Hellooo... : )
I sent you an e-mail a while back - hope you got it and everything is good! (messaging doesn't seem to be working on here!)
xxx

Comment is about Kath Hewitt (poet profile)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

The more I read this, Marianne, the more I love it.
It has an elusive feel to it... as do many of your poems!

Really like 'moss feet and floaters'

Comment is about Silentium (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

The twist and humour is what I have come to expect. I always read first, then listen - and you sounded rather nice!

Comment is about "Widening the Circle of Friends" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Andy. Thanks for the comments on my poem "Who is This Woman in the Mirror.
How should I break up this poem? Please don't get me wrong. I really want to know. Since I don't write a lot of poetry I need constructive criticism to help me.

Thanks
Shirley

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Hello Isobel. Thank you so much for the comments on my poem "Who is This Woman in the Mirror".
I took your suggestion about changing my to her.
It does work much better.

Thank You
Shirley

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi John. Thanks for the comments on "Who is This Woman in the Mirror".
Men don't age? LOL. Someone should tell my husband this.

Thanks again
Shirley

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

This has such a great flow to it, Jeff, and I really enjoyed some of the examples you gave. Stranger things have happened though... you just never know!

Comment is about It Just Ain't Gonna Happen!! (blog)

Original item by Jeffarama!

A lucky chance that I stumbled across your work. Very impresssed by the depth of observation of places, of people, of all around you. Jealous of your skill with words.
Where can I find more of your work???

Comment is about chris stevenson (poet profile)

Original item by chris stevenson

Hiya Kieren... A long time ago, when God or Bog was but a lad, you performed Whatever Happened To The Heroes at some night called Freed Up.

Time has passed and even though I've seen and talked with you a few times since then, I've never commented upon one particular aspect of this poem that blew my mind.

In fact, you could say that commenting upon it now is more than a little odd and awkward. Why haven't I commented? What prevented me? Surely that horse has not only bolted, but bolted some time ago straight to the Pedigree Chum factory and into the guts of several dogs to be shat out onto indifferent pavements?...

And you'd be right.

Anyway... Kurt Vonnegut is punk. Fuck me, that is an amazing idea. And of course he is! Very cool and very intertextual of you. Well done. I like it when a poem makes the reader go "of course".

Grand stuff.

Steve

Comment is about Kieren King (poet profile)

Original item by Kieren King

Review of Write Out Loud Stockport, Sept 2011
Dave gave us more explorations of lighthouses in Larn. John delivered a lengthy piece of political blank verse about the uneven treatment of criminals in modern Britain (depending on their perceived class, race or cultural identity). Dorinda wisely and skilfully skirted the worst dangers of this month’s raunchy theme, opting instead for a Romantic Wuthering heights approach. Nigel predictably met the topic of lovemaking head-on, dusting off an old poem about lovemaking (but what else?) that reminded me a lot of D H Lawrence’s famous paean to elephants:
 
They do not snatch, they do not tear;
               their massive blood
moves as the moon-tides, near, more near,
               till they touch in flood.
 
Maggie then delivered an opulent poem about the different types of wool used in crocheting, a piece that shimmered with manifold impressions. It reminded me of an impressionist painting in words, in fact. Joanne then declaimed a poem about the love involved in making soup, which cleverly conflated these two concepts in a single vision – and lots of other concepts besides. Meshach then hit us with the funniest poem of the month. In its treatment of sex as a recipe, it was very reminiscent of the famous food episode in Fielding’s Tom Jones. I’m unsure why this fine poem raised the hackles of certain members - yet it surely did! Ah, it takes all sorts...
 
Kathy gave us an avian piece about the delicacy and fine features of our feathered friends. Andy then recited a good brace on the subject of Autumn, part of a suite he is working on. Both of these poems were splendidly evocative, like all his best work. And with the fine Autumn weather extending into October (touch wood), we can be sure his magnificent suite will be progressing nicely. For what is poetry without inspiration?
 
John began round two with a couple of collage pieces created using surrealistic cut-up techniques. These were pleasingly different to his usual staid offerings, if nothing else.
Dave presented us with a skilful graft onto an old (not ancient) lyric – so good it was impossible to ‘spot the join’. Maybe he needs to take up DIY! Maggie had departed for round two, so Joanne offloaded an interesting poem on the subject of face-painting. I commented on that one as reminding me of Shakespeare, who harboured a serious grudge against face-fudging females: ‘God has given you one face, and you give yourselves another’ (Hamlet). It was also pleasing to see Joanne try iambic pentameter. If we look at another of the Bard’s offerings, we can see how iambic pentameters are constructed:
 
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
 
That is, it has ten syllables in each line, with the stresses falling on each second syllable (syllables 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10).
 
Meshach gave us another great poem, entitled A Model of Heaven. This reprised the Greek myth of Pygmalion, the lovelorn sculptor whose marble creation of the perfect woman came to life. Following in his antique footsteps came Kathy, who recited an evocative poem about Egypt. I really enjoyed that one, somewhat reminiscent of Shelley’s Ozymandias and fresh as a desert sirocco. A Stockport Write Out Loud meeting would hardly be complete without one of Andy’s political poems, even though he had a bit of competition this time around. But then he also has lots of inspiration – riots, cuts and bankers bonuses... and so delivered another winner.
 
I have recieved a few bemused comments about the DVD of our Read Out Loud event in July. I know the filming was a bit rough and ready, presenting somewhat uneven coverage of the night. We can’t blame Justina for that, however – I just put the camera in her hands and asked her to film things as best she could. Rome was not built in a day and our next open event will run much more smoothly, I’m sure.
 
Themes for October: Black History and whatever else people might want to write about. We are also hoping to produce a collage poem where each person adds a line based on the line before. That’s the plan, anyway.
 
John F Keane

Review is about Write Out Loud Stockport on 10 Oct 2011 (event)

Hi Ian, Thankou for adding a pic. I have updaqted your status. Welcome to WOL. Winston

Comment is about Ian McEwen (poet profile)

Original item by Ian McEwen

Hi Emlyn, Welcome to WOL. Good to see you blogging. Keep posting. Winston

Comment is about Emlyn (poet profile)

Original item by Emlyn

Hi David, Welcome to our site. hope you find something of interest here. Winston

Comment is about David J Costello (poet profile)

Original item by David J Costello

...enjoyed the strong poems on your website as well...c.s.

Comment is about Nick Coleman (poet profile)

Original item by Nick Coleman

Noted Steve, and amended...

Comment is about Dawn (blog)

Original item by Emlyn

Thanks Peter.

Comment is about David J Costello (poet profile)

Original item by David J Costello

Now you mention it, Skem is full of scousers and at the foot of the M58. Darn it - it's also riddled with B roads...

Comment is about Chlamydia (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Very clever - it was brilliant performed and works very well on the page too.

However (in outraged Liverpool defence mode)

can we blame Skem?

Comment is about Chlamydia (blog)

Original item by Isobel

thanks for your explanation.

i understand now that you are saying the patient of addiction rehab should be treated with the same care as a physically ill patient. i agree, i think its also something to say the same about the mentally ill.

I thought the poem excellent in that it provides a vivid description of illness and the reality of this type of place, difficult reading because of subject, but very clear.

i think i was getting mixed up by the way the patient defines themselves differently..but like you say the society is telling the addict its all their own fault. i think we all need better education on the subject.

thanks again x

Comment is about The Patient (blog)

Original item by Lisa Milligan

The `bright copper scuttle of flakey black diamonds`and `orange flame` gets anthracite exactly. (I used to pinch it as a kid)Paradoxically, the social (or personal?)`Mea Culpa` seems to be undermined rather than re-inforced (as I think you intended) by the excellence of the cosy, secure and financial comfort.It`s all there though.

Comment is about Shutting-In Time (blog)

Original item by STEVE RUDD

Now that`s what I call sharing.

But I bet Gert doesn`t even appreciate your unselfishness.

(I`ll laugh if she replies: `who doesn`t?)

Comment is about "Widening the Circle of Friends" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

my favourite poem..

Comment is about Dawn (blog)

Original item by Emlyn

Great poem. I love the words.

Comment is about Emlyn (poet profile)

Original item by Emlyn

hi is thanks for your comments on comments :)

im all into writing spontanious at the mo and asking people to suggest random titles.

you got one?

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Larisa (Whose surname I cannot pronounce.)
I think you should go on with this poem; it's got potential. By coincidence I have already blogged a poem called "Funny Money" So there!!

Comment is about My Funny Money (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

I think I will go on with this poem

Comment is about My Funny Money (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Great to have stumbled across your recording, a happy chance. Listening to songs of yours ten, fifteen years ago inspired me - glad to find you are still around.
nc

Comment is about Charlotte Peters Rock (poet profile)

Original item by Charlotte Peters Rock

Amazing.

Comment is about Hasta Mañana (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

hi lisa

i ask as there are clearly many forms of addiction and although i dont think you reference addiction in The patient' people have assumed the condition described within it, as being about addiction from your comment. I wondered what your thoughts were about this in relation to the poem.

i wondered if the poem suggests an 'addictive' type relationship between its 'patient' and 'being' within a hospital environment? one where the patient is only saying they are 'a patient' to themselves whereas the outside world views them otherwise, the sarcastic nurses with pills for eg. in this poem and treating the patient negatively so that the patient recieves no care and therefore never recovers in a viscous cycle...is the poem suggesting the subject is addicted to this negative experience? as being part of more broader term 'disease'?

disease can mean anything really.im struggling with what your trying to say with the poem..that the patient is subject to a disease and so in misery and that they cannot escape the cylce because they believe that do be so?

i hope you dont mind the questions. im interested in this area and your poem so well written thought you may have an interesting view of the subject.

Comment is about The Patient (blog)

Original item by Lisa Milligan

I like this poem David. I also like the 'Liver Bards' that actualy made me smile. Keep 'em coming.

Comment is about David J Costello (poet profile)

Original item by David J Costello

Luckily, physical deterioration is not something that affects we men!Seriously, Shirley, another nice post.

Oops! Here I am again!

Comment is about Who is this Woman in the Mirror (blog)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

Luckily, physical deterioration is not something that affects we men!
Seriously, Shirley, another nice post.

Comment is about Who is this Woman in the Mirror (blog)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

ahh the meter makes me happy <3

what makes me even happier is the blame being on Liverpool. Mancunian to the end.

and i agree, i saw the title on the blog list and thought "chlamydia? it's actually a pretty word."

but then anything ending "-mydia" is pretty. shame about the definition.

Comment is about Chlamydia (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Great example of a list poem, Jeff, shades of Hovis Presley's 'I rely on you...'
Looks good on the page too.

Comment is about It Just Ain't Gonna Happen!! (blog)

Original item by Jeffarama!

Nice ideas in here. I would be tempted to turn the my into her, just to increase the sense of alienation cos I think its implicit that it's you. On a personal level, aging is blummin scary. I'd recommend eye drops and high lights. This girl's going down fighting ;-) x

Comment is about Who is this Woman in the Mirror (blog)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

Terrific, Isobel. It's great to read something clever and funny. The Underground and Tube line is first class. The whole thing is brilliant and deserves a big clap.

Comment is about Chlamydia (blog)

Original item by Isobel

No-one seems to have noticed the disciplined and faithful iambic tetrameters. (Probably too busy scratching themselves).
(But I did - notice, I mean; not scratch).

Comment is about Chlamydia (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Didn't think I knew what words like "plausible" and "substantiate" meant, did you?

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

song element here, Shirley to me which is really nice.

I may consider breaking this up a little bit, as it may make it flow better but i still enjoyed it.. keep em coming x

Comment is about Who is this Woman in the Mirror (blog)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

Good luck with the new venture. And thanks for the feedback from your group re the villanelle.
Dave

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

"Fizzog" is indeed your face and is usually preceded by the adjective "fat" - they have an alliterative magnetism.
One explanation is that it is derived etymologically from "physiognomy" defined as facial expression or countenance.
Do you buy that?

Comment is about "Widening the Circle of Friends" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Harry, thanx for your comment on It just aint gonna happen, glad it made you smile.

Not seen your work before (I don't get chance to read as much these days on here with everything else I do) but enjoyed reading this will have to have a look at some more!

Is the stanza about the joke being on you a reference to the Bee Gees song? Its only that we'e been playing it lately! best wishes Jeff

Comment is about EVERYONE KNEW BUT ME (blog)

great poem.

what forms of addiction do you think there are?

Comment is about The Patient (blog)

Original item by Lisa Milligan

Hi Ann. Thank you so much for your nice comments on my poem, "A Silly Poem About Hair".
My hair has actually always been straight and easily tangled.
I got the idea from an old high school newspaper.
I think your hair is very pretty, goes nice with your face.
Thanks
Shirley

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

St Ives..how lovely Ann..I think to witness such a thing is worth writing about and you have done this well...x

Comment is about beguiled by seals (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

So much in so few lines..I like it Terry, I like it a lot.

Comment is about Untitled (blog)

I liked your previous one, Steve, and I like this one too. The first verse is a diamond. But I can't imagine lighting fires right now though ...!

Comment is about Shutting-In Time (blog)

Original item by STEVE RUDD

I understodd all the stuff about cricket. It's the genital geography I don't know my way around.

Comment is about Chlamydia (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Oh Isobel!!.... :)

Comment is about Chlamydia (blog)

Original item by Isobel

aye Isobel fizzog is face lol..I too enjoyed the dialect within your write John...but to listen oh boy heh heh heh... :)

Comment is about "Widening the Circle of Friends" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey