learning from all that history before...
How do you think he did it?
I don't know (did he?!)"
(From "Pinhead Wizard")

Comment is about Slime-Ball Wizard (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Nice that you remembered that old poem. That means a lot to me -and so did that pip!
Best wishes, Steve :-)

Comment is about Starfish (poet profile)

Original item by Starfish

Thank you, Anthony and Kenneth, for your very kind words. I'm afraid I'm not very highbrow or deep so only daftness falls out of my head. It's nice to know I'm not the only one that likes a bit of that. I leave profundity to the clever people.
I am attempting to have a "proper" website at www.louiseetheridge.com if you'd like any more silliness.
In the meantime I will explore what you both like to write!
Best
Lou

Comment is about Louise Etheridge (poet profile)

Original item by Louise Etheridge

haha! good one Fitzroy.Somehow strangely hints at that old windmill challenger-Don Quixote...
don't ask us why.

Cheers.xx

Comment is about Middle Age Mystics: 1 Spain (blog)

Original item by fitzroy herbert

Thanks for this write up. Nodus is my current handle. After Thursdays gig, I walked to Castleford from Leeds on Friday night for a poetry group led by Anne Rhodes; now advertised at WOL gig guide; http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/eventview.php?day=28&month=03&year=2014&eventID=11079 Next day I walked to Cleckheaton & back after Talking Zebras poetry group at the Commercial; completing 50 miles over 3 days. That's 120 miles so far this year. If you want to know how I do it; try eating fresh ramsons, they're out in the woods right now.

Comment is about Welcome sign of spring as poetry trekker Joe hits the road again (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Great poems Louise, Boobs and Bishops, very funny!

A most welcome scattering of refreshing humour
among the grey clouds of "enigmatic, profundity" all too often borne on the winds of W.O.L.

I look forward to future blogs.

Ken.

Comment is about Louise Etheridge (poet profile)

Original item by Louise Etheridge

Hi Louise - and welcome to WOL. Loved your "Boobs" poem: I'm a fan of clever/funny stuff (and boobs, if I'm being totally honest!) and anyone who can use rhyme with skill to entertain. I hope you enjoy the site and would love to see/hear more of your work - we could all use a few more chuckles these days!

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about Louise Etheridge (poet profile)

Original item by Louise Etheridge

very powerful, andy. the previous one made me shiver, this has done some more deeper.

really enjoying looking forward to reading this book.

Comment is about Prisoners of War (blog)

Original item by Andy N

First is the wellcome silence
then it returns to draw compassion
on his return to the world he was taken from.

If you make it to the next Stockport W O L
please can you bring a copy of the book it is taken from - - - thanks.

Comment is about Prisoners of War (blog)

Original item by Andy N

thank you ms starfish x

Comment is about I FELT LIFE (blog)

Original item by David R Mellor

This is lovely! .....You and your seeds (Our House)

Comment is about I Am That Seed (blog)

Original item by Steve Higgins

Poignant piece of writing.
Best wishes
Starfish

Comment is about I FELT LIFE (blog)

Original item by David R Mellor

If you'd like to read, email poetrybyheart@btinternet.com

Review is about Poetry by Heart on 26 Mar 2014 (event)

Not me, Graham. I was peeping over the top of our settee.

Comment is about Cantabrae Tales (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

It wasn't you chanting this at the Dnipri game the other night was it
?

Comment is about Cantabrae Tales (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank u, Steve) I welcome you to Saint-Petersburg! It will be one of your fantastic travelling,no doubt. Wish you to get only joy of your creation!

Comment is about Steve Higgins (poet profile)

Original item by Steve Higgins

Thanks for dropping in MC and Lesya.
You've got a good point about line 4 MC. That line has been stuck on my pad for a long time and has been responsible for starting off quite a few poems of mine but until now has never made into the final cut. Its been on the cutting room floor for so long -and its such a nice line- I decided to keep it in but as you have noticed it doesn't quite fit.
I continually re hash my poems so I'll return to this and sort it soon,
Thanks, Steve

Comment is about The Secret of Happiness (blog)

Original item by Steve Higgins

not sure how this formatted , first time I have posted from the inside lane of the m6

Comment is about Pancake Days (blog)

Original item by Shoeless Carole

This is just first-class. Brilliant.

Comment is about They Put Milk in the Rain. (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

MC, you should never throw in the teet owl - it is an endangered species.

Comment is about Vive la Revolution (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

So, when you get to Ga-Ga in Selby are you said
to have "thrown in the tea towel"?

Comment is about Vive la Revolution (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Welcome to the site, you the Goan poet. What a lovely, laid-back sort of poem, bringing warmth to our cold, wet winter.
Thank you for sharing the sunshine with us. I hope you post some more.

Comment is about Another Day Of Bliss (blog)

Original item by Sunny Chopra

Absolutely. Celia, Trevor, the Railway Children who patronised the villagers, plus Beeching, they're all there!

Comment is about GHOST TRAINS ON THE MIDDLEWOOD WAY (blog)

Original item by Steven Waling

right on track Steve :-)

Comment is about GHOST TRAINS ON THE MIDDLEWOOD WAY (blog)

Original item by Steven Waling

Fully agree with the idea "life is history"... Outstanding or dramatic, spectacular or unworthy.. It's you who decide to write a new history with events that nobody has never seen before.. Your life is your history.. Write a history of your own life! Thanks for a poem! P.S. I would also go to work in a library or ..school.

Comment is about GLIMPSE OF OLD THINGS . (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

There is something that made me think about happiness itself.. Simple phrases, but absolutely meaningful.. Always looking for something special ..special day.. special words.. and even special happiness... we're are missing the chance to be happy right now or at least.. to admit it.. You're happy.. do u feel it?)
Great! I like it!

Comment is about The Secret of Happiness (blog)

Original item by Steve Higgins

You're welcome, MC. It's from a tea-towel we sell in Selby Abbey.

Comment is about Vive la Revolution (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

i agree with M.C. here, Andy. it's a very short piece but the silence after counting to ten made me shiver.

i am well familar with Paul Celan and think he would certainly have liked this tribute (i know i did).

Excellent.

When's the book out? If the rest of the book is as good, this should be a cracker of a book.

Comment is about Counting to Ten (blog)

Original item by Andy N

lovely stuff. cats are pretty cruel creatures i think sometimes but there is a innocence and a charm here which is really tender.

Comment is about Cat’s Prayer (blog)

Original item by Andy N

Ho-ho! Like your own "ages" and have shared them elsewhere.

Comment is about Vive la Revolution (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I like the premise of this poem - the sense of
not knowing what you have got when you have it
and the tragedy of awareness that comes too late.
From a personal POV, I would have discarded the
last line of the first stanza. It seems a bit
awkward in the context and I would have gone for
something like -
While life passed by pell-mell.
- also keeping the rhyme lines that feature in the
rest.
But that's just my view, no more.

Comment is about The Secret of Happiness (blog)

Original item by Steve Higgins

An intriguing use of modern terminology ("recycle
bins") in a poignant reminder of what was allowed
to happen in war when humanity lost sight of that very word and millions suffered unspeakable
horrors as a result of what was not conflict but hate-driven murder.

Comment is about Counting to Ten (blog)

Original item by Andy N

An enjoyable rhythmic rant on behalf of many
of us who feel victims of unceasing and
apparently uncaring "progress" (for that read
"consumer obsolescence"!).
I sympathise and add my own voice to the demand
for the new that does not exclude the old in
technology.

Comment is about I want a New Computer (blog)

Original item by C Richard Miles

David,

a poetry editor and a gestalt counsellor. Hmm, we dine with them don't we?

I think any perspective could furnish a poem, and a good poem stands on its own merits. All the philosophy, religion, psychology &etc available feeds in to the common experience - and that's what counts to my mind. More learning in poetry and the qualities of perception can only help, I'd have thought, but I don't know whether you're commending MM or despairing of him!


Dom.

Comment is about The art of choosing: magazine editors reveal how they sift and select (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

thanks again David - yes Soundcloud is a good way for me to get some of the music tracks I've done on the new CD out as 'samplers', I've picked the more musical ones - there's a fair chunk of stuff on the CD that's more poetry based - with the music backings more 'ambient'. There's a corker coming up later this week once I've uploaded it - really spooky :-)
also - if you fancy a 'butcher's' at the old dog performing live - there's quite a few postings on youtube - some using backing tracks : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCytAVhsFTTdxE2LAKYV2ZoA
thanks once again for your kind and supportive comments
regards
Ian

Comment is about David Blake (poet profile)

Original item by David Blake

No worries Ian. You seem to be keeping busy at least! I've 'followed' you on Soundcloud recently. Some pretty decent stuff there!

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

thanks for the comment on 'Anytown' Steve and apologies for the tardiness of my reply - I've not been spending enough time on WOL recently and I've got behind with both my thank-you's and my readings of other folks work - something I intend to remedy as we head in to March :-)
cheers
Ian

Comment is about Steve Higgins (poet profile)

Original item by Steve Higgins

thanks for the comment on 'Walkin' Man' Dave and apologies for the tardiness of my reply - I've not been spending enough time on WOL recently and I've got behind with both my thank-you's and my readings of other folks work - something I intend to remedy as we head in to March :-) will be back in touch I'm sure once I catch up on my reading.
I also liked your reading at the last Tudor - as always - there's some quality stuff being read there at the moment
cheers
Ian

Comment is about Dave Carr (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Carr

thanks for the comment on 'Anytown' Laura and apologies for the tardiness of my reply - I've not been spending enough time on WOL recently and I've got behind with both my thank-you's and my readings of other folks work - something I intend to remedy as we head in to March :-) will be back in touch I'm sure once I catch up on my reading
cheers
Ian

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

thanks for the comments on 'Anytown' and 'Here There Be Demons' Mike and apologies for the tardiness of my reply - I've not been spending enough time on WOL recently and I've got behind with both my thank-you's and my readings of other folks work - something I intend to remedy as we head in to March :-) will be back in touch I'm sure once I catch up on my reading
cheers
Ian

Comment is about Noetic-fret! (poet profile)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

thanks for the comment on 'Anytown' David and apologies for the tardiness of my reply - I've not been spending enough time on WOL recently and I've got behind with both my thank-you's and my readings of other folks work - something I intend to remedy as we head in to March :-) will be back in touch I'm sure once I catch up on my reading
cheers
Ian

Comment is about David Blake (poet profile)

Original item by David Blake

J.C. - ho-ho! However, when reading some of the
reports of medical blunders, perhaps the chuckle
has a slight reticence about it!

Comment is about PROSTRATE WITH A PROSTATE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Wow. This is an amazing poem. As I was reading it, I was thinking of you in the shop, seeing the geese, and starting with the idea of this :D

I can't pick out any lines - top to toe this is fantastic, one of the best things I've read for a while now. Funny, poignant, gotta be original ! I think it must be the ONLY poem in the world about a frozen goose in the Tesco heh.

I will pick out one line. 'We eat what you are.' - so simple, succinct, powerful.

Nice one Ray

Comment is about Wild Geese in Tesco (blog)

Original item by Ray Miller

Of course, I now need to know who ran that bill up!

Love this poem but do need to know where that bill is from!

Comment is about Take this bill (blog)

Original item by Gray Nicholls

Your last line reminds me of an incident 6 years ago when I was about to go under the surgeon's knife to repair a rupture. As I lay in pre-med slowly going under I heard the surgeon say, "I'm just going to take your hand"
I just had time in consciousness to think, "Shi..."
Needless to say I checked my limbs when I came round.

Comment is about PROSTRATE WITH A PROSTATE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Harry...
I know that of which I write - being an ongoing
PSA/prostate biopsy patient at a major London
hospital. You have my sympathy for your own
experiences.

Comment is about PROSTRATE WITH A PROSTATE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

M.C.
About `knowing what it`s about` (a true story)

As a sixty year old ancient desperately trying to
catch up with my education at Uni, I had two (yes two) prostate operations whilst studying.

I bet there were not many students went down with that during that particular year?

Comment is about PROSTRATE WITH A PROSTATE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hi Karin

Many thanks for your comment on Before and After :)

Welcome to WOL - hope you enjoy yourself round here :)

Comment is about Karin (poet profile)

Original item by Karin