John and Sandre seemed to have the capacity to get to the furthest frontiers of the NW poetry scene by public transport in any weather, even if it meant leaving within an hour of getting there. We also shared many evenings even further afield courtesy of the Poetry Bus. They were a poetic tag team. My thoughts are with Sandre and my memories with John. He graced many venues and many events. John knew his poetry but he and Sandre also knew the value of fellowship and camaraderie and were up for anything. RIP John.
Comment is about Death of north-west poet John Clays (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
A good reminder, Sid, of how far we've travelled ... or maybe wandered from the path.
Comment is about Donkey Jacket (blog)
Original item by Ray Miller
... very sad to hear this .. I remember John reading his poems in the 'Sweet Green Tavern' along with Hovis Presley and John Jelly .. what a line-up and what a loss unfortunately.
Comment is about Death of north-west poet John Clays (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
.. hello Tom ..pleased you enjoyed 'Arlette' .. thanks.
Comment is about Tom Harding (poet profile)
Original item by Tom Harding
Thanks John
And rest in peace, John. My sympathy and condolences to Sandre - take care.
Comment is about Death of north-west poet John Clays (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Reading this was such a shock. John (T), lovely words, I agree with Joy.
John Clays - Mr Sestina - was one of the longest-attending Writers-Out-Loud. He and Sandré attended our first events at Bolton's Sweet Green then the Howcroft, travelling all the way from Wigan by bus. and John's contributions were always greeted with enthusiasm, and some awe at his mastery of poetic form. In spite of his technical prowess, he was not in the least elitist but always supportive of his fellow reader-poets and interested in everything that was read. He had a superb sense of humour and eminently capable of directing it at himself.
I am so sorry that Write Out Loud, the poetry world, and his family have lost a great friend and poet.
Paul, who is abroad at the mo, has asked me to pass on similar thoughts from him.
Comment is about Death of north-west poet John Clays (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Mmm, I do like the contempt in this, nicely done
Comment is about Donkey Jacket (blog)
Original item by Ray Miller
Thanks Steve - yeh, wanted to explore all aspects of the magpie, and it was surprising to find all the differing views of them.
Heh - I learned the word 'liminal' myself for the first time from Bob while I was discussing this with him, and thought it was too good a word to not use! :D
Comment is about Birdsong (blog)
Original item by Laura Taylor
Love the idea of this challenge. Looking forward to my first text....
Comment is about Texperiments: there's still time to take part in a new type of poem (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks very much for your comments - not sure about changing the last 2 lines, but an interesting prompt to look again at it.
Alanna
Comment is about Grandad's Feet (blog)
Original item by Alanna Rice
Likewise, Isobel. And meeting your lovely, lively girls was a treat, too. Thanks to all the poets and the audience at the Railway Inn.
Comment is about Marsden's poetry jam: exuberant, embracing, cyclists not excluded (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks John - What lovely words for a lovely man. The instant outpouring of expressions of loss that have appeared on facebook tonight have been a fitting honest testiment.
People from far & wide have stated their admiration for the man and the poetry... and their deep sympathy for Sandre. I, alongside so many others, mourn his passing.
Comment is about Death of north-west poet John Clays (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I'd forgotten how big a Kerouac fan I was in my youth. Remember buying his biography in an Edinburgh bookshop at the end of a hitchhiking holiday around Scotland, which admittedly was never route 66. Reading this brings it all back. Cheers, Dave.
Comment is about Go Jack Go! (blog)
Original item by Dave Morgan
<Deleted User> (10184)
Mon 15th Oct 2012 23:26
actually enjoyed being reminded the shortest distance between start to finish is often a zig zag :)
Comment is about Without Regard (blog)
Original item by J. Otis Powell‽ (with interrobang)
oh it's Mr Henri . he should still be around singing his songs . still got the original mersey poets book .. great loss to us .
Comment is about Wirral Ode Show Open Mic October- plus poetry filming. (blog)
Original item by Chris Co
.. Good lyrics, but your anger has faded away. Wait till you're in a really bad mood then record it again ! .. this is letting her win !
Comment is about I've Cried Enough For You (blog)
Original item by Tom Harding
Tom,
Nice `getting over it now` poem.
Your rhyming is okay, too much exactitude sometimes spoils it. You`ve got the actual vowel sounds spot on...It read natural.
Mind, with a bum like that are you sure you`ve done the right thing?
Comment is about I've Cried Enough For You (blog)
Original item by Tom Harding
A poem of open - eyed self criticism...I`d almost thought of regret, except that the very last line gainsays what the other three lines of that stanza say.
It`s a troubled poem.
Comment is about Crossing (blog)
Original item by Katy Megan
Thanks Mikhail. Glad it resonated.
Comment is about Mikhail Smith (poet profile)
Original item by Mikhail Smith
Hi Ann, many thanks as usual!
Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)
Original item by Ann Foxglove
Hi Anthony thanks for the kind comment on desk. Much appreciated. I like to have a go at everything - though very excel at any of them!
Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)
Original item by Anthony Emmerson
Hi Roy, many thank for the kind comment on desk.
Comment is about Roy Chetham (poet profile)
Original item by Roy Chetham
Lovely Dave. I'm a big fan of keourac, and this captures the spirit beautifully.
Comment is about Go Jack Go! (blog)
Original item by Dave Morgan
Very good. I had a similar room. I took photos of my girlfiend. I asked a friend how you develop a black and white film. Two months later she ran off with him. I know these rooms.
Comment is about The Desk (blog)
Original item by Tom Harding
Hi Pete, thank you for your kind comments on "Reality". I agree with the pebbles philosophy, thanks again.
Comment is about Pete Fisher (poet profile)
Original item by Pete Fisher
Wonderful work, Mike, well done as usual.
Comment is about Angel Fire (blog)
Original item by Noetic-fret!
Hi Alison, only just discovered this, and have to say how much I enjoyed. It is simply beautiful.
Comment is about Words (blog)
Original item by Alison Mary Dunn
Wonderfully put, Alison, brought tears to my eyes.
Comment is about Waiting at the Door (blog)
Original item by Alison Mary Dunn
<Deleted User> (6895)
Mon 15th Oct 2012 16:03
Very much enjoyed Alison.
Thank you.
Pat'n'Stef.xx
Comment is about Waiting at the Door (blog)
Original item by Alison Mary Dunn
<Deleted User> (6895)
Mon 15th Oct 2012 16:01
Kyoot
&
kool
Comment is about My lack of common sense (blog)
<Deleted User> (6895)
Mon 15th Oct 2012 15:50
Hugh-SIR!
do you happen to know
if there will be any increase
in the price of pot noodles?
If so thats when my shit will hit the fan!
-well it does anyway after eating one...
aythankyor!
Comment is about Reduce the vat !!! (blog)
Original item by hugh
Great poem, Alison. I too am saddened and disgusted at the carnage on our roads whenever I come across it. We recently had to pause to let a fox get out of the way, how long did it take us? Mere seconds.
Comment is about Road Kill (blog)
Original item by Alison Smiles
Brilliant, this is a cracker, John.
I am on Facebook but I never post banal rubbish to bore people with. I mostly use it to keep up with extended family like nieces, nephews and their families, and friends further away. Still, I have to whizz through it ignoring rubbish though, so what I can't read in an hour a day stays unread!
MC has a point though - what did I do before WOL? Nothing I miss, that's for sure!
Comment is about Facebook (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Hi JC - glad your found my post about "Waltzing Matilda" worth commenting on. I find it fascinating - and indeed, sinister - that the Franco/Bavarian(German) alliance you mention is busy trying to achieve the control of Europe in peacetime via dominance of the EU that it so signally failed to win at war over the past few centuries!
What about Norway handing them its Nobel Peace Prize? To me, that seems like rewarding the school bullies for restraining themselves from molesting the rest of the school playground! Don't they know about NATO in "No-way"?
Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)
Original item by John Coopey
A sombre, worthwhile comment on the carnage caused to wildlife on our roads by hurrying uncaring "humanity". On my occasional drive down to Devon I am sadly aware of the detritus from the unwary badger or bird that has strayed to an untimely end on our roads. Is our need for speed so great that we can slaughter with such cavalier impunity? Sometimes, I try to imagine the wildlife at the wheel as unaware humanity wanders to its demise before their death-dealing helter-skelter approach! The sheer lunacy of the imagery lingers often in the mind..as it should, perhaps.
Comment is about Road Kill (blog)
Original item by Alison Smiles
Having "resigned" from Facebook, I can read this with something approaching impartial delight. The vocal delivery is spot on!
"What did I do before finding WOL?
Sometimes, I wonder, truth to tell;
But when I read the likes of this,
What I did before I do not miss!"
Comment is about Facebook (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
The thought of you tracking down either thong is quite an amusing one Greg :)
Lovely to have met you at last - and all those WOL regulars. It was a glorious day, made special by our welcoming host Julian and the wonderful weather. You really can't beat this country when the sun shines and there is jazz music in the air. It's pure poetry :)
Comment is about Marsden's poetry jam: exuberant, embracing, cyclists not excluded (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Enjoyed her poems, but would have preferred more honest simplicity in the speech. e.g.
We are rich
and you are poor.
You'll get less
so we'll have more.
Comment is about Praise for PM's speechwriter - and poet - Clare Foges (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Sadness flows with so much lost love as doubt hides in the clouds above.
Comment is about Crossing (blog)
Original item by Katy Megan
steve mellor
Mon 15th Oct 2012 12:08
For the third year, a terrific lunchtime. The mix of styles is what makes it, I suppose.
Well worth making a note in next years diary for those who didn't make it this time
Comment is about Marsden's poetry jam: exuberant, embracing, cyclists not excluded (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
<Deleted User> (8659)
Mon 15th Oct 2012 11:27
Now now children, play nicely or I will have to confiscate your Working Class Credentials.
Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Hi Tom,
I really admire the way that you lead us effortlessy to that priceless (and oh so true!) last line. Lovely audio construction/image too. You are a man of many talents (he wrote, enviously and a little begrudgingly!)
Regards,
A.E.
Comment is about The Desk (blog)
Original item by Tom Harding
Hi Mike.
I must have missed this first time around. I found it a compelling listen, both in terms of the content and your very professional reading and construction. Raw, relevant and razor-edged. Very well done.
Regards,
A.E.
Comment is about Angel Fire (blog)
Original item by Noetic-fret!
John,
I`m not on Facebook...and I feel so friendless! (thank God)
Comment is about Facebook (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Interesting, MC.
Marlborough, of course, defeated the French/ Bavarians at Blindheim (Blenheim) a few years later halting French expensionist designs on Vienna.
As every one knows a Marlborough Man is a Real Man.
Comment is about WALTZING MATILDA or A BOLD FUSILIER? (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Well, I'll tell ya...
I have wanted to delete fb sooo many times - have deactivated on numerous occasions. I have a love/hate relationship with fb. I only stay because it's a convenient way to keep in touch and contact those I don't see often. There are only very few that I have not met in person, but 'know' them from here - everyone else I know personally.
So there you have it !
Should I post this as my status now?
xx
Comment is about Facebook (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Julian (Admin)
Tue 16th Oct 2012 11:45
Meant to add that he was a bugger for dragging out his entry onto the stage. Nothing to do with anything but his desire to build up the dramatic tension. Skill, that.
Can't stop thinking about him.
If you can get to the funeral, let's give him a bloody good send-off eh? It's at 9.30 Thursday, but be later if John has anything to do with it.
Comment is about Death of north-west poet John Clays (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman