Glad you liked Facebook, MC.
I wonder if we will look back in 50 years time (I know I won't) and think, "Facebook, tweets, celebrity status, budget TV - what was all that about?".
I hope so because if we don't we will be in a very shallow place.

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Francine
Ah, there you are! Hiding all the while on my page and not your own.
Isabel gets it right when she says that the attraction of Facebook is that it's so vaccuous.
Still, I wish I'd invented the bl**dy thing!

Comment is about Facebook (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks for commenting on my haikupi, AE.
I tend to do my own whittling in the shed.

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi Laura - I enjoyed reading this too.

It's obvious that you think about your words carefully before committing them down.

'Dignity was diamond-like' stands out - and personally, i don't think the italics are necessary - i couldn't even see the italic when i first read it and nothing was lost for me.

dt

Comment is about I used to call him Grandad (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Thanks for your constructive and considered comments Anthony, much appreciated :)

Yeh, I do tend to lapse into uncontrollable alliteration sometimes! I talk like that a lot too, it comes out completely unintentionally...I wonder if that's why I'm not more critical of it in my poems. I will look at both examples again - see if I can't erase some of the obviousness.

This is really useful folks, cos I'm wanting to send this away to a publisher by the end of the month, with the theme of 'hometown heroes/heroines' and I reckon it'll fit, don't you? And I've worked on this for bloody aaaaages now!

Yeh, Seamus sitting - in my mind's eye, I can still see him sitting on his back step, watching me jump round :)

Glad you like shufflecoughing. I bloody love poetry for the chance it gives me to actually USE the words I'm constantly making up ha :D

No intention re the rhythm, as it goes, but I like what you drew from it :) As I was telling someone last night, the rhythm just comes out of everything I say and write, and I suspect it's due to being a music obsessive since being a nipper...I'll play percussion on and with anything, all the time, it's constant in my head. I actually drive myself a bit batshit cos I can't seem to break away from the rhythms.

Anyhoo, epic post over!! Thanks again :)

Comment is about I used to call him Grandad (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Really enjoyed this Laura. It has a very fitting rhythm - like a child's skipping song, which I guess was your intention. I don't have a problem with the title seeming a little ambivalent; it's good to surprise the reader, or even make them apprehensive sometimes.

"Shufflecoughing" says rather more than its mere four syllables suggest - a very fitting description. I think maybe the alliteration could be turned down a little, "telling tales taller" for instance; I think you could drop "fierce" too, without losing anything.

I feel "Seaumus smoked and smiled" would be enough. Those are my only tiny quibbles on what is a very satisfying and rewarding read. Well done.

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about I used to call him Grandad (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on 'Grandad', Sid - I admire your work so it's good to hear your feedback.

It's always interesting, seeing what others make of your stuff. I'd never even considered the title might be distressing. But...no...it doesn't bother me, I like the extra level of interpretation, in fact.

However, I was considering changing it cos I thought it signified the relationship too clumsily. Do you think a simple 'Seamus Rimer' would be better, or worse?

Mmmm...do you mean out of place sonically? I wanted to signify many colours of conversation, lots of ground covered, and of course, the storytelling/fantastic element to the whole thing too.

And it WAS originally 'at 84' - but I wanted to have the ambiguity of him living at number 84, and/or being the age of 84. So I'll leave that as it is.

What about the italicisation of that middle section? Seem okay to you? I wanted it to come across as flashback, but am questioning whether it's really necessary now.

Comment is about Ray Miller (poet profile)

Original item by Ray Miller

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment Sid - I admire your work so it's good to hear your feedback.

It's always interesting, seeing what others make of your stuff. I'd never even considered the title might be distressing. But...no...it doesn't bother me, I like the extra level of interpretation, in fact.

However, I was considering changing it cos I thought it signified the relationship too clumsily. Do you think a simple 'Seamus Rimer' would be better, or worse?

Mmmm...do you mean out of place sonically? I wanted to signify many colours of conversation, lots of ground covered, and of course, the storytelling/fantastic element to the whole thing too.

And it WAS originally 'at 84' - but I wanted to have the ambiguity of him living at number 84, and/or being the age of 84. So I'll leave that as it is.

What about the italicisation of that middle section? Seem okay to you? I wanted it to come across as flashback, but am questioning whether it's really necessary now.

Comment is about I used to call him Grandad (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Enjoyed this. The title threatens something distressing, perhaps. Dunno if that bothers you.
If it were mine I'd have "at 84"

rainbow stripe seems out of place somehow

Comment is about I used to call him Grandad (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Love this. Tender and truthful. Particularly like the end verse.

Comment is about Betting on a Photo (blog)

Original item by Ray Miller

Beautiful and very moving. Take care, Tony.

Comment is about First Heartbeat (blog)

Original item by Graham Eccles

Thanks Laura for the comment on Not In Love (acrostic). It's something new to me, it's the first one I've done.
Hazel

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

A change in style from what I've read/heard by you so far Hazel, and I think it's very good.

I like acrostics anyway. I did one myself a couple of years ago and didn't even know it was an 'acrostic' until someone told me - didn't know there was term for it ha! I was just messing about with it!

Anyway, back to the poem. I like the stripped down style of it, it's direct but not dumbed down, works perfectly as an acrostic, and has a coldness to it which comes from falling out of love with someone. Nicely done!

Comment is about Not In Love (Acrostic) (blog)

This is great, in so many ways. I'm a total sucker for a narrative poem and this is packed with evocative images. The idea of the bet on the back of the photo, knowing it won't get lost :) The 'no exit' sign is a fantastic touch as well.

You have lovely phrasing - 'my hair curling outward from Elvis to Hendrix' - love it!

Comment is about Betting on a Photo (blog)

Original item by Ray Miller

"Emma who became her eyes,"
"and married a lovely sighted man"
"why had no one told her how beautiful the world is."

The magic of this tale beautifully encapsulated in verse.Well done Lynn!

Comment is about Emma was her Eyes (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

I once saw a sign in a field saying,
"It is an offence to throw stones at this notice".

Comment is about Tiramisu (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Hi Hugh. You have just made my day! Take care, Tony.

Comment is about Car Trouble ! (blog)

Original item by hugh

Autumn is very nice and so is Spring. Not so keen on other 2.A suggestion

Their eyes begin to close for they are used
to too much winter.
When the seasons change so quickly there's
a whole new reason for remaining tight.

you wonder how they get it by. What's "it"?

Comment is about 4Seasons (blog)

Big clouds they were as well!

Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Hello Anthony, have added to 'The Naked Truth' site. Many thanks for commenting. Have just listened to Genesis- loved the lyrics and sea backdrop. Visiting Neil has given me an idea for a poem title too.

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

... an average nightmare for me .. must stop drinking so much coffee !!

Comment is about The Creepy Old House (blog)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

Belinda, just read 'From Kurashiki to Manchester' - cannot think how I managed to miss this lovely piece of work: I felt I was right there with you: keep up the good work, love!

Dorinda x

Comment is about From Kurashiki to Manchester (blog)

Original item by Belinda

Hi M.C.

I have posted my creepy poem "The Creepy Old House".
After reading this poem my daughter said, "Mom what's wrong with you!" LOL!

Shirley

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hello Steve. Thank you for your kind comment on my poem "The Old Broken Doll."
I have also posted a very creepy doll poem. It's titled "The Creepy Old House."

Thanks
Shirley

Comment is about Steve Higgins (poet profile)

Original item by Steve Higgins

Hi Andy. Thanks for the info. Will take a look. Take care, Tony.

Comment is about Andy Humphrey (poet profile)

Original item by Andy Humphrey

Lovely. Take care, Tony.

Comment is about For a moment (blog)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

Do experimental poets have minds? (Needle in a haystack maybe?) :)
I freely admit to being a lifetime honorary member of the "Box of Frogs" club. After all, sanity is just a word used by those who don't acknowledge their madness . . .

Haikuists? Isn't that standing in line for the lift at the top of Blackpool Tower?

Comment is about Confirmation? (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Thanks Tony for your kind comments, they're much appreciated. I don't tend to blog on Write Out Loud but if you wander over to the Poet's Soapbox (http://poets-soapbox.blogspot.com) I usually have something to say! If you're looking for more poetry samples there are some on my website - I don't update as often as I should but I'm aiming to do an "autumn clean" soon, upload some new stuff and also some links to other websites where there are samples of my work.

Comment is about Andy Humphrey (poet profile)

Original item by Andy Humphrey

Hi Andy. I like your work. Hope to see a blog entry soon. Take care, Tony.

Comment is about Andy Humphrey (poet profile)

Original item by Andy Humphrey

Hi Steve. Thanks for your comments on World Leaders. Take care, Tony.

Comment is about Steve Higgins (poet profile)

Original item by Steve Higgins

Enjoyed this very much. Best wishes, Steve

Comment is about The Old Broken Doll (blog)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

Enjoyed this Tony, an important message here told with a good rythym and I like the way you come back to the phrase 'world leaders.'What a motley crew they are these days. Cheers, Steve

Comment is about World Leaders. (blog)

Love this! If you forget how to play? Then you get old. Take care, Tony.

Comment is about Me and My Nana (blog)

Original item by Dorinda MacDowell

Nice one! Take care, Tony.

Comment is about The Creepy Old House (blog)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

Love it! It survives cos it's so vacuous I think - it doesn't take any effort - whereas creating or doing something does.

In its defence, it's a great way of sharing photos and as a means of advertising venues/events. Sometimes you can have fun on there if you can find like minded people to chew a subject over with.

A lot of the time it's used to post shit on though. If you are having such a nice time playing footie with your children or footsie with your lover, why are you on facebook telling people about it - it can't be so rivettingly good fun, can it?

Comment is about Facebook (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

conjures the atmosphere of each season well. nicely formed.

Comment is about 4Seasons (blog)

lovely... enjoyed this

shapes that

move as if a turbine of love
enough for all the waters of
the earth to meet. The soft
petal brush of what your fingers

display, moves me like the
rush of spring

Comment is about Hands (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Hi M.C. thanks for your comments on 'I've cried enough over you'... i appreciate the advice, it makes sense.
Enjoying your songs... loving the vibe, i'm a huge country and blues fan.

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Mick many thanks for the comment on 'I've cried enough over you'
Yes must record it again one day... It was late in the evening and couldn't muster much more than that!

Comment is about Mick Waring (poet profile)

Original item by Mick Waring

Thanks all... comments appreciated and duly noted

Comment is about I've Cried Enough For You (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Dave- it's all those things (she says, not knowing all those things).

It's basically kicking out time at Corridor. I take it you've been? I can't find it unless I am blind drunk so wouldn't be able to tell you the exact location.

The last bit is a desert version of beer goggles. You know when in cartoons someone becomes a chicken leg?

'For tomorrow we shall die
(But alas we never do)' XX

Comment is about Corridor- the urban desert (blog)

Original item by Cathy Crabb

Thought this was dead good,well done !!

Comment is about Death Comes Without Warning (blog)

Original item by Steve Higgins

Sandre, So sorry to hear...just today.I remember writing John a little tease..."sestina and fukinelle". He seemed to love it even if it didn`t deserve it. I also remember a very nice man right from when we all first met at the Frog & Bucket a long time ago. Very best wishes, David Makin.

Comment is about Death of north-west poet John Clays (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Ranters - they'd have to be in a category of their own. I know someone who studied Hitler's speeches for style...

Yes Shirley - I'd agree with you - I daresay writing poetry is a great outlet for many people who would otherwise go quite bonkers. A pen or a keyboard is never going to harm anyone - and will probably cost a lot less than a therapist's sofa!

Comment is about Confirmation? (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Mental illness. In my case maybe.
One thing I have to say is poetry
helps me from going completely bonkers.
I like "haikuists," I like to challenge
my self to write good ones.
Shirley

Comment is about Confirmation? (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Live each day as if it's your last. Well done. Take care, Tony.

Comment is about Death Comes Without Warning (blog)

Original item by Steve Higgins

I like this. Well done. Take care, Tony.

Comment is about All his things are here (updated version) (blog)

Original item by Steve Higgins

Love this! Take care, Tony.

Comment is about My Next Poem... (blog)

Original item by Graham Robinson

How true. Good poem. Take care, Tony.

Comment is about Smile and Laugh (blog)

Original item by Graham Robinson

Perhaps someone should do some research on the minds of traditional poets compared to the minds of experimental poets? :)

We could probably categorise poets into all kind of sub divisions; feelers, minimalists, jokers, haikuists

posted that prematurely - but I'm sure someone could help me out with more...

Comment is about Confirmation? (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson