A child's truth is as pure a truth as can be. Tommy

Comment is about Love (blog)

Some lovely poems here, Andy. Have you tweeted them?

Comment is about 15 short short poems for heatons twaiku (blog)

Original item by Andy N

Hi Vic
Like your poem, it flows well and gives a real feel of a slice of Britain. Welcome to WOL

Martin

Comment is about Welcome Home (blog)

Original item by Vic the Temp

Hi Attila
I like the poem Auntie Rosie it reminds of aging relatives of mine. southwick also reminds of walking to school in the sixties from Portslade village down to my school St Mary's.
Cheers

Comment is about Auntie Rose (blog)

Original item by Attila the Stockbroker

Hi Cynthia...thank you for your sweet comments...

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Mikhail, I shall go back and read more of your work. I don't know how I missed it before.

Comment is about Mikhail Smith (poet profile)

Original item by Mikhail Smith

I completely agree. It has 'essence' - and a great closing idea. I also like the 'cold forest' - very apt. The work is both simply expressed and very sophisticated, at the same time - IMO, a rare gift.

Comment is about 22-7-14 11pm. (blog)

Original item by Mikhail Smith

Terrific!

Comment is about 'C' THE LANTERNS (blog)

Original item by Daniel Dwyran

You have an amazing gift of perceptive words to express your developing thoughts. I really like the mundane chucked into the intense; I think it keeps readers interested in following your internalization.

Comment is about window dreaming (blog)

Original item by Pity-Poetry

A NIGHT OF MUSIC AND SONG WITH THE BUNDELL BROTHERS at WRITE ANGLE

Summer time and a rather hot airless one as well, but Write Angle lit up the room with the energetic and very accomplished Bundell Brothers who kept everyone tapping toes and even got their voices going! They arrived in cowboy hats and Mexican waistcoats – so 'they could look like their poster' and not be mistaken for another group!

Ivor, who writes most of their songs, plays acoustic guitar, mandolin, mandola and does lead vocals while brother Kevan, (not second by any means), came in strong on bass, electric lead, acoustic guitar – along with mandola, penny whistle, tambourine, vocals, and though he didn't play them, also uses the treble recorder, and keyboards. This is a musical family with a third brother – though he didn't join in.

The songs were lively and included 'Britannicus', a history of the Roman invasion of Britain where they came with sword, took Colchester, then became builders, farmers, settlers – 'a native by custom and a 'free man of worth' . 'Farewell to the wealth and the glory of Rome...this is my home. I shall fight the invader..'. Also 'Small Talk' (from those who knew it, by popular demand), about how 'she' hates small talk and hides behind her 'intellectual art' - while he's wondering what she's thinking. It goes from 'small talk' in the afternoon to the sun slowly sinking, - lovely song – They did 'Clewer Hill', where Peter Cluer was murdered at Waltham Chase, Hants, in the early eighteenth century. 'He was 'a soldier by fortune. A landsman by trade – but mistaken for another man half-hidden,..', and shot by brothers filled with hate. (how much more valuable life seems to have been in those days-that songs were written so memories wouldn't be lost).

Ivor's hate of commuting to London was resolved by going 'First Class' but only if he got a seat! The Ballad of Joe Black, a character Ivor had met in West Country, was followed by 'Wandering Jack', a man with 'no home to go to'...then 'I loved her too much', another ballad, 'Golden Fish' (a sort of fairytale), and The Day of the Heron. 'Less and less goldfish in the pond till there was just one...a song for their late 'great Auntie Annie's lost husband in 'WW2' and finally ending with a song 'everyone knows'. 'Oh to be a pilgrim', written by John Bunyan and now mostly sung as a variant from the hymn book. They, however, did the original version.

The Bundells have definitely been around the circuit and have made many CDs, all of which have some of their songs on them, so you'd need to buy all to hear them but, they are a talented two-some, and they certainly brought a lot of music to a 'heat weary' evening.
The Open Mic brought Helen Whitten with 'The Irish Fiddler', dancing around the room...very vivid. Then, 'Highway 1', the road between Los Angeles and San Francisco. 'The mountains slide into the sea', 'streams of milky sea licking the shore', and 'tie-dyed tee-shirts draped with straggling pony tails....anyone who'd been on Highway 1 would have been transformed right back, and those who hadn't, should have been moved by the wonderful imagery. Then, 'Hollywood Encounters' (a scene of everyday life in lala land'). Finally, 'walking on the Sunshine' portraying a memory of her youth. 'Young guys and girls weave daisy chains of hope...'

Chris Sparkes did 'Swan', a wonderful poem, 'After the winter's floods, several mallard return like warriors with their ladies in waiting, with one......swan floating off in a long episode of depression. He moved recently and, on looking through his papers, found a letter his deceased mother had left - a couple deciding to buy a house but, on their way home, realised they hadn't noticed if it had a WC. They contacted the Vicar who'd shown it to them and asked if it had a WC which the Vicar instantly took to mean Wesleyan Chapel' and proceeded to write back saying, 'The WC in your district is 7 miles from your house'...it had the room in hysterics, no less Chris, as he managed to tell it. That story was the hit of the evening! Chris then did 'Strong Hooch', a chicken farmer, 'finding my brother hanging from a shoe lace on iron railings'...very moving and memorable. Richard Hawtree did 'My sight is off again', a touching but strong story of how it 'turns soft corners into sharp angles'...smoothing the contour of walls'. How it 'drinking into itself a sensual din sending out sugared water from this cracked vase'. Very powerful poem. David Roberts then did his Woody Allen 'tribute' poems, 'Take the money and run' and 'Midnight in Paris', followed by 'My ever-changing skin' (like I want to change lovers), then 'Jezz the Dancer', dressed in black, belly button gold earring...Richard Barnes followed with guitar and songs, 'Far and Wide', a love song that took 3 years to write. 'I always love the way the rain and sunlight catch your hair'....

Also, 'The Day I Jumped from Uncle Harvey's Plane', 'what Harvey called a plane was nothing but an engine and a wing'. Finally, 'The One on the Right is on the Left', about a musical troupe with political incompatibility that finally destroyed them. Tim Dawes read Denise Bennet's wonderful winning poem, 'Parachute Silk' about a wedding dress made from the bride's fiance's wartime parachute. Then, a poem for Sue, Tim's wife. 'On Valentine's Day'. 'You were the true Spring when we got together. The sun is not as hot but now there are colours'....a beauty coming naked from the bathroom like you did this morning'. Lastly, 'Earth Tale'. What man has done to the Earth, 'as for those who walk on me, their turn to be of yore'!

Brian Lawrence told a story of coming back from Montreal where he went for a 50th school reunion, and, having missed his flight at this end, arrived 2 hours early for his return home. He chatted up a young girl...consequences enough to hold the audience in laughter. He's quite a performer and Brian always comes up trump. He did this time, as well!
Paul Valentine 'buries secrets in poems' and his clue was 'Baroness Dame Margaret Butler-Sloss. The poem called 'Pocket World'. 'I used to be a fine boy of 9 before the wizard changed me'. Some of us guessed what it was. We leave the rest to you!

It was a more intimate evening with some of the audience saying 'best musical evening yet'. The prize for a free meal for two was won and we thank 'Tai Tong, our Petersfield Chinese restaurant for the raffle. A good evening was had by all!

Review is about Petersfield Write Angle Poetry and Music + OPEN MI on 15 Jul 2014 (event)

Very funny.

Comment is about The Weather ruined the rest (blog)

Original item by Gray Nicholls

Ian, this is really good, first in concept, and then in execution. I find it so much more than a so-called social rant. Dignity - that's the word I want - insight and poetical power - until I reached the closing lines.

IMO,I would scrap the final four 'rant lines', as superfluous. Almost, for me, a spoiler. Trust your own previous skill and the readers' intelligence. 'and he sinks beneath the waves.' is a brilliant, a haunting last line.

Comment is about An Angel Bathes In Tears (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

This is really 'cute' - what a word! But, it is mind tickling, if - even for two seconds - the reader tries to make the connection in logic so categorically stated. It made me chuckle.

Welcome to WOL. I look forward to reading more of your work.

Comment is about Math (blog)

Original item by Becka Brush

Your poetic finger is on the pulse of so many interesting people, social situations, historical events, and way beyond the immediately obvious - social commentary almost sly but always with penetrating scope.

Comment is about Captain Webb (blog)

Original item by David Cooke

I think you are right upon reading through with the change made and saved (Thanks). Glad it is liked, many thanks for your encouraging comment.

Comment is about Skid row (blog)

Original item by Paul Letch

Paul - as a songwriter as well as a writer of verse, I really like this. Those first two lines are tops! If you could alter the last "personalised" verse, this would be a great country song lyric in the style of the late great Johnny Cash...albeit he would probably have sung "bum" and not "scruff"! :-))N.B. - You don't need the apostrophe of possession in "sigh's in the first verse.

Comment is about Skid row (blog)

Original item by Paul Letch

Hi Nigel. Tweeted them all as i wrote them all down before but glad you like them.

My favourite is probably the second too, must admit but am pleased with all of them.

All was wrote listening to Scott 3 and Scott 4 by Scott Walker.

Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)

Original item by Nigel Astell

thanks guys. All were wrote listening to Scott 3 and 4 by Scott Walker.

Comment is about 15 short short poems for heatons twaiku (blog)

Original item by Andy N

Hi John. Tweeted them all as i wrote them all but glad you like them.

All was wrote listening to Scott 3 and Scott 4 by Scott Walker.

Comment is about J F Keane (poet profile)

Original item by J F Keane

Andy

Great stuff, I will start rolling them out now.

Comment is about 15 short short poems for heatons twaiku (blog)

Original item by Andy N

I like them all Andy N

But if I had to pick one it would be - - -

Catching dreams
You reflect on your youth
Writing songs for nobody.

I hope you can tweet them all to the twitter account.

Comment is about 15 short short poems for heatons twaiku (blog)

Original item by Andy N

Here are my 9 little poems for Heatons Twaiku, Linda.

May do some more 2moro but here are some to get you going

http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=43470

Comment is about Linda Cosgriff (poet profile)

Original item by Linda Cosgriff

Here are my 9 little poems for Heatons Twaiku, Nigel.

May do some more 2moro but here are some to get you going

http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=43470

Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Here are my 9 little poems for Heatons Twaiku, John.

May do some more 2moro but here are some to get you going

http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=43470

Comment is about J F Keane (poet profile)

Original item by J F Keane

Here are my 9 little poems for Heatons Twaiku

May do some more 2moro but here are some to get you going

http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=43470

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

been good to get back into these again after too long a spell of been missing from you guys.

Comment is about July Collage Poem: 'Grit' (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Remember that the Heatons Arts Trail is running this weekend. If you want to tweet a poem celebrating the works, remember to include @heatonstwaiku in the header. My account will be notified and I will retweet your poem to followers of the heatonstwaiku account.

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

yes

Comment is about Freedom Sky (Haiku) (blog)

So parents have problems with poets also? ;) Tommy

Comment is about Math (blog)

Original item by Becka Brush

Thanks Daniel for your comments on switched off
A part of me was reminded of Glenn Close in Fatal attraction when she sat in the apartment just switching the light on and off the whole time.

Comment is about Daniel Dwyran (poet profile)

Original item by Daniel Dwyran

Nice one I an it conveys so much to so many across time,as we repeat the same old things.

Comment is about An Angel Bathes In Tears (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

I wouldn't be so cheeky Helen. But I still don't understand what the poem and your response is about. humour me please :)

Comment is about Fifty Shades...... (blog)

...took what as a statement Helen, may I ask?

Comment is about Fifty Shades...... (blog)

Lucky mr Grey

Comment is about Fifty Shades...... (blog)

Return to base Helen?

Comment is about Fifty Shades...... (blog)

...thanks for that speedy response Mikhail- I webbed the word and it was confusing and awful. Tommy

ps I was born in Liverpool and still am (born) and living there. Lewis's and all- (been thrown out of the cafe for messing about)

Comment is about Mikhail Smith (poet profile)

Original item by Mikhail Smith

Hi Tommy .. yes , I came across the photo of the gas chamber door and it said the word above might have been added later. I imagine a girl stumbling against the wood, so confusing is probably the correct interpretation.

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Hiya Ian I forgot to thank you earlier for ''I leant against the wall'' cheers mate. Tommy

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

I hope the weather holds for the Heaton Moor Arts Trail this weekend!

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

'Old' no as relevant then as now. Keep writing, keep writing more. Tommy

Comment is about Dole Q Blues (blog)

Confused yet powerful, I'm at a loss. Tommy

Comment is about Brausebad. (blog)

Original item by Mikhail Smith

I confess to schadenfreude when reading this
entertaining post. For ten years I owned a 'van (holiday home!) and recall one August
when it rained virtually every day. But I was
in my own company and felt more sorry for the
holiday makers with only limited vacation time,
struggling to and from their vans in bedraggled
misery. I think the local bar did quite well
though!
Note: Shouldn't it be "virginity" in line 2 of
the 4th stanza?
Cheers

Comment is about The Weather ruined the rest (blog)

Original item by Gray Nicholls

Utterly Butterly....

...I'll get my coat! ;)

We are all searching for the meadow filled with golden dreams.
(Great haiku)

Comment is about Summer Hues (blog)

A peaceful world is the best aim - but it seems
that ever since Cain and Abel were at odds, Man
has been following their example. The strangest thing about war is that much progress
seems to follow its horrors - a sort of awful
"leaps and bounds" scenario. Maybe it is our
fate to be aware yet be captive of our tendency
towards taking advantage or taking a position and not budging. Is this some form of cosmic
joke at Mankind's expense? I sometimes wonder.

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Great article and I share so many of her views. The world was stabbed with a thousand flags to divide not connect us.

Comment is about Waving the flag: why poetry has a big role to play in political protest (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Your three lines sums up my feelings right now lol ...I have many 'must not's and should not's' but there is one 'will not' and that's substitute butter for any spread. Tommy

Comment is about Summer Hues (blog)

...someone has allowed me to Helen, but I'm weary of telling her. Tommy

Comment is about This time on a sunny day (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

thanks for compliments..i will be deliveriung something soon...x

Comment is about static (blog)

Original item by Rachel Bond

thanks Ged, really encouraging to have this feedback :)

Comment is about After Southerdown Storm (blog)

Original item by Bel Blue

Really enjoy your style Ged, indeed poverty leaves little time to philosophise.

Comment is about Palaces of Words (blog)

Original item by Ged Thompson