Isobel, 'the fanfare of competition' and 'having an excuse for a party' are great ways to put the desire to participate in a poetry 'event'. I totally get it, and will continue to join in. And to 'vote' whenever I can. I'm still looking forward to going through all the entries which have been included in this past 52 Hertz-themed exercise. The scope of interpretation intrigues me. I did expect counter-reaction as my second paragraph clearly states. It's a very thorny subject, and has been, since - forever. Opinions will always run strongly. Thanks for getting back to me.
Comment is about Message to Isobel (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
O.K John
Tweet hashtag start
fast or slow
creative poetic tone
pressing words on
must twitter off
see you soon!
Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)
Original item by Stockport WoL
As an effort to bing some peace to this.
As someone who owes more than they can say to a black person and was also once mugged and robbed by three of them (Its on police record) I can claim to be unbiased.
If you`re fated to be robbed in Catherine street Liverpool (like me) or in any other `black` area (as is much of London) then it`s very likely that your assailants will be black. If fated to be operated on, nursed, or looked after in a care-home, then those who minister to you are also quite likely to be black.
Black people are here to stay, and any Black criminals –as any other colour criminal –must be dealt with. (I doubt – given its relative un-success – that stop and search is any help at all in the process).
Comment is about Lemn Sissay condemns police stop and search behaviour (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Love Poem to my hands
These small scars and subtle lines
The marks of canula and razor blade
This triangle of raised skin from an
Unlikely first foray at false nails
Tell my story better than palmistry.
Strong hands, cast in my grandfather’s mould
The broad span of a peasant-pianist
Clasping my mother’s work ethic
My grandmother’s curved third joint.
My hands are rebels, weatherbeaten
Eschewing my father’s manicured elegance
With overgrown cuticles, nails kept short.
Functional fingers, well-muscled
And only two permanent ink stains
On the right hand, unmoved since school;
The wart on my left a source of teasing
My witch mark, mocked
By ignorant children. I would not change
The fine hairs on my fourth knuckle
Hidden by the ring I sometimes wear
For the world.
Comment is about You've got the whole world in your hands (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Can feel the haze in front of my eyes just reading this. Great stuff.
Comment is about The Westgate Run (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
Good on you, Hollie! The kind of people offended by breastfeeding in public are the sort of people we should take delight in offending more.
Comment is about Why should we hide? Hollie McNish's breastfeeding anger (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Richard,some good lines in this and I can see where you're coming from with the various 'types'of friends,etc. 'I didn't ever crave to have a social circle,to help me build my page',great emphasis on the correct value of the correct type of friends imo :)
Comment is about Friends (blog)
Original item by Richard Alfred
M.C.
Apparently they read us in Sumatra and both sides have done a bit of `extincting` for themselves:
telegraph.co.uk tigers
I am amazed that the prosperous west has not yet worked out the long-term demographics of what is happening on the birth control front. Everyone seems to be suddenly incensed at the number of immigrants without asking why they are here.
If Britain doesn`t start sorting this out then we are all going to be more `up the tree` than those guys in Sumatra.
(by the way, I think tigers are beautiful (but from the other side of strong bars)
Comment is about QUESTION (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
great stuff Chris - I love a stat or two :-)
really rewarding and selfless effort by you to promote others - keep up the good work :-)
Comment is about 10,000 hits on YouTube for poetry videos (blog)
Original item by Chris Co
Well the stats thing is a bit nerdy of me I must say Hehe. But I have to fess up and admit that putting countries to poems - I do find that fascinating.
Nice try with the family remark by the way. Good attempt at humility and hiding under a bushel and all that, but I think we have to accept it's a fantastic poem and in part that has brought people to it.
The New Zealand reference Mmmm - it doesn't goes down into the level of names or the bank details - damn! I could made a million :)
You could ask them?
The thing with the bigger picture of this has been, we just think it's great to have worked for people...got people out there y'know. Got a lot of poetry and poets out into homes - some homes across the world.
Not really bothered about who carries the water Hehe - just the results :)
Best of
Chris
Comment is about 10,000 hits on YouTube for poetry videos (blog)
Original item by Chris Co
I like the way this keeps to the five beat iambic.
Although - even varying where the stresses fall naturally - it moves a bit too sedately for me.
Lines sixteen and seventeen (unintentionally?)
read a bit snobby.
Respectfully, I feel it needs to loosen itself up (but still keep to the form)
Comment is about The Roads: Heaton Moor Road (blog)
Original item by J F Keane
How fascinating, and rewarding for you Chris!
I'm amazed by those statistics - I didn't realise my family was so big or so interested in poetry ;)
I'm very curious about the one viewing I had from New Zealand - I've got a NZ friend request on FB I've been ignoring - I wonder if it's him?
Well done to you and Natalie for taking all that trouble - I think you are both stars - and make lovely welcoming hosts also. x
Comment is about 10,000 hits on YouTube for poetry videos (blog)
Original item by Chris Co
I think we need to get more Tweets from Stockport members, first. It's pretty easy. Open a Twitter account. Compose a poetic Tweet. Add the hashtag @heatonstwaiku to your offering. Send the Tweet. It goes to the Heatons Twaiku Twitter account, where I retweet it to all the followers.
Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)
Original item by Stockport WoL
Should we send details to News and Features
about the Heaton Arts Trail?
This might open up more poems going on Twitter from Write Out Loud members.
Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)
Original item by Stockport WoL
Lost Return Ticket
Dream train
has derailed
now it's
time to
get back
on track.
Comment is about Love's Circumference (blog)
Original item by Katy Megan
Coldness Bites on a Midsummer Night
Man and God
across the gap
both travel together.
While looking up
above the screen
touching heavenly faith.
Down to earth
white Heaton ghost
turns to dust.
Comment is about The Roads: Heaton Moor Road (blog)
Original item by J F Keane
My kind of poetry - - - send it soon
Comment is about Shirley Smothers (poet profile)
Original item by Shirley Smothers
And thank you Dave, Larisa and Alex xxx
Comment is about Message to Isobel (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Thanks for your contributions, Francine, John, Ian, everyone!
I can totally understand Cynthia's line of thought, which I think is inspired by the dislike of judging other people's work, rather than dislike of competition. I feel the same way about judging in slams - have done it once and didn't much like the experience, particularly as it was so public.
I can also say that in some past competitions, there were much fewer voters, which made the end results less meaningful - and certainly the difference between 1st and 2nd almost insignificant.
I think people tend to like the fanfare of a competition though - I do - even when I know I've no chance of winning. In fact I can remember entering a really weak piece for the Olympic comp, just to be a part of things.
I think for now I'll stick to current procedures for futures comps - but hope that we all hold uppermost in our minds the point that we all agree on... that this is a bit of fun, a coming together community thing and that we are all winners by making it happen.
x
Comment is about Message to Isobel (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Congratulations Cate, lovely work,
Comment is about 52 Hertz Competition Results (blog)
Original item by Isobel
Greetings to you all, and many thanks for your lovely comments and votes!
I was both delighted and surprised to win this. Delighted which is self explanatory,and surprised because I am not a frequent visitor to your site and not well known, and because my entry is traditional in style and composition which is sometimes viewed (erroneously in my opinion} as somewhat passe by the modernists. It is good to see such diverse and interesting takes on a common theme, and can only thank Isobel {however much she wishes she wasn`t my sister!)for making me put pen to paper after a long abstinence from this creative field
And do not even think of giving me paste or sending me plastic flowers Isobel you muppet! Both my pet hates as you well know! A steady supply of GnTs at the next Tudor will suffice! Poor John, I hate to think what your booby prize will turn out to be......the mind boggles, but do let us all know!!
Best wishes to you all
Cate xx
Comment is about 52 Hertz Competition Results (blog)
Original item by Isobel
The poetry competitions are meant to be fun, inspire and encourage a spirit of community participation through a given theme.
l also feel that anyone who takes part gains something positive from the experience - it is after all about reading, writing and sharing!
And as with anything in life - if you don't like it - don't be a part of it :-)
Comment is about Message to Isobel (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Me too but also the discipline and the retro tone. Reminded me of Betjeman ("Miss J Hunter Dunn, Miss J Hunter Dunn, Furnished and burnished by Aldershot sun")
Comment is about The Umpire’s Decision (blog)
Original item by Fifi Fanshawe
So long as you
Don't entice a
Audit into
Our Gert's ISA
Comment is about The jaw-dropping scale of theft by the rich (blog)
Original item by Dave Bradley
know them all well john - quite a regular in Boons in my day. Now frequent a superb pub just behind the Raj Poot called Fernandes Brewery Tap - real ale and no music - bliss :-)
Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)
Original item by John Coopey
"blue black night" yes, indeed, Ian.
It's about time you wrote something the rest of us could match!
Comment is about A July Evening (blog)
Original item by Ian Gant
Not a stomping ground I know that well although I've spent some time in Henry Boon's. There's a poetry meet there (I expect you know). And further down the road the Tap and Spile which was de riguer before a curry in the Raj Poot.
Comment is about The Westgate Run (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
I'm with you, Ian. If you don't like the idea of competition, don't enter. Simples.
Comment is about Message to Isobel (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Hi Cynthia
Thank you for your comment and the tip! Would really love to share your poem the parting on my blog (obviously referenced to you) as I post poems from other poets too. Would you have a think and let me know? Katy
Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
I've run a couple of these competitions. With rare exceptions, the response from the writers has appeared to be "that's interesting" and enjoying the challenge as their imagination got in gear. I've sensed very little raw competitiveness. From those who vote, I've picked up a lot of genuine appreciation, and no concern ever about who wins. The competitions have been a few pegs to hang a challenge and a lot of appreciation on. With no winners, less pegs.
Comment is about Message to Isobel (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
disagree with Cynthia wholeheartedly
there is nothing wrong with 'competition', far from it - it encourages and promotes a healthy will to win. 99.9% of blogs posted on the site are done so at the bloggers risk of criticism - that's the nature of the beast - but every one of those blogs stands there naked in its own limelight.
A competitive element is a different beast and may only attract a small percentage of the overall traffic on the site - but to not have it because some people are not interested in competitive writing seems to be catering for one type of writer only - surely there is room for both!
If you are not competitive and feel uncomfortable in any element of this type of activity - don't enter - it's not a requirement of being part of the WOL community or mean you are less capable than those who do. Everyone will still read and assess your blogs and may or may not comment.
All types of poetry activity should be encouraged here. Not all of it will suit everyone. Be selective people.
Comment is about Message to Isobel (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
I'm sorry Cynthia - I've just come across this whilst trawling through blogs and on re-reading it, realise that I hadn't got the proper drift of what you were saying. I think I was just so run ragged after the week-end that I wasn't firing on all pistons mentally.
You raise some very valid points there. Do we have to have winners? Is the outcome of any competition meaningful? I'd certainly agree that results cam be affected by any number of factors - age of voters being a major one. If the voters are predominantly young, you will find contemporary poetry coming out on top. If the voters are older, they will favour a more classical, traditional feel. I've also noticed how humour never stands a cat in hell's chance of winning anything, no matter how well written it might be...
I'm happy to go with a no winner, just participation rule, if that's what the majority want. My only fear is that it might put people off writing. People seem to like the element of competition, they like a dead-line and they like a fuss. It's a bit like having an excuse for a party.
I think the real winners are the poets who felt inspired to write something - especially if they hadn't written for a while. These themed comps can inspire some really great stuff and when you're going through a dry spell, that can only be good.
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this one Cynthia. It's obviously something that others agree with. Maybe we should have an experiment with the next themed poetry exercise.
Whaddya think folks?
Isobel x
Comment is about Message to Isobel (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Oh what exciting bedroom games you play, John!
There's nothing worse than going to bed on an argument - no-one sleeps. I enjoyed the humour in this - I would be that person trudging to the toilet for a piss :)
Comment is about Turning Away (blog)
I don't mind having a discussion - even with those who blatantly fail to recognise their own prejudiced partiality; and, to borrow from "CSI" - ignore the evidence (they don't like?) - and use "anecdotal" pejoratively whilst unable to understand that is exactly their own failing and adopting a tone of "how dare you" pious outrage when challenged.
Macpherson's report was often subject to strong criticism in the columns of leading broadsheet newspapers - but where are those views quoted?
This is a "numbers" game - in which political social engineering has played a massive part. And since the Establishment has always preferred to find useful "Aunt Sallys" to deflect unwanted attention from the results of its various policies, the actions of the police, however and wherever based in the reality of the street, are a perfect means of deflection. As public protectors under ultimate political control, they can be praised or pilloried according to convenience. Consider the murder of WPC Fletcher by Libyans in St James' Square - and the political solution: to fly her killer out of the country. There are numerous other examples of this type of behaviour by the Establishment, and what better reason when desperate for "the popular vote" from a vastly under-stated ethnic section of society in our towns and cities in recent memory. As for the daily reality of policing the streets in vast swathes of our towns and cities - a simple analogy for simple minds:
If a music shop is stocked full of pianos to the virtual exclusion of all else, then the piano will undoubtedly be the source of attention from all those visiting that shop or safeguarding/checking shop content. Geddit?
Comment is about Lemn Sissay condemns police stop and search behaviour (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Nice work Ian. An excellent 'Seventh' especially.
Comment is about The Project (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
Brilliantly original and well written Ian. Impressive stuff.
Comment is about The Jesus Gene (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
Very nice evocative piece Ian.
Comment is about The Westgate Run (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
<Deleted User> (9882)
Wed 10th Jul 2013 10:33
'simply the best'-woooh!!
better than Ye Olde Wooden Spoon!
Comment is about 52 Hertz Competition Results (blog)
Original item by Isobel
Well done Cate. A very worthy winner indeed.
Comment is about 52 Hertz Competition Results (blog)
Original item by Isobel
Hi Harry Glad you liked the poem. A lot of people - like KIngsley Amis - don't want 'poems about foreign cities'!
Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
Shirley and Ian W say it for me. Good one, Ian.
Comment is about A July Evening (blog)
Original item by Ian Gant
Harry - posted this on the blog (the westgate run) and meant to post it directly to you - sorry:
thanks Harry - you're welcome to visit any time you like :-)
that last line in stanza 2 is a bit clunky - I was trying to get the image of soot, fallen from a chimney, with footsteps going through it and trailing away into history - some of the pubs in 'Wakey' are ancient :-)
Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
thanks Harry - you're welcome to visit any time you like :-)
that last line in stanza 2 is a bit clunky - I was trying to get the image of soot, fallen from a chimney, with footsteps going through it and trailing away into history - some of the pubs in 'Wakey' are ancient :-)
Comment is about The Westgate Run (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
Ian,
Nicely maintained piece of nostalgia.
I like the way that `traditionally` runs in the third line...and the chairs creaking like `age old men`
(I`m not sure I `get` the last line in stanza two)
Makes me want to go there though.
Comment is about The Westgate Run (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
Thank you, Graham. Lovely to be here.
Comment is about Sarah James (poet profile)
Original item by Sarah James
Liked this a lot Ian - reminds me of that last walk in the dusk on holiday - and it radiates a stillness and heat of itself. Good stuff
Comment is about A July Evening (blog)
Original item by Ian Gant
Cynthia Buell Thomas
Fri 12th Jul 2013 18:46
As to 'The Parting',go ahead. It really is one of my favourites. I often reread it myself, and I WROTE IT! I think the anguish resonates. I'm presuming I'd still be free to publish it myself, in a book?
Comment is about Katy Megan (poet profile)
Original item by Katy Megan