hi lynn ive just read your sequels to 17 1/2 and they were really good ! so well done to you !and thank you for doing them..love bernadette xx

Comment is about 17½ and Happy (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

realy like this poem and there is such a truthfulness in these words ..xx bernadette

Comment is about THE CHAT OF TWO WOMEN (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

like this one larissa and its very well put together...the picture is lovely !! love bernadette xx

Comment is about OUR LIFE IS SHORT (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

I like this. The repetition of the colours throughout and the three word lines divided by commas give it a strong but off-beat sense of rhythm which fits really well with the idea of being 'jarred between the play/pause /trapped within this dialpidated beat' (a really brilliant couplet by the way).

Comment is about Blue Turning Grey. (blog)

I yearn for a little particular punctuation, but I think I have the 'interjections' in hand;but not sure of the change in thought.

Comment is about Court out (blog)

Original item by Christopher Dawson

Steve, I find much that is good in this poem. The first two stanzas had me completely; then 'the ethereal gossamer threads' almost made me stop reading. IMO, if you remove one non-essential 'artsy' line from the stanzas of four lines each, the poem will be better. My comments are always offered with respect.

Comment is about Night Watch (blog)

Original item by Steven Kenny

This is horrible Ann and you catch that horror well. I didn't know there were such contraptions back then - a living hell. There is lots of great language in here.'war horse tumblertumbrel of fate' I liked those words - also comparing the face to a dinner plate - sad and white and isolated.
It brings to mind something I witnessed once whilst taking my nephew and niece to a park in London. A young child with warts on its trachea - it had one of those holes in the throat and the nurse had to pump oxygen in at certain intervals. My nephew nearly fainted. She was wearing bright red patent leather shoes. Everywhere we went we kept bumping into the shoes - it was a nightmare. Prior to the incident I had chatted to her. The child was from a rich family but had been abandoned and left to a children's home because of this problem. What some people have to put up with defies belief...

Comment is about iron lung (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

i like the use of colours within this, georgina and like the way you build with the pink and red's at the end.. a excellent ending! nice one x

Comment is about Blue Turning Grey. (blog)

I like this one cos it's so true and well expressed. Great piccie also.

Comment is about Court out (blog)

Original item by Christopher Dawson

Good poem.
Lovely rhythm on this.
Dave

Comment is about synchronicity (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Sounds like good advice.
Very well laid out too.
A pleasure to read.
Dave

Comment is about OUR LIFE IS SHORT (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

I know this isn't cutting edge poetry but it is a true story. Agnes and Jim were my grandparents and their younger son David was killed in the crash in 1944.

Comment is about The Freckleton Air Disaster (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Hi - "Amen" poem - yes, I wrote that about 3 or 4 yrs ago, & when I came to post it I remembered the clip from Talking Heads & thought it was worth re-hashing for those who haven't seen it. all the best

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Would agree with Graham over the succinctness - liked the fact you could say so much with so little.

I like your conclusion - self worth is so important, as is love of others. Without the former, you almost condemn yourself to failure - just me thinking out loud here...

Comment is about To Hell in a Hand Basket (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

You are kind. I guess we are born again every time we embark on the old love boat and we are always in for a rocky ride. x

Comment is about Blue Turning Grey. (blog)

thank you, i prefer your interpretation actually. it's about the heart-losing/regaining its colour and strength xx

Comment is about Blue Turning Grey. (blog)

I worship at the altar - you've got CLASS written through you like a stick of rock ;)

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

I've read this a couple of times. Is the analogy to do with new born's taking their first breath? But I'm presuming the poem is about what love does to you - being made vulnerable, exposed, powerless...
An original take on the subject - I like it. x

Comment is about Blue Turning Grey. (blog)

really beautiful, well done xx.

Comment is about PIERCE (blog)

Original item by owen calvert

This is a belter, Ann. You've captured that melancholy moment when the swallows leave - and so much more, of course. I'm just back from a hol on the Northumberland coast, where the house martins were getting in a frenzy, ready to depart

Comment is about leavetaking (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

thank you, i'm made up you all liked it xx

Comment is about Now. (blog)

nice to meet you too, of all places on a barge, when i've lost my voice. just noticed the little red crosses you mentioned ha. hope you had fun, when's the poetry nights at the tudor again? xx

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

some hard hitting lines here, owen.. really enjoyed this in particular a very strong ending.. good one

Comment is about barbed (blog)

Original item by owen calvert

Come to think of it, I can picture Dale Winton with one.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

"A pillar box red pvc shopping trolley"
Ha! - I bet she thought she looked "the mutts nuts" - (please tell me it WAS a woman)- I've actually seen blokes with those trollies before now, but red PVC!!

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

good stuff, cynthia.. i like the brief nature off it - excellent!

Comment is about To Hell in a Hand Basket (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Good morning beautiful early bird-I put a comment on this lovely poem yesterday-mmm? it was to say,I really love the flow of this poem-you must have worked hard on it-and thank you!-Stef-xx(G-xx)

Comment is about THE CHAT OF TWO WOMEN (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Hi Larisa, I saw your query, but as you didn't seem to be logged in here I've emailed a reply to you :)

Best wishes, Dave

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Powerful Ann - some very strong images, very evocative.

Comment is about iron lung (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi, Dave! Please, help! I am not sure what is correct: "And her life was a real tough" or " And her life was really a tough" or "Her life was real tough". Which one is correct or better?
With warmest wishes, Larisa

Comment is about Dave Dunn (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Dunn

Oooh! But thank you for the kind wowsers comment! xx

Comment is about iron lung (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I was thinking about the germs being fresh and running around, all squiggling about! My first term at infants school was delayed by about 6 months cos the school was closed due to a local outbreak of polio. So, polio = fresh as in live, active and 'orrible!

Comment is about iron lung (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Seem to be laying a few ghosts lately - and facing a few fears. Inspired to post this as a response to Dave Bradley's latest poem. Not sure mine is finished - it's a bit complicated maybe!

Comment is about iron lung (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thank you Cynthia for your very kind comment on "No Matter" - I was afraid it might be too maudlin! Maybe I need a maudlinometer! Or maybe I don't!! xx

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thank you Cynthia - I was afraid it might be maudlin! Maybe I need a maudlinometer! Or maybe I don't!!

Comment is about no matter (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thank you Cynthia for your very flattering comments on my wonderful poem.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

This is lovely, Ann, a gem of lyrical lines and musical cadence, a universal lament without being maudlin.

Comment is about no matter (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

If this is true (or even if it isn't) you picked the wrong person.
It might have been a different poem if, for example, the man had sung happy birthday to you or offered to share his KitKat.
Anyway - Happy Birthday!

Comment is about Why I don't write greeting cards (blog)

Original item by Alison Smiles

Very clever.
I agree with Ray about the last verse.
(I do like things like this)
If anything I would say the last line in verse 1 is too short.
Perhaps 'But not give in meekly to anxiety.'
Thanks for comments on my poems by the way.

Comment is about If you can ... (blog)

Original item by Alison Smiles

Thanks Stef - that's very kind of you to say! xx

Comment is about no matter (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

The ivory tower (and the word outside, and indeed the title) all refer to not really feeling like I'm fully part of the society I live in. Over the years, I have felt a bit isolated and socially excluded on occasions but its also (as indicated by the word acerbic) that I'm a bit defensive and wary and not wanting to get too involved with people.

Over the top of that, there's criticism of the modern hangover from the class system in the psyche of the populace(especially amongst the fairly well off) in that people seem to feel that they either have to know their place and act accordingly to get on, or to feel they never will get on and rebel totally against that in the expectation that they never will get on in life and they may as well just lash out.

There is also the idea in there that people sort of limit themselves by looking back on things always being done a certain way by peoples who preceded them down the ages and revering "traditions" as rules that should be continued and obeyed rather than as stuff that primitive people did just because primitive people were a bunch of eegits (which primitive people mostly were).

The ending just illustrates the idea that while some primitive people may have towed the line out of a genuine (and idiotic) love, respect and reverence to their leader and others towed the line for the protection, status and wealth that they were given in return, aristocrats and monarchs and anyone else who wants to set/control the rules that other people are made to feel they have to play along with were (and are) only ever really out for themselves.This applies not just in Government, but also in everyday social politics.So yeah, just thought I'd write a poem about that but I tend to be oblique because, at the end of the day, it's a poem, not an academic discourse.

Comment is about Spectating (blog)

Original item by Dermot Glennon

Ah yes this is one of the anomic pieces from the relativistic, absurdist Glennon period and is a poem that will be on the 2030 A-level syllabus. Discuss.

Comment is about Spectating (blog)

Original item by Dermot Glennon

Thank you so much Anne for those wonder words and observation I had hoped that the wisful lonely feeling had been strong enough to register.

I note that you are still writing as enthusiastically as ever ,

Long may it continue.

Once more, many thanks.

Augusta xx

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thank you Rosalind for your very kind thoughts and wonderful comments I look forward to reading more of your poetry.

I am delighted that my poetry gives you goose bumps but I'm sure there are many other pleasures that produce that state of 'Tingle' dare I say even long stiffer goose bumps!!

Once again many thanks

Yours in pleasure.

Augusta xx

Comment is about Rosalind (poet profile)

Original item by Rosalind

Thanks for your comments on my wonderful poem 'Window box'.

Though I can assure you it is not a cut-up (wash yer mouth out) though I suppose it is a bit 'miserablist' school of poetry.

Comment is about John Darwin (poet profile)

Original item by John Darwin

A lip-smacking little poem. Very tasty.

Comment is about The Oyster and The Whelk (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Hi - Ol Blue Eyes - I must admit that before I wrote it, I had to look up the spelling. Apparently, Sindy was the UK's answer to the US Barbie doll, so even though Cindy is a "real" US name, over here the new doll was called Sindy. all the best B.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks for your comment on 'window box' and yes, thank goodness no gnomes or I'd have to blow them to pieces which is a very dangerous thing to do, or so I'm told.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Winston, thanks for commenting on 'Sweet Nothings' :)

Cheers, Dave

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

I can feel immense ideas floating through this, but, IMO, I'm not sure they ever quite crystallize. What is your definition of 'Ivory tower' other than deliberate, protective separation from so-called reality? And 'acerbic' in such a dominant placement meaning 'bitter, harsh'? I don't make the connection. All comments made with great respect always.

Comment is about Spectating (blog)

Original item by Dermot Glennon