Ey up Dave, thanks for the comment on Uncle Ned. It was a good night all round at the Tudor. I would agree that dialect poems are necessary to preserve a fast disappearing World.
Cate xx

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hi there Anthony, long time no speak! Thanks for the comment on Uncle Ned. I enjoyed the links you sent me... thanks. I have an old vinal record of The Fivepenny Piece, a couple of The Oldham Tinkers. We used to sing quite a few of their songs in the bad old days so Im familiar with all their work.
I agree with you that our old dialect songs and poems should be treasured. I was doing some research a while back into the origins of our Lancashire dialect, and its quite fascinating. Most of our Lancashire dialect words come directly from the old Anglo Saxon, with a big input from old Viking.
Such a rich heritage should be preserved as much as possible and in as many ways as possible.
Cate xx

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi Dave, thanks for the comment on Uncle Ned. I really enjoyed yours too. Heres to many more nights like the last one at the Tudor!
Cate xx

Comment is about Dave Carr (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Carr

Hi Andy, thanks for the comment on Uncle Ned. Glad you enjoyed it.
Cate xx

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Hi Laura, thanks for the comment. Glad you enjoyed Uncle Ned
Cate xx

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hi Isobel, it was great to see you the other night and your comparing was great, maybe a new line? I really liked this - the sadness is there but it isn't dwelt upon - there's lots of twists and turns and questions and, once again, I love your use of song - hey Big Spender! - I'd have liked to have heard more of that too! Take care, hopefully see you next month down the Tudorxxxxxx

Comment is about Something Old, Something New (blog)

Original item by Isobel

There are some good lines and ideas in here Terry. For me it was too long - it needs pulling together and focussing in some way.

Comment is about A Song for Breakfast (blog)

I'll second that welcome, Terry!

Funnily enough, when I first read this I found it reminiscent of Mr Black's style, so it is interesting that he should also have commented on it.

I like the economy of words to convey your ideas and the detached way you write about something painful.

Comment is about Ghost Writer (blog)

Enjoyed all of your sample pieces, Kay but 'Nobodys Child' carried a particularly kick!

Look forward to seeing more! x

Comment is about kayberley (poet profile)

Original item by kayberley

Wow! Just read this again after reading the story of Neil Moss.

There's so much more to it now. What generous gifts you wished for him. I have seen a waltz of starlings' wings as they pirouetted over one of Blackpool's piers, it's an amazing and awe inspiring sight.

For years I collected "smallest" things for my son, Joseph, who died the day after he was born, he was the smallest of my three children; a tiny pebble from a beech and a perfect bivalve shell, translucent in it's thinness; a snapped bud from a bunch of flowers; a minute toy car and a diddy bath time duck from Christmas crackers; a perfect, polished, unstrung little conker. There's quite a list - everything precious, everything treasured. Trying to capture moments that he might have had.

As a scuba diver, who once got left behind in the dark over 100 feet inside a shipwreck, I can imagine for a moment Neil's terror. My air supply was limited too & without a torch it was unlikely I would have got out. Luckily my buddy came back for me and I live to tell the tale...

Comment is about Visiting Neil (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

I'm in the same boat as Winston here with this piece, Fergus.. Got a cracking title too which is always a good thing with poems I find too! lol

Comment is about Fergus McGonigal (poet profile)

Original item by Fergus McGonigal

enjoyed your sample poem, Polina - hope you put some more up..

Comment is about Polina (poet profile)

Original item by Polina

can be read several ways this, dave to me but the obvious meaning to me 'i can't be bothered knowing' brigade (which i guess is closeish to 'i don't want to know' brigade).

really enjoyed it however in particular 'They say there's millions on my head

and even billions in the bed.

Why not keep the figures to yourselves?

Why the compulsion to dig and delve?'

Keep em coming,bud..

Comment is about Sausages (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

i do like the structure of this poem, melanie.. probably my favourite of yours so far and i think you work well towards the end...

i think steven is right on the 'me' too..

top stuff - keep em coming! x

Comment is about It's all just words (blog)

Original item by Melanie Coady

thanks everyone xx

Comment is about It's all just words (blog)

Original item by Melanie Coady

wow wow wow xx

Comment is about A Song for Breakfast (blog)

'absent friends' sounds heartbreaking :( maybe therepeutic.

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Fantastic, Chris. I am all for the graphic images you use. It is the comparison between "his" cosy world and the reality of what has been done and the continuing suffering of the parents that gives the poem it's intensity and power. Absolutely wonderful poem. Well said, Christine.

Comment is about Mr and Mrs (blog)

Original item by christine yates

You tell the story so well - make the reader really feel along with you, as well as carrying them back into the past, your past. The title is great - and if grand, then isn't that how adults seem to children. Perhaps it is our maturing and growth through such times that brings us to understand that in fact there are no heros. xxx

Comment is about Trilogy of Heroes (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I still want to be a loved child and get called Pops - nicely done Dave

Comment is about I Want to be you (blog)

Original item by Melanie Coady

Really grim but so well observed. Liked the "light of the local Spar", "curled up hands a faded old photo" and "the tea-tray and it's catchment of pills" - wonderful juxtapositions. Would love to have heard you read this.

Comment is about BY THE LIGHT OF THE LOCAL SPAR (blog)

Comment is about I Want to be you (blog)

Original item by Melanie Coady

A good idea with powerful symbolism, and taken fulll circle. A poem that says things worth saying about being human, being mortal, as the best poetry should.

Comment is about It's all just words (blog)

Original item by Melanie Coady

My friends get dimmer!! Nicely written with a hint of optimism to end ?? Dave

Comment is about Alison Smiles (poet profile)

Original item by Alison Smiles

Liked the rhythm of the poem. I would like to hear it performed.

Comment is about the quality of silence (blog)

A lovely poem, Laura. Really well structured. Some great alliteration. xxx

Comment is about Cycle Haiku (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Thanks for your supportive comments, Andy. Much appreciated. x

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Thanks for your comments on "Moon". No, the small type was a typo - not intentional at all!! xxx

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Thanks for your positive comments on "Moon". xx

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Amazing Anthony so moving, I loved and wanted everything in that bag, gifts infinitely poignant & precious, I am in tears again!

What a genuinely graceful way you have with words, modern day sonnets these!

Comment is about Visiting Neil (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Very moody & dark, what is this style of poetry called (at the risk of showing my ignorance)?

The pain is palpable as is the despair, beautifully written.

Comment is about Edge (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

So melancholy, I have tears, I've always loved autumn, this is a different look at the pre-winter season, very moving...

Comment is about Beyond the Equinox (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Thanks for your comments on my poems Anthony.

Your profile picture, is it a sculpture from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park??

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Flip! I nearly missed this pearler-neat little cracker!x

Comment is about It's all just words (blog)

Original item by Melanie Coady

ferfreshing hun xx

Comment is about Sausages (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

wow!!!

Comment is about Natural Disasters And Nuclear Foreplay (blog)

Original item by Kealan Coady

"skenning" ... remmeber saying and hearing that a lot when I was growing up in Wigan.

Comment is about Snow at Solstice (blog)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

TBH - they're all damn good (first 10 I reckon - read all 10 at least 3 times) apart from the last 2 which are Magical Passes & The Wheel of Time - both of which are like an afterthought, after the event & rather crappy IMHO.BTW - they used peyote/mescaline, datura, psilocybes & other stuff as well.
I've never had a huge dick dream - no need, if ya get my drift ;) B

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Mmmm - sort-of... it's also from a martial art I used to do a long time ago & for a long time called aikido, but haven't done it for years now. B

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

It can be read both ways Dave - I'm probably with Philipos - the 'I don't want to know' brigade wouldn't understand or have knowledge of the issues you are talking about anyway.

The poem reflects well the people who know but are weary of that knowledge.

Comment is about Sausages (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Ha - I should have said earlier that my poetry is perfect. I deliberately insert one imperfect line to every poem - just so the two Gods in my life can have something to tease me over! ;)xx

Comment is about Human Nature (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Not sure what you're saying Philipos - I'm actually having a go at the 'I don't want to know' brigade here. Maybe I've not made that clear enough - might pull this

Comment is about Sausages (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

So, What do you call a woman with a piano in one ear and a violin in the other?

Answer - anything you like, she can't f*****g hear you!

As if I would!

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about Human Nature (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Just the sort of humour we need with all this sorrow around and we think alike - somebody told me that ear-mites have ear-mites - great poem

Comment is about Sausages (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Yes - I do Anthony - do you have a twin brother by any chance? A good friend has already taken issue with that line. Gimmee a break - do you ever compose poetry with a piano in one ear and a violin in the other? And I'm not talking Chopin or Joshua Bell...

I'm glad you and some others realise that I am referencing other things in here. I would never have written a piece just about the plight of the Japanese, much as it distresses me. I felt inspired to write it after watching the news last night and realising what it all comes down to in the end - the bottom line for man - money, how it will effect him in the short term...

I honestly believe that until tsunamis are flooding up and down the M1/M6, everyone will turn a blind eye to what is so patently happening to this world. Probably just as well, since there is little we can do about it as individuals.

Thank you for your comments all - I hope I didn't depress anyone too much.

(The Armstrong line was probably a bit tenuous - I was trying to add weight to the fact that man is teetering on the edge of a huge precipice - extinction, to be precise. I had the idea of one big step for man in my mind, turning on its head the glory of that first walk on the moon)

Comment is about Human Nature (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Rachel - I once saw/experienced a spiral sculpture up in the Green Fields at Glastonbury, in which the artist encouraged people to leave notes for 'absent friends'. It was the most heartbreaking set of notes/words that I've ever read in my life. By the time me and my mate had walked around into the middle, we were crying

Comment is about It's all just words (blog)

Original item by Melanie Coady

I liked this original approach to the papers that involve a person's life and by which we are sometimes defined x

Comment is about It's all just words (blog)

Original item by Melanie Coady

i like the idea of insignificant words on paper,the insignificanceof life in all its beurocracy...

i once saw an exhibition of suicide notes...tragic last words all written with a last desperate hope to reach another person.
I think we deal too much in printed words these days and a word in print might hold more importance even though it is so depersonalised. once something is written it is indelible...i like tp write as much shite as i talk as i belive there s a lot to be said for humour in relation to the seriousness of words.

Comment is about It's all just words (blog)

Original item by Melanie Coady

Hi Isobel,

I like the way you've referenced other things in this. I suppose we can only measure the impact of events like this by comparison and their effects. Not sure I got the "Armstrong" line though?

My fave was the nod to "A Day in the Life" - a perfect fit. Only one line I would really take issue with - and I'm guessing you know which one it is as well as I do!

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about Human Nature (blog)

Original item by Isobel

aw lovely hun xx men!!

Comment is about The Sky is finally clear (blog)

Original item by Naomi Hefter