I can only speak for myself M.C, not any one else, so I'll do that. I despise the Daily Mail, because it is a filthy rag of a newspaper that presents bigoted, racist, homophobic, narrow minded opinions as though they were facts.
It colours in a horrible fetid, pissy light so many issues, from imigration and Europe to the healthcare and welfare systems. It does that whilst like the Daily Express having an unhealthy mawkish appetite for Lady Diana...our true queen of hearts (sic).
Like shock-jock radio talksport, it along with one or two other rag newspapers informs (kindly via its propaganda) so many of our most ill informed citizens. It does so by pretending to be a friend to the working class man in the street, despite the fact that it is a run by right wing news interests with about as much in common with the working class as an episode of Dallas set on the fucking moon.
We could talk about the number and type of disgusting stories (stories is about the right word) it peddles. Stephen Gately's death? We could talk about the hate crimes and prejudice that are caused by the rag...but nope.
I'd rather just say that it has had Richard LittleJohn working for it as a columnist and on that alone stick my boot hard into it! For which I make no apology...even if it isn't the main focus of the poem.
None of the above defends any other newspaper, or any other form or forms of prejudice. If I were to write an all encompassing peace about the nature of our entire media...that would be a story or article...not a poem.
P.S
The poem is a culmination, a homogenisation of views I have personally seen and heard expressed by the very narrow minded who just happened to be influenced by such sources. But the poem itself is about ignorance personified in the dictionary definition/sense. It is about how restrictive, sad and punishing such views are upon the individual's that hold such views and the people that come into contact with them...especially loved ones.
I ask for no agreement...it's not why I write.
Best
Chris
Comment is about Right Thinking (blog)
Original item by Chris Co
A timely reminder to rejoice in the vital importance of the countryside - and the country that bred us - and to resist the philistine hunger to profit from its desecration: all too frequent under the guise
of "progress" and "need".
Comment is about Mayday Mourning (blog)
Original item by C Richard Miles
We prefer to dismiss sickness as we would prefer to defer death. I like the insistent pattern of the majority of this poem and the last lines do their job reminding us of the casual attitudes of others who should know better.
Comment is about I Am Ill (blog)
Original item by Cate
I would make that 'spins' roundedly cos your head is singular. I'd be tempted to get rid of small in front of grandson also, cos it's obvious he's small by his tastes in TV.
A fun poem Cate - I like it - you must have given me a toddy in a dirty glass, cos I'm now streaming too...
We live in a world where there is no time for sickness though, which is probably why everyone chose to ignore it but you! xx
Comment is about I Am Ill (blog)
Original item by Cate
Brief and to the point. The lesson is there to
be understood. Sadly, politicians being what
they are, it is a constant struggle to see that
happen.
One thing - I am not sure about the follow-on
from "Expected" to "unforeseen".
Comment is about Political Will won't, will it? (blog)
Original item by Christopher Dawson
It is interesting that the Daily Mail - with a
huge circulation - is frequently attacked and
vilified - as if its popularity was a threat.
I have given up noting the number of times it gets a mocking mention in BBC programmes like
"Have I Got News For You" and "Mock The Week".
I get another red-top so I have no particular
axe to grind - but the smug liberal offensives irk even me!
One last point - the DM is very popular with women readers so it would be easy to rebut the
criticism it gets with cries of "sexism"! The
biter bit, as it were.
Comment is about Right Thinking (blog)
Original item by Chris Co
Thank you! And yes, the "garden path" beginning (and the added distractor of the leaf picture) were deliberate.
Comment is about May (blog)
Original item by Marnanel Thurman
Rafal, I'd like to get back to this. It requires some careful reading, a conscious separation between prose and poetry. I have only confusion at the moment, but real interest.
Comment is about THAT THIRD ONE (blog)
Original item by Rafał Nowakowski
Thank you for your comment, Robert. Unfortunately, I don't think Ella ever lived to see this poem, but she was quite convinced I'd been at those dances with her!
Comment is about Andrew Brown (poet profile)
Original item by Andrew Brown
I like the very ordinary events and worries 'sonnet-ized', and the respect for quite rigid form. Current sonnets have a delightful verbal mixture of literary periods, like a potpourri. Your theme is fairly common, and has many supporters. I happen to like winter, and never think of it as 'dead'.
I'm presuming 'The autumn leaves...', and the picture, are a humorous snare to catch the unwary reader?
Comment is about May (blog)
Original item by Marnanel Thurman
Oh we could all do with a Mavis now and then - even in our memories.
Comment is about Mavis (blog)
Original item by Laura Taylor
Thomas, I had overlooked St Ives in Huntingdonshire. My apologies. I will amend.
Comment is about Head for St Ives for poetry in the square (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I have a small suggestion. I come from Cambridge, so when I read the article I thought this was about the St Ives in Huntingdonshire. Then I remembered there was also a St Ives in Cornwall, and reread carefully. Then I saw the references to Kernowshire etc, but it would have been helpful to mention Cornwall up front.
Comment is about Head for St Ives for poetry in the square (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks, Yvonne, for your comments on The Show. A rare excursion into rhyme and some sort of metre for me!
Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)
Original item by Yvonne Brunton
Thanks Win, Have edited, Shall aim to post something a bit more cheery next time.x
Comment is about Promises, Promises (blog)
Original item by kayberley
An amazing word isn't it Win? Don't really feel I've done it justice, so this will be a work in progress I think:)
Comment is about Mamihlapinatapai (blog)
Original item by kayberley
Here's a link to Laura's poem
http://www.visitgreenheart.com/files/anortherndelight.pdf
Comment is about That poetry podium feeling: Greenheart prize-winner Laura on a grand night out (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thank you Harry, I too hoped certain words may work in a sonnet but I may tweak it a little. :)
John, thank you but I'm still waiting for anything to come out of his pocket!! :)
Comment is about Devotion (blog)
Original item by Lynn Dye
Hi Yvonne - doing this 30 poems in 30 things has proved knackering. Felt I am going to take a temporary back seat but i shall be back soon - glad you liked this xx
Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)
Original item by Yvonne Brunton
Ahah, just Googlized your title Kay, makes perfect sense now. lol. Win x
Comment is about Mamihlapinatapai (blog)
Original item by kayberley
Hi Again, Why are we so complicated in out courtship (humans) ? Liked this but whats the title all about? Win x
Comment is about Mamihlapinatapai (blog)
Original item by kayberley
<Deleted User> (6895)
Mon 30th Apr 2012 23:16
cheers Lynn
for the wellycome back-xx
Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)
Original item by Lynn Dye
A big fan of the simple words you have posted for us here. Life is no fairytale unfortunately. Win X
Typo in ln 2 ad - and? but it got me to thinking 'Add your tears TO another year'
Comment is about Promises, Promises (blog)
Original item by kayberley
<Deleted User> (10241)
Mon 30th Apr 2012 22:34
Thank you so much for your welcome and lovely words about my poem
I really like Bins, it evoked for me an intensly emotional allegory of humanity's selfishness and blindness to the suffering surrounding us everywhere. The starving ignored by the world, our heartless treatment and use of the little people who have no say in their lives and their use, and the ultimate selfishness of war.
The rhythm of your poem is brilliant; rushing along from the beginning in their busy "lives" then slamming to a sharp stop with the last lines and the sharp contrast between their life giving function and war, with the possibility of destroying us all.
Wonderful
Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)
Original item by Yvonne Brunton
Thanks Andy, I will def give that a try:)
Comment is about Missing your dead heart (blog)
Original item by kayberley
Thanks for the comments guys:)
Comment is about Promises, Promises (blog)
Original item by kayberley
Andrew,
I like the tribute to Ella and her memories a great deal. I can imagine the dancehall, the rose scented perfumes and the smell of brylcreem and floor polish. I suspect she was delighted too.
Comment is about Andrew Brown (poet profile)
Original item by Andrew Brown
Sounds like you've been twiddling with the radio dial. It's interesting, intriguing and so's the title. Is it poetic? I'm surprised no-one asked the same question of my Facebook poem.My answer would have been the same as with this - it has its moments!
Comment is about Scanner Soap (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Superby crafted, TT.
The others have said it all.
Comment is about May (blog)
Original item by Marnanel Thurman
Alison,
I would personally change the last stanza slightly - I don't like the scanning of lived and vivid. How about;
A life so bright, never livid, etc.
Just a suggestion, as I really like the rest of the poem a great deal.
Comment is about Flirtation (blog)
Original item by Alison Smiles
Oh so true!
I wonder if this poem would benefit from being shortened a bit? XX
Comment is about Friend List (blog)
hurrah another corker from the Coopey collection!I don't care if Buddy would turn in his 'gravy' Great Stuff!
Comment is about You Won't Batter Anymore (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Philipos
Mon 30th Apr 2012 18:49
Hi Greg, 'Bugsy' bear with me while I do a trawl.
CHEERS. P.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Philipos
Mon 30th Apr 2012 18:44
Hi Nicky, 'Ireland with Betjeman', thanks for commenting - gave me an opportunity to peruse your 'Stuff' clever use of its many meanings.
CHEERS.
Comment is about Nicky Burrows (poet profile)
Original item by Nicky Burrows
More of a leg man myself, but could always be persuaded otherwise! Some of the rhymes are a bit clunky, but the sentiments seem true and not falsies!
Comment is about Breasts (blog)
Original item by Alison Smiles
Hi Yvonne, yes thats the word a sort of detached 'loneliness' that always comes across in these computer voices. I thought at the end it (he) sounded rather deseprate! Win
Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)
Original item by Yvonne Brunton
Strong stuff! The clipped phrases really heighten the emotive element of this poem.
Comment is about On stolen sheets (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Balloon whisk - sounds like we may have entered 'Allo 'Allo territory, but I suppose its up to you what you do with your utensils!
Comment is about The blend of old and new (blog)
Original item by Alison Smiles
Could do with the grey matter having a good floss myself! Perhaps this nonsense poem of yours will do the trick! Nice one Yvonne.
Comment is about The Newberry Dye-Pass Crossing AKA The Rules Of The Road. (blog)
Original item by Yvonne Brunton
Thx for commenting on my last Gus. Glad you like it.
Memories seem to be a theme that neither of us strays too far from. They're always there wanting to have their say.
I can say that is something in your case that I am thankful for.
Best
Chris
Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)
Original item by Gus Jonsson
Bit of an epic tale - the sort a wandering minstrel might spin. Worthy of the occasion Yvonne.
Comment is about Cecil the Saint (blog)
Original item by Yvonne Brunton
Very poetically put Gus,
Thx for reading and the considered thoughts...glad you like the piece.
Best
Chris
Comment is about Our day out (blog)
Original item by Chris Co
Superbe, Monsieur le roi des sonnets, je vous salue.
Comment is about May (blog)
Original item by Marnanel Thurman
The cat's whiskers as opposed to the dog's ........ That is to say top of the tree for this effort (better call the fire brigade).
Comment is about Whisker (blog)
Original item by Yvonne Brunton
Good that you should write about your sleeping beauty, rather than them wake up and find you staring at them! I found this one both rich in content and expressive in imagery.
Comment is about TOWARD SLEEP (blog)
I agree with the comments on variation of rhyme and rhythym - something I am not averse too. Splendid effort Harry and a bit of an epic.
Comment is about ANY POET`S ANSWER TO THE ASTROPHISICISTS (blog)
Thank you Jane- (re On stolen sheets)I often write in an almost flippant way only to find the 'feeling' emerge at a later reading. 'dark'- as you comment upon- has opened up another facet of the piece. Tommy
Comment is about jane wilcock (poet profile)
Original item by jane wilcock
Hi Jane, text posted up on the computer voice blog entry. Win x
Comment is about jane wilcock (poet profile)
Original item by jane wilcock
We are taken on a journey, which, once completed, makes us glad we went. Commitment and craft in equal measure, with a fine use of phrase that lingers in the mind.
Comment is about UNCTION (blog)
Original item by Ian Gant
Cate Greenlees
Tue 1st May 2012 17:26
Thanks Isobel tis done!
Te he... sos if you caught my streamer but I do have a dishwasher you muppet!
And thanks for the sympathy Mr. Newbury. I totally agree with you that all around me should jump to and shower me with care and consideration, should make me tea and toast, rub my aching back etc etc.....
Comment is about I Am Ill (blog)
Original item by Cate