Good poem, good ending. We all live our lives with some regrets. Mine is illness. When I am well I just trying and help people and be nice to people. One of the ways I do this is via poetry. I have read poetry on James Cook Hospital Radio, Radio Tees, Radio Teesdale, Middlesbrough Community FM and Bishop FM as a result. And I am talking about brain hemorrhage, Ulcerative Colitis, Acute Rheumatoid Arthritis and bi-polar mood disorder. The latter has certainly brought me some scrapes in life but some great experiences too....

Comment is about THE FOLLY OF YOUTH (blog)

Original item by Pete Slater

My own tribute to the great band!

http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=36382

Comment is about Southbank poets pay tribute at 'I Have a Dream' anniversary (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks Harry (Lavender man) - my voice is just not right for the song - it should be sung by Tom Waits really! I was trying to get across some sort of idea of addiction (for lavender read drugs/drink/sex) - failed miserably as the kind comments show :)

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Thanks guys - Harry - my voice is just not right for the song - it should be sung by Tom Waits really! I was trying to get across some sort of idea of addiction (for lavender read drugs/drink/sex) - failed miserably as these kind comments show :)

Comment is about Song - Lavender man (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Anne,
The music is superb.

The reverb version best (with perhaps the reverb lower)

Words?... I can`t help feeling that something more along the lines of a (modern) pre-Raphaelite style distracted and wandering Ophelia would suit the music more.

The dog and the chewy bone doesn`t `go` with it.

Comment is about Song - Lavender man (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

This is the excellent artist from the Heatons Arts Trail I was talking about at the last meeting:

www.rachelcooke.co.uk

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Thanks for listening Margaret! (Lavender man)

Comment is about Margaret Holbrook (poet profile)

Original item by Margaret Holbrook

Thanks Starfish! (Lavender man)

Comment is about Starfish (poet profile)

Original item by Starfish

A summery sound, just had a listen.

Comment is about Song - Lavender man (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Wizard, just magical. Amazing images with authoritative diction, and shot with stark realism in contrast. If I picked favourite spots, I would wind up quoting most of the poem.

It was wonderful seeing you on Tuesday night. My enthusiasm was genuine, if perhaps too forward. I've been hoping for a long time to meet the woman whose work I so much admire. You know the script - the mind in the flesh - that sort of thing. And it all fitted perfectly. I think reading someone's poetry sincerely is like looking through private windows, with unspoken invitation. It's really hard not to develop a sense of bonding. But I must be more circumspect in future.

Comment is about Rock pool (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Yep, right again Nigel!! I'm starting to think you should be my therapist : )

Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Thank you for your comment Andy - much appreciated, Katy : )

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

thanks for your kind comments on 'she wears pink' and 'overdose' Starfish - yes they are my songs - you can hear more of them on the audio link on my blog page - glad that you liked them :-)
Ian

Comment is about Starfish (poet profile)

Original item by Starfish

Makes a serious point in a fun way.
Starfish

Comment is about Choices (blog)

Original item by Jonnie Falafel

I think this is fantastic, is that you singing? Love "She Wears Pink" also.
Starfish

Comment is about Overdose (Of Love) (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

This is really sweet. I can imagine this as a Nursery Rhyme.
Starfish

Comment is about Song - Lavender man (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

hey - missed one :-(
thanks for commenting on 'golgotha' - I would love to have performed it at diggers - but Jeff tells me the open mic might be at risk now :-( - going on hols for a couple of weeks so will only be back the day before the diggers - but looking forward to it - will deffo be in attendance at your gig
Ian

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

thanks for your kind comments on 'she wore pink' John - I honestly believe we would have had a safer and more prosperous world had JFK had the chance to shape American policy more - no Vietnam, racial harmonisation and a policy to rid the country of poverty - perhaps that's why the bastards shot him :-)
Ian

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

thanks for commenting on 'she wore pink' Laura - I am intrigued/fascinated by the JFK years in America - if you like a good thriller (not horror) and haven't read it - try 11-22-63 by Steven King - it's set around the assassination but has a weirdly twisted sci-fi element that tells you the story of the days before and after the assasination, seen through the eyes of a time traveller - it's really good :-)
Ian

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

thanks for your comments on 'she wore pink' MC - appreciate it
Ian

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Mike
really sorry to hear you're struggling at the moment - I have had recent touches with someone who shares some of your feelings of despair and depression - not a nice thing for the one suffering or those who can do little to help. I suppose I would say to you what I said to the person close to me - don't give up, look for the positives in things and express yourself and share your hurt. That could sound hollow if you are in a really bad place - but I hope you appreciate that it comes from a good place in me and I really do mean it.
Meanwhile - your poetry seems to be helping you express your inner demons and, whilst it is quite 'heavy' I'm sure a lot of people 'get it' and thank god they aren't similarly afflicted.
Never the less - your poetry is thought provoking, stark and intelligent - and the back track is very fitting for the subject matter.
Keep at it mate - don't let the bastards grind you down - keep creating - because creativity just might help you recover some of what you feel you've lost.
Take care of yourself sunshine
Ian

Comment is about Noetic-fret! (poet profile)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

Hope you'll try and listen to the song :)

Comment is about Song - Lavender man (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Luke Wright seems to be a vital ingredient of
today's panoply of poetry...with the excerpts
in Mr Freeman's comprehensive review giving a real flavour of his range of observational
skills.
His comment about those who feel that
something has been lost in today's U.K. is well
taken from a 31 year old. Indeed, he is wise
enough to say, from the perspective of age no doubt, that he doesn't know if it's true. From
a perspective over twice his age, I can endorse
the loss he senses. You will have had to live
through a good number of previous decades to
know. I often wonder what our octogenarian
sovereign thinks about the changes she has
witnessed - from her own admittedly elevated POV -in the country since WW2. Along with many
good things gained, we have sacrificed others
in the process...often hard to define but nonetheless to be mourned.

Comment is about Luke Wright's Essex Lion prowls the sad-eyed lowlands (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

It was the greatest night of my life
Although I still had not found a wife
I had my friends right there beside me


We scaled the wall
We tripped thru the graveyard
Ancient shapes were all around us
No music but the wet grass felt fresh beside the fog
Two made love in a silent spot
one chased a rabbit into the dark
A girl got drunk & made the dead
And I gave empty sermons to my head
Cemetery cool & quiet
Hate to leave
your sacred lay
Dread the milky coming of the day.

poetry: Jim Morrison

Comment is about Her (blog)

Original item by Kealan Coady

Thank you Ian for commenting on ‘In Only A Contented God.’

What can I really say? I suffer a great deal of mental and physical ill health. The physical problems I can contend with. But the mental ill health is such that on most days I wish for my life to end. It’s harrowing contending with voices that only seek to drag me down from what was once a positive perspective on life. In the past they have caused me to try to cease my life. Before operations in the Gulf conflict of 90/91, I was fit, active and very positive, but nowadays I feel I have been shat on from a great height. I try to gain help when it is offered, but in the main most people do not understand. Even my own family don’t care much for what is left of me. I keep going with what has been a bad set of cards been dealt ever since I was very young. But I often think of the hardships I go through and I sincerely want revenge upon callous gods not only for what I go through, but for what many people endure here in this realm. I cannot believe the universe is some trillion years old and this status be the sum of all our being since creation. Therefor I know within myself this realm is purgatory for the majority. But this particular condition I would not want upon anyone. I am beaten up day in day out by constant voices, and I suffer the physical ailments too. But to top it all, for serving my country in faith I feel that the authorities have shat on me too, and yet, they live within this world as well as I. I am not altogether a bad person, but the way life is treating me is tearing me apart inside. I was once so full of optimism but now, I just want to sue life, and rip the almighty’s head clean off with my bare hands. It just doesn’t make any sense to suffer this way, let alone be at the mercy of environmental and economic poverty. One day, by hook or by crook, I will get revenge and there, you may say I am being delusional, but to live like this is beyond my comprehension of benevolent gods, benevolent gods that in all honesty, do not exist. It just doesn’t make any sense.

Sorry for the rant. I thank you once again and hope that your life is far better than mine. There’s just too many coincidences to say it is down to luck or karma. It bloody stinks.

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Ian,
Thanks for the encouraging comments on `Susan`

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

John
Thanks for your (kind) comments on `Susan`

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Isobel,
Thanks for the comment on `Susan`

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi John.

Came across the aquillrelle anthology from a couple of years ago that my daughter bought for me after I'd had a poem published. Wondering if there were any other W.O.L poets listed, I looked,and there you were, your contribution being the excellent little epoch about the mine disaster.

Wonderful entertaining stuff yours! never read a bad one. I get the impression you find it easy?

Unlike me, many more pages deleted. than survive.

Ken.

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Surrered = suffered?
MC

Comment is about Shirley Smothers (poet profile)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

Hi John,

I do agree with you about the word "Did" in my poem "Daddy". I posted a second version "Daddy edited version." I just left out the word did.
Thank you for your kind comments. But actually my Dad passed on Dec.9 2009. I have only recently been able to write about it.

Thanks,
Shirley

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Hello M.C.

I was unsure about the word "Did" in my poem "Daddy". Thanks for your input. I have a second version "Daddy edited poem". I just left out the word did. Thank you for the nice comments.

Shirley

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Shirley - agree with JC about "did". It has a smack of "ye old English" about it. Difficult to replace - but keeping the overall deep feeling of the piece, I would have gone for something like..."and love saw us cry"...which also maintains "rhythm" in the words.
Best wishes,
MC

Comment is about Daddy (blog)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

Terse. crisp and effective. The use of Jackie K's bright life-affirming outfit is perfectly chosen as the counterpoint to her famous husband's shocking murder. This was the event that, for many across the world, defined their youthful angst...a dream of a bright new world snatched from them for all that world to see. Back and to the side...back and to the side...that simple law of physics blew away the usual conscience-salver of American politics - the lone nut killer. The extraordinary list of those with something to say who died in the weeks and months that followed in a variety of circumstances that have been described in betting terms as many millions to one only underlines the planning and determination behind this most infamous of political killings.

Comment is about She Wears Pink (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

''whoops'' give me a break.

Comment is about Sophia Walker wins BBC Poetry Slam Final (article)

A black bloody day in the history of Manchester
perhaps we remember more for the wrong reasons.

Comment is about Peterloo (blog)

Original item by Andy N

Hi Andy

We all miss you at Stockport hope to see you soon.

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Hi Ann

Ian has just joined Stockport Write Out Loud and came along to the last meeting.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Nicely done Ian. The tension wrought by the short snappy lines is very good, as is the wrapping of the poem within the frame of the pink dress. The rhythm is also nice and tight. The lack of punctuation and capital letters is effective to give a sparse, spare feel to it - like an almost shocked reaction.

Comment is about She Wears Pink (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

An interesting read - thank you. This does go to prove what I've always thought about slams and competitive poetry - humorous/witty poetry just doesn't stand a chance against serious stuff, no matter how well it's written or presented.

Personally, I like a poet who can show versatility - make em laugh as well as cry - but judges don't seem to - and audiences too when it comes to the crunch.

Comment is about Sophia Walker wins BBC Poetry Slam Final (article)

Thanks for so many kind comments - and a technical analysis of my words way beyond my simple understandings. I simply write what comes into my head and if it sounds right, then great.
Having said that, I did use a song dynamic with the middle stanza - a sort of middle eight, if you like.
Cheers again, Simon.

Comment is about Not so Bohemian now (blog)

Original item by Marksy

Good one Marksy - namechecked a few of my favourite bands there - still bloody difficult listening to some of those early JAMC singles :-) - I'm more of a 70's guy myself though - the god that is Weller who has morphed a number of times but never let me down (although the Style Council tested my patience). Nice nostalgic piece - the irony and despair of tainted idols shines through
Ian

Comment is about Not so Bohemian now (blog)

Original item by Marksy

really enjoyed this Mike - a difficult read (as you say)but the backing track is also creepy and sinister. The lyric is very dark and, some would say, perverse - but it is very honest and powerful. Liked the whole of it - lyric & tune - great stuff mate
Ian

Comment is about In Only A Contented God (blog)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

Thanks for this Lettie, great report. It sounds to have been a cracking final.

Comment is about Sophia Walker wins BBC Poetry Slam Final (article)

Heartfelt and simple Shirley.
If I was being picky I didn't like the "did" in "did cry". It always feels like a spacer to me.
On another level, if this is personal and recent, my condolences.

Comment is about Daddy (blog)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

Fine poem, Ian.
Very vivid.
I'm not so sure about the "saviour" bit.
I've seen a lot of them!

Comment is about She Wears Pink (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Go for it MC.
F**k the detractors.

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hello JC - I can get the words and a tune
together but you have that extra ability to
accompany and perform your own stuff. Long may
it be so!!
P.S. I'm having DKJC promoted on a Hotdisc
compilation that gets sent to Country music DJs
around Europe and beyond in September. Nothing
ventured...nothing gained - as they say. Plus -
it's also promised a few online plays on www.ukcountryradio.com then. Bring it on!!

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

No, it's not waffle at all, and I completely understand. Sometimes I want a little knowledge ahead of it all, sometimes I don't, but what I hate most of all is having someone else's knowledge imposed on me. Monothought makes me itch all over.

I enjoyed reading your post as much as your poem, as it goes :)

Comment is about A Symphony in White (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Thank you for your time and comments and for following too Cynthia!

Laura - yes! Thank you for taken what you have taken from this poem for that is, unfortunately, how I feel sometimes. I do think that there is an elitist attitude sometimes that strips away the question of a differing response to art being accepted rather than just being simplified and i think sometimes this is due to a self imposed importance that sometimes academics place upon themselves. I encountered a few pretentious exercises during my undergraduate degree when it came to the prospect of working with certain tutors - almost as if it was proving your intellectual fuckery (if you pardon my language) in order to write which is not how I see it all at all. (I must say i did end up work with two excellent people during that time - Michael Schmidt and the late and beautiful Linda Chase who inspired me a great deal).

The further I continue with my own little writing journey, the more I am confused and the more art I see, the more child like I wish to become - I have this wish to stand in front of work as if i was the only want to see it, without the jargon of write ups or all those who have had their opinion before which cannot help but add to mine sometimes. I know this to be quite selfish I suppose but I am sometimes quite solitary in my walking about life, and so I suppose its my way of wanting to be friends with what I see! I do believe I am waffling now.

I had a bit of head on me this day. there is so much to love in the poetry world today too for I must say that my heart always wants to read those who throw their emotions completely into the wind and don't care how obscure, or how grandiose, or how unstructured their work chooses to be. That they have expressed some beauty within or outside themselves which is too painful to keep in rather than write tightly and appreciative of competitions and alike.

I love reading stuff at Ravenna press at the moment too. Beautiful work there.

"Beauty will be compulsive or it will not be at all." Andre Breton (x)


Thank you and again sorry for waffle! x

Comment is about A Symphony in White (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels