I don't know why this particular memory popped into my head, but it was insistent, and I couldn't get it out until I wrote these few lines last night ... sorry it's none too polished!

Comment is about I close my eyes (blog)

Original item by John Embley

This is a moving one. Lovely to see a brother voice these emotions also. Big northern families - there's nothing like them!

Comment is about the day of her leaving (blog)

You missed out Paxman...

Ha - this reminds me of a verse out of one of my old performance poems where I took a good pop at Jeremy Clarkson.

Fun and light hearted. I enjoyed it.

Comment is about Jeremiad (blog)

I loved this. Elizabeth Bishop's Art is one of my favorite poems so it really drew me in with the use of her line "I lost two cities, lovely ones". Definitely made me want to read further and see how you explored the theme.

Comment is about I lost two cities (blog)

Thank you Anne for that lovely welcome to WOL, I feel at home now!Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis really moved me (and my magician)
Your surname is amazing!x

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

thank you Ann.
The photo is from a series taken by my very talented daughter Rachel who's work I'm sure you know on here.

Comment is about silver lady midnight moon (blog)

'lo Andy - cheers for comment on Peace and Quiet. Yeh, last line isn't really meant to 'fit in' as such, it's more of a bemused final statement. That kind of feeling you get when you get battered for doing something your parents wanted you to do in the first place!

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Hehe - yup, you're learning alright ;)

My other favourite venue is the Butterflies bar in Bolton. Jeff Dawson, aka Jefferama, runs two brilliant nights there - a WOL night, and another called Guitar N Verse. Well worth getting along to either or both if you can. I don't make it along there as often as I'd like cos I live in St Helens and I'm really bloody idle ;) It's a similar sort of 'vibe' though, and Jeff is a top compere!

Comment is about Neil Fawcett (poet profile)

Original item by Neil Fawcett

This is really very moving John, I enjoyed this in a sad sorta way. You've captured the emotions well, and the hustle and bustle of family gatherings - minus the big fight. Where's the big fight?! We always had one ;)

A poignant piece well written imo

Comment is about the day of her leaving (blog)

I loved reading this and found it really moving. And it's a perspective that I've never thought about before, a small brother left behind. Old photos eh - I really have to steal myself to look at them, esp the happiest ones for some reason!

Comment is about the day of her leaving (blog)

I've heard it said that drowning is a very peaceful way to go, surprisingly. That, or freezing to death apparently! I enjoyed the poem and the photo.

Comment is about silver lady midnight moon (blog)

You are very brave good luck Ayat; it only takes one like you to make a pathway to freedom Sending love and light is all I can do xxx

Comment is about The poem that put Bahrain poet Ayat al-Gormezi in jail (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

A voice that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end (inter alia).

Comment is about whitechapel ladies (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Only naughty in my head, Isabel.
And anyway, I can't walk in heels that high.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hello Cate,
Thanks for your thoughts on "Boots".
I only ever get to be naughty in my head these days!

Comment is about Cate (poet profile)

Original item by Cate

THANKS jOHN
I know it wouldnt hee hee I cant even swim.and Im terrified of water but hey ho :)

Comment is about silver lady midnight moon (blog)

Very nice, R.
Not so sure it would be quite as serene as this though!

Comment is about silver lady midnight moon (blog)

PS - it was early retirement, really -- I only had a year to go!

Comment is about MY C V (blog)

Hi Hazel - I like your style - nice and light, and to the point! This is very much like my experience -- I worked in factories, pubs, and finally the civil service, then took voluntary redundancy -- and after a couple of weeks found myself twiddling my thumbs, so I've ended up volunteering in a local charity shop to keep myself busy while I wait for the missus to catch me up!

Comment is about MY C V (blog)

OI!Dye! put that porno mag down and getcha sweet cheeks back into Bloggington Town! hope yer ok-Stef.xx

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

hey,
ta muchly chuck.
hope you're well x

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

thanx mate, its a long 1 i know. if i ever publish it in a new book ill consider your suggestion. the audio was bad as my camera is a crap one that since died lol. gotta get a new 1:)

Comment is about poem i read live at blouse band gig opening for them (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

Hi Re: Gondwanaland - who knows for sure when earth will blow up with the sun and thus decide the fate of man as boffins predict. Then whoosh obliteration unless of course representatives of mankind manage to voyage into the unexplored beyond and repopulate somewhere else. Hope my toes are well turned up by then. Much obliged for the comments.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

is the hat a left-over prop from the Onedin line...Cap'n? lux kooooool! Stef..xx

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

have tweaked me woofers...all is fine now on the re-listen to your songbirding-except for the chorus I would have added

#and its no nay neverrrr
no nay neverrr no more#

#will I play the kerb crawler
no neverrr nay morrrrrre!

Comment is about whitechapel ladies (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Which is your other favourite venue. thanks for the top tip, see I'm learning!

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

thanks Annie xx (her dream)

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

i enjoyed this, Nick although if i am honest, i don't think the audio did you any favours on it.

on the piece, i think it probably needs splitting up a bit for pace more than anything else, just to help the audience settle down with the piece more, but i did enjoy it..

keep em coming.. A

Comment is about poem i read live at blouse band gig opening for them (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

lot going on this piece for kath and a lot not said if that makes sense.

as with a piece i've just read by gemma lees, i love the use of the short, sharp lines here as it carries a heck of a punch with it.

excellent, your stuff has come on so much, so quickly..

andy n x

Comment is about Hurt (blog)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

change in style for you here a bit, i think gem and it suits you well.

the use of the short, short lines is very effective and gives it a beat..

would like to see more like this sometime.

top stuff, chick.

when i am back from summer break - defo going to come down to Middleton..

Andy N x

Comment is about Quoting Mikey Wong: "Poetry Is Gay" (blog)

Original item by Gemma Lees

i agree with laura, kealan here bud as the you're does stand out somewhat.. i would amend that asap if i was you..

otherwise, lot of good detail in this.. seems like part of a series of pieces however.. top stuff, man..

Comment is about Keeping You Warm (blog)

Original item by Kealan Coady

Hi! Welcome to WOL! I used to have a fully functioning magician - aren't they great! I like your poem very much! xx

Comment is about Nikki Whittall (poet profile)

Original item by Nikki Whittall

A shoe horn being better than no horn I guess...

You are wicked Anthony - but you've just given me a good laugh - particularly liked the first two.

Comment is about CAPTION THIS PIC! (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

"It suddenly dawned on Tracey that her friends had been having her on, with their "Lard Miracle diet.""

"It was obvious; Tracey's shoplifting trousers were no longer "fit for purpose.""

"Miss Piggy goes through her usual pre-makeup routine."

". . . Arthur was positively relishing the thought of watching her undress."

"It was no good. Tracey would have to go commando. Those jeans would never fit over her skimpy thong."

"It had reached the stage where Tracey would call for the shoe horn."

Sincere apologies to ALL Traceys out there.

Comment is about CAPTION THIS PIC! (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Not by the hairs on her chinny chin chin...

Comment is about CAPTION THIS PIC! (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

A posh debutante from Devizes
Found it hard to stop increasing sizes
She was once heard to say
That's my last canapé
For one simply can't zip up one's trizes.

Comment is about CAPTION THIS PIC! (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Oh you are naughty - you really do have a foot fetish! xx

Comment is about Boots (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Jules thank you for your comments.
I am new to all this.

Comment is about NO SIMPLE LIFE (blog)

There are no piercingly clever words in this piece.
Indeed most of the words are short, straight, not descriptive and direct.
Startled and Ashamed are the only two that really give any real impetus to this work. But what a powerful whole. It almost shouts. The resignation booms.
I can't associate with the writer's personal issues as I have said before to Kath and I don't think others should do so either. Praise the work.

Comment is about Hurt (blog)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

Did she?

Comment is about Boots (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

so whats wrong with gherkins then? the deeper ribbing gives extra thrill-so I,ve heard-ouch!

Comment is about Incucumbent (blog)

Original item by Christopher Dawson

bugger all wrong with the voice Ann-not sure about ground control to major Tom in the background-and dont you dare blame my taiwanese speakers! do you think an accompaniment on a washboard would have enhanced the recording? love from a relentless rainy Rossendale-Stef(with one eff!)..thanks AAnnn...xx

Comment is about whitechapel ladies (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Ooooo naughty naughty!!lol
Cate xx

Comment is about Boots (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

pic 1
"now lads lets all be upstanding for Princess Anne....."

pic 2
These size 12 jeans must have shrunk in the wash....
Cate xx

Comment is about CAPTION THIS PIC! (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

In fact that is the best poem I have read today....

Comment is about NO SIMPLE LIFE (blog)

Very good, you should send that off somewhere important....

Comment is about NO SIMPLE LIFE (blog)

I am very impressed...

Comment is about Win Win Win Till Money Kills All (blog)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

Thanks very much Jeff and Deb - aye, cannae beat a proper big fire and the drums a-beating! You can keep all your fancy Glastonbury Arcadia stuff - I'm deliriously happy with the most important basics

Comment is about Scarlet Ribbons (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hehe - liked this Ray

Comment is about The Beautiful Game (blog)

Aha - so this is where you replied!

Top tip of the day - if you reply on a profile, make it on the profile of the person you are replying to otherwise we won't get an email notification of your reply :)

The Tudor is one of my two favourite venues actually - love the atmosphere in there!

Comment is about Neil Fawcett (poet profile)

Original item by Neil Fawcett