good early Wednesday morning Dave-I,m a bit bog eyed after five hour drive 'tut Rhondda-and into the usual downpour(no bricklaying for the daughter tomorrow!)always thinking of you health struggle-so my fingers will stay crossed-Stef.

Comment is about Dave Dunn (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Dunn

Hi Ann-you suggested I keep going? I need to in order to catch up with you! in twenty years! oh don,t start mopsing-keep up the needy momentum(for everyones sake) love-Stef.xx ps-wheres that new rescue kitten then?

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

This poem is just such a pleasure to read that I've read it again! And again. I don't think you've lost it either.

Comment is about Filling time at grandparent's (Childhood) (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

I enjoyed this - it makes the reader think and, yes, what you are saying is right. My son is a would-be x-box addict!

Comment is about The eighth sin (blog)

Cote Sauvage. John we must have bumped into each other at some stage. This reads like our holidays twenty years ago. The Phare de Coubre lighthouse on that lovely piece of coast. Camping, the Trois Canards restaurant, what a trip down memory lane. Cheers!

Comment is about Charente-Maritime (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I liked this as there is much more being said under the immediate images: "a washed up wonderland rediscovered" - there's an enjoyment of the "hidden shame" too!

Comment is about Rain after Snow (blog)

Original item by Alison Smiles

I re-read this a number of times, seeing different interpretations of the central theme. This, for me, is the strength of this poem - the fact that it can touch a wide audience, being concerned with expressing a common human experience which can be felt at different times and in different situations.

Comment is about Upon Disappearing (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Cheers JR.

Comment is about Mind yourself (blog)

Original item by Christopher Dawson

Good question. Personally I say let there be choice - and vive la difference!

Comment is about The Woman Behind the Veil - the great Burqa Debate... (blog)

Original item by Tomás Ó Cárthaigh

I don't know this ara but it sounds great - and you're making me hungry!

Comment is about Charente-Maritime (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

You make me smeyele and laugh, Tony. Thank you for that. It's a pity that you've forgotten what you wrote. Eye have also forgotten your comment. The only eye remember it was really neyece.
It had a real speyece. If my leyenes were deleyetful eye would leyeke to thank you.

Comment is about EYES (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

I was also pulled in by the first line and also, like Dave, have the misfortune to identify with the theme! Very evocative images.

Comment is about Insomniacs Ball (blog)

Original item by alan barlow

Sorry Larisa, eye have forgotten what eye wrote! But eye know eye had an eyeful, of your poem that made me creye all, through the tweyelight hours so awful, but your lines were not a treyeful, they were deleyetful!

How about that Larisa - and if you can make any sense of it, eye will be surpreyesed!

Comment is about EYES (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Me again, Foxy.
We might look a little chavvy supping mouclade from a cup. It's a spicy, curry-like, dish of mussels. But for you, Foxy, I'd sup it out of a cup.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thank you dear Charlene for your kind comment. I would like to confess that Antonionioni's poem "Hair" inspired me to write this one. So, the idea of the poem was stolen and rhyming style too.

Comment is about EYES (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

I am laughing through tears Tony. I've written my comment on your comment, then wanted to delete it and deleted the whole poem.

Comment is about EYES (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Enjoyed! I'd join you in a cup of hot mouclade if I knew what it was!

Comment is about Charente-Maritime (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I think accomplice is fine... but, if you don't, what about "partner in crime" ?

Comment is about dirty dog (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

A really enjoyable piece Cynthia. I particularly liked "The kettle drummed gluggily". It has an almost onomatopoeic feel which really appeals to me.

- Josh

Comment is about Would you care for tea? (for Elaine) (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks for your appraisal of "Bigotry" Cynthia. I intended there to be a villanelle (which I've had to change slightly to make it more coherent in the final quatrain) with a prosaic stanza of the same length as the villanelle (19 lines). Within which to compare and contrast the two and, as you probably have guessed, to denounce bigots soley biased to either vein. I think it needs editing but there are quite a few things to it that I definitely want to keep as well. I'll try to get around them but it sometimes takes me a while to think how to get around a certain obstacle.

All the best

- Josh

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks Greg. Not my usual barrel of laughs I'm afraid.

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Zut alors! Magnifique!

Comment is about Charente-Maritime (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

This is lovely, John, just what's needed on a cold winter day in England.

Comment is about Charente-Maritime (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Cynthia - re Leaving of Liverpool - thanks for the suggestion and I have taken out the line you said which does give it a slightly sharper edge - obliged indeed

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks. I have edited this a bit to make the language more simple and child-like. Can't seem to lose the word accomplice though.

Comment is about dirty dog (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Part of the firmament - you are a lovely - you can be the moon controlling all the tides...

What I was trying to say was that I don't really need catharsis any more. I've dealt with my past and put it behind me. That poem got written because I read two other poems on here - one that upset me and one that made me think. Would agree that poetry has lifted me, given me something other than drudgery to look forward to, stimulated the brain, introduced me to lots of fascinating people - and I'm not too bad at it on a good day - so it's made me proud of myself - which is very, very important. It hasn't done much to help keep my house clean though :(xx

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

I hope this is tagged 'Childhood', Ann, to be included in the theme-based group. I don't consider it a competition, more like an interesting comparison of ideas on a topic. This is a very good poem hitting a universal 'hot spot' as always.

Comment is about dirty dog (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

You are so good, Thom. You pull the reader in like a magician waving an amulet.

Comment is about Hush Little Nightmare (blog)

Original item by Tom

Hey, Josh, welcome back. You have been working hard. There is so much here that is excellent, provocative and evocative, or 'the reverse'. I really like your ideas, their insights and the resultant metaphors to express them. Your 'choral repetition of the 3 lines 'Tradition ....... so well immersed' is outstanding. I would do some severe editting to streamline your peak points so that they become more powerful. I sorta lost track of 'Bigotry'. IMO, a wash of words never creates tension of the type I think you want. But I shall reread some more with due respect for your talent. Hope to see you soon.

P.S. Petrova is a good writer too. Check out her work.

Comment is about Bigotry (blog)

Original item by Joshua Van-Cook

This has many interesting ideas in it, and some good lines. I like: 'they eat down to her eyeball pits', very graphic. I'm presuming you are using a metaphor, but I'm not sure for what. Would you consider a bit of explanation? No problem if you don't want to; poetry thrives on the enigmatic. You will enjoy WOL; we are an eclectic bunch and do welcome newcomers.

Comment is about The leftovers (blog)

Thanks Laura, good advice - just do it! ;)

And someone once told me its better to ask forgiveness than seek permission...

The majority of the time that which we fear is groundless, only serving to restrict us.

Thanks for reminding me xXx

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

interesting

Comment is about The Woman Behind the Veil - the great Burqa Debate... (blog)

Original item by Tomás Ó Cárthaigh

Ta Cynthia for your comment on 'childhood' - much appreciated, as always :)

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Andy, dropping pins eh?!
Sounds eerie and awesome at the same time. I'd like to perform some of my poetry but I'm not ready yet. Plan on going to the Tudor House tomorrow to listen, which will be my first time at a reading...

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

glad you like 'Percy'... Its one of those pieces which I was a little nervous about sharing it originally as I thought would think it was too slushy or something.. clearly not and that means a lot tome..

Comment is about Jeffarama! (poet profile)

Original item by Jeffarama!

Hi Alan, thanks for commenting on 'My Head Hurts' :) I'm fond of adding a twist in the tail now and then...
Best wishes, Dave

Comment is about alan barlow (poet profile)

Original item by alan barlow

Thanks John for combing my work and then brushing up on the puns!

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

you do have a knack of taking me back there.
I had a book - I'd give almost anything now to have it - I'm sure it wouldn't be the same now, but even thinking of it - it's cover - gives me a strange & happy feeling that there are no words for. xxB

Comment is about dirty dog (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Fabulous poem.

You haven't just re-appeared...you are part of our firmament.

Some lovely language...I particularly like 'from flesh, to ash, to nothing,

this graphite emptied page

of scratchings blown away.'

although I do think your own poems have 'dragged you out' too....or maybe...'lifted'?

Lovely.

Thank you.

:-)

Jx

Comment is about Upon Disappearing (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Hey, thanks for your kind comments! Yes, I don't know what I was thinking, missing so many gag opportunities. I'll never make any fringe festivals (or should that be cringe festivals...?)

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Thank you Winston, Janet, Laura - glad the poem struck a chord for you.

Mr Black - actually I am not a coal miner's daughter - I am a Heinz soup maker's daughter - tomato soup to be exact. Because of that I happen to know that UST means tomato soup and UBV means baked beans. Ha - no poxy university education could give you such a good grounding in label-less life skills. Thinking about it 'Life Without Labels' would make a pretty good title for a poem LOL.
Now what did your dad do for a living? Chop horses heads off? xx

Comment is about Upon Disappearing (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Another Classic (naturally) Win X

Comment is about Hikikomori (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

'Ey up Laura.
Glad you liked Senior.

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hello Cate.
Thanks for your thoughts on Senior. A teacher at school advised us to only write about what we knew about! Old age I know about.

Comment is about Cate (poet profile)

Original item by Cate

Thank you for thanking me John - but I am so old I can't remember what you are thanking me for now! ;-)

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

yeah i felt that the dockers were returning to the hookers open arms from their stint on the sea ;-)

Comment is about alan barlow (poet profile)

Original item by alan barlow

'Ey up, Foxy.
Thanks for your comments on Senior. It's all autobiographical as you expected!

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Alan - re: Leaving of Liverpool - not sure where you got the dockers from - the ladies were hookers or did I misunderstand what you were referring to - good to hear from you again though

Comment is about alan barlow (poet profile)

Original item by alan barlow

i thought this was going down a dark path the further i read and like the flippant last line for the ending

Comment is about My Head Hurts... ;) (blog)

Original item by Dave Dunn