The personification of Nature - what a brilliant poem! Nature seems very malevolant though I guess that is because it carries with it death and decay. Us humans regret our own mortality above all else. Great flow of thought and imagery. I see you have visited Skem concourse - high time Nature reclaimed that eyesore. They do have a great little shoe shop in the market area though...

Comment is about natures seventh seal (blog)

Does anyone know who wrote Eyam and the Wells? I'm intrigued but I tried googling it and couldn't find a reference.

Thanks for the welcomes and comments everyone!

I'll probably choose acrid then, it's the more fitting of the two. Not wasting words is a good tip, thanks Cynthia and Graham!

Thank you Andy :)

Comment is about Billy and the Flowers (blog)

Original item by Heather

This is so sad Ann. It is hard enough bringing up teenage kids when you have a strong, competant carer - without any guidance at all, your heart goes out...
'sometimes life is crap' sums up perfectly the randomness of the cards we are all dealt.

Comment is about a childhood (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thanks for your comment Ann. I thought you were a french speaker for some reason - must have been that raunchy poem about having fun in Paris! Glad you enjoyed the sound of it, anyway. x

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I think you are a pasta master at this type of poetry, Dave! I'm disappointed that you didn't chuck some of your own special Italian in though...
I think 'bastard' may also have thrown your rhyming scheme at one point - I won't hold it against you though!
This went down brilliantly at the Tudor - a great performance piece.

Comment is about Pasta (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Hi - great poem Isobel & you are so right about our struggles in life fuelling our art. My life has been very shitty in parts, (and probably, like many people, I seriously thought of ending it) - but still, not anything like as hard as yours, but I have been lucky in finding a "trick" to banish all regrets. For me, having a regret is a wishing that your life had been otherwise, (is that what you mean ?) - which (for me) is a negative view and unattainable anyway. There's nothing wrong with capitalising on our troubles & turning them into art, but (for me) to have regrets is to dwell on the past - to "agree" to be a victim of what may very well have been intolerable at the time. But that is in the past & by "agreeing" to hold onto our regrets (to "indulge" in them) - one cannot help but be (at least partly) governed & defined by them.
I know I sound like a vicar here - and I'm not at all religious - but if you Wanted to let go of your regrets - as I did - you can simply let go of them - not forget them, but deny them their hold over you. I haven't forgotten my troubles, but they no longer affect or define who I am. If your definition of Regrets is different than mine, then maybe your use of them to build your art is a good thing for you - an exorcising of your ghosts - but for me they would no longer be defined as regrets, just memories. It does sound as if I just like hearing the sound of my own voice here!
Sermon over :)

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Really enjoyed this! The line

' Cogs were whirring far too fast-a,
Flying belts went whizzing past-a.'

is easily the best of the whole place! Very amusing.

Comment is about Pasta (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Theres something very 'Borges' about this piece, perhaps its the entwining of something rather large, with something small and personal.

I like your confidence with reusing phrases and words, it fits the rebellious theme of the poem - an aggressive use of language that defines an aggressive poplace.

I have to agree with the other comments in that it's a very oral poem - the use of alliteration helps the words to roll of your tongue in thick globs, almost bloodlike itself.

A very good poem.

Comment is about Beloved (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Cynthia,

Thankyou most kindly for commenting! I'm glad you enjoy my poetry, and your encouragement is much appreciated - as a pessimist I am prone to shelving opposed to sharing, and I feel far more ready to share after your insightful response.

Danke.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Really like this, lots of phrases are great. Menacing but natural at the same time. Miss Haversham contemplating the end of the world! x

Comment is about natures seventh seal (blog)

You've made me feel very hungry! And it's good wheeze to end every line by adding an "a". That'll make it rhyme!! ;-) (Only kiddin') Really enjoyed it Dave, thanks! x

Comment is about Pasta (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Hi Larisa. I like this. As women we've just got to be what we've got to be! Sod the blokes! ;-) xx

Comment is about She is so beautiful (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Hello Larisa - thanks for commenting on A Childhood. It is sad, I hope things get better for her. She is a real girl, the poem is made up of the bits and pieces that you hear about someone else's life when you live in a small community. You can know so much about someone that you have never even talked to. Not sure if that is good or bad! Part of village life. Stay well. xx

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Hi Dave - thanks for comments on my last two. x

Comment is about Dave Carr (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Carr

thank you for your kind comment , it's a shame that he had to go young , I saw his last show and he was brilliant. Keep one writing mate I like your work

Comment is about Limerick (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

I love the title and the meaning behind it!
Very clever Peter... And this definitely needs to be read several times to take it all in.

Je me souviens de cette photo aussi.

xxxxx

Comment is about natures seventh seal (blog)

Oh my Goodness - I've just got it! I was reading it with a french accent before - what a twit! Only you could come up with that! Need to find myself an oar, obviously...Tee hee - you should write a funny french poem - you'd bring the house down!

Yours,

Sleepless from Wigan. xx

Comment is about Dave Carr (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Carr

Hi Isobel,
Re: the comment..
Read in French.
Pensé en Anglais.
Dave

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

At a terminal velocity of 250 feet per second it takes about 40 seconds to fall 10000 feet. Our son did a parachute jump for charity over Morecambe Bay. Watched him do it and the video. Don't think I'll be doing that. Just edited this comment as I though the original was a bit heartless.
....Nice poem by the way!
Dave

Comment is about loves parachute (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

You can be as flippant as you like on my poems Dave - all friendly banter more than welcome!I am struggling to understand your french though - was that the back of a wine bottle?Tell me where you went to get such a clean beach - I haven't managed to find one yet...xx

ps I will read and comment on yours tomorrow. Am tired - I need to sleep. I enjoyed that pasta one at the Tudor though - it was one of those funny groan ones - where each line takes you to new hights...

Comment is about Dave Carr (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Carr

Hi Larisa,Thanks for comment.Don't get many the other side of Wigan!Dave

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Sad indeed
Dave

Comment is about a childhood (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Made me think of Eyam and the wells.
Dave

Comment is about Billy and the Flowers (blog)

Original item by Heather

Ray,
I like everything about this poem.
The backbone rhyme... Did you write that first? Is it a recognised pattern or should we call it after you?... The character, the rhyming and the humour... everything.
Dave

Comment is about Anything Goes (blog)

brilliant performance at Wigan
Love the 'nude twister' imagary, sounds suburban wife swap ish, super curtain twitchin stuff!

Comment is about Dave Carr (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Carr

Dave, thanks, its fallen into 3 pieces, i may apply some abridgment

Comment is about natures seventh seal (blog)

Pete,Good one.I like especially..grand grey of your skelmersdale concourse and This illness is tattered cloth Between your ears In all canals Dave

Comment is about natures seventh seal (blog)

Nice :-)

Comment is about Limerick (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Very nice limerick. And.... really funny.

Comment is about Limerick (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Ha ha I'd go for that ;-)
TC

Comment is about Limerick (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

It is so true: sometimes life is crap.
Good poem.
With warmest wishes,
Larisa

Comment is about a childhood (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I find this very moving, Dianna, and very well put. IMO you are right not to alter a thing. Best Wishes, Lynn x

Comment is about Broken Dreams (blog)

Surely bitter and acrid are totally different. Bitter is a taste/emotion thing, whereas acrid is an aroma/sensation thing. I'm happy to read both although I'm also a strong believer in not wasting words. Welcome by the way Heather.

Comment is about Billy and the Flowers (blog)

Original item by Heather

Hi Gus - I love "Faded blue jeans that cry out for an arse" (well, I don't love THAT) it's a great line. The last verse made these men seem quite endearing somehow. But please don't do a follow up about women of a certain age - or I might have to extermintate you! ;-)

Comment is about Men Of A Certain Age (blog)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

welcome, heather.. i really enjoyed this... lot of power in this i particular the use of the thud, thud, thud twice.. it adds a lot to the piece i feel.

good stuff - keep it coming! it certainly left me interested in wanting to read more!

Comment is about Billy and the Flowers (blog)

Original item by Heather

Yea, I Know - I was just having a bitter and twisted moment! xx
haha - don't we all ? - you sound like you're pretty well sorted to me. all the best. B xx

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

This is super! A vital philosophy in a nutshell. I think 'staled' avoids the connotations of 'soured', a word which would have altered the whole point.

Comment is about Forget The Forgive. (blog)

As Greg says,this is very difficult to read, but every word rings truth and power - every word. It is inspired. 'vouchsafed to only your eye' is gut-wrenching.

Comment is about Stroke (blog)

Welcome, Heather. We all had a 'first poem' and waited with bated breath. IMO means 'in my opinion'. Many people use this sign, to show that their comments are not personal.
Your poem leaves me feeling twisted, but in a very interesting way.It is a strong imaginative idea. I think some lines are really good. In my opinion (IMO), 'bitter' and 'acrid' are so similar, do you really need both to slow up the rhythmic power and dilute the force of your concept? That's likely my second reaction - the culling of unimportant words to give the poem more punch. The italics work well. 'slick' and 'thick' seem a bit contrived; either one emphasises the X of the plague. Although 'slick' denotes 'freshness' also. It is probably the word that covers the idea best. I do like this work, and look forward to more.

Comment is about Billy and the Flowers (blog)

Original item by Heather

Gus, do you need to take out the 's of 'She's tongues pearly teeth'? I knew what you wanted; it is a very good observation.

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

Good morning Bernadette-hope I find you in fine fettle this beauteous morning.I,m off on a weekend break-see you soon-lots of love-Stefan-xx

Comment is about bernadette herbertson (poet profile)

Original item by bernadette herbertson

Good morning Lynn-hope you are well-I,m off for weekend break as from today-hope you will survive without me-lol! take care-Stefan-xx

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

The Crumid Skussle washed up on the tide with a Coniphany of gooey Glucker. The Partet was finished, the Foona-Plate drained and Fildew was forming on the Salmy Porm. It was time for Bips.

Comment is about Vocabulate Fremunctiously (article)

Thanks for commenting on the Woolies poems, Jeff. But don't worry about binge drinking and the Broken Society: that nice Mr Cameron and his friend Mr Clegg will fix all that.

Comment is about Jeffarama! (poet profile)

Original item by Jeffarama!

Thanks for your comments, on Something for Everyone and Carol Ann Duffy, David. Always good to hear from you. When is your new book of poems published? Any date yet?

Comment is about David Cooke (poet profile)

Original item by David Cooke

This is painful to read, but it's meant to be. I like "crush of the tyre" and "clutch of the claw." The opening three words contrast harshly with the optimism of the hymn Morning Has Broken.

Comment is about Stroke (blog)

I note from your ealier poem that you don't like poet banter on your comments which is fine. I'm hoping you don't mind me offering a little critique though. I like to consider myself a performance poet at times. To me this poem could be made a lot better if you chopped out some syllables or thought of alternative ways of saying things, to make it flow. Sometimes it's just a case of making a few contractions (I would to I'd)

Take for example my slight change to the second verse:

The words I read, cut through me so cold
I dreaded to hear the truth I'd be told.

Also - how about getting rid of the repetition of MY in the third verse, replacing with THE.

With a lot of superfluous words/syllables stripped out to change the flow, I think this could be a stronger poem.

Comment is about Naomi Hefter (blog)

Original item by Naomi Hefter

God! Trust a bloke to know that! ;-)! Maybe it was 20,000 feet. As I say, I just caught the news headline the once. Poetic licence. But I did feel slightly bad turning their tragedy into a poem. Real people an all. But it touched me very much, and the poem made me want to cry when I wrote it.

Comment is about loves parachute (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

It is not nice that they died like that, but if they were lovers it is a comforting thought they were together till the end, a thoughtful poem. Incidentally and not that it matters in the scheme of things, I don't know where they were climbing as Mt Everest is only 29035 ft.
luv TC XX

Comment is about loves parachute (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hello Ann!Thank you for your comment on dandling the baby!I created the music 2 days ago (and the new on my profile) for a show I'm doing but thought they sounded rather daffy when placed with an image. Yes, the granddad does look like Hugh Gaitskel! I hadn't noticed till you mentioned it. And I absolutely love your audio piece -- it's beautiful, mesmerising, and there's something mysterious and ritualistic about it that makes it seem a tad threatening -- as in a kind of bewitching. All your work has the thrilling fizz of enchantment about it. xxxx

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove