Nigel, the Arts Trail books have arrived. And look magnificent!

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Hya Andy
Always think about performing most of my stuff once written. Thank you for your comment and taking the trouble to read Voice of the Innocents. Look forward to seeing and hearing you at Joshua's Charity 'do' on the 7th Dec. Also thank you for offering to partake mate, much appreciated.

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

I was robbed!

Comment is about Touch and Go. Result (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

beauitful, cat. it aches this piece. really does.

i totally forgot about the comp. maybe in future ones i will try, but this was worth posting even without entering the comp.

good stuff

Comment is about Touch and Go (blog)

Original item by Cate

am writing lots of anti war poetry and poems about war, pete so this sits well with me.

guesssing you are going to perform this also as it has a kinda screaming / ranting kinda style.

good stuff man

Comment is about VOICE OF THE INNOCENTS (blog)

Original item by Pete Slater

I normally sign in as 'Gig Administrator', that's my main work at WOL, but sign in now as myself.

Very pleased to hear from those involved in 2 of the principal poetry magazines.

Could I encourage others to share their recent experiences, both as poets submitting work and as those making the selections.

Comment is about Poetry magazines and the creative writing boom: are editors being swamped with poems? (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

oh my Sainted Aunt!!..touch of modesty!go on,shatter the tank girl image I had of you,see if I care
-haha.x

Comment is about Smoke Rings (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Pass the chocs
play a tune
turn it up
dance only slightly
steady the beat
tap your shoe
munch to rhyme
suck the centre
open another box
now rock those
blues far away.

Comment is about Happiness? (blog)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

Anyone who has spent days and nights out "under
canvas" will identify with the feelings this
engenders. A reminder too that there are things
in life that return to give us simple joy.

Comment is about Smoke Rings (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

The humanity in this shines like a welcoming lamp.
Touching - about going!

Comment is about Touch and Go (blog)

Original item by Cate

Dazzling - and emotive, and poignant. I echo Philipos completely - my faves: 'falling asleep in my hair' because it can mean almost anything; even the obvious is truly enchanting. And 'a clip of sunlight'-what an unusual metaphor.

Comment is about Morning (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Thank you very much :)

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

This is lovely, Cate, and well worth the wait! The emotions can be felt through the gazing out, the 2cv and how it can represent time and journey moving a bit more slowly than we'd like at times.

(The only thing I would change are the capital letters where they don't belong - to give it more of a visual and reading flow)

Comment is about Touch and Go (blog)

Original item by Cate

I appreciate the two comments given. They are honest and applicable.

It's a given - more people - more freedom of style - more poets (even without speciallized courses.) IMO, worthy attention, and then deserved reputation, must be increasingly local. How 'local' is 'local' is an amusing question. But selection for prize or print no longer expresses superior quality, or negates the worth of rejected work. Personal preference is the major key, and you can never buck that. All is just a gambol/gamble.

Comment is about Poetry magazines and the creative writing boom: are editors being swamped with poems? (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Oh what a shame it was late Cate, it would have been good to have a serious poem in the competition. Having said that, I don't suppose it matters in the grand scheme of things. These little comps we run now and again are great in the fact that they inspire people to write - poems and thoughts that wouldn't otherwise have seen the light of day. Whether or not they hit a deadline is only important if you want to get behind the spirit of the competition or want to win.

I like the way you have experimented in this one - going right out of your comfort zone to free verse. It's very hard to tell a story in a poetic way, but I think you manage well.

For me, this poem isn't so much about the language as its humanity - and the way you have so beautifully exemplified the title. Although your poem is about filial/maternal love, we really do all have the capacity to make each others lives so much better - just by knowing how to support each other, in what at times can be a very grey life.

Comment is about Touch and Go (blog)

Original item by Cate

Sos its late Dave, but I thought while Id actually made the effort, Id post it anyway!!

Comment is about Touch and Go (blog)

Original item by Cate

For Magma 57 we had over 4,000 poems submitted by over 1000 poets. We had space for about 60 poems. There's your problem right there. I'd also add that there is remarkably little that is obviously badly written, probably a result of the explosion in creative writing education you have mentioned.

That said there is no excuse for sitting on poems longer than is needed - with three issues a year that means for us a maximum of maybe six months for a really close call (and they would have been told they were short listed at some point much sooner) while I was able to turn around rejections in a month or less.

Comment is about Poetry magazines and the creative writing boom: are editors being swamped with poems? (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Ann thank you. I have just added a Youtube link to my profile showing me performing at a recent poetry night in Liverpool.

Comment is about dominicmartinpoet (poet profile)

Original item by dominicmartinpoet

FB group https://www.facebook.com/events/248645411958703/?fref=tck

Review is about Hammer & Tongue Bristol on 4 Dec 2013 (event)

Thanks Solar - shit hot? Nah. Just snapshotting that bittersweet moment. Ta though :)

Comment is about Smoke Rings (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

At Ambit Magazine we've recently gone to on-line submissions and we get at least 10 submissions of poetry, prose and flash fiction every day. We pride ourselves on reading everything but it is a constant struggle to keep up with the work. I'm adamant that we won't charge people to submit as some other magazines do so it does mean that some people have to wait a while to hear from us.

Comment is about Poetry magazines and the creative writing boom: are editors being swamped with poems? (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Dominic - a very warm welcome to WOL :)

Comment is about dominicmartinpoet (poet profile)

Original item by dominicmartinpoet

Hi Leslie - a warm welcome to WOL. Hope you are enjoying being here on the site. Maybe try putting one of your poems on the blogs - more people see them there I reckon.

Comment is about Leslie Smith (poet profile)

Original item by Leslie Smith

yes my bayonet is like that. i sold it and doubled my cash on it. a bit of history from mankind's biggest ever event.

bet your bro wernt too thrilled on swapping it lol.

Comment is about Lorraine (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

indeed, the joys of youth and where nowt ever fazes you. all turned to dust...

Comment is about ENDLESS SUMMER (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

Congratulations Steve
you can`t get a more famous venue than that.

I`ll have to pay a visit next time I hit home.

Comment is about That's showbiz: new, historic venue for Liverpool's Liver Bards (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Dave,
Sorry about the late response. (cold)thanks to everyone for the votes.

I`ve got an idea for a comp which just might attract more entries. But I`m off the radar for a couple of weeks after friday. I`ll sort it out when I get back.

Thanks for running it (the prize to the Philipine disaster fund, like Isobels)

Comment is about Touch and Go. Result (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Very vivid description of Wigan's King Street this Ian!

I enjoyed reading this but wasn't sure if 'urinates' is as appropriate as all the other language? 'Alleyway' and 'gutter' aren't too far away in the layout - surely it can tolerate a 'piss'!?

More! Let's see some blood and guts!

Comment is about Bucks Row (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Meloncholically romantic.

I enjoyed reading this Larisa.

Comment is about Unforgettable Tune (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Sometimes an argument over nothing.............Escalates.........................in accidental time.......................Two hotheads rubbing up, each other, the wrong way

Comment is about joe ranter (poet profile)

Original item by joe ranter

wow!a lot of hard work,resulting in a wonderfully formatted shape of great poetry,xx

Comment is about Shaping Up (blog)

Original item by Ian Beckett

We think he works for CIA,Solar-
-Cash In 'And! haha! as for that Brownie you mention,is it that colour because hes been dipping it in someone elses cocoa? haha take two!

Spookily ripping yarn Ian.xx

Comment is about Bucks Row (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

YES!.x

Comment is about DREAMING FOR ALL TO SEE (blog)

ayup!!Jack's on the loose again!
and Ripper Whiteley..you've done it again!
not only taken a photo of my 'ouse this time,but..
the whole effin street!

Begone I say!
and take your little black bag with you.
(Even if does only hold your Brownie-tee hee)

The boy's done good once more!x

Comment is about Bucks Row (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Laura,my advice regarding this fabbo.Take the temperature of freshly laid shit(the temperature only,one hastily adds)and in comparing,you will find this 'top holer'not one fucking tad less hot!

So there! lol.x

Comment is about Smoke Rings (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

The recitation seems some way removed from
public incitement to disaffection and hatred,
even less when any wider distribution via
Youtube was NOT the action of its author.
How tragic that a country can be ruled and the
law enforced by those so fearful of poetry spoken
in private.
These same souls would no doubt insist on being
thought civilised and treated as such by more
advanced nations. They should be ashamed.

Comment is about Campaign renewed after jailed Qatari poet in solitary confinement loses appeal (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I like this evocation of what it can be like to
be young.
"Ah, those halcyon days of our youth,
When being young was the only real truth!"

Comment is about ENDLESS SUMMER (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

Félicitations Harry et Isobel, ainsi que tous les autres qui ont contribué !

Comment is about Touch and Go. Result (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

You can find more of my poetry on line including some videos by searching on 'SUBACCHI POET'

Comment is about NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (blog)

Original item by David Subacchi

Hi Laura, 'Beano' many thanks for the kind words. I never actually met Ian Drury but if he is the one I think you mean well rather a sad ending. BTW, I haven't been to Thanet either. That was just a name that came to me. Just been checking out some of your poetry links, gosh impressive. Glad you are still posting. x

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Congratulations Harry! I'm happy for mine to go to the Philippines disaster fund, Dave - and it's very kind of you to organise.

This comp might not have had a large number of entries, but I have enjoyed reading each and every one of them. I've also thoroughly enjoyed performing mine.

Cate (who is a bit behind the times) has just finished hers!

Comment is about Touch and Go. Result (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Maggie I like your toast to the Queen of royal blue!

Dreadlock and John seem to share the same view
myself included.

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Lovely seeing you Cynthia! Hope Stanley is feeling better. xx

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Late to this but congrats to Harry and Is!

Comment is about Touch and Go. Result (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Thanks Pete and Steve

It's not the greatest poem by any means, but just wanted to capture that bittersweet end-of-festival summer feeling. Now to get through the sodding winter...

Comment is about Smoke Rings (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

totally agree with all comments Mike,especially the ones made by Solar-without any doubt.xx

Comment is about Thembi (blog)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

lest we forget eh Steve?-fat chance!!.xx

Comment is about War (blog)

Original item by Steve Higgins

*A few spoken word poets will be representing Contemporary poetry at the palace, Kadijah Ibrahim, Ali Gadema, Joelle Taylor and Myself will be adding the urban flavour.*

Great. I feel included, now.

Comment is about Invite to the palace: are you on the list? (Nov 2013) (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I have found the group on these pages again! and I have also made a comment on the Home page about Poetry Invite to the Palace. Thanks for everyone who helped me find my way back.
Maggie

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

HRH was down the road today
Getting on the royal train
From Heaton Chapel Station.
I meant to pop down and have a word
Or even a whole poem
But I forgot and had instead
A cup of tea and small slice of
Royal Battenburg.

Comment is about Invite to the palace: are you on the list? (Nov 2013) (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman