JC - I hope your commitment rewards you in due
course - and that you "coin it" with any sale
of your collection in the future.
I used to collect stamps in the distant days of
Empire - with those brightly coloured scenes
to fill the pages from SO many different lands.
When he was with the Army in Germany, my brother brought back an immaculate loose-leaf
collection - between red leather covers - of
stamps depicting the Nazi days (many of Hitler
himself). I swopped it at school for something or other (as kids often do), but I sometimes
wonder about their value today. Or perhaps
they were like the Russian stamps...produced
in millions and of no real value to a proper collector? I'll never know.

Comment is about I Collect Money (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Like this poem, and its truthfulness, very much.

Comment is about Edie Hope (poet profile)

Original item by Edie Hope

The commitment in this evocation of brave days
is surely to be seen in the extraordinary
re-build of a Harrier jump jet by a Brit. in his
"back garden"...just reported online. It's another indication of a never-say-die state of mind that has no equal anywhere in the world.

Comment is about Dawn Demure (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

"Quake South Island" is stunning and a privilege to read.

Comment is about Claire Booker (poet profile)

Original item by Claire Booker

An interesting but inaccurate comment.
IRONY: Words used with inner meaning/in which
meaning is the opposite of that expressed.
(Collins Dictionary)
Pardon me - but I fail to see how the content
of this short "to the point" post can be placed in either category.
For myself, I have never resorted to insulting
language towards others, or deleted any
alternative point of view. To do so, IMHO, limits any serious attempt to address issues thought
important enough to express through the great
medium of poetry.

Comment is about THE POLITICAL POET (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

"When Thatcher Died" is brilliant work; thank you.

Comment is about Ian O'Brien (poet profile)

Original item by Ian O'Brien

" Camellia" is a deeply beautiful work.

Comment is about J.S.Watts (poet profile)

Original item by J.S.Watts

Love "curled like an idol moon".

Comment is about Linda Cosgriff (poet profile)

Original item by Linda Cosgriff

" 3 D Printer" is wonderful.

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hahaha the irony

Comment is about THE POLITICAL POET (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Love this vibrant poem, so humane.

Comment is about Mark Mr T Thompson (poet profile)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Here are the results of this competition http://paragramdotcom.wordpress.com/2013/10/04/paragram-poetry-prize-the-winners-and-their-poems/

Comment is about Deadline nears for Paragram 'slant of light' competition (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Love this work.

Comment is about Sarah James (poet profile)

Original item by Sarah James

Love this poem.

Comment is about Anne Maney (poet profile)

Original item by Anne Maney

"Saltfish English" is marvelous. I loved this poem.

Comment is about Marcia Calame (poet profile)

Original item by Marcia Calame

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful read!! I too loved the reference to "their cardigans".

Comment is about Winterfylleth (October) (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Excellent comment in poetry!Well done!

Comment is about 50,000 (blog)

Original item by Gray Nicholls

Quite right, thanks for the spot (and all the comments) :)

Comment is about Hitman (blog)

Original item by Simon Austin

a beautiful nightmare:)

Comment is about In Limbo (blog)

Original item by Simon Austin

Very much enjoyed this Ian, especially 'Rustling in their cardigans/of orange and amber'.

Agree with Harry about how 'screaming' it seems. If only trees could actually talk, eh?

Comment is about Winterfylleth (October) (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Thanks for your comment on 'Weather Crossword' Andy. I appreciate it. Cheers - David.

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

I like the way this midway between poem and short gangster story like thing is so completely in charge of itself. And the way it makes you read it again to look for any clues as to whether it`s suicide or not.

The doubt about what the knock is for makes that last line dramatic.

Comment is about Hitman (blog)

Original item by Simon Austin

Ian,
I can`t remember ever reading of nature`s
decay being `humanised` in this particular way.

I like the `dry skin` and the `crimpoline`
and the `deadfall wood`.

(maybe `and crack` after that dislodge)

It`s screaming decrepitude somehow `jolts` the
normally passive autumn

Poetry-wise it makes you think.

Comment is about Winterfylleth (October) (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

This reminds me of when, in the eighties, I once marched behind one of those magnificently rebellious young militants chanting `Maggie, Maggie, Maggie…Out! Out! Out!......and,as we marched by, an equally magnificent old ex- military guy dressed in a fawn blazer and straw boater stood saluting rigidly to attention and singing `God Save The queen`. I felt at the time that I would have willingly served with the one and under the other in any future conflict to defend my country.

Not withstanding the lung-opening relief to be got from such occasions, I feel I must record that I myself (and four members of my family – three married) were– under the Thatcher regime–able to attend university and get decent jobs. I am, therefore in agreement that benefit recipients should go to school. (provided that the education they get is meaningful)

It was the `business friendly` labour government that allowed the banks to indulge themselves in the reckless gambling that resulted in the present dangerous situation. I think that a far greater danger than the old left-right arguments is the presentation of still more opportunities for reckless gambling afforded by the vote-catching government help to buy scheme. I know they say they`re `watching it` but presumably someone was `watching` the last housing bubble.(and worried more about their own `money-catching than looking after the shop responsibly).

I can`t help worrying about all the talk about `protecting the interests of the city of London` (weren`t they the main guys who started all this)

All this class-war stuff is just fighting the last war but one).

Comment is about Assembly (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

I liked this, nice use of rhyme throughout, and an interesting idea. Good build up of tension, and leaving the reader to wonder...who? Has the writer planned his own death? A strange form of suicide? Or maybe that's just me. I like that it's open to that interpretation, anyway.

Comment is about Hitman (blog)

Original item by Simon Austin

Hi Andy and G

Many thanks for taking the time to read and comment. Will it do anything? Probably not, in all honesty, in terms of affecting Tory policies. However, the very important aspect of it is the strength of numbers, of the solidarity. A very public show of opposition. I myself took great strength from it. When you are spending your days veering between fury and frustration, to spend a day in the vast company of people who feel the same is very empowering.

Comment is about Assembly (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Thanks to Poetry24 for publishing this on Wednesday 2 October I was away on holiday and missed it but it was a nice surprise none the less.

Comment is about 95% Sure Perhaps (blog)

Original item by Richard Alfred

I know what you're talking about. Keep bouncing back.

Comment is about Zzzz!! (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks for bringing Little Machine to me. Somehow I had never heard them until now. Superb interpretations of poems that had become almost too familiar, brings new life to them.

Comment is about Oh frabjous day! Carol Ann Duffy's words with a Dire Straits vibe (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

A marvellous asset to UK creative life - and how
amazing that folk should actually prize poetry
so much that they could consider stealing it!
I write as one lucky enough to have had a
published collection accepted (see the "cover"
accompanying this post) - and if anyone
should try to steal my book then I would feel
privileged for the unsought compliment implied!!

Comment is about Behind the scenes at the Poetry Library (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you for your service. My late father was stationed in London throughout the Second World War with the OSS, and the city's bombing. He said his handprints were on every sidewalk of London. He asked me once if I understood how Britain survived the war, and when I was silent, said, "because the whole People are valiant."

Comment is about terry ireland (poet profile)

Original item by terry ireland

Food for thought: the ongoing personal puzzle of
the passing and the perennial - and their elusive
presence in our lives.
Welcome back.

Comment is about There are many..., There are a few... (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Go away MCN

Removed your comment - stop trying to show off

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Interesting. I would have thought the poem's
"question" would've been aimed at ITV etc. rather
than the BBC whose alleged bias chimes with the
job ads. placed in "The Guardian".
So - where was the missing coverage complained
of - and why was it absent?

Comment is about Regarding the BBC's lack of coverage... (blog)

Original item by Gray Nicholls

the truth to put it simply.

i love honest poetry like this.

Comment is about Regarding the BBC's lack of coverage... (blog)

Original item by Gray Nicholls

need to refer this to our Cathy, Laura. It's defo her cup of tea also.

For me - I loved it to put it simply.

It's a great piece and i hope the demo does do something. We have to hope it does i guess.

Comment is about Assembly (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

excellent, excellent Laura. Raises some serious points here... kinda annoyed me that the BBC and some of the other news didn't cover as much as they should have.

does raise the point will the demo do anything however? i hope it does, but am worried it won't.

Comment is about Assembly (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Thanks Steve. That's true and the only fact. X

Comment is about The Prime of Life (blog)

Original item by CathyLCrabb

Yes. On Saturday, when I wasn't allowed to go, the other team awarded him their man of the match. I am usually quiet but not when it comes to harm. It's a good lesson to learn I guess in not being able to solve everything.

Comment is about Goals in Perspective (blog)

Original item by CathyLCrabb

Haha - loving the new profile pic :D

And exactly, re chips/JCC. Bloody hell, it's not like he's advertising arms or owt is it?!

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Cheers Greg and Dave. Yep Greg, it was :) I'm really glad this poem moved you so much.


MC - Jog on, you tiresome right wing troll. You make a bigger show of yourself each time you post anything. Sad thing is, you don't see it yourself.

Comment is about Assembly (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

thanks, once again, for your kind and supportive comments on the JCC thing Laura - totally agree with you about the 'chips' thing, he deserves it - we'd all give our right arms to make that sort of money out of poetry - it's only the snobs who think you should forever suffer for your 'art' lol :-)
Ta
Ian

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

thanks for the kind comment on 'dust' starfish - much appreciated as always
Ian

Comment is about Starfish (poet profile)

Original item by Starfish

thanks for the kind comments on 'dust' Isobel - yes, I was pleased with that ending which just dropped upon me, unplanned, from the....dust :-)
Cheers
Ian

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

thanks for the kind comments on 'dust' marksy - much appreciated mate
Ian

Comment is about Marksy (poet profile)

Original item by Marksy

thanks for your kind comments on 'dust' Dave - it's a real pity when you write something that you think is profound only to find that someone else had the idea a long while ago :-( still - great minds think alike I suppose - and they do say that no idea is ever really unique

also - a big thanks for your kind comments on the JCC poem Dave - much appreciated as always

Ian

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hi Cynthia - the poem's original language is English.

I've just added a scan of a handwritten translation into Bengali, done by Saleh Uddin Talukdar and Afia Begum during a workshop - but unfortunately not sure if it's legible - I thought we'd be able to click on the image to open it bigger in a new window, but I don't think that happens.

During the workshop there was lots of discussion about the layers of images in Carol's poem; the connotations of the "chaste, virgin, untouched" imagery and the way it's connected with snow and whiteness; and the idea of the bricks, and how to translate the idea of something that is at once structured, and also muddled.

Comment is about link

It is that time again tomorrow!

Comment is about NPD (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

By all means, let us rejoice and celebrate the
freedom to protest against perceived injustice.
I'm not sure about who are "the many" and who
are "the few" when considering current national
sensibilities about the wider benefits of contributing through work whenever possible.
I'm considering the representation of lawyers
challenging a £500 per week cap on benefits at
the High Court. It is hardly likely to elicit
heartwarming sympathy from those working hard
for nothing like that gratis sum.

Comment is about Assembly (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor