like the poem and the spread down the page. made me chuckle too
Comment is about Punch Line (blog)
Original item by Nigel Astell
He certainly led a colourful life judging by the article. I hope his friends and aquaintences can get the money together and afford him the send-off his life deserved. Nice to hear people coming together in such circumstances.
Comment is about Friends of slam poet Davy Mac appeal for help to pay for his funeral (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Travis Brow
Thu 11th Dec 2014 13:22
Gary, no need to make it explicit, it just piqued my curiosity, that's all. I'm looking forwrd to more of your posts.
Comment is about Gary Smillie (poet profile)
Original item by Gary Smillie
remember this from Monday. it's lovely but very very sad (oddly enough i didn't find it upbeat in contrast to m.c. but hey..)
Comment is about A card from home (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
can relate to this Kate at the moment.
sad stuff but did enjoy reading this.
Comment is about Dreams or Nightmares (blog)
Original item by Kate McKean
excellent again, guys. always a pleasure to read this and what a last line!
Comment is about Cards - December Collage Poem (blog)
Original item by Stockport WoL
clever stuff, john. did enjoy reading this on Monday John.
Comment is about On the Cards (blog)
Original item by J F Keane
Perhaps the more civilised sort of society
is that which gives no thought to the boys and
girls in blue until they are needed. The
present day trend to rubbish them at every turn
says more about the society they serve than their own position in it.
The brutish self-pitying creature who shot and blinded that officer who later committed suicide
is an individual example; imagine that
multiplied and the problem becomes society itself.
Not a pleasant prospect!
Comment is about BLUE REMEMBERED LIGHTS (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Travis Brow
Thu 11th Dec 2014 06:52
M.C., I'm slightly anxious to correct any perceived slight discernible in my poem. Although i was terrifed at the time, i acknowledge the man, whoever he was, deserved/deserves, not condemnation, but a judgement based on context which, as you allude to, cannot be overlooked.
Comment is about JUBILEE YEAR. (blog)
I bloody knew it!
I'll get you put back on his list.
Comment is about Anti-Christ(mas) (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
Cynthia
thanks for the comments - we do, as you know, wear masks in this poetry game. You may be interested in last years offering
http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=40230
which is the mask and which the real Yorkshireman?
that would be telling ;-)
Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Cynthia / Graham
thanks for the comments - we do, as you know, wear masks in this poetry game. You may be interested in last years offering
http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=40230
which is the mask and which the real Yorkshireman?
that would be telling ;-)
Comment is about Anti-Christ(mas) (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
Oh dear oh dear Ian. You just don't get it do you?
Haven't you heard of magic?
Time stands still on Christmas Eve wherever Santa goes.
I hope you can still have a lovely Christmas even though you're a Santa atheist.
Merry Christmas mate!
Comment is about Anti-Christ(mas) (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
A poem to re-read many times with great pleasure, to enjoy so many excellent images built with fine diction.
Comment is about The Hill Runners (A New Poem) (blog)
Original item by Gary Smillie
I agree, it has poignancy, like a card from a war zone (by any definition.)
Comment is about A card from home (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
OK. Glad you read 'The Secret Garden' though; that 'robin on the handle of the spade' bit was a real turning point in the story, towards a very happy happening. And all these types who seem so tough!
Comment is about Anti-Christ(mas) (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
An intresting poem of dertermination unless I got it wrong?
Comment is about "Antidote" (blog)
Original item by Rims
Absolutely wonderful! I know that feeling way too well. Very good imagery.
Comment is about Feel (blog)
Original item by .L.m.P.
...and stay off the egg-nog if you're driving.
(Have you noticed, MC, that no-one likes a bobby until you need one?)
Comment is about BLUE REMEMBERED LIGHTS (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
It is interesting to note that the law in its
wisdom defined "flashing" by "with intent
to insult a female" to complete the offence.
However, "breach of the peace" would have
been appropriate in this instance. There
are various causes/reasons for this activity
and I recall the tragic instance of a man whose
similar behaviour began when his mother (his
only family) - with whom he ran a small hotel -
died and left him to cope with the world without her dominating presence & influence.
He became an obsessive "flasher" and was a
pitiful figure subject to mental health issues
and control thereafter.
Comment is about JUBILEE YEAR. (blog)
Stuff and nonsense Steve, yet pointed and daft. A hilarious take on a current media concern
Comment is about The ostentatious breast-feeder (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
I like the gentle optimism of these lines and
whilst some of them are uneven to my eyes
(and ears when reading them under my breath),
somehow they still work. A nice upbeat seasonal piece.
Comment is about A card from home (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
What The Future Holds
Shuffle pack of cards
Deal the right hand
Odds stacked against you.
A lucky streak perhaps
Only time will tell
What the future holds.
Comment is about Cards - December Collage Poem (blog)
Original item by Stockport WoL
Glad you liked it, Laura. :-)
Comment is about The ostentatious breast-feeder (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
Makes you think this one. I only said to my wife an hour ago "what are we going to do in 2015" as if it was another era, not just a new year.
We had a premature granddaughter in February and a bouncing baby grandson in September and 2014 has just disappeared.
We both sit and compare ipad calendars regularly now too.
Bloody hell!
Comment is about Calendars (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
<Deleted User> (6895)
Wed 10th Dec 2014 11:28
Comment is about Sarah Unique (blog)
Original item by Agony Aiane
<Deleted User> (6895)
Wed 10th Dec 2014 11:28
Travis Brow
Wed 10th Dec 2014 11:02
Laura, if i dwelt on all the 'what ifs' i'd have a breakdown. Thanks for commenting.
Comment is about JUBILEE YEAR. (blog)
Only just seen this - have to agree with other comments, this is a difficult subject/memory wrought well in rhyme. You've provoked a memory in me from when I was about 7 and a man tried to entice me into his car with the offer of money. At the last second I remembered the warnings, stepped back from the open car door and legged it home. Still scares me when I think of the 'what ifs'.
Comment is about JUBILEE YEAR. (blog)
Ooooo - blimey - one of the best poems I've read for a long while this. Chockful of gorgeous sonics and a proper soundscape to match the geography.
Wow.
Comment is about The Hill Runners (A New Poem) (blog)
Original item by Gary Smillie
Hello Gary - you're new here hey? Welcome to WOL :)
I absolutely LOVE Street View. It's exactly the kind of thing that I do, observing people, and I was struck by the compassion in it and obviously the poetry. Love how we never find out exactly what went on between the two of them. Spitting spiteful winter wind - cracking line.
Hope you enjoy this place as much as I have over the last few years and I look forward to reading more of your writing :)
Comment is about Gary Smillie (poet profile)
Original item by Gary Smillie
Eh up! Ta for your note on me Tesco poem - it's proper funny watching them slide down innit?! :D :D
Comment is about dazzer (poet profile)
Original item by dazzer
Thanks Chris :) Be seeing you tomorrow night hopefully!
Comment is about Nativity ‘73 (blog)
Original item by Laura Taylor
Hahaaa! It's a corker this one Steve! Right from the very title onwards (think that's THE best title I've ever seen haha).
Had me laughing all the way through - and a lovely little turn at the end there.
Fantastic - love it! :D
ps - hope you've sent this off to Poetry24!
Comment is about The ostentatious breast-feeder (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
Cheers Travis - much appreciated.
'You' is a girl, as it so often is. But I kind of liked the idea that the relationship could be a bit ambiguous. Does this work, in your opinion? Do I need to be more definite about this?
Comment is about Gary Smillie (poet profile)
Original item by Gary Smillie
Travis Brow
Wed 10th Dec 2014 07:48
Who is the 'you' in the poem The Hill Runners?
The poem generally is compelling but the last line in Street View is excellent.
Comment is about Gary Smillie (poet profile)
Original item by Gary Smillie
I'd like to question one of the statements in this review. I don't think "Readers need to be left space in which to make their own interpretations" can be applied without qualification. The great war poems of Sassoon or Owen don't leave much open to doubt or vagueness, for instance; nor would we expect them to. Some subjects are too important for that. Is Robin Thomas arguing against clarity, and saying that all poems need to be unpicked in some way, to get at their meaning?
Comment is about Timelines: Carolyn O'Connell, Indigo Dreams (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Travis Brow
Wed 10th Dec 2014 07:11
Thank you for your comments everyone.
Cynthia, the man was what the 70's knew as a flasher. He stood staring at me with his dick out for what seemed like an age but was in reality seconds. I was eight or nine and that's probably why it stuck in my mind - I would say it was a formative experience; not that i became a flasher myself you understand, but that it left an abiding impression. I don't wish to seem to demonise the man which is why i limit my description of him to a 'shambles' which, given his overall appearance seems fair. If he'd merely been having a piss this poem wouldn't exist.
P.S I've made a few changes.
Comment is about JUBILEE YEAR. (blog)
Ha ha so funny the last verse is hilarious beating up Joseph lol : )
Comment is about Nativity ‘73 (blog)
Original item by Laura Taylor
I go with the embracing bit, MC.
Comment is about EMBRACEABLE US! (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Hello MC. This truly is a case of "art" mimicking life for me!
Comment is about IN THE GROTTO (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
This is superb Cynthia. Look forward to seeing you next month at waterside.
Comment is about Best Friends Are Never Boring (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
This is something I am constantly being reminded of, particularly when I want to give up.
Comment is about Take It and Fly! (blog)
Thank you very much, gents. Great feedback. Just rediscovered this site today. It looks great and really looking forward to exploring and reading some of your poetry too.
Comment is about The Hill Runners (A New Poem) (blog)
Original item by Gary Smillie
Philipos
Tue 9th Dec 2014 17:29
Hello Mal, it's good to heartily welcome a quality poet from my own neck of the woods. Knowing as I do, some of your earlier work, I look forward to further treats.
Comment is about Mal Foster (poet profile)
Original item by Mal Foster
The content takes me back to the hill-walking of
my younger past (nothing quite so energetic as
"hill-running"), and the majestic country of
mountain and valley across the British Isles.
Sitting alone at the end of a high ice-laden ridge
after a hard slog...with those wonderful feelings
of achievement and being at one with the timeless surroundings. Matchless memories.
Comment is about The Hill Runners (A New Poem) (blog)
Original item by Gary Smillie
Darren Lea-grime
Thu 11th Dec 2014 15:22
average night in stockport i presume??!! :)
Comment is about Whte Ashes Black Magic (blog)
Original item by Nigel Astell