Like I said, Tommy, that's the problem with polaristion. Consider this; if the story had ended with the bobby nutting the collier would it have still been "an amusing anecdote"?

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

John
there were indeed 'cruel bastards' (your words) among the miners- a 'cruel' and dangerous and underpaid profession that breeds both resentment to their exploitation and pride in their work. This condition can be found generally among sections of the working-class. But that is a secondary issue- too many people ignore the main issue of pit-closures, pay and conditions- any talk of such is, frankly - a distraction.
As for Scargill '' I wouldn't trust his wisdom on things he knew nothing about (the science of fuel technology).''(your words) The NUM had employed creditable scientific reports on such matters, supported by the scientific community generally.
On the tactics, yes there were things he should have done - giving Welsh miners the chance to discuss and campaign amongst themselves - before putting to a ballot.
Also there was discontent. In the 1982 strike ballot over threatened Welsh pits (the Yorkshire area, which came out first in 1984) voted against. This caused some confusion and bitterness among South Wales miners at the start of the 1984-85 strike. John the working class are not a homoginised group but will need a clear, resourceful and strong leadership.

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

I do have some catching up to do. What an impressive profile.

Comment is about Cathy Crabb (poet profile)

Original item by Cathy Crabb

Cheers Lynn for comments on our page.xx

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Tommy,
Thanks for your thoughts on "You've Met The Met".
Arthur Scargill didn't know a lot about the things he should have known about (Leadership, the tactics of a strike, etc). I certainly wouldn't trust his wisdom on things he knew nothing about (the science of fuel technology).
The problem with polarisation is that you necessarily see things depending on your own perspective as sitting between a set of cruel bastards and the horny-handed heroes. I can assure you there were plenty of cruel bastards among the blokes I worked with.

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Thanks Tom, for reading and responding to my poetry. Your interaction is most welcome and greatly appreciated. I will get on to your other poems as well, time permitting. It shall be a busy year! Good stuff unfolding. See you 'round the site or better yet on our poems. Cheers.

Comment is about Tom Harding (poet profile)

Original item by Tom Harding

Thank you kindly, Cynthia, for your encouragement and assessment of my poem on cigarette haze. I am grateful to you and much inspired to seek furthering my ventures into poetry. May you have a continued happy new year.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Oh, but my FB chat is permanently turned off! Must be force of habit. I barely have time enough to sort out posts & statuses, messages, & all that, without having to worry about chitter chatter.Have a pleasant weekend!

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Perhaps I should explain my remarks about Sooty, John. For me, it's all down to the moment at the end of each programme when Harry Corbett addresses the audience, his face covered in gunk, and says, with an expression of world-weary stoicism: "Bye bye, everybody, bye bye." It has come a family catchphrase in our household; a moment when no other words will do. I don't remember much of the rest of it.

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Tom. Thanks for your comment on The Rapids. I have just checked out Gary Snyder on youtube. Many thanks for that. Take care, Tony.

Comment is about Tom Harding (poet profile)

Original item by Tom Harding

Hi Tom-thanks for your feedback on 'A Tradition Saved', I'm pleased you are enjoying the tales.
Tall tales? Stranger things happen out there at sea!

Comment is about Tom Harding (poet profile)

Original item by Tom Harding

Many thanks Tom re 'Voyager'
means a lot,coming from thee.xx

Comment is about Tom Harding (poet profile)

Original item by Tom Harding

Hi Isobel,

Thanks for the comment on Paxos, much appreciated!

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Cheers loads Cath(it happens)
piece of advice-re inadvertant walkies
keep away from lovers leap!xx

Comment is about Cathy Crabb (poet profile)

Original item by Cathy Crabb

Thanks for your feedback on 'A Tradition Saved' John-I have remedied the unforgivably sloppy non use of paragraphs. If Master Miles had seen that he would've nailed me to the mast by me ears!

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Kathy ( Hi :o) )you have now edged out Laura as my favoorite person. I will en-devour to teach, amuse and enlighten you regarding humour.
Call me on my private number anytime except Wednesdays and Saturdays evening as I will be shopping at Tesco's.

Tommy. (Bachelor)

Comment is about Cathy Crabb (poet profile)

Original item by Cathy Crabb

Hi Christina. Thanks for your comment on First Class Ticket. Glad you like it. Take care, Tony.

Comment is about tina (poet profile)

Original item by tina

Hello MC
Glad you liked "Gays". I was rather quick off the mark with that one!

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hello Greg,
Thanks for your comments on "Gays".
You have made your preferences plain!
SOOTY!!! BLOODY SOOTY!!!

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hello Yvonne,
Thankyou for commenting on "Gays".
There is an old (rather politically incorrect) joke about 2 blokes in a pub. The 1st one says he is emigrating. His mate says "That's a surprise" and asks him "Why?".
"Queers" his friend replies.
"How do you mean?"
"Well" he explains, "500 years ago they were burnt at the stake; 200 years ago they were hanged;100 years ago an man like Oscar Wilde was imprisoned; 50 years ago it could ruin a man's political career; 10 years ago it was still in the closet. I'm off before they make it compulsory".
Myself, I am more liberal but would not welcome compulsion!

Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)

Original item by Yvonne Brunton

Hello Dave,
Thanks for your thoughts on "Gays".
I have to confess that I don't have strong views either way re the gay community but to try to police a "no sex" rule seems rather laughable. On another front, this may come as a little surprise to you given my rather irreverent and often downright crude writings, but I am actually a verger for Selby Abbey!

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Thanks for your lovely comment. It was actually quite liberating to write something unpoetic LOL - why on Earth have I taken up this poetry hobby, I ask myself...?

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

sometimes. In the poem the first expect should be crossed out but still there but couldn't get that to happen in that text box

Comment is about Jesuisnapoleon (poet profile)

Original item by Jesuisnapoleon

Thank you for your kind response, Isobel, on "Gotta Keep On." It was written with a friend in mind, who has been struggling with a debilitating behavioural illness. And all the medics could do is aid them take it a day at a time. I have thus likened it to the anguished vagabond soul of an artist. You are much appreciated.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

I loved this short poem. Although I couldn't really read trhough it without replacing first "Accept" by "Except". It made more sense to me this way.

Sometimes when I write a poem, I write down one word, but latter I realise I meant a different word with similar sonority and that different word makes perfect sense anf fits forever.. Does it happen to you?

Comment is about Jesuisnapoleon (poet profile)

Original item by Jesuisnapoleon

It's typical of a woman to complain about the generalizing of women.


How Do I count the shoes?

How do I love my shoes? Let me count the ways.
I love their comfort and style and price.
When my foot can slip in easily, when kicking out of sight foolish Insults and remarks.
I love them for their shine and waterproofing,
Quiet in the walking, by sun and LED torch-light.
I love the comfort as men do strive for Comfort.
I love their fashionability, as they bask In praise.
I love them with a passion when put to good use
In my old briefs, and with my manhood's faith And daily needs.
I love them with a love I show to women
With my swanky gait. I love them with the breath I breathe upon their shine,
The smiles of their buying and tears if their life comes to an end. And if I could be bothered, I shall love them even after recycling.

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

somehow reminds me of ee cummmings although more modern, what are your inspirations in litterature?

Comment is about Ludo (poet profile)

Original item by Ludo

Thanks for the comments. Otla, I write in both ways, it depends on the occasion and on the texts themselves.

Comment is about Carla Tombacco (poet profile)

Original item by Carla Tombacco

Hey Chris, what's your FB addy? Cheers.

Comment is about chris dawson (poet profile)

Original item by chris dawson

Well ...

Thank you ladies for your... advice and attached embrace.... and I appreciate that Francine's is a French kiss, i meant that tongue in cheek.

The implication, from your comments is I believe, of late I'm feeling a little bruised and as a consequence feeling sorry for myself, and should with immediate effect dust myself off and get on with being a happy Gus.

You may be surprised to know that the short stanza posted above was the 1st of many, 1,242 at the last count. An epic so dark and dire in it's content that I may well have been responsible for tens of thousands of lovers the world wide...

... going down.....coming together and ending it all in a blaze of gory glory midst a silver shimmering shower of moons and stars!!

I couldn't live with that...well not just at the moment anyway!

Yes, you are right ladies ... I will endevour to enable you tingle and sizzle in all the right places in all future postings.

Appropriate embraces and titillations.

And by the way, thank you Tony... good to hear from you too!!

Many thanks to all

lots of love

Gus xxx

Comment is about Rosalind (poet profile)

Original item by Rosalind

Thanks for you comments on the Last Kiss, John but tell me more about this position you were going to apply?

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

"You looted my Adam's apple,
left me gasping for words"

Comment is about Anthony Hett (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Hett

I love your poetry, you say you read widely, I wonder what are those writers you read, could you cite some please?

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Interesting texts.
Do you write in italian and translate afterwards, or they come in English right away?

Comment is about Carla Tombacco (poet profile)

Original item by Carla Tombacco

Hello Dave thanks for your comment on Robert Burns.
Hazel

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hello MC,
Yes, I certainly pulled out the big one with "Mr Gabardine Man"!

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hello Old Fruity,
Glad you liked my prodigious offering entitled "Mr Gabardine Man". If ever you're outside the Empire in Barnsley...

Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)

Original item by Yvonne Brunton

Hi Yvonne-re 'In an intimate room'-many thanks.
Your inspiration is such a great help!xx

Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)

Original item by Yvonne Brunton

Cheers smiling Steve re 'In an intimate room'

And hey! you keep rocking on in the poetical
way that you are doing-it works for us,and we
dont think it needs repairing,just keep those rhythmic rhyming fingers flashing across that there keyboard! thanks again Mr.H.xx

Comment is about Steve Higgins (poet profile)

Original item by Steve Higgins

;o)

Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)

Original item by Yvonne Brunton

and I like the imagery in your owl poem Ann - blanket over a birdcage is just the right image... - this owl flew right over me a few years ago...

WONDER

Could it only be by chance,
The wonder of your white-night dance?
This shadow I can barely trace –
A shooting star with feathered grace.
Mighty owl, in you I see
An echo of eternity.

Andrew Fusek Peters, Mad Bad and Dangerously Haddock, Lion publishing

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

thanks Ann, that's very kind - we have hares living up the hill from us - but to see them boxing two winters ago during a dusk walk, was a real gift - now I just have to see the trout swimming and jumping upstream in our village on their spawning journey - that would be a treat!

Comment is about Andrew Fusek Peters (poet profile)

Original item by Andrew Fusek Peters

Thanks re the hoped for approval Yvonne.

Previous last line's were;

'My opinion of you
is that
you are not here
for the fun of it'
-------------------

glad to have obliged.xx

Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)

Original item by Yvonne Brunton

Hi Yvonne.

Firstly,let us thank you for responding to our poem 'Lost'by commenting on our profile page.We think think that way is nicer and more personal as we hope this reply is for you.

Secondly,following your advice we have 'smoothed' the ending over of the poem in question as well as adding an image of such a sufferer.
We hope the changes meet with your approval.xx

Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)

Original item by Yvonne Brunton

Hello MC,
Thankyou for your thoughts on "Sell-By Dates". I've worked in my time in a number of food factories so I have seen the care that goes into keeping food safe. But I can't help suspect that supermarkets enjoy the prospect of us having to chuck stuff so we have to replace it.
How long before there's a "Discard Date" on clothing

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I once went to a Bodyshop cosmetic party at someone's house, where the sales lady assured us that it wasn't hygenic to keep make-up for too long... as though our skin could possible absorb the germs from a bit of eye liner and mascara!

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Hello Dave
Many thanks for your haiku on "Sell-By Dates".

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hello Yvonne,
Thankyou for your thoughts on "Sell-By Dates".
We've had some happy, embarrassing times when the kids were little as they ran up the supermarket aisle shouting "Plenty on the gypsy counter today, mum".

Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)

Original item by Yvonne Brunton

Happy New Year Greg and many thanks for your comments on the Man and the Willow. Would you believe me if I said that I actually wrote that poem in a willow tree?

regards,

Graham

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Yvonne, I'll never get over the thrill of writing something for WOL and finding comments waiting for me when I go back to it. Glad you liked 'That Place', best wishes, Steve

Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)

Original item by Yvonne Brunton