Interesting take on it all in this Times Literary Supplement blog http://timescolumns.typepad.com/stothard/2015/01/poets-win-prizes.html

Comment is about David Harsent's 'Fire Songs' wins £20,000 TS Eliot prize (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

GS - point taken about the profiteering that
accompanies this publishing endeavour.
Freedom is indeed a multi-faceted thing.

Comment is about Let's speak up for openness, acceptance, tolerance - freedom of expression is at the heart of democracy (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I relish the idea that an under-employed poet
can be defined as "wordshy"!
Seize inspiration - befriend your muse
And use whatever words you choose!

Comment is about A Journey In A Lyric (blog)

Original item by Tj Steele

Hi Travis,

I have a story to tell that 'could' be linked to such a situation.

When I was a young boy of around 13/14 years of age and puberty was making mockery of everything I had previously known, I came across some pornography lying under a shed on a school field. I picked it up and read it, and behind the shed on said school field I couldn't contain myself and wacked off. Because the council house i lived was full with my parents and younger siblings I had no privacy, and this became a habit. I would place the pornography back under the shed and come back to it when the need arose.

Some years later after analyzing this period of my life, I became increasingly sure that such material on a primary school field was left there by a predatory male who 'may' have been watching the many children who frequented the sheds. It disturbed me in many ways thinking that I may have been watched all those years ago.

Some years into may adulthood, I was dating a woman whom had two children. The boy being about 13 years of age. He and his friend came to me and asked me not to tell his ma, but could I buy him some pornography.

I thought long and hard. I also thought about my own lack of privacy and the dangerous position I was put into on the school field because I had found the material, material that I did not ask off my step father or mother. I wished I could have, but didn't necessarily trust them, like this young boy trusted me.

I bought him a soft pornographic magazine, and tried to lecture the young boy and his friend that in no way should women be judged by beauty or regarded purely as objects of desire.

Both he and his friend thanked me, and I never heard anything for some time. Then the woman I was dating came to me and gave me the magazine back and told me off. I didn't know what to say or do. My own experience dictated that I didn't want the boy to be put in a vulnerable position by asking such a request from a stranger. I also knew that while taking the boy into confidence, I would lose the trust of his mother. All in all it upset me. But what was I to do?

Thoughts?

Mike

Comment is about JUBILEE YEAR. (blog)

Been there, done that, goodonya

Comment is about INSANITY'S BAR (blog)

Original item by Jacqueline Phillips

I can relate to this. Adventure has now been taken out of life. A click of a button reveals all. Benefit accrues from self creation!

Comment is about CARNATION MILK. (RE-POST) (blog)

He he,

I like this Travis. I can really identify with it. When I and my fellow siblings were young we hungered a bit. My ma n pa used to go out on the lash and put us all to bed without a baby sitter. Something that would be unheard of today. While they were out, myself and my bro would creep downstairs and make margarine and sugar butties before returning to our bedroom. Sometimes we would pass our two step sisters on the stairs, also sneaking down to have at the cornflakes or sugar or perhaps dripping butties. Personal favourite for me was the cornflake butties with dripping lol.

We may be a different generation that suffered hardship back then in the 70's and 80's, but being honest I wouldn't want my own children to grow the way we did. It was a very dehumanizing experience in many ways.

Great poem Travis.

Best wishes

Mike

Comment is about CARNATION MILK. (RE-POST) (blog)

The real cost of Freedom of Speech

Commemorative issue of Charlie Hebdo on EBay now for £540. Some people eh?

Comment is about Let's speak up for openness, acceptance, tolerance - freedom of expression is at the heart of democracy (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Tj - Definitely been there and done that I am sorry to say. I am glad you picked up your pen though. I enjoyed your poem.

Comment is about A Journey In A Lyric (blog)

Original item by Tj Steele

Two poems for the price of one. I read your poem through and then read the words in bold on their own. They both say the same thing but in different ways and thus invoking different feelings.
v. nice - liked it

Comment is about Emotions (blog)

Original item by Eris

'the snow outside' is particularly apt as I read this and I particularly liked the lines:

he is sitting
listening to the shadows
move from room
to room

A sad but enjoyable poem.

Comment is about Exes (blog)

Original item by A.M. Clarke

Thank you Jacqueline, that's just what i was aiming at.

Comment is about CIRCUMSPECT. (blog)

Thanks for the comments. The weather line seems to tickle a lot of funny bones - I wish I could take credit for it, but it's an old joke shoe-horned into the poem. :-)

While i'm not daft enough to believe this will make the slightest difference to Fox News or Murdoch (be a wonderful world where it did, though) I take great heart from the torrents of derision poured down on them via the #foxnewsfacts hashtag on Twitter. There's been some wonderfully inventive and very funny comments, and it was that mindset which helped inspire this poem. People can be utterly brilliant, and that always gives me hope.

Comment is about FoxNewsFact (blog)

Original item by steve pottinger

This is good! If I were to change one thing, it
would be to replace the archaic "Doth" with a
more hopeful "Will" in the last line.

Comment is about Liberté (blog)

Original item by Simon Austin

Glad to hear that the shed your father built is still standing, Jacqueline. I enjoyed this sample poem, full of wisdom and humour. And I was pleased that you enjoyed 'Tewkesbury Abbey', too. Thanks for your comments. Greg

Comment is about Jacqueline Phillips (poet profile)

Original item by Jacqueline Phillips

'Bang on' is right! Glad you mentioned that timely article, Frances. Here's a link to it http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/13/-sp-mystery-of-the-missing-hen-harriers

Comment is about David Harsent's 'Fire Songs' wins £20,000 TS Eliot prize (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks for this great summary Greg. David Harsent also mentioned that the reason Hen Harriers are persecuted is because they like to eat grouse. Grouse are a valuable part of the Scottish shooting season and it is part of the gamekeepers' job to protect the grouse so that various bankers etc can blast them to smithereens when the season starts! There's an article about it in the Guardian this morning so the 'Bowland Beth' poem was bang on topical - as well as being heartbreaking.

Comment is about David Harsent's 'Fire Songs' wins £20,000 TS Eliot prize (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Short and to the point and yet still gets across, in brilliantly creative way, the loss of that youthful excitement at everything new as we get older. It perfectly describes our grown up realisation of how little time we actually have and therefore become more discerning.

Comment is about CIRCUMSPECT. (blog)

Thank you Natalie, thank you Cynthia. A sad sigh indeed although it also speaks to the idea that as we age (or at least as I age) we learn to distinguish what's worth chasing/pursuing/attending to, and what isn't; i think it's called discernment.

Comment is about CIRCUMSPECT. (blog)

Hi Jacqueline, and welcome to WOL. Your sample poem really struck me. I found it intelligent, grittily wistful and honest. It has good rhythm, nothing "forced" and I'm sure will appeal to many readers. I look forward to seeing/reading more of your work on the blogs page. I hope you will find that WOL is a useful, friendly and supportive community and that you enjoy all the facilities it has to offer.

Regards,
A.E. .

Comment is about Jacqueline Phillips (poet profile)

Original item by Jacqueline Phillips

Hi Noris - I think you have done an amazing job at summing up the need to write and though I normally prefer a musicality and beat in my poetry, the way the words flowed seemed to give the poem an extra something.

Comment is about I write because... (blog)

Original item by Noris Roberts

This made me laugh out loud, something I don't do very often when reading to myself. As Greg says, there are some great lines. I particularly liked 'and if today the weather’s Shi’ite
tomorrow will be Sunni'

:-) #smileyface from me

Comment is about FoxNewsFact (blog)

Original item by steve pottinger

wish I'd wrote 'Summer is a salad of water', John must admit but a interesting piece as always..

Comment is about January 2015 Collage Poem: Novelty (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

So many great lines in this, Steve. Thanks for putting into words what we all feel about this fatuous Fox News fool. Trouble is, millions of Americans believe everything they see and hear on that pernicious channel, which is owned by some media mogul, I understand. Whatever the plot is, Murdoch and America are fast losing it.

Comment is about FoxNewsFact (blog)

Original item by steve pottinger

William hello again. You have just emailed us to say that you cannot see your poem listed in the blog section along with other poems. I have just signed in to check and I can see it both singularly under your name and also in the blog posts listing.

Did you sign in using your id and password?

Comment is about William Ferguson (poet profile)

Original item by William Ferguson

glad you liked 'Art Attack' John - it wasn't easy to write it and get the right balance of sentiment and righteous anger I must admit - but I hope that the language was respectful and powerful - thanks for commenting - Ian

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

thanks for commenting on 'Art Attack' MC - a difficult topic that I tried to handle without the political emotion - glad you liked it - Ian

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Very nice poem

Please Watch "Life" on YouTube
Life: http://youtu.be/Xw0AdgkePsY
Subscribe, like and comment. And don't be shy to share thank you.

Comment is about Who Am I? (blog)

Original item by Jacqueline Phillips

I like the idea of this but for me the lines are too long.
If you halved the number of words too it would be more penetrating, more plaintive, altogether more succinct.

Good to see you posting already Emma.

Comment is about Golden Boy (blog)

Nigel, you should not have put that comment. Now there will be such a rush to attend tonight that someone could be injured in the crush.

Comment is about Caged and uncaged poetry at Write Out Loud Stockport tonight (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I propose Steven as the next poet toadiat, or is it lariat?

Comment is about Poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy becomes a dame in New Year honours (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Your work seems to come from a deep place and I love that depth.

Comment is about Lying Eyes (blog)

Original item by Twilbury Wist

Compelling, and for me hard hitting.

Comment is about Marbles (blog)

Original item by Twilbury Wist

There is some lovely observation in this Ged - particularly liked the image of the crisp packet and a world falling upwards.

Would have preferred less of the poet's interpretation of feelings in the second verse and a pure creation of mood - where the reader can suss out for themselves the sadness.

Love the underlying meaning to the piece though - how children exist within their own little bubble of wonder - so unaware of the harsh realities of life. It's not a world you would want to be in forever as an adult - but having a child really enables you to share in that magic.

xx

Comment is about The Train Ride (blog)

Original item by Ged Thompson

'and while it’s raining stones on him from above they tell him he has a choice! A vote! Cunt A, B or C? Pick a Cunt isn’t really a choice by my reckoning.'

I love your thinking - that's how I feel when I look at all the political parties :)

Comment is about Palaces of Words (blog)

Original item by Ged Thompson

Hello you! You've just brought a big smile to my face ;) Thanks for liking my poem. You've also made me feel guilty for not reading or commenting on any poetry in ages...on that note I see you've been very busy ...am so envious - cos my nib is dry ;)

New years resolution - to write a poem, come over to Liverpool and top up on my bear hugs!

Hope all's well with you.

Isobel xx

Comment is about Ged Thompson (poet profile)

Original item by Ged Thompson

RIP
KG

Get out of my fucking life
HNM RW

Comment is about Inept (1/11/15) (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

I enjoyed this almost as much as your pics in the Tartan Mini Skirt, my deviance aside....

I really enjoyed this, it has a lovely light hearted pondering of those little life frustrations.

Night Love & God bless

I'm going for a wonder XXX

Comment is about Wondering (blog)

Original item by Isobel

I like this

Comment is about Tiptoe (blog)

Original item by Twilbury Wist

Please post what is on your mind. Its not great stuff but id like to here how others describe the afterlife (Heaven/hell/nothing/anything you believe) through poetry.

Comment is about ETHAN (poet profile)

Original item by ETHAN

If a person has no sense of humour about life then that person must endure a pitiful existence. Then again, no pity for the pitiless!

Comment is about Let's speak up for openness, acceptance, tolerance - freedom of expression is at the heart of democracy (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

The fact that a gong has been given to the
holder of the premier UK poetry title should
be welcomed by all who support poetry as an
art form and a medium of communication.
Would we be moaning about a similar gong awarded
to "The Master of the Queen's Music"?
Any recognition of the arts is to be warmly
applauded, and certain official positions lead
that way when previous examples are recalled to
mind.

Comment is about Poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy becomes a dame in New Year honours (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

My knowledge of CAD is very limited but my impression of her prior to taking the Poet Laureate post was that she was edgy, brave and on the wave of all that was supposed to be leading edge in new poetry.
By taking the PL job she automatically (to my mind) sold herself out in order join the ranks of the establishment and thus add her name to a elite list of names for posterity.
The further "honour" of Damehood only serves to make any future work that CAD may churn out less relevant than before.
She quite simply cannot be both.

Comment is about Poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy becomes a dame in New Year honours (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Muslims have been speaking against these
activities when interviewed by the media.
However, the UK and other western countries providing them with a refuge
have not witnessed mass street protests by
those you describe and to whom I allude. Au contraire, the UK has seen street demos
encouraging violent action against the UK/West with no sign of Muslim demos. appearing in prominent opposition.
Undoubtedly, the muddled war zones
have seen grievous Muslim casualties but
what should we make of the the situation in Nigeria for example and what the numerous murders, dismemberments and kidnaps are meant to achieve
unless it is total removal of any freedom
of choice through violence and threat?
The large number of Muslims in the West
should make it more viable that a world religion that boasts of its peaceful
teachings could come out in mass public
rejection of the murderous abusers of that religion. That would be a very welcome substantial gesture in support
of the countries most able to combat this
malignant medieval mindset and provide
encouragement for those elsewhere to show
solidarity in support on a worldwide scale.
I wonder how many Muslim countries have
allowed "Christian" places of worship to
be built to compare with the number of
mosques permitted (one example only) in the UK? I suggest that "none" is the
likely answer.
I wonder therefore whether interference is the poor relation of influence in the
long term.

Comment is about WHERE ARE THE MODERATE MUSLIMS? (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

In case you've been asleep or busy for the last 30 years, Muslims have been standing up to the terrorists, and subsequently, have been the largest group of casualties in that period. Also should you care to join a library or engage with the internet, you will find copious robust evidence of the interference of Muslim affairs and the politics of the near and middle east by Christian politicians.

Comment is about WHERE ARE THE MODERATE MUSLIMS? (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I can appreciate how difficult it is to write about something so grave in a structure of rhythm and rhyme. But this works really well, Ian. Perhaps it's the repetition which does it, both of the 2nd and 4th line "ee" and the whole of the final line. Powerful mix of comment and slogan. Excellent.

Comment is about Art Attack (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Ya see them grapes...?

Comment is about Poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy becomes a dame in New Year honours (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Ian - top stuff on a sombre subject.
The style and choice of words...
ils sont parfait!

Comment is about Art Attack (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

These French-born killers seem not to have been
in agreement with the words attributed to Voltaire over two centuries ago.
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend
to the death your right to say it".
Or perhaps they missed them during their education!
Whatever - we know why France will always
react vigorously against such murderous attacks
on its hard-won system of society.

Comment is about Let's speak up for openness, acceptance, tolerance - freedom of expression is at the heart of democracy (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

The last line is perfect in its wry judgement.

Comment is about Charlie Hebdo (in French) (blog)

Original item by Marie-Anne