I like this a lot - subtle and just a bit haunting!

Comment is about INTERLUDE (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Nice poem - has a lot of energy! I like it being "on the park" too. Nice monkey in the photo too!

Comment is about Monkey on the park (blog)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

I always enjoy your poems Marianne though sometimes I feel they are almost too thick with imagery. I'd love to see what you'd come up with if you had a go at being minimal.

Comment is about Rock pool (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

We used to do it too. I also used to chop up worms to feed to my tadpoles - still feel very bad about that. And elderly neighbours who encouraged me to tread on snails in their garden when I was only about five years old.

I think there's a sort of morbid curiosity in all of us that we hopefully suppress as we grow into adulthood. (Unless we're psychopaths of course!)

Comment is about August jam jars (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

What would you think of a Mauritanian writing poems about the increase in foodbanks in the UK, or our invasion of Iraq, or backing for Israel or the fact (recently reported) that we have the highest gap in Western Europe between rich and poor or the fact that there are thousands of slaves here too? Despite our wealth this country has made some very bad decisions and is neglecting some key issues. Mauritania doesn't have our wealth - it has never been prosperous since colonial times. Partly because of its poverty (partly shaped by the West) Mauritania has had weak, corrupt, unstable governments which haven't properly enforced the 1981 law or any subsequent ones.

Who to blame? The implications of the poem are that the Mauritanians are to blame. They undoubtedly are the cause of many of their own problems. But the West also carries responsibility for what is happening in the developing world and we have far more options than they do. And we are in no position to judge anyone else because of what we have done and what we tolerate or neglect.

Comment is about AUGUST 2007 (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Is the heading "Poet's daughter" a bit patronising? I guess she is her own person. Or have I suddenly gone politically-correct-bonkers? (Probably!)

Comment is about Poet's daughter takes over as editor of literary magazine Ambit (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Lettie - welcome to WOL. That's a great poem here on your profile page - maybe you'd like to put it on the blog section? I'm sure it would go down well with some of us on here :)

Comment is about Lettie Mckie (poet profile)

Original item by Lettie Mckie

There may have been previous attempts to criminalise slavery in this land but the latest was in August 2007 -it was even reported in the national press,such was its importance in this modern world. As for "implied racism" - what are we to make of a POV that believes that to report a fact of life in a non-white country constitutes racism rather than a pertinent observation that the latter exists elsewhere: for what can be more racist than to keep slaves of other ethnic origins (anywhere)in these modern times? Am I to assume that to report this racism in a non-white country constitutes racism?
Talk about "Alice Through The Looking Glass"!

Comment is about AUGUST 2007 (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I don't like the implied racism in this. Yes Mauritania (note spelling) is a mess with a lot of illegal slavery, internal racism and anti-democratic activity. But the West has time and time again backed oppressive regimes and even toppled democratic ones in the developing world. Ask the people of Congo, Chile, Palestine or dozens of other places whether the white West has got it right when intervening in their country. Simple racial stereotyping is not only objectionable, it is an utterly inadequate way to consider the huge complexity of what has been going on in the modern world.

PS. Mauritania made slavery illegal in 1981 not 6 years ago. It has carried on, on a vast scale, as an illegal activity. One thing we can agree on is that it is utterly to be condemned.

Comment is about AUGUST 2007 (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Ian,
A good chuckle!

(But does Leonard know that Sheldon`s morphed
and kidnapped Penny?)

Comment is about Sci-Fi So Good (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Like the way this `runs`

Comment is about In The Farmyard (blog)

Original item by Tom Chapman

Timely noticed.

(But it`s funny how no-one notices the Poles or the Rumanians till they open their mouths)

Comment is about AUGUST 2007 (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Congratulations Dave, and to all who participated!

Comment is about Superheroes slam, and the Wigan winner is… (article)

Cynthia- thank you for your very kind thoughts on this. I do try very hard to be honest and plain in a poem. I like to use poems about my family as snapshots so they know how deeply I think and feel about them. When I am on the computer and telling them to stop mithering me! XXXXXX

Comment is about Inter urinas et faeces nascimur (blog)

Original item by CathyLCrabb

Hello Nigel,

Thank you for your comments on my poem "I Have the Right to Write." LOL! I had fun writing this poem. My husband asks "Where should I kiss you?"
I tell him to behave. LOL!

Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Hi John,

Thank you for your comments on my poem "I Have the Right to Write. LOL! My husband loves this poem and asks "Where should I kiss you?" I tell him to behave.

Thanks,
Shirley

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Hello Freda,

Thank you for your comments on my poem "I Have the Right to Write." I had fun writing this and I have gotten a few funny comments on this poem.

Thanks,
Shirley

Comment is about Freda Davis (poet profile)

Original item by Freda Davis

Hello MC,

Thank you for your comments on my poem "I Have the right to write." I had fun writing this and get a variety of comments.

Thanks
Shirley

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

This event is not running.

I have sent 2 emails to the organiser, the first was answered, saying that she would remove the ad. The 2nd, sent months later has had no reply.

I was in the venue on Wednesday, talking to staff who told me that they have no current regular spoken word events booked, & none expected until 2014. I was told that the organisers would be contacted & asked to remove the ad, but obviously, it's still here. So if you see any more advertised for Afflecs Palace, Oldham St. Manchester, prior to 2014 they're likely to be defunct too.

Review is about Poetry is Penniless on 5 Aug 2013 (event)

This gig is not on anymore.

Trying to find out if this gig was running, over the years, I have sent 2 emails to the organiser, with no reply.

I was in the venue; Night & Day, on Wednesday, talking to staff who told me that they have no current regular spoken word events booked.

Review is about Chanje Kunda and Cultureword presents Speakfreely on 4 Aug 2013 (event)

HI JULIAN

yes i mean wrapped in the patina.
the other is just a typo.
thanks for your comment!

Comment is about Sunshine Faggio (poet profile)

Original item by Sunshine Faggio

Poetry 24 have just published this effort as today's poem of the day :-)
http://poetry-24.blogspot.co.uk/
feel free to add a comment on there if you like it - or, in fact, if you don't :-)

Comment is about Daniel In The Hyena's Den (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Thanks guys. Aaron is delighted with your comments and would like me to pass on his 'thank you' to you all.


Francine, yes, you are right, it is the same thing and You are not wrong about the monkey ha ha

Comment is about Monkey on the park (blog)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

Hello Cate,
Glad you enjoyed "Lord Frackin Howell".
On another front I have received from Isobel the prestigious 3rd prize from the 52 Hertz competition. I must say I was a little disappointed with the "inflateable" but have successfully adapted it for purpose.

Comment is about Cate (poet profile)

Original item by Cate

Hello MC,
I very much appreciate your take on the North-South divide vis-a-vis 1066 and William the Frackin Conqueror.

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Many frackin thanks for your frackin comments on Lord Frackin Howell, Harry.

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

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Apologies, Greg. I did, of course, mean "Lord Howell".

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hello John,
Many thanks for your thoughts on "Lord Howell" and, once again, apologies for the stab at the accent.

Comment is about John Embley (poet profile)

Original item by John Embley

Many thanks for your kind thoughts on "The Rhymes They Are A-Changin'". One I wrote for Bob Dylan which he never used.

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Dave,
We used to do this with empty beer-bottles and beer-mats in the square at Paxos in Greece.

I like the way the two lines:

`The range of our senses is limited.
There are sounds we cannot hear.`
(both line-stopped)

Plus the chill of those last two lines

Open it all to interpretation as a moral tale about ourselves in the present day.

It`s as `sweet` as the spoonful of sugar that made the medicine go down.

One of the things good poetry can do.

Comment is about August jam jars (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

haha!very humourous Larisa.x best regards.x

Comment is about Today Is Thursday! Hurray! (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Oh do stop putting yourself down Mikey!!as to the track? very Doctor Who-ish.Try and get your lugholes around Lisa Gerrard or Raintree Crow-yummy!keep well chuck and thanks for the track.x

Comment is about Make Her Smile Boy (blog)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

Ahhh! I really like the comment on Matchbox, clever!! : )

Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Hi Dave

No I haven't but will check it out!

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

I don't really know what you deserve. May be more, may be less...but... I am sure that only chess will confess where you were less.

Comment is about Tom (poet profile)

Original item by Tom

oh ill share the answer only with you or you will with me in reverse role. if theres a cost for that answer, would you pay it? would I?maybe that cost would be following me or you... maybe 1 day we'll find out when our times up on this humdrum world lol:)

Comment is about Later (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

re the last two lines-what happens if I pop me slippers before you Nick? Will you tell me when you follow me into heaven? what if I go to hell?

oh,so many questions,so little time.
good poem Nick.x

Comment is about Later (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

You can hear it here.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-mrt-thompson/he-saw-a-hooded-figure-know

Comment is about He saw a hooded figure (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Originally unusual and enjoyable-cheers David.xx

Comment is about Weather Crossword (blog)

Original item by David Blake

yep!works for us big guy!xx

Comment is about Language (blog)

Original item by Steve Higgins

Cheers for the shout-out :-)

Comment is about Guardian readers nominate debut poetry collection for award (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Enjoyed this Gareth. Very clever

Comment is about Rejection (blog)

Original item by Gareth Glyn Roberts

Well Limericked...(and appreciative!)

Comment is about Rejection (blog)

Original item by Gareth Glyn Roberts

La-La re 'After the leaving' I had not seen the woman in the foto in 20 years- I don't know if she still lives. I have other poems and fotos abt her done at the time.

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

thanks for the great review Greg. It was great to have you and Julian over. I really must make it to the Marsden jazz week poetry this year. I must crack on with the Manchester poets. Did you know Gaia Holmes is launching her new book at Dean Clough? its on the 19th Aug. prestigious venue that.

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks Cynthia... I sort of did know, but because I've never used it I forgot when I was posting this. I certainly know what Dylan Thomas meant. When I start something I have to write it out. Every damn stanza. It's not unproductive time though. Most of the material gets used in one piece or another. Plath was into revision. I love to hear old BBC archives of her reciting her 'classics' and lines appear that aren't in the printed versions. It adds to the interest for me.

Comment is about For A Second I Forgot #2 (blog)

Original item by Jonnie Falafel

Hi Miles,

The lines below are the heart of the poem for me. They contain a truism - very well thought!

His ghost, a sad, silent accuser demoted
To an extra in his own story. His name’s a word
For headline writers to play with, his
Violent end a fact for lawyers to wrangle.

..........

Flicker of CCTV, re-broken into bulletin-shards
His final minutes projected onto partial truth,

Excellent image, though subjectively I would have prefered;

" projected a partial truth"

......

An irritant to be clubbed down and lied
About and watched, over and over,
In courtrooms newsrooms chatrooms living rooms,
A man who can’t, who won’t, get home.

The final line captures the essance of all that goes before and emhpasies the cognitive dissonance that we all feel when re-watching (rightly or wrongly) this trauma.

Of course there can be no other ending, and over, and over is how it has played out in all replay. But the tense of "can't", even won't suggests the present tense, suggests that it is in the now as we watch him try to get home. Of course the reality is he "didn't" as in past tense. Had you used the past tense you would not have achieved this terrible groundhog day like effect - so the word selection was very much correct. It also helps to achieve this sense that this man became an extra in his own story - it reinforces the sadness of his fate.

A poem that touches the human aspect, rather than replaying the replays it in one sense rightly critisizes.

One thing I would add given the last point. I personally would change the title and honour the man with his name. The poem is not generic - like the man, despite the media.

Very emotive and very well written.

P.S

Please excuse any typis - virtual keyboard has its issues.

Best of

Chris

Comment is about Kettled (blog)

Thanks Laura, I do hear the critique, and I am struggling with the fact that best lines in the piece are not the conclusion. But I like the idea of there being a possible consequence to the lack of understanding, the Victorians found it in infectious disease, french aristocracy faced it staring at a basket, who knows where this lot will find it, but I sincerely hope they do.

As to the rest I was not at all upset. What we had was a deeply empassioned debate, where both parties brought hearts, ideas and ears to the exchange. I wrote a provocative piece and you were provoked to respond. I thought we had a healthy exchange in which we both ended up understanding each others views. I only ever seek appology where I think people have been insensitive or intended to offend. You did neither and I welcome your input and I am very flattered and little embarrassed by your kind words. What you have outlined is what I hope to do, I am delighted that you can see and appreciate my efforts.

Best wishes,

Mark

Comment is about If you don't understand us (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Neat - and a relevant observation on the more
immediate (and more acceptable) means of contact that makes rejection more bearable.

Comment is about Rejection (blog)

Original item by Gareth Glyn Roberts

Another good 'un from the mirth meister!
If their problems are all Greek to you
And you want to see their backs,
Here is what you need do -
Just smile and mention "tax"!

Comment is about Lending (blog)

Original item by John Coopey