you should have set this to music Fitzroy.xx

Comment is about Train of Thieves (blog)

Original item by fitzroy herbert

excellent piece.xx

Comment is about Frank (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

very likeable poem guys.xx

Comment is about Human Warranty (blog)

Original item by Joseph J. Breunig 3rd

Welcome Gary.Nice poem.xx

Comment is about Capture your beauty (blog)

On another front this little piece and the response it's generated reminds me of the phrase "Multo in Parvo" - the motto for Rutland.

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Interesting dimension, Dave. Who should be the arbiter of whether the father obtained his money fairly?
Of course, my piece doesn't say how he got it. Perhaps he stole it, perhaps it was his life's hard-earned savings, perhaps it was small change to him, perhaps it was every ducat he had. I haven't said.

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

A very provocative piece John. I'd like to know where the father got his apparently abundant ducats from. If the response is that that doesn't matter, I'd say it matters a lot. There's far too many people in the modern world who got their wealth NOT by a fair day's work for a fair day's pay but by predatory raids on markets, at the expense of ordinary people, with the profits tucked away in tax havens.

If the father got his pile that way, then he himself is an ingrate and worse. But if he worked for it and gave good value, good luck to him. Obviously, he can do what he likes with it. Dylan wrote a song in favour of generosity - 'Do Unto Others' but it has the line "Don't wanna be used by nobody for a doormat". There's a balance to be struck.

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I'm really quite flattered by this little piece. I've never had so much fanmail.
And you are quite right Laura, I used to dribble in my infancy and I dribble now in my dotage.

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Suspect what you fancy dear john, and make of it what you will. I'm not sure exactly why we're discussing who to give 5 ducats to, when my original questions asked nowt of the sort. Swerve and twist - you must be a good dribbler!

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hello Laura, there you are. If you look 3 or 4 postings back you'll see I explained who it was aimed it. I suspect you're rather wanting me to give an answer you don't like. That is quite odd, isn't it?
The answer to the question about who should pay the missing 5 quid does seem a bit of a poser though, doesn't it?
MC favours I find the 5 quid myself and that is indeed one solution I can live with. How about you?

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you for your comments and advice, grammar has never been my strong point, I will heed your advice, I will donate the poem if they will accept it.
Once again
Thanks
Gary.

Comment is about We are blessed (blog)

Sharp and poignant - with the painful realisation
brought home in the final lines of the story
behind the "movements, slow, deliberate".

Comment is about Frank (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

A consistently pleasing hymn of praise to God's
heaven on Earth. It would be a fine addition to
any child's book on the wonders of Creation.
There are a few spelling "blips"...and I would
have been tempted to avoid "does turn to grey"
in favour of something like "dons shades of grey"
in line 1.

Comment is about We are blessed (blog)

The late great Johnny Cash (whose photo you use)
and Pete Seeger were at the forefront of their
musical times - both going their own way and
leaving us with so much worth celebrating.
This post is a timely tribute to PS's passing.
"Where have all the flowers gone
Long time passing..."
Timeless and touching!
I wrote some lines about the death of JC and
this may prod me towards posting them sometime.

Comment is about Walkin' Man (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

My own "reading" is that we should be grateful
for what we receive from others - and if that
changes and makes us discontented, it is open
to us to help ourselves achieve our expectations.
But that's how I understand this...not that I
expect others to agree with my interpretation.

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

NEW PERFORMER STARTS NEW YEAR!
The start of the new year brought in new performer, Steve Pottinger..Although a first timer with Write Angle, Steve's published three poetry books, co-written the best-selling autobiographies of two leading members of UK punk scene (Steve Ignorant of Crass, and Ross Lomas of GBH). He's a regular at Blackpool's Rebellion punk festival at the Spoken Word Stage of Rebellions, and performs round the circuit..His layed back style is strong, confident and theatrical. It's so gentle, it's like hearing love poems but don't be fooled. He's a rebel who 'speaks softly but carries a strong word'!
His poems and stories flow together. He's a great raconteur, combining humour with cynicism. 'Thirteenth Floor', inspired while he worked for the homeless, descibes a 'down and outer' who, after 'all he's been through', still maintains his innocense against all odds. Steve hopes social services won't destroy him. He tells of the hen party in his railcar when he hadn't slept for days – how they endless shrieked but had so much fun, he found himself laughing, and how important laughing is. Another, 'Beryl's Laugh', ...in a cafe,..formica tables, mothers barely more than girls, arthritic men, Beryl laughs down a benediction..and for a moment, unpaid bills are forgotten...
Some know what they want to be when they grow up. Steve 'never had a clue.. still doesn't'! He wants to travel, see the world, meet people etc. His poem, 'Key City', based on his home, Warsaw, in the West Midlands – where all keys and locks were originally made – a city of 250,000 people, once thriving with factories, forges, fires, furnaces - ' now on its arse', full of charity shops. He also tells of his dad , a GP, and where once existed 'identity, pride and dignity', it's now gone. His poem 'Bongo Bongo Man' tells of how when angry and pissed – you blame the Bongos – 'Hate isn't the problem. It's greed'. He spoke of Blackpool, where his grandad lived and which he visited after his death. How it has no pretensions. It is what it is. Set on seafronts. Very picturesque.
Steve's philosophy comes through every poem. His one love poem, written so he'd have 'one token love poem', reeks cynical. It won't last. It can't. 'Tumbling Stumbling'..compares to a grand piano and an elephant which ends up breaking it. 'Then, 'The Day They Elected Wilco Johnson (guitarist) President'- a tribute to a man who had cancer. 'We're all just feathers blowing in the wind' but wasn't going to spend time in hospital but just went on performing! In 'The Punk Ethic', he says, 'do what you want to do'. On Edward Snowden, the first three days he was missing – he woke up in a street full of strangers. Everyone around could be FBI. 'Right now he's in the spare room with digestives and some tea. But if anyone asks, you never heard it from me'. I can go on and on. Orkney, which he describes with much love. His grandad grew up there. 'Did you ever go to a place you'd never been but felt you were at home'. In 'Dry Land Drowning', he spoke to a South African, asking how she got there. 'I came by Barnsley'. Steve found out her dad ran a pirate anti-apartheid radio programme. In spite of being called an 'angry man', Steve sees the good in the world. A wonderful entertainer and much appreciated, by the response of the audience!
At the Open Mic, newcomer Mark Arnold did his own political rant. 'Up the Flagpole'. Then, 'Life is like a cigarette'. (We hope he returns). David Roberts did 'Butterflies', a lovely descriptive poem. Of two lovers parting. 'At the last supper at the last hour...' Sven Stears – a takeoff on poems with long titles and short (two words) poems. He did 'Hound' - 'he bit your wrists'. 'Treading on water is the same as drowning', and 'The Dog House- a good place to be'. Finally, 'Harmonica.' First time he played. The poem so aptly describes the parts of the harmonica. Excellent!. The casing made of a stone. It hides reeds made of bone, and the frame of a death machine. The wood of a guillotine (Sven's got talent! - we hope he makes it!)
Chris Sangster did 'Greyhound Angel'. A tribute to a stranger who helped someone who couldn't get money, was hungry, tired and couldn't call home. Also a poem about Orkney, (highly descriptive). 'We who come in the footsteps of ancestors'. Then, 'Don't Mistake the Weather for the Sky', a poem that inspires. Maria Hewitt did 'The Ant Queen', afterward asking what it was that damaged it. (we won't give it away). Then, about her dog. 'A friendly dog can be dense'. Finally, 'That Rocket'. Is it not cosmic intrusion (interesting idea). Finally, 'Star Sign'. Stars signalling in morse code, their 'search for peace'. Dave Allen's 'I Could Have Sworn I Deleted Her Number'. -'each time I called her, I didn't do it. My dick did!' (clever man with words). 'Then I was between do and don't. Hey, don't forget, you're still facebook friends'! His second poem 'My Backpack rests against my back. She's late...next installment next month – if you liked it. (The audience loved it)! JeanAnne Naumcyzk did 'Cruise on QE', describing the ship with its shops, entertainment. Then, 'Why Green Still', no snow, more rain. Seasons mingle into one. Will the sun become our winter friend?' Finally 'Sparkle', what remains after Christmas, birthdays are gone.
The ever amazing Audi Maserati tuning his uke 'like tuning a sitar', did a song about 'yesterday is history', about a cowboy who 'stopped killing folks for fun' after meeting 'that girl' 'when the theatre came to town'. He resents people who spend '£10,000 to throw a party for a socialite when it only costs £10 for a mosquito net.' Another song about an 'internationally recognised playgirl, given plastic surgery, ending with 'her disconnected perfumed feet'. His song, 'Hi Honey, I'm home' was lovely, sad and 'too real'. 'Nothing went right for me. I feel like the whole world is crushing in on me,..Hi Honey, I'm home'. Then, 'The Ballad of Vince and Shane'. - love for a dog. Jack Warshaw sang about Greenwich Village in the 60s. Then a softer song, Passing Through, Passing Through', in which everyone joined in. Tricia Cane read 'I sit by your side' about a harmonious love that can't last. Then a poem describing the morning sun. Finally, 'On Driving Safely'.
Gilly, an audience favourite, read love poems, 'To Womankind' – explaining the power they don't realise they have. A second poem had 'I possess the world in you and you possess my heart'. 'Encore!' was heard as he left the stage. They love him!
All in all, a very enjoyable evening and a good start to the new year! We hope it all goes as well as January did! And we hope to see you all next month when Steve Tasane, a 'favourite', takes over the mike! And of course, the open mikers.
And our restaurant, meal for two freebie, was Fez – the best Turkish restaurant in town!

Review is about WRITE ANGLE POETRY & MUSIC +OPEN MIC on 21 Jan 2014 (event)

Who should pay them? In the poem they are being given. There is a distinction. Anyway, as I said, it's up to you if you want to swerve it.

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

you're very kind john - the story about the name in it is totally true - I have no idea where it came from - I looked up both words to see if it made any sense - and it kinda does. spooky. I was thinking 'the ghost of tom joad' (springsteen) when I hear it in my head - I'm a massive fan of 'the boss' and he's just released an electric version of that track on his new album - which is great - but I prefer the haunting acoustic original.

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Yes, I think that mid-west folky sound would go well.
There's a fusion in it of the spirit of "Universal Soldier" and "Joe Hill".

Comment is about Walkin' Man (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

thanks for the comment on 'walkin' man' John and. yes, I'm on it - just released a CD of poetry and songs and this one is being lined up to be recorded for the next one - I'm thinking a Seeger/Dylan folky tune :-)

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

I'm on it John - just released a CD of poetry and songs and this one is being lined up to be recorded for the next one - I'm thinking a Seeger/Dylan folky tune :-)

Comment is about Walkin' Man (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Liked this, Ian. I saw you blog on FB about it. It doesn't disappoint.The only thing it lacks is making into song with an audio

Comment is about Walkin' Man (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

yes a purity we can only dream about, or perhaps
hope for'

Comment is about Pure (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

"Shitty little ingrate!" is a phrase I've barked at my kids on more than one occasion, Izzy.

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Which is why I've never given my kids pocket money LOL!

They aren't at all materialistic so rarely ask for anything and I chuck them the odd fiver now and again if they help me out with a job...

They all know the value of money though - and neither of my older kids has ever gone overdrawn or borrowed what they can't pay back.

Those are values I can appreciate.

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I love this. Need I say more...

Comment is about The purple play (blog)

Original item by Carla Tombacco

yes its a vivid scifi futurist poem. yes the world is fucked now. a poem on the world as it currently is would be equally shocking.

Comment is about RAGING EARTH (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

Thank you for these kind observations Chris and also for your regular and much appreciated encouragement.

Comment is about TOO LATE (blog)

Original item by David Subacchi

Thanks, Steve. It is extremely flattering to know your poem is being learned by heart by kids in school (even though it is my own daughter teaching them!)

Comment is about Henry the Eighth (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I really don't mind explaining what I had in mind when I wrote it, MC. It's aimed at shitty little ingrates everywhere; anyone who gets something for nothing and is ungrateful - young, old, man, woman, gay, straight, rich, poor. That's what I put into it. You take out of it what you want, laura.
So who should pay the 5 ducats?

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I don't take the view that a poet's task is to
explain his/her poem. It is for its audience
to "take" from it what they will - or not, as the
case may be.
I can think of numerous examples on WOL which
enter this category -and assume that others find
something in the content, even if I don't.

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Or we could just make it even simpler, if it's making your head spin, and say who it's aimed at.

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Good to know my grandad amd me have a right to our views, Ian.
Laura this is all making my head spin. Let's take a more simplistic approach and go back to my parable:
Who should make good the missing 5 ducats?
Do I have an entitlement to 10 ducats?
Am I justified or ungrateful.

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

don't be so sensitive you old bard - it's just a different point of view - right and wrong is in folks mind - morally right and wrong is another matter ;-)

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Shoot him? A little over the top no? And certainly nothing I would suggest, not being a Stalinist and all.

You told me that it IS aimed at someone/something, so fair enough for me to follow that up and ask who it might be.

S'up to you if you want to swerve it, if you don't want to say who you're having a go at.

Might help whoever it is to learn from your parable though eh, if they knew it was aimed at them?

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Anyway, that's what me and my grandad think. (I assume he is allowed his view)

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Laura, Ian - Perhaps you are both right. Perhaps the father should be taken out and shot for his inhumanity.
With regard to what it means and who it's about, as I've read in Discussions on WOL many times, once a poem is published its ownership is no longer the poet's; it is the reader's.
By that token, of course, you will indeed be right.

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Greg. Thanks for being so kind to take a look at my work. I didn't originally plan to make 'The Diving Board' a kind of short story narrative, it just seemed to develop that way! Thanks again.

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

on Monday - my father took away my spade
on Tuesday - he tied my hand behind my back
on Wednesday - he crushed the bricks of my home
on Thursday - I said "father, why do you treat me so badly"
my father said "it amuses me to see you grovelling in the dirt for scraps"
we can all play that game john

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

The what, John? What on earth are you saying? Is this true? Could this be the poetry world's Edward Snowden moment?
If you have evidence we need to see it, expose their misdeeds, these liberal arts mafiosi. Get in touch with me offline using the secure cutouts and we can arrange a meeting in a Hong Kong hotel, or the Sheremetyevo airport. How thrilling!
Cracking review, by the way, David. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and all the better for being outwith the purview of the Poesy Nostril.

Comment is about On Light & Carbon: Noel Duffy, Ward Wood Publishing (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

To clarify, I meant negatively, at someone. 'Having a go', or a 'dig'. That's what I meant.

Parables are meant to illustrate, or teach. So a bit different than what I meant. So who is it aimed at then? People who don't do a day's work for pay? People who do a job, say, on Workfare, and only get dole? Or - sorry - Job Seekers Allowance? People who are on benefits, either working or not, who are then stripped of them, or sanctioned, or...?

I dunno - you tell me.

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

very good write it has an academic twang

Comment is about The Ides (blog)

Original item by David Blake

Of course it's aimed, Laura. It wouldn't be a parable if it wasn't aimed. My grandad's concept of socialism (and mine) is rather simplistic. A fair day's work for a fair day's pay.

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

just nicked on,nicking out asap but not before I correct the name of that song-
*Anna*(go with him)and not Hannah.Have a good day Steve.x

Comment is about The coldest Morning (blog)

Original item by Steve Higgins

the only art i know by poetry publishers is that,
they tend to like the known and their friends

Comment is about Top poetry magazine editors explain 'the art of choosing' (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hehe :D

Seconded!

Comment is about A plea to Michael Gove (blog)

Original item by Attila the Stockbroker

I missed this - glad I found it! Love this! So few words, so very evocative - I can see the scene. Great last two lines as well Andy :)

Comment is about Cat’s Prayer (blog)

Original item by Andy N

Cheers both

Ha, yes Andy, it's gone up on Poetry24 today.

Never thought I'd ever find myself writing about Justin Bieber, of all people, but I was listening to the news the other day, and felt kinda sorry for the fella. All I've ever heard from other people about him is contempt. I looked him up and he literally did come from nothing. Quite a deprived background, and raised on a string of low-paid jobs by his single mother.

Who wouldn't take the opportunity that he did, with that background? But you can bet your arse he's worked to death - hence the constant barrage of his stuff on the media. And now we're seeing the consequences of that. It is really quite sad.

Comment is about Judging Justin (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Not at all sure who this is aimed at, but it is aimed, for sure.

What was your grandad's concept of socialism John, and indeed yours, out of interest?

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Replaced by entitlement, Harry. Not at all my grandad's concept of socialism - nor indeed mine.

Comment is about The Parable of the Shitty Little Ingrate (blog)

Original item by John Coopey