Enjoyed your poetry samples, Louise.

Comment is about Louise Fazackerley (poet profile)

Original item by Louise Fazackerley

I like the way you have made so much of one of those curious moments that happen ever so often. Also like the contrast of the beautiful deer and the old woman - both seeking freedom in their very disparate ways.

Comment is about Ruchill Park, Glasgow 10 a.m. 29th December 2010 (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hi Laura, thanks for reading this.

Yes my mother IS a radical feminist, her definition not yours so I guess she can own that. Without the radicals in any area there is no middle ground, no acceptance of Dr King without Malcolm, so while I agree media mis-representations warp opinion, the radical is in my opinion vital. If it wasn't for people like my mother, you yourself would be considered by others as a radical, even if you didn't consider yourself one!

Which are the generalisations that you feel are outdated or excessive? Can you explain why?

Hard to respond to such generalised comment, you guys haven't even got the excuse of attempting to be lyrical! ;)

This is after all a poem not a theoretical lecture, so the term poetic licence may apply.

Comment is about Equally bad (AKA Rantings of an antisexist man in a post-feminist world) (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Enjoyed the sentiments and pace of this, Dave. Thought maybe the trees could be something other than "lovely"?

Comment is about Ruchill Park, Glasgow 10 a.m. 29th December 2010 (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

This leaves me bemused. As mentioned, it is one almighty set of generalisations, many of which I disagree with, and many of which are outdated.

Your mother is a RADICAL feminist? Even now? Whilst it was a hugely important movement, and had some excellent points, feminism moved on a heck of a lot since it was first proposed as a theory. I find it way too separatist and damaging, ultimately. It's my belief, based on experience, that too many young women these days reject feminism/ists on account of radical feminism, as that is the only form of feminism ever represented by our lovely media.

There's some interesting points in here, but to me, it's just way too outdated and generalising to be making any kind of a statement.

I am a feminist by the way, but don't adhere to any one theory - my beliefs are taken from those parts of Socialist, Existentialist, and Postmodern feminism that I identify with. Certainly not anything that is separatist and limiting.

Apologies if this comes across as negative btw, but you did welcome debate.

Comment is about Equally bad (AKA Rantings of an antisexist man in a post-feminist world) (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, much appreciated :-)

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, much appreciated :-)

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Thank you Dave - I think you are spot on with the assessment - much obliged for the encouragement

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Enjoyed this, Ian. My childhood was a little later, but there were many echoes in it of what you so well describe, and reading this has stirred it up.

Comment is about A Fifties Childhood (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

Hi Isobel, thanx for comment, am doin poetry to music with Andy N, you never know might try this!

Look forward to seeing you thurs @ Guitar n Verse! Jeff X

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Provokes a strong feeling of being trapped. Powerful one, Kath

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

Well I'm glad to hear it isn't based on true life Ray - the wife is spared the cricket bat for the time being...

Comment is about The Unspeakably Familiar (blog)

No probs - your poem inspired me in part to write a poem just. It's pretty rough so I'm not sure if it'll ever get finished or make it on here - like most of my stuff!

Comment is about Kath Hewitt (poet profile)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

Hi Alison, thanx for your nice comment about my poem, much appreciated. Not had chance to comment on WOL for a while so missed your work, will have a good look soon tho, best wishes Jeff X

Comment is about Alison Smiles (poet profile)

Original item by Alison Smiles

I happen to like seeing girls fighting & pissing in the streets - especially the latter ;)
And I see Isobel's jumped up on her soapbox..... again!!
Seriously - great points, well made and ones that we could talk through forever.
And Isobel's a sweetie.
True equality & mutual respect can only be a good thing & I'm all for it. As for sacrificing a career (many careers) to have kids - well, that's a choice & a biological fact - that women are the ones with a womb (the clue's in the name). No-one ever said life was fair. We men have our crosses to bear as well (putting up with wimmin for a start :D )

Comment is about Equally bad (AKA Rantings of an antisexist man in a post-feminist world) (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Many thanks, Winston... for your sojourn and kindly response to my poem, "Buttered." You are much appreciated. Cheers, Frederick

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Wonderful emotional textures evoked by poignant lines. And what striking images as Lux flakes wafted into the tub in the cellar. An awesome poem. Thanks for sharing.

Comment is about Winter Walk (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Aye, Cynthia... and what a beautiful madness poetry is! Thanks for dropping in and responding to my poem, 'Buttered.'.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Andy,

Thank you for reading and commenting - yet again!
I seem to have been unable to write anything for a looong time, i think maybe this was a one off!!

:-)

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Hi Ann,

Thanks for reading and commenting again x

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Winston, thanks for reading x

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

hi isobel, thanks for reading yet again x

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Thanks, Andy, Ann and Isobel.This is actually a precis of the first chapter of a not very famous novel.

Comment is about The Unspeakably Familiar (blog)

My mother tried (and she would say failed) to sum it up in a 10,000 word (well that was the target length, she handed it in incomplete at around twice that length) dissertation, so I think to suggest it could have been done in one poem, much less 25 words, without recourse to generalisation is a bit like hoping the answer to life the universe and everything is 42!
Even if it was the 'right answer' you would not have space or time to adequately context it with the question.

Comment is about Equally bad (AKA Rantings of an antisexist man in a post-feminist world) (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

I suppose equality of the sexes/ agreement on traits of the sexes/ behavioural issues/ how we nurture/ how we respect the nurturers - is all a huge subject matter for one poem. I did go off on a bit of a tangent with my earlier comments - homing in on aspects of inequality that have got to me. I suppose they weren't the issues that are core to your poem.
I enjoyed the poem cos it made me think about something that has touched my life big style. I've even started writing a poem about it! It is a piece of catharsis though - so I'm umming and aaghing about whether to finish and post.

I thought your summary was fair. I like to see poetry on here handling serious issues also.

Comment is about Equally bad (AKA Rantings of an antisexist man in a post-feminist world) (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Thanks Charlene! Did you hear the audio version at the top or just read it?

Comment is about Mark Mr T Thompson (poet profile)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Hi Julian, thanks for taking the time to read and respond. My aim is not really to seek agreement with this piece, rather to prompt debate, which it seems to be doing quite well.

Having stated in the opening sentence that I am a feminist I am not sure how I could be more clear about beliefs. I feel that what could be descibed as feminine personality traits (a useful generalisation I feel) tend to be considered of less value.

The bluffers guide would read, "We spotted gender inequality and mistakenly thought that everyone being more masculine was an improvement. Perhaps there was/is/maybe a better way! Please discuss"

Comment is about Equally bad (AKA Rantings of an antisexist man in a post-feminist world) (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

"under the stars" - Thanks for the comments & I do agree that the explanation was unnecessary, but I wanted to say that this was indeed a real event & mirrored an earlier similar event - both of which were marvellous but very strange.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

"Liqueurs, madam" - thanks, yes, that was the general sentiment I had in mind "Oooh, you are awful......"

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

Mark, I commend your desire to say something important on this subject. Good for you for your intentions. That being said, I feel that what you achieve does little justice to the topic. As Isobel says, "some generalisations in here"; too many, Mark.
Your piece does not make clear what you stand for or believe in, thus it is impossible to disagree with you. What is the central statement of your piece? What do you intend it to say? If your poem were to be represented on the bluffer's guide, what would be your summary in 25 words or fewer?

Comment is about Equally bad (AKA Rantings of an antisexist man in a post-feminist world) (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Speaking from my own experience, I found that giving up my career to become a full time mum, had a dramatic impact on the whole dynamics of my marriage. Gradually I became a non person - like my opinion didn't count cos I no longer earned money. It was probably overnight really - but I it took me a while to realise it LOL Obviously everyone has different experiences and they will be affected by personal circumstances/individual characteristics.

Within all of this is the importance of nurture, which is something close to my heart. Let's give child rearing it's due importance. Be it the man or the woman who makes sacrifices, sacrifices need to be made. I'm not a big fan of the 'stick your kid into care' from 7am till 6pm kind of regime. The sad thing about our society is that house prices push many into having no choice. Food for thought indeed.

Comment is about Equally bad (AKA Rantings of an antisexist man in a post-feminist world) (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

A bit of controversy won't kill me!

My mother is a radical feminist (BSC in sociology specialising in women's studies) who agrees pretty whole heartedly. So far the only negative feedback has been from people who didn't fully understand it. I would actively encourage ideological critique.

Comment is about Equally bad (AKA Rantings of an antisexist man in a post-feminist world) (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Love it. I would take out the bracketted comment as not needed in the roll of invective. Don't remove this piece, it's priceless; reminds me of Robin Williams, the famous American actor, doing a monologue.

Comment is about motherfuckinfox (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

There are of course some generalisations in here but on the whole I LOVE it. Too often equality is sought in what I would consider the aping of less attractive male characteristics.

In chasing dreams of equity
We came to be more equal but crucially
We became indifferent to the importance of difference.

I like these lines - along with much of the thought in here. I have long said that true equality lies in giving woman due respect and credit for what she chooses to do - be that the big career or the rearing of children. Given that respect woman will find greater satisfaction in what they do and less internal conflict.

Great poem - great piece of thought - though be prepared for many to disagree with you. x

Comment is about Equally bad (AKA Rantings of an antisexist man in a post-feminist world) (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Hi Cynthia - job done - I agree it does looks better - ta for troubling to comment - having said had trouble doing the amendments system playing up

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Laura, I think perhaps you are a little hard on yourself, but it is a good exercise to look back over our older poems and see if they can be improved. Personally I think you write very well in English, but we can all 'hone' our work better by returning to it after a while, Some of my poems have been 'tweaked' not just once, but several times over the years and I'm sure I will continue to do that :) Best wishes, Dave

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Hi, my dearest Dave! Thank you so much for the comment on "Your Love". You know that I've decided to rewrite most of my poems. I think the time has come to do that. I came to the conclusion that a lot of my poems are very week. I mean not the ideas of the poems but the structure of them. So, as far as I have no inspiration today for writing new poems, I've decided to overlook my old ones. Am I right?
With love, hugs and warmest wishes,

Your ever friend,

Laura

Comment is about Dave Dunn (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Dunn

Thank You Alison,

To me rhythm and rhyme are everything and anyway I just can't seem to write anything other than business reports in blank verse.

It just will not flow.

Just firmly set in my ways!!

Regards,

Ian G.

Comment is about All Downhill From Here (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

Thank you, Dave!

Comment is about Your Love (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Very sweet Larisa :)
Best wishes, Dave

Comment is about Your Love (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

I loved it, a rhythm that just wouldn't quit, exactly my kind of thing.

Comment is about All Downhill From Here (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

Great stuff Mr English hope to make it one of these!

Comment is about New Year and New Gigs! (blog)

Original item by Alain English

Thanks so much for your comments, David! There are a couple others that are lyrics too - if you have time, I'd appreciate it if you checked them out. "Bye Mommy" is one, "Though The Demons Are Waiting" is another and so is "Waves Crash". "Bye Mommy" is in pretty good shape, but the other two probably need work. The rest of my work is mainly free verse.

If not, that's OK too. In any case, thank you for taking the time to comment on "Broken Seashell". Happy New Year!!

Comment is about David Franks: Walkabouts Verse (poet profile)

Original item by David Franks: Walkabouts Verse

Neatly drawn! A lot said in a few words, great stuff! Jeff X

Comment is about Perfect line (blog)

cropped the quiet room like you said it does work well i have made it into a song http://soundcloud.com/alienpoet/the-quiet-room-becomes-loneliness

Comment is about garside (poet profile)

Original item by garside

Quite powerful with your diction and phrasing. Will surely return to your works. Thanks for sharing.

Comment is about Dilute to Taste (blog)

Very beautiful... such a pastoral feel with its rustic tones and chirpy lines. Thanks for sharing.

Comment is about A charm of goldfinches (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thank you Ann for reading and responding to my poem, "Consumption." And you were right, it tasted quite good. Now all I need is someone bold enough to read it out loud so we can post it up on youtube or some other venue. Cheers! Frederick

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove