Enjoyed it, Cate, I like hearing/reading local dialects. Though I can't make out why you have "pennies short were found" rather than "pennies were found short."

Comment is about Uncle Ned (blog)

Original item by Cate

I found this one a bit too graphic - I would have preferred the suggestion of what happened rather than the actuality. That's probably cos I'm a wuss - also because the subject matter really, really upsets me.

Castration - do your next poem on castration - and we all know who we'd have on top of the list. x

Comment is about Mr and Mrs (blog)

Original item by christine yates

Thanks all. The character realises that life in an institution is safer, provides shelter and more easily forgives his anti-social behaviour. So, yes, he is manipulating the system but perhaps no more than we all do. The box is both coffin and asylum, often likened to a warehouse.

Comment is about Shadow Boxing (blog)

I suppose the box is the whole package of mental health care - its pills, its doctors, its counselling.

A really sad one Ray and yes, well written.

Comment is about Shadow Boxing (blog)

Take it from me; the seat should be down so that it hides any nasty steins round the bowl. Once you have lifted it, you should then replace it. Once you have done this you should definitely wash your hands - particularly if you are in my house...

Nice one Crackling. x

Comment is about Dry (blog)

Original item by Crackling

Cate - you absolutely need audio with this - let me sort you out - or let Joe sort you out. Brilliant - so funny.

As I said on the night - I think Uncle Ned passed his driving skills onto me... I have a dreadful track history when it comes to reversing, as you well know!

Comment is about Uncle Ned (blog)

Original item by Cate

On the big day they were tall and ivory. On the big night they were black doc martin type - with black fishnets to match the one Alvin Stardust style glove! Thanks for the comment Ann. I didn't wear the dress all night - just for the poem and a couple of acts after - even I'm not that zany! It was a whole lot of fun - such a shame you aren't closer. You need to set up a venue near you. One of the poets at the Tudor is moving to Southport and has every intention of doing just that. x

Comment is about Isobel, virgin compere, wears white at Wigan. March 2011 (photo)

Really really enjoyed this at the Tudor, Cate, and it's just as good here. Hard to choose between this and Oor Olive's Pumps - you really have got a gift. More please!

Comment is about Uncle Ned (blog)

Original item by Cate

Hi dave,

I like others, found lots of "themes" in this ; time, age, familiarity, progress and the gaining of wisdom and maturity. I agree with Ray re the penultimate verse; it watered it down a little for me.

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about The Poem (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hi Ray,

Great craftsmanship - as usual, with clever use of enjambment and rhythm. A bittersweet take on something that's potentially stalking us all,

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about Shadow Boxing (blog)

Ah, but should the default position of the seat be up or down? I might suggest that it should be up - for the convenience of gentlemen - so to speak.

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about Dry (blog)

Original item by Crackling

Hi Ann,

"tiny as a brown velvet button" is a lovely encapsulation of baby rabbitness. Unfortunately my black demon of a cat keeps bringing them home as sacrifices/gifts, leaving (unluckily for them) only their feet as evidence.

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about rabbit (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

a very common subject put over in a very different way-liked it a lot-well done Charlene.x

Comment is about What's next? (blog)

lovely M.C! neat and to the point-x

Comment is about I Want to be you (blog)

Original item by Melanie Coady

brill Melanie! one suggested line in keeping with the theme of this poem-following on from-

"cultivating me with your screams"
(stealing the air)
(I want to breathe)?
best regards.x

Comment is about Bastards (blog)

Original item by Melanie Coady

aye Dave, this is a nice poem. So simple, but generating so much warmth.

Nice one

mike

Comment is about I Miss You (blog)

Original item by Dave Dunn

Hi, this poem although not long in text, speaks volumes to me. I think also, the lack of comments from many who should be admiring this work, also speaks volumes too. This is a fantastic piece, thank you for sharing, if only more could see the truth that has revealed itself to the few that dare acknowledge its presence.

Nice one.

Mike

Comment is about Race for freedom (blog)

Original item by Ushiku Crisafulli

cultivating me with your screams..
yeah.x

Comment is about Bastards (blog)

Original item by Melanie Coady

This encapsulates a big theme, Dave. That moment when you realise you're at ease with yourself, whenever it comes in your life. All kinds of things can flow after that liberating moment.

Comment is about The Poem (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

there was a series in the 70's - The Lovers - & his girlfriend (paula wilcox) used to refer to anything like sex as "Percy Filth"

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thanks Greg - it is the time of baby rabbits already! They are so SMALL! It often happens when I'm out walking that I end up following one simply cos they are going the same way as me, and they always think I'm doing it on purpose! Good that they are wary of course. x

Comment is about rabbit (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

At a garage where I park to eat a sandwich after visiting my mum in hospital I see rabbits bounding about in the next field as the sun sets. Brilliant pay-off line here, Ann. It's neat and really works

Comment is about rabbit (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hey Isobel! You look great! (Can't see the shoes though - hope they were bright red!)x

Comment is about Isobel, virgin compere, wears white at Wigan. March 2011 (photo)

PS, Its not about blaming them, most often is the case that many were indoctrinated with the same bulshit when they were younger. It's about stopping it continuing in our children. Wouldn't it be nice if for once, a politician would stand up and instead of giving us verbal about what he or she is going to do, they would actually ask; What do you want me to do to make this world work for you? There would be perhaps a whole race of peoples saying, Stop feeding us the bulshit that perpetuates a system that doesn't work. And give back belief in oneself to our children. We might then stand a chance to get along with one another. And mold a society that cares.

xxx

The Buck Stops Here!

Comment is about Melanie Coady (poet profile)

Original item by Melanie Coady

Hi Melanie! I have just read all the work you have placed in here. I have to say that in many ways I know the places you have been, where you have come from and where you are now. I don't talk of those places much. But I hear everything you say and yes, it has brought back somethings I try not to think of. I grew up very fast around the age of 6/7. Damned tough watching your fellow siblings getting the belt, especially when one was only two years of age when paraded in the bedroom and having her knickers pulled down. I feel what your feeling even now at the age of 43. Its sad to feel the fire on your person because mental ill health re visits over and over again the abuse and torment one went through when we were children. Big boys don't cry they used to say. So I joined the army, and got myself a whole new set of abuses to worry about in the world. Still, at least when I ventured Africa and the Middle East, I had a weapon to give me a chance to defend myself with. But what do children have to defend themselves with? In the main, nothing. You know what's even more heartbreaking, I thought I was the only one who had endured what I had endured when I was younger, but the military is full of people with the same experiences. I feel for you, I hope you can find within yourself, somewhere that is a sanctuary with all the beauty and peace that you are.

Mike

xxx

Comment is about Melanie Coady (poet profile)

Original item by Melanie Coady

That's a clever comparison Charlene, stirs a few thoughts....
Best wishes,Dave

Comment is about Poetry is like marriage (blog)

Happy days captured, despite the touch of jealousy I think. Those tiny hands seem so delicate,but can still do a lot of damage at times, hehe. We do enjoy a little regression into childhood when playing with our tiny tots, and are perhaps more accepted as playmates than by the teenagers... ;)

Best wishes, Dave
PS - I have a pic of me in a wig of a similar shade of red...

Comment is about I Want to be you (blog)

Original item by Melanie Coady

But what is the box? Very thought-provoking, Ray, and well-written

Comment is about Shadow Boxing (blog)

Thanks for commenting Melanie, Cate, Izz, Ray, Philipos and John.

It's a profound moment when a person realises that they have probably done their best work. What do they do about it? Denial, anger, keep trying - or accept that there is a rhythm to life?

Comment is about The Poem (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Are you laughin' at me?

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Man ! I love the hair - excellent. Your response to Dry well received and accurate.Thanks for the comments on other works - hope they brought a smile.

Comment is about Melanie Coady (poet profile)

Original item by Melanie Coady

Thanks for your thoughts on Mi Firstest Poems, A.
I well remember the pain of lovers' balls - as I peddled home from a girlfriend's house having copped a feel but nothing more!

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Nice one, Dave.
I poach the forms a lot of Kipling and Betjeman, then feel a complete amateur when I compare what I've come up with to their original.

Comment is about The Poem (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hi Melanie - thank you so much for your comments on 'I Miss You' - and my apologies for making you cry! Hugs, Dave

Comment is about Melanie Coady (poet profile)

Original item by Melanie Coady

Dave - sometimes we can be overtaken by our poems and our poetry writing - we seem aloof sometimes to the outside world which is the price we pay - the feel good factor coming from writing a winner is incalculable - I'm well with you on this

Comment is about The Poem (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

aw bless xx

Comment is about New Company (blog)

Original item by Crackling

omg i had th feeling all day i cnt seem to write tday bt then i wrote two bt im not impressed by them at all lol innit xx

Comment is about Poem (blog)

Original item by Crackling

ha ha ha

Comment is about Innit (blog)

Original item by Crackling

i knw dt feeling lol xx

Comment is about Fed Up (blog)

Original item by Crackling

ha ha ha try try oh try bt ye still do it xx

Comment is about Dry (blog)

Original item by Crackling

My wifes request :( To all the female world I apologise!! Normally I remember "Gentlemen raise the seat".

Comment is about Dry (blog)

Original item by Crackling

wow! i watched it on you tube i was drawn in all the way xx

Comment is about Lucie Rejchrtova and Aidan Dun (poet profile)

Original item by Lucie Rejchrtova and Aidan Dun

i cried my eyes out hun very moving..i still haven't sobbing for christs sake..damn u sad poem xx

Comment is about I Miss You (blog)

Original item by Dave Dunn

thanks for the comments & No - it's not rude. It really is time you had a shag Ann - you're seeing Percy Filth round every corner :D
(nice peter)

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi - thing is, he wrote 12 or 13 - the first is a bit technical cos he was gathering botanical data about the plants & its full of references cos that was his Phd thesis. The last 2 are a bit shite cos he's talking about stuff that don juan never taught him (really) - the second book "A separate reality" & onwards are the best IMHO & the first (teachings of don juan) is good also, once you know what you're getting. just my 2 cents :)

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

oooh! i liked it hun xx

Comment is about Trembling Hands (blog)

Original item by Martin Miles

Great, John. Loved "Filled wi' arrant pap" and thankst/ angst is a fine rhyme.

Comment is about Mi Firstest Poems (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Enjoyed. How long have you lived? is a good way to put the question, implying that job and death are synonymous.
I thought "She has tourettes." would suffice, the hilarity kind of goes without saying, you fuckin' bastard you. It's squeaking, not squeeking.

Comment is about Interview. (blog)

Original item by Kealan Coady

Your 'bird dream' sounds fantastic. I have never experienced any kind of transmutation or transmogrification, never had the conscious desire to (or unconscious, either, I guess); so, maybe, therein lies the difference. I've had lots of incidences with birds, animals and insects as though we 'talked' the same language, 'eye contact', all when wide awake.

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Enjoyed this a lot, Dave, though I could have done without the penultimate verse. I have such a poem myself, what friends refer to as "the Kate Moss poem". I don't think I'll ever write one that is as popular with an audience, which is a bit sad. But then, I've just been asked to do a support slot at a John Cooper-Clarke gig - my hero! So Whoooo!

Comment is about The Poem (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley