Many thanks for your comment on the Devils Box. It originally started off as a song lyric for a novel I was writing, but realised it would work better as a poetry piece, with a few choice alterations. Anyway keep on writing and cheers
Dean
Comment is about Tj Steele (poet profile)
Original item by Tj Steele
Still no cigar? Oh well, I enjoyed the challenge. Thanks Isobel.
Comment is about RENEWAL (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
I could imagine this work being sung at speed, with the chorus 'what next' given space between the verses. Tommy ' the angry red fist of revolutionary fury ' Carroll :)
Comment is about What next? (blog)
Original item by Gray Nicholls
I thought it was PROmotion Isobel! (:o)
I might have got my 'man' and my 'mankind' mixed up. Exceeding our alotted span has certainly thrown a spanner in the works. And countries that still select (one way or another) for boys, are well up the creek. "Man's refusal to die" has a ring to it."
Sorry about the scrote, but the Y chromasome is a knackered X apparently.
Comment is about DEAR DIARY (Mother Nature) (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
<Deleted User> (6895)
Sat 26th Oct 2013 22:59
Katy,thank heaven there are poets like you on here who can write REAL poetry.This is BRILLIANT!!!!xx
Comment is about Crest (blog)
Original item by Katy Megan
You knock these out very fast Barrie - and to order - I'm very impressed with your tight structure and rhyme!
You seem very hooked up on the gender battle though. When I suggested a poem through the eyes of Nature, raging against the excesses of human life, I was thinking more along the lines of man's refusal to die and the resulting over population of the planet.
Still - if you want to demote yourself to a scrote, who am I to argue? ;)
Comment is about DEAR DIARY (Mother Nature) (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Barrie -(''26th'' my cousin Ron's birthday-)+ ''They let you live''? some explanation BS :)
Isobel - You got it in one- I added the stanza re 'ask a ''chap'' ' lol in order that the work was to be read in that manner-incase I had to over-egg that particular point.
Comment is about How to tell a joke -Advice given to a Lady- (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Synchronicity lives! But first I just want to say: I took a look at your titles and Ned appealed. I have worked with a broad Yorkshireman and remember all those quirks. he would say: "Wait while I come with you" or "D'y want owt?" So I found the 'simple' title led to a 'simple' poem and I was well satisfied.
Synchronicity: I had just finished writing a poem in which I used 'scrote'. As I scrolled down to the comment box, the word 'scrote' (Thurmaturgically Charged) jumped out! The Force is strong.
Comment is about Uncle Ned (blog)
Original item by Cate
This is more like it.
Accentuate the positive - and keep the faith!
Comment is about Book Review by Ellen Tanner Marsh: Reaching Towards His Unbounded Glory (blog)
Original item by Joseph J. Breunig 3rd
Let's hope this guy wins, at least he represents an authentic leftist perspective. Why on earth a working class person would ever vote for Diane Abbot baffles me. Didn't she send her kids to private school? Long live the revolution, lol...
Comment is about Poet Tim Wells to stand as Class War candidate at general election (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
In order not to waste endless energy, I decided this had to be a satire, sending up man's own ignorance and arrogance :))
Comment is about How to tell a joke -Advice given to a Lady- (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Brilliant!!
Auden was talking out of his arse - poetry creates a sense of solidarity, and that has consequences that makes things happen. No poem ever walked into Parliament and changed laws, that's not how it works.
I'm made up to read this article - nice one Greg!
Comment is about Poet Tim Wells to stand as Class War candidate at general election (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Today is the 26th! They let you live?
"Remember to breathe" - works for me. (:o)
Comment is about How to tell a joke -Advice given to a Lady- (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
For me, Tommy, ze var iss ofer. Thanks for enlightenment re Traven - I can either do Mastermind and get that one right, or just die with more info!
Comment is about SWITCHED ON (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
good to see norman is carrying on the night. i've never been but have heard good things
Review is about Write Out Loud - Middleton on 27 Oct 2013 (event)
"Light-bulb? We ain't got no light-bulb. We don't need no light-bulb! I don't have to show you any stinkin' light-bulbs!"
Apologies to B Traven
Comment is about SWITCHED ON (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
That'll do nicely Bella. Rage against the damage man has done to life and planet from the angle of Ma Nature - mmmmmnn. May I throw in a WoeMan or two? Their guilt is large although we men LET THEM DO IT. (Two wars, spaced one generation apart, massively implicated.)
Oh YES! Harry dun good. Nailed the whole thing. What a star! Thanks.
Comment is about RIGHT OF THE UNCONCEIVED (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
LOL - okie doke - I'll blow you a very un-poetic kiss then x
You'll have to do a rage against life poem one day - written through the eyes of Nature and exploring man's dogged determination to live and strangle the life out of this planet....
See? The only way I'll ever really button up is to rip my own tongue out!
Getting back to the poem above, I do love Harry O'Neill's comments on this too - worth reading after you've read the poem, peeps.
x
Comment is about RIGHT OF THE UNCONCEIVED (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Oops! Really no intention to come over as a terminator Isobel! Just showing my ignorance (not for the first time) of WOL protocol.
Buttons do not suit Cinderella. (;o)
Comment is about RIGHT OF THE UNCONCEIVED (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Stacks of our comments on this site aren't about the poetry Barrie - because thoughtful poems just inspire thought.
I'm happy button up now though :)
Comment is about RIGHT OF THE UNCONCEIVED (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
.. howdo and thanks for the comment. The poem was more disjointed to reflect a 15 month girl in her first shoes, but tidied it up a bit .. I see you list 'Jeffarama'. I did a couple of songs last night at the Cadence cafe and bought his new book off him. He signed it so it's now worth more !! Very good too.
Comment is about Marksy (poet profile)
Original item by Marksy
Big subject Isobel. It is hard to get much of a perspective in the span we encompass. Agreed, Nature is basic and single minded - continuation of the gene-line. Nature carries out more abortions than any other agency! And then hammers the survivors with a range of debilitating and lethal impacts. Any moment, some puritan might notice this is not a poetic discussion. Should you want to email I can easily be found. Culturally yours. (:o)
Comment is about RIGHT OF THE UNCONCEIVED (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Nature is a cruel beast :)
I happen to think that men aren't physically or psychologically programmed to stay with one partner for life. Society demands it though, and many do, though it's probably the source of great internal restlessness for them.
Can you imagine what our society would be like if Nature was allowed to dominate? Unthinkably bleak for women :(
Comment is about RIGHT OF THE UNCONCEIVED (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Total acceptance of your reservations Isobel. I think I have posted before that I ask: "What would Nature do?" This leads me to the dangerous assertion that "Nature loves stereotypes!" I never bought 'equality' only equivalence. Culture must reinforce Nature for a sustainable continuum. We have got all muddled up with 'growth' and 'progress'; consolidation and stasis look better to me.
I see a dipole of cleverness and wisdom (probably yang and yin respectively); we are way up the clever end. I think I have 'of Beds' on my profile list - I wrote it when the when the realisation struck that I - as a proven inventor - am just the sort of person who restlessly forges ahead DAMAGING THE EARTH AND ITS LIFE-FORMS. Mea culpa.
Comment is about RIGHT OF THE UNCONCEIVED (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
A very clever piece Barrie - I'd agree with Cynthia that you have done a lot of mulling over this one.
'Connivance by society, devalues mothering'
This was my favourite line - not so much for its poetry as its truth. I don't think many people acknowledge just what an important job mothering is within our society. The benefits it brings are collective ones - and not so easily plotted on a graph.
I have mixed feelings about some of your beliefs. Keeping women in the home is all very well if you have men who can step up to the responsibility of being life time providers - which in some cases involves sticking around - in other cases, them not getting seriously ill...
In any society women have to be armed for whatever might happen and the likelihood of divorce being that much higher, you just have to prepare your girls for more than child rearing.
Current population figures don't give rise to concern over our ability to procreate either... in fact I think they are forecasting a huge shortage of primary school places...
Great idea for a poem though - tracing the whole rage idea back to its earliest possible origin.
Comment is about RIGHT OF THE UNCONCEIVED (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Either I am even dumber than I know, or there is some degree of specialist knowledge needed here? But it's of little account, as I am visiting after your kind comments on my Right of the Unconceived; a close theme. You certainly STRUCTURE a poem to a rich whole Harry - that elevates you in my scheme of things.
Comment is about Lines of support for Anne Feradi (blog)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
Respect Harry - deep respect. You have it all: nub, nuance and notion. Such a thorough commentary is as good as it gets. I'll pop round to your place and see what you have been up to. Thanks.
Comment is about RIGHT OF THE UNCONCEIVED (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Barrie,
I was fascinated by what I take to be the air-clearer follow up to your `Rage of Innocence`. ( The connection of the foetal doomed with Thomas` dad at t`other end oflife was satirically excellent – as was the contrast of `prying` with `dying`) Making it a `proper` villanelle would have taken the fire out of it.
This one concentrates more on the reasons for our present meagre child-bearing and it`s connection with the demands of industrial prosperity. Your points about the `default` fertility and the change that the `Chimney`s finger` brought about is succinct history, and the stuffing of the `mother`s mouths with silver` spot on. Also I.V.F. and declining fertility and dependence on the laboratory.
I could imagine the sisterhood seeing a jealous male bitterness in this, but what you are doing is pointing out that females are just as selfish as men (but with a far more serious outcome for humanity as biologically –want it or not – they are the nurturers and far more central to the fate of human kind) No doubt some will tell you that work and kids can be combined – and they can – but it`s the work that must change.
I like that suggestive `un-original sin` and the wise `paradox` smiling on `life`, the `Income maketh man` and that cunning connection between `wood and trees` and `mote and beam`.
The foetus` implications of the Thomas one would need a different set of arguments than this. (I once wrote a whole play about it).
Thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.
Comment is about RIGHT OF THE UNCONCEIVED (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Don't single out poetry - electoral politics doesn't change anything, either.
Comment is about Poet Tim Wells to stand as Class War candidate at general election (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Cynthia, thank you for your kind comments on The Worst Crime. I'm sure you are right about the superfluous words, just a case of deciding which to lose! x
Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Barrie thought Marksy was the Alpaca-thingy but then realised he did not look bright enough to master a keyboard. And now I'm stuck with addressing myself as "Barrie" when I prefer "Mr S". Wo' Evah! I was much taken with the line: "Wished I hadn't bothered sometimes." Unfortunately coupling couples break the First Law: "No conception without representation." Scroll on. Might you photoshop a sign on the Rama Llama Dingdong? "I'M NOT MARKSY." It will help the old folk.
Comment is about Marksy (poet profile)
Original item by Marksy
A touch of the Marty McFly's! Cheers Simon.
The ebullient Isobel CHALLENGED me! And 'Switched On' was the result. Had she called me a coward, I would have simply admitted it.
Comment is about SWITCHED ON (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Grave yard smash
dance,dance, dance
to the right
twirl then left
midnight hour comes
vanish you must
the music ends.
Comment is about Two Line Scary Story (blog)
Original item by Shirley Smothers
A point well made Tommy. Well made indeed!
I see you haven't fixed that lightbulb yet.
Comment is about SWITCHED ON (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Hi Barrie-it's taken 4,500,000,000 years for modern humans to evolve from a molten earth; 5/6,000 years ago for the development of recorded science; the first accounts of recorded astronomy 3,500 years ago; 400 years ago for the development of the telescope; the first confirmed detection outside our solar system of a planet occurred 11 years ago, it's taken 11 years to confirm detection of over 1000 more. Last month (September 2013)cloudy with sunny spells was forecast on Kepler-7b over 1000 LIGHT years away or 5,878,499,817,000 miles from Michael Fish :) Tommy ps-all timings and distances are an approximation.
Comment is about SWITCHED ON (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Good on ya Barrie!
I'm also impressed that anyone can write a scientific poem without a soulful artistic response to it all :)
Thanks for posting. x
Comment is about SWITCHED ON (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
I KNEW that trampoline was telling me something! From memory, I think wrote it in reaction to an oft-delivered (Poetry Please et al) paean to the Moon. So I took a close look, just as you do.
Comment is about DARK SIDE (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Lovely traditional poetry Barrie - and much in tune with how I feel about the stars and all that space between and beyond.
'The tide of men’s affairs flows ever on
till that far day when you - and we - are gone.'
Comment is about DARK SIDE (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Just do what you did with wash day straggler - then when you've got your poem typed up - before you press post, tick the tag poem box and type in 'touch and go' :)
Comment is about Barrie Singleton (poet profile)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Um . . . Dave? Comp? Remember how long it took me to stop posting in my profie? Dimly.
Comment is about Barrie Singleton (poet profile)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
LOL - I always short circuit when I try to get my head round scientific concepts. I've no idea how I managed to produce a son who is studying Chemistry!
You just have to blog this Barrie - then tag it with 'touch and go' for Dave's Comp. Maybe we two can start an avalanche - sometimes all you need is the touch of a feather to do that... there I go again, giving someone an idea!
Comment is about Barrie Singleton (poet profile)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Just to add, that I like the way you build up tension in your poem.
Would have added it to last comment but couldn't be bothered re-formatting it all.
Comment is about Night Scented Stock (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
And yet there's a sadness to it. There are imaginary demons and there are real ones.
the heavy steps
of someone
who will not
understand
treads upon
the stairs
with accusing
thuds
drawing close
and switching
the light on
tock……
For the reader, the scariest thing is what might happen next.
Comment is about Night Scented Stock (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
Wash Day Straggler a stock item isobel. But I just 'bashed out' this one to (your) order. (:o)
SWITCHED ON
Feeble force of Gravity
Ill founded-university.
NB! Electricity
Overriding energy.
Universal current flow
Filaments may faintly glow.
Shorting yields an arc-light show
In short: all stars are “touch and go!”
http://www.electricuniverse.info/Introduction
Comment is about Barrie Singleton (poet profile)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
I'm amazed that you can rustle up a sock poem so quickly Barrie - or did you have this one sitting in a sock drawer? ;)
The washing machine could be a great metaphor for life - as was the mangle in past lives, no doubt. Perhaps the secret of happiness lies in not looking to be a pair - instead finding a nice warm pipe to wedge up against - the choices are endless, as are the ramifications :)
I've much enjoyed your poem because it made me think - and chuckle! :)
Comment is about WASH DAY STRAGGLER (Betjeman mode) (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Thanks for your comment on 'Touch and Go' Simon. I like your bio - it tells it like it is.
Comment is about Simon Austin (poet profile)
Original item by Simon Austin
Thanks for your comment on Wondering, Barrie. There's nothing lonelier than a star strewn sky - it makes you realise just how insignificant you are - for me, it puts man right in his place.
The only way to deal with that knowledge is to write poems like 'Touch and Go' instead :))
The title is the theme Dave Bradley set for our latest internal comp. I'm hoping more people start writing to it - it would be good to see a serious poem as well.
If you can write a poem that makes me think differently about the stars, I'll be impressed - even more so if it has the words touch and go in it! xx
Comment is about Barrie Singleton (poet profile)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Joseph J. Breunig 3rd
Sun 27th Oct 2013 03:31
Cute and soooo true; it's sad that many negative reviewers waste their time writing abusive feedback and that of the original poster; well-thought-out feedback of an opposing viewpoint is always welcomed - when it's done respectfully; nicely conceived.
-Joe Breunig,
Reaching Towards His Unbounded Glory
Comment is about THE POLITICAL POET (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry