Brilliant poem John - lovely to see that other side - it's there in most of us but not everyone is brave enough to reveal it.

The Holocaust has come to mind a lot for me too. The fact that we never thought it could be repeated without our own active involvement. I do think the waters are a lot muddier in Syria though. You can imagine our intervention being totally unwelcome by a large number of the resident population - and then a huge wavering of opinion from initial supporters when they experience the full impact of foreign intervention.

Better dialogue needs to be achieved with Syria's neighbours - though that is probably wishful thinking on my part. Your poem DOES have a good poke at the empty inanities that get spouted from certain ranks though...

Comment is about The Masterly Strategy of Inactivity (Not In My Name) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

An emotive sequence of analogies to stir the
conscience. Wish life was that straightforward.
But certainly a challenging item from this source
to remind us of so much fallibility in the human
spirit when faced with the strutting bully and
his eager cohorts, be it across the street or
across a continent.

Comment is about The Masterly Strategy of Inactivity (Not In My Name) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Religious poetry is sure to get some comments Joseph. Welcome to WOL.

Comment is about Joseph J. Breunig 3rd (poet profile)

Original item by Joseph J. Breunig 3rd

The other side of John Coopey. Really strong stuff on a difficult subject John. Much respect. I wouldn't have the guts to attempt it. Well done old friend.

Graham

Comment is about The Masterly Strategy of Inactivity (Not In My Name) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Art on art
hold that page
instant news breaking
read published tweets.

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

I have nothing to say to you
my heart is made of solid stone
on it is carved life of displeasure.

The same words uttered by my Father
I have nothing to say to you
means I have lost faith in love.

Sounds like you did have some connection!

Comment is about Your Father (blog)

Original item by Katy Megan

Certainly, as an English man I would be very
disappointed IF women suffered this type of
marginalisation. Surely, talent and something
to say should be the only terms of reference.
However, in an existence when one's mother is
such a huge influence and we have a woman as our
head of state, I often wonder if women are
pursuing a disguised agenda for preference instead
of "equality" in the opportunities that life offers...or does that now constitute "sexism"?!!

Comment is about Are female poets subtly 'excluded' by men? Discuss at black and Asian writers conference (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you for your generous words :-)

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Adrienne, apologies for my earlier oversight! Welcome to the community of Write Out Loud, and I hope you'll post some more poems here some time. Greg

Comment is about Adrienne Silcock (poet profile)

Original item by Adrienne Silcock

Thanks, andy n, for your comments.

Comment is about In tribute to Seamus Heaney (blog)

Original item by Adrienne Silcock

what a first image, pete certainly dragged me straight in.

excellent piece m8

andy

Comment is about THE RAIN (blog)

Original item by Pete Slater

maybe a bit long for my taste here, Simon but the piece is good stuff and the ending works well. good stuff m8

Comment is about She, Mourning (blog)

Original item by Simon Austin

not a fan in particular of the poet in question, but the piece is excellent - particularly like the ending.

Comment is about In tribute to Seamus Heaney (blog)

Original item by Adrienne Silcock

Thanks, Ann. Nice to be here!

Comment is about Adrienne Silcock (poet profile)

Original item by Adrienne Silcock

Thanks, Greg...and hello!

Comment is about In tribute to Seamus Heaney (blog)

Original item by Adrienne Silcock

Fascinating, striking creatures. Keen observation here, Adrienne. Enjoyed this.

Comment is about In tribute to Seamus Heaney (blog)

Original item by Adrienne Silcock

Hello Adrienne - a very warm welcome to WOL. Good to see you blogging! Hope you enjoy the site :)

Comment is about Adrienne Silcock (poet profile)

Original item by Adrienne Silcock

Hi Genevieve - a very warm welcome to WOL. Hope you enjoy the site. Maybe you might put some of your poems on the blog section. Good stuff!

Comment is about Genevieve Walsh (poet profile)

Original item by Genevieve Walsh

Hi Dom - a very warm welcome to WOL. Especially as you are in wonderful Cornwall - and I love the Miracle Theatre! I hope you will find the time to make use of the site and enjoy it too!

Comment is about Dom Power (poet profile)

Original item by Dom Power

The Free Verse poetry book fair was set up by myself of CB editions and Chrissy Williams of the Poetry Library in 2011. The fair is for readers and listeners and (we hope) buyers, just as much as it is for publishers – because without the former, there’d be no publishers at all. Most poetry publishers are ignored by most bookshops, and the fair was first set up to provide a platform for poetry publishers to make their work known directly to readers. In the first year 23 publishers showed their work; last year and this year, more than 50 publishers are participating, and the book fair is the only platform in the UK to present the full range of contemporary poetry – from traditional to experimental, and including performance – to an interested audience. Poetry publishers from throughout the UK – and this year guests from New York and Belgium also – show their work.

The book fair is not really configured for individual poets to read or perform their work – all the reading slots are taken by the participating publishers, who have paid for their tables. But for any poet who is looking for a publisher who might be interested in their work, there is no more comprehensive a range to search among – and the fair IS for making contacts and new discoveries. This year the free readings will extend beyond the closing time of the fair itself, in the pub on the opposite side of the square, until late into the evening. Please do come, if you are at all interested (there’s no entry charge) - we’d really like to welcome you.

Comment is about Publishers and poets set out their stalls at day-long bazaar (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Tremendous!

Comment is about I'm The Urbane Statesman (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

AUGUST 2013:

This month we had 11 poets and audience members with Andy N as guest.

GOOD BITS:

Loved hearing all the different poets, I enjoyed the one about winter and Ken's retirement one, I enjoyed it all thank you, Gemma's a wonderful host as always, great mix of poets, good night, small audience but a good mix, just like being home, good poets, great topics that made one think, a lovely ambience of relaxation, listening to great poets, nice chilled evening and welcoming, :), nice relaxed night, made me as a headline act feel welcome, excellent quality of poetry, Katie's first one brought a lump to my throat.

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT:

Maybe a little warm, not enough hours need more, could do with a few more folk but not a problem, more people here would be nice, few more here but it's summer these things happen....and my favourite comment of the night....

What? No cakes? No caviar? No brass band? Chocolate fountain? All you have here is quality poetry, good company, chilled atmosphere and witty hosting! TISK!

Review is about Write Out Loud - Middleton on 22 Sep 2013 (event)

It is only right to add to my previous "post"
that the content is of a quality that I, for one,
have come to expect from this poet - and endorse
the comment from DB about the last verse.

Comment is about TEDDYBEAR (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

I was very struck by this Ian. A well-crafted blend of sadness, observation and philosophising. Great last verse - we're all living that question.

Comment is about TEDDYBEAR (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

I read three Seamus Heaney poems at the Phoenix Cultural Centre in Woking last night. The Phoenix is primarily a music venue, with strong Irish roots. Nice to think that Heaney poems were being read around the same time in Sowerby Bridge - and in probably a lot of other places, too.

Comment is about 'The felling of a great oak': Seamus Heaney 1939-2013 (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I like this poem Ian - it is very keenly observed and the analogy you make in the final verse is an excellent one.

I think we are becoming more public in our sharing of grief. It's not something that bothers me but I do sometimes wonder if I'm becoming mawkish when I start reading bench inscriptions, paying more attention to the young loss of life.

There's an area of wildlife local to me where the council has allowed a proliferation of benches all in one spot, overlooking a valley. It's a bit depressing really - you feel like you're in a graveyard. And yet, I suppose it would be cruel not to allow people to remember in the way that they choose. At least we haven't progressed to putting permanent photos up like they do abroad.

Comment is about TEDDYBEAR (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

A topical observation on something that seems
a feature of this modern society - the habit
of transferring what used to be private grief
into a public event. Perhaps it is a product
of the pervasive media-aware society we've
seen emerge but I'm not sure that I'm for it.
How many times have we seen "grief stricken"
family hold press conferences about their loss?
Even worse, when later it is reported that
criminal charges have been made against the
participants. The lawyers and police are also
culpable in this activity - as if it is some
sort of reality TV show in which we are asked
to take sides and sympathise/condemn according
to our emotions/prejudices. I for one wish the
professionals would just get on with seeking justice and spare us the tendency towards "hearts and flowers" - surely best left to social workers in private.

Comment is about TEDDYBEAR (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

It is. And they do.

Comment is about Arts Trail Twitter Account (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

just came across this beaut-great poem!x

Comment is about Rouge (blog)

Original item by jean lucy thompson

I noted this on a Bradford street,a sad but now normal feature of our highways.

A week later the district council had removed all trace of the tragic adornment and the parks department had even covered the scar on the tree with tar to preserve it for future generations.

Comment is about TEDDYBEAR (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

THanks for the kind comment on my Seamus poem.

Comment is about Starfish (poet profile)

Original item by Starfish

You can access more of my poetry including some videos simply by searching the net for DAVID SUBACCHI + POET.

Comment is about HOME TOWN (blog)

Original item by David Subacchi

All I can add is . . . Love it!

Comment is about I'm The Urbane Statesman (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Interesting and topical - with an unusual rhythm
in the lines that neatly helps make their point.
To which I'm tempted to add -
Don't confuse me with that hairbrained fool from
those years at public school
Who actually thinks he's cool!
:-)

Comment is about I'm The Urbane Statesman (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

very powerful,moving piece and greatly improved Dean.There but for the grace go we.xx

Comment is about Mental Health Victims (blog)

Hi Danny.
My friend Jenni Pascoe saw you performing in Edinburgh recently, and recommended you to me as we share an interest in climate change. I've been looking at some of your stuff online, and I like it. Jenni says you have a CD - how do I buy a copy?
Keep it up!
Best Wishes, Tim.

Comment is about Danny Chivers (poet profile)

Original item by Danny Chivers

Thanks for this, Paul. Useful reminder of our relative luck.

Comment is about Plus ça change… Can you write a trolley poem? (article)

This is a slight update of a previous poem called Mental Health incarceration in June of this year. It still has the first three verses, but the others have been omitted with two new verses which I think works better.

Comment is about Mental Health Victims (blog)

David Cooke has posted a fine poem in memory of Seamus Heaney on the Write Out Loud blogs http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=38628

Comment is about 'The felling of a great oak': Seamus Heaney 1939-2013 (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

The Provider is also the Taker Away! A clear and strong message, always topical regretfully, they never learn!!!

Comment is about THE PROVIDER (blog)

Original item by Pete Slater

Thanks for kind comment on Seamus poem. I'm sure there'll be an avalanche and I didn't want to get on a bandwagon, but he has always been my man.

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Dave

Thank you for commenting on my poem "Eyes in the Darkness." I thought about putting humor into this piece but left it to the imagination of the reader.

Thanks again,
Shirley

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hi Ged
It's me again. Thank you for commenting on my poem "Eyes in the Darkness". I thought about putting humor into this. But I just left it the the readers imagination.

Thank you so much,
Shirley

Comment is about Ged Thompson (poet profile)

Original item by Ged Thompson

Thank your for your comments on my "Lune Poetry". I don't know about being brave. Sometimes the poetry is just silly. Such as...
Cat on boob
All her weight on it
Oww! oww! oww!

Thanks again
Shirley

Comment is about Ged Thompson (poet profile)

Original item by Ged Thompson

R.I.P. Seamus.

Comment is about 'The felling of a great oak': Seamus Heaney 1939-2013 (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Maybe you got the wrong hole ;)

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

I forgot to thank you for sending me my inflateable. Not quite what I hoped for! I'm having trouble with the nozzle.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Puzzle Hall Poets on Monday (See gig guide, Sowerby Bridge) will have a focus on Seamus Heaney. Bring your favourite poem and celebrate his life and work. If you have a special area of knowledge about him, we can offer a 15 min slot to inform us.

Comment is about 'The felling of a great oak': Seamus Heaney 1939-2013 (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hmmmm, wait and see.... : )

Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)

Original item by Nigel Astell

You can find the winner and runners-up here http://www.mslexia.co.uk/whatson/msbusiness/pcomp_active.php

Comment is about Deadline nears for £2,000 Myslexia women's competition (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman