these types of sexual carryings on,should not be allowed,unless members of the walking dead can join in! any chance of borrowing that 'scouring pad'..? Mr W's centre piece has suddenly started spurting cream-wonder why?...;o)

joking apart....excellent piece!xx

Comment is about Sometimes Things Just End. (blog)

Original item by Charlotte

Impossible to express adequately how I feel - though I'm trying very hard. I have such wonderful memories of it - I feel it's where my life started over again - where I cut out all the bad bits, exorcised my angst and moved on with the future. I guess it's like that for lots of people who find the poetry scene - though the Tudor had a magic, I haven't found anywhere else.

Comment is about End of an era for Write Out Loud Wigan as the Tudor closes its doors (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Graham - Yes, we used to go fishing too, in the Trent. I'd pull out the odd roach or gudgeon while he would float bread down the current for chub.
Indeed, MC. He was a right awkward bugger all his life, but a good man and father. I owe him.

Comment is about EULOGY TO MY DAD (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Well done get in there girl, simply the best !!!

Comment is about New Voices winner Louise Fazackerley's 'Love is a Battlefield' is featured on BBC's The Verb (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

End of an era we have loved every open mic event and even entered the odd slam now and again.
SpeciAl place filled with X special talented people
we will miss you and the warm welcome that was extended to one all.
Good luck to Russ and Frances X
Jon and Christine

Comment is about End of an era for Write Out Loud Wigan as the Tudor closes its doors (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you ! It means lot to me. I am stealling, I think :O

Comment is about Bitter fruit (blog)

thanks friend :)

Comment is about The wind of the North (blog)

Original item by Rollo

Thanks :)

Comment is about The Demise of the Optimist (blog)

Original item by Futile Rhymesman

"Talent borrows genius steals" Oscar Wilde
What makes this work is the complete lack of cynicism or parody.
The slow stealing lines has its peak in "swaying gently, strangely still".

Comment is about Bitter fruit (blog)

Intriguing...leaves a feeling of wanting to know
more. Not sure about the sum meaning of the last line as written though.

Comment is about 5 years (blog)

Original item by Quiet Comet

great piece.xx

Comment is about The Demise of the Optimist (blog)

Original item by Futile Rhymesman

agreed.xx

Comment is about Poem: Vastness of the Kingdom (blog)

Original item by Joseph J. Breunig 3rd

A eulogy any father would surely have
been proud to have inspired in his son.
I was five - the youngest of six - when
my own father died, but I can appreciate
the strength of feeling for a lifetime
now gone that lies behind the words.
Be grateful for what you have - and had;
that's my own view.

Comment is about EULOGY TO MY DAD (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Mmm some wonderful images in here - glistening berries, iceberg moons and winter flint.

Also an intriguing backstory - this scholar, and the disregarded pledge, the pilgrim with her love song.

I'm also feeling a bit pleased with myself cos I recognised it's a sonnet :D (I did have to count the lines and then go through the end rhyming words on their own though).

Gorgeousness.

Comment is about This Autumn (blog)

Original item by stephen smith

Fantastic that you've leapt into free verse Judi, and so well written too. Plenty of rhyme in there, just no end-rhymes - I prefer assonance, on the whole.

I could hear this being performed actually, especially these lines:

a writing table and paperback books, row
after row, after row...
and this boat

You said that my poem was unbearably moving - this poem has had the same effect on me.

What absolutely makes it is that we don't know what the letter says. That's a genius touch.

All the detail about the things you made (you're prolific in your creative urges!) - they bring the room, your home, your life, right into my mind. And I smiled at the wry lines about living by the sea/lifestyle :) (these lines I could also hear being performed).

This is a great poem, I love it - it has wonderful movement in it, and poignance.

(oh, and thanks for the Writing in Fire note too - that one has evolved into something even better these days, performance-wise!)

Comment is about Validation (blog)

Original item by Judi Strega

I used to fish with my dad. Oh! for just one more day of it

well written John

Comment is about EULOGY TO MY DAD (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I don't have a 'lifestyle' - just a life.

try to remember this woman
my daughter says she knew.

Good lines

Comment is about Validation (blog)

Original item by Judi Strega

My first and recent attempt at a poem that doesn't rhyme - it's SO hard!

Comment is about Validation (blog)

Original item by Judi Strega

Oh wow! You blew me away!

Comment is about Writing In Fire - live version (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Thanks all for reading and commenting! Appreciate informed opinion!
Steve Smith

Comment is about This Autumn (blog)

Original item by stephen smith

beautiful.x

Comment is about Poem: Vastness of the Kingdom (blog)

Original item by Joseph J. Breunig 3rd

I enjoyed reading this :)

Comment is about This Autumn (blog)

Original item by stephen smith

Sad to hear. I called a few times when I had been working over that way. (I felt the need to tell everyone that as I was dressed in a suit and tie while everyone else was dressed by British Heart Foundation).
I met many faces whom I otherwise knew only from WOL blogs. Always an enjoyable experience.

Comment is about End of an era for Write Out Loud Wigan as the Tudor closes its doors (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Excellent post, Ian. I thought the final juxtapoistion of the African child worked.
Incidentally, I thought everyone knew how to shake hands with God. You get your kit off and wiggle fingers. Michelangelo took a photo of it for the Listerine Chapel.

Comment is about Philae Shakes The Hand Of God (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

I concur with AE, Stephen. I particularly liked the line about weighing the beauty of a disregarded pledge. (I was tempted to make some fatuous quip about littering with empty furniture polish cans but thought better of it!).
For me, the final couple references the circularity of the seasons.

Comment is about This Autumn (blog)

Original item by stephen smith

Hi Stephen.

Just dropped by to say how much I enjoyed reading your sonnet. a sense of time and place, mystery and atmosphere. I would love to hear an audio. Very well written.

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about This Autumn (blog)

Original item by stephen smith

I have hand formatted the code as there were no site apps to so do.

Comment is about B ro ken mas onr y (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Strong images and pathos. Well done!

Comment is about This Autumn (blog)

Original item by stephen smith

Great subject for a poem. Strong images

Comment is about The wind of the North (blog)

Original item by Rollo

What a sad, sad day. The Tudor has been the most iconic venue for Write Out Loud for almost ten years or so, at least since the Howcroft in Bolton chucked us out. I know that Joy is not alone in thinking this way, several others started their poetic careering about in Wigan. And we've had some cracking nights and brilliant slams too. The one when Fatima al Matar came all the way from Coventry to read her lyrical poem, and won, sticks in my mind. The only time a Muslim woman wearing the veil has won a Wigan slam. But so many nights really. On some, I counted over 80 people sitting, crowding around the door and the now-curtained area to see the show. And we must not forget that it was thanks to Gillian Forester that we got it going really.
Gillian funded a Write Out Loud night at The Tudor as part of the Wigan Words Festival. after its success I suggested to her that we should run the thing monthly throughout the year, and she supported that. The rest is mystery. I wish Russ and Frances the very best, and I congratulate John on having found an alternative venue with such alacrity. Here's to the next ten years, or whatever it is.

Comment is about End of an era for Write Out Loud Wigan as the Tudor closes its doors (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

pasted from Facebook by Joy France
If I hadn't gone to the Write Out Loud open mic night at the Tudor in Wigan run by John Togher, almost 4 years ago, then poetry would have been a "one off thing" that I tried once to scare myself ( Louise Fazackerley '. had somehow got me to write a poem and perform it at Wigan The Soap Opera at the museum of Wigan Life!)
Instead, cos Jon Darby and Christine kept telling me about the Tudor, I went along. After lurking at the back for a few months I did my 1st Open Mic performance. The rest is history as they say! I didn't realise it but I'd fallen into the home of the most wonderful people around and that my life would be enriched forever!
Whilst I'm gutted to hear that the pub has closed i was thrilled to hear that tonight's WW1 "special" is on ---- in a very special venue. (below)
The "bear pit" poetry will move onward and upwards cos the PEOPLE are special (in many meanings of the word!).
I've always stuggled to explain WHY it's my spiritual poetic home, why it's unique etc. I usually say "You have to go along to find out"
I can't go tonight, but YOU can. It will be a different night cos of the theme and the change of venue but you'll get a warm welcome and quality poetry, probably with more than a dash of eccentricity and character!!!!

Comment is about End of an era for Write Out Loud Wigan as the Tudor closes its doors (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Awww - I am totally gutted. I haven't been able to afford the open mic nights for such a long time, but always make the Christmas night - and now it won't be there. No more bear-pit-special-brilliant-atmosphere.

The second time I ever performed was on that stage. I turned around in slow-motion, blinded by the lights, in total shock and panic, and couldn't bring myself to speak for a good minute. Then blew into the mic (I have no idea why - I think I'd seen people do it on the telly), drew a deep breath, and launched into 4 years of hurling myself round on stages. Met so many special people in there, real tribe, so many great bands, dancing til dawn, gabbing and smoking in the beer garden with all manner of deviants and misfits.

One of my favourite poetry moments was performing my Ohrwurm poem, at a crimbo bash. I had just delivered the line about Hawaii Five O, and the entire room launched into the tune, completely out of the blue, and kept it going :D :D de-de-de-de-der-derrrrrrr-de-de-de-de-derrrrrr :D :D

Awwww. End of an era. RIP The Tudor - I really hope someone like Russ comes along and keeps the fire burning.

Comment is about End of an era for Write Out Loud Wigan as the Tudor closes its doors (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

So sad, and so many memories! But looking forward to tonight.

Comment is about End of an era for Write Out Loud Wigan as the Tudor closes its doors (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hand Picked

Stiff and tired
But keeps going.

Bold and hard
The power part.

Gets tuned on
By instant groans.

Feeling touch sore
End in sight.

At long last
Found those crows.

Comment is about November Collage Poem: Organs (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Thanks Cynthia :) It was originally published as "Bitter fruit" and then the music was set to "Strange fruit". It has haunted me for years: the imagery, the criminality and then sung in Billie's voice.
Thank you for appreciation

Comment is about Bitter fruit (blog)

You must be right, since I'm sure you have researched it, and I was going only on memory. I still wonder if the famous song is so seminal, that such comparative allusion is a bit risky without a direct reference.

Your own poem is really excellent.

Comment is about Bitter fruit (blog)

You must be right, since I'm sure you have researched it, and I was going only on memory. I still wonder if the famous song is so seminal, that such comparative allusion is a bit risky without a direct reference.

Your own poem is really excellent.

Comment is about Bitter fruit (blog)

Thank you MCNewbury
Your comment gives me hope

Comment is about IT'S SO HOT (blog)

Original item by Jack purvis

Interesting title Ian.

Doesn't go with the poke in the eye picture though.

It's also an strange concept that landing on a comet is in some way aligned to meeting God as the very comet itself seems to dispel the creationism myth.

MCN: As to future escapades diverting collisions, we better hope that Bruce Willis lives to a ripe old age then.

Sadly I think the African child line looks a bit of an afterthought to bring us down to earth, damning the poem with feint praise. Be good to even up the achievement/failure of humanity a little more.

Always a good read though,

regards,

Graham

Comment is about Philae Shakes The Hand Of God (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

An intriguing vignette that seems at one with the
illustration that accompanies it. I thought
the final lines of haste and good mannered
reaction were pleasing...with the consistent
rhyming catching the hurry to regain
"respectability".

Comment is about IT'S SO HOT (blog)

Original item by Jack purvis

My nephew is over the moon (no pun intended)
as he was once part of the Logica logistics
working on the pre-launch requirements for
this tool of exploration. This is a truly
phenomenal achievement - with implications beyond its immediate purpose of assessing
the origins of the material of a comet.
It occurs to me that if a meteor is located heading on a catastrophic collision
course with Earth then we seem to have
taken a giant leap forward towards meeting
and removing such a threat.
As for Mankind's Earth-bound problems...they
seem to be assessed as global warming and
over-population. At least there is an
ongoing awareness of these and in the
meantime Nature takes no prisoners when it
comes to the human condition and failure to
use the brain in its defence.

Comment is about Philae Shakes The Hand Of God (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

excellent stuff guys as always. some great stuff in this. always enjoy having a hand in these John.

Comment is about October Collage Poem: Sacrifice (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Many thanks to you Cynthia :) And pish you don't 'do imagination'!! Behave!

Your poem The Aperitif is one of the best of the type that I've read Cynth. Do it!

Comment is about Jigsaw (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Ha Cynth - I welled up when I was watching it last night. The absolute mindbending logistics of this - just WOW. Space travel excites the hell out of me. Looks like it's stable (for now) anyway!

Comment is about Transcendentalism (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Aye - love this. Totally take your idea that we can't fix our own problems down here, but the idea of space travel, the mindbending logistics of getting this to actually work - well, I confess I welled up when it landed.

Great poem.

Comment is about Philae Shakes The Hand Of God (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

I was under impressiion it was called bitter fruit as that was what the original poem was called.

Comment is about Bitter fruit (blog)

I love it Daniel ....Just going through the 'motions'

A large environmental car thief

Made of a thousand witches potions...

A real cracker, still got me chuckling as I write this. Good stuff

Comment is about PORTREATH (blog)

Original item by Daniel Dwyran

I love the way this poem flows one line to the next. 'With the noise of spring dark and death by the fire'

Comment is about The moon's fame, child of the sun. (blog)

Original item by Danny Metcalfe

'the aftermath' is rich, isn't it? I look forward now to checking back on more of your work. You have a distinctive touch. I've been off-line with a defunct computer for weeks, and the new one is currently challenging with smaller and flatter keys.But I'm persevering.

Comment is about A.M. Clarke (poet profile)

Original item by A.M. Clarke

It is very atmospheric. May I suggest that you could drop 'the' in Lines 3 and 5. I tested it out several times and, IMO, the poem then takes another step upward to excellence. Sometimes little words are just like potholes in a smooth path.

Comment is about For An Evening (blog)

Original item by A.M. Clarke