Like the Siddal girl whose face seemed so 'ideal' for that current sentiment?

Comment is about lifemodel (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

And what, exactly, do you think they do?

Comment is about The Art of Judas (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

grazie, Ann, per il tuo commento genere di 'Hamsihagos' Deb x

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Good afternoon Larisa-a very open hearted poem-I especially like the last line-now thats my kind of poetry-lol! lovely photo too-is that tea or.....!! best regards-Stefan-x

Comment is about I like to live my own life (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

More Hugh Masekela,
And less vuvuzela!

...whatever the embouchure ;-)>

Comment is about World Cup haiku (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Excellent World Cup haiku, Marvin, even if you've moved the goalposts a bit!

Comment is about Marvin Cheeseman (poet profile)

Original item by Marvin Cheeseman

Anthony, first let me thank you for your heartfelt and ebullient comment on 'Stark cold truth'

I have just read your poem 'lifelines' and it is a fantastic poem with a rich tapestry of well woven and unforgettable images. On the strength of that one poem I can't believe you are not published as I have read with some poets of fine repute and it reminded me a so many poets, from the accessibility and execution of Auden, to the warmth of Khalil Gibran. It also reminded me of my friends poem 'Allihies', go to Mike McKimm's website to see if Allihies poem is on there - I think you'd like the inspired response from a poets stay in somewhere as beautiful as Allihies.

Fine poem sir, we should keep in touch occasionally as I am sometimes in Cornwall and if you are ever in Coventry I co run an open mic at the tin angel on mideieval spon street, would love to collab a performance with you !

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi Cynthia

I liked your comment and I want you to always feel you can be bold as honest critiques are such a great compliment opening up new possibilities for the writer and the reader.

The title is ambiguous and could serve as a national or personal description of a Mother. The tools in the two flag are symbols of the industrial proletariat and the peasantry; placing them together symbolises the unity between industrial and agricultural workers. This emblem was conceived during the Bolshevik Revolution. I guess the line skinned moon from there own struggling flag describes the peasants who created the symbolism believe in in it ne more, after retreating to cannibalism during the WW2 the irony of them eating each other and skinning a labourers sickle with a crescent sickle of moon shows the destruction of something natural (moon) and something vile (the loss of identity of a nation).

Thanks for commenting on my Stalingrad poem Cynthia, its refreshing to take time out from my manuscript and read some intelligent feedback.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

cheers for the haiku feedback Tomas - and great work with the Corncrake poem - my ornithologist mate Martin will really love that. best wishes, Marvin

Comment is about For the Corncrakes Sake and Mankinds (blog)

Original item by Tomás Ó Cárthaigh

Thanks Tomas - have been sending the haiku to HaikuWorldCup - worth having a go at, they're producing an e-book. Once you start you can't stop! all the best to you.

Comment is about Marvin Cheeseman (poet profile)

Original item by Marvin Cheeseman

a great poem - disturbing & sad - sometimes things in life remain like that - "unfinished". B

Comment is about Displaced (blog)

Original item by Deborah Jordan Bailey

C
You've motivated me to look up Spencerian Stanza - I too like experimenting with different forms, although I'm never as successful as you've been with this.
I notice that you maintain a pentameter in the final line whereas Spencer uses an Alexandrine. I prefer your form. The Alexandrine is ponderously long ("snake-like").

Comment is about Spenserian Stanza (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

C
Excellent. I agree with Dave - too few doing form. You do it well too, maintaing the iambic rhythm throughout. Do some more.

Comment is about Spenserian Stanza (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Dave - thanks for the comments on "a little rusty" - I cant quite decide myself whether I like those iron statues or not - still deliberating on that one. all the best. B

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Could very well be truth in this poem Dave,the way we are abusing this planet and our fellow man.Thanks-Stefan.

Comment is about Last Generation (blog)

Original item by Dave Dunn

thankyou so much cynthia.
i am pretty much an atheist but i am addicted to the stories and what they do.

Comment is about The Art of Judas (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

thank you Francine, Vous êtes très aimable, comme toujours, mais je pense que d'autres ici me comprenne bien. J'ai peut-être de repartir bientôt. Je veux juste qu'ils me demandent, pas accuser... soupir..Deb xx

Comment is about Displaced (blog)

Original item by Deborah Jordan Bailey

This poem has the same effect as the picture in a way - it is very good and very clever but it makes me want to SCREAM! x

Comment is about Relativity (m.c.escher) (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

There is an animated version of this work on UTube.
Also some discussion about recursion on this site
http://www.pxleyes.com/blog/2010/06/recursion-the-art-and-ideas-behind-m-c-eschers-drawings/

Comment is about Relativity (m.c.escher) (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

I see you've got time to put your feet up, Dave! x

Comment is about Dave Carr (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Carr

Thanks you lot! I am going to try and write several poems about artists models. I do life drawing from time to time and the character, the aura, if you like, of the model affects the drawing totally. Even if she never speaks. And they are all so different. I'm reading about the lives of the models painted by the Pre Raphaelites at the moment. Fanny Cornforth - Yea! xx

Comment is about lifemodel (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Tomas, your skilfully-crafted poem about the comeback of the corncrake is heart-warming, especially in its wider aspirations. The mournful music is beautiful, too. Greg

Comment is about For the Corncrakes Sake and Mankinds (blog)

Original item by Tomás Ó Cárthaigh

Wonderful. I love form poetry. I'm glad there are people out there keeping it alive.
Dave

Comment is about Spenserian Stanza (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Tomas,
Great poem. Enjoyed listening to it and reading also. We saw and heard corncrakes on the Isle of Mull last year. Very distinctive call but not unpleasant. I like the way you did this.
Dave

Comment is about For the Corncrakes Sake and Mankinds (blog)

Original item by Tomás Ó Cárthaigh

Hauntingly mesmorising.
As always Deb, you weave together beautiful words that reflect
the heart and soul...

xxx

Comment is about Displaced (blog)

Original item by Deborah Jordan Bailey

I think this is superb, absolutely fabulous. One of the definitions of 'true poetry' (can't remember whose) is that 'after you have 'paraphrased' all that you can, the words that are left constitute 'real poetry'. I think this poem qualifies.

Comment is about droning light afterswagger (blog)

Original item by owen calvert

I really enjoyed this Cynthia. Your explanation of the form made me want to try the style out for myself.
At the risk of showing my ignorance once again, the text you use here reminds me of the likes of Tennyson and Byron. They are still the greats even today in my opinion, they hold an element of nostalgia for me and when used with powerful words, doubles the emotional effects.
Love this,
Janet

Comment is about Spenserian Stanza (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

You are so canny, and brilliant with words to encapsulate diverse ideas, seeing esoteric and convoluted relationships everywhere. I am in awe. Poor Judas - to have to bear such a burden through Christian centuries, and, in my opinion, unjustly too. So, of course, I liked 'the bibles like banana skins'!

Comment is about The Art of Judas (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Great poem, Ann, one of your best. It scores on every 'poetic' level: insightful idea, vivid imagery, total reader involvement as you develop the scene, and a smashing 'twist' at the end. Complete with new-age COLOUR! Great finale.

Comment is about lifemodel (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

What an absolutely charming piece of work Ann. Several lovely words here. Agree with Stefan and also
the last four lines. A great observation on how we are all hopeless once in love's grip.

Comment is about a pinch of salt (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Cynthia,

I always find it very stimulating creatively to write to a strict form, in that it imposes a rigid discipline one's thoughts and a focus on one's purpose. You prove that beautifully here. We shouldn't lose these forms, they enrich the diversity of poetry and its history. I for one am really pleased to see you revive it in such a successful fashion.

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about Spenserian Stanza (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Thomas,

I liked this a lot. It illustrates perfectly the irrationality of the things we cling to, seemingly without reason. I get the feeling that this may have been written somewhat from a personal perspective; either way it works excellently in communicating a feeling of silent resentment. I particularly liked the image conjured up by:

"There's no reason now
there's no alliance
perhaps to reminisce
for a short while
on a dark cold afternoon
but nothing more
in these new lives."

A very worthwhile and thoughtful read.

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about Letters To Old Lovers (blog)

Original item by Tom

Hi Tomas,

I read and listened to this with great interest. As a child (many, many moons ago!) I recall hearing corncrakes in the poor hay-meadows of the high Peak District of Derbyshire where I grew up. I always thought it sounded like someone running their thumbnail over the teeth of a comb. This is a wonderfully informative work, made even more relevant by the haunting audio. I admire your skill in putting it all together and sharing it on youtube.
You pose a very interesting question, if only our compassion for the animal world were extended to our fellow humans.

Much enjoyed.

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about For the Corncrakes Sake and Mankinds (blog)

Original item by Tomás Ó Cárthaigh

"Pull Apart the Perfect Nest" is an excellent poem.

Comment is about Tom (poet profile)

Original item by Tom

"If" and the world cup poems are so cool!

Comment is about Marvin Cheeseman (poet profile)

Original item by Marvin Cheeseman

Thank you, dear Mike! Your comments inspire me to write more and better.

Larisa

xxx

Comment is about Falls and flights (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Hi Cynthia. a worthwhile exercise I think. Never heard of this form. Really reminded me of the metaphysical poets. did you feel that the form made you write like that? well done witht this one. win

Comment is about Spenserian Stanza (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Larisa, this is a really good poem. Thoroughly enjoyed every word.

Nice one

Be Well.

Mike

xxx

Comment is about Falls and flights (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

nice on dave. lol . win

Comment is about World Cup Haiku (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Hi dave...thanks for commenting on "It only Ends Once", much apreciated. win

Comment is about Dave Carr (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Carr

Hi M... thanks for commenting on "It only Ends Once", Well i must read it next time we meet then! Win x

Comment is about Marianne Daniels (poet profile)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Hi Ann - thanks for commenting on "It only Ends Once", nice things pop up when least expected (A cliche but true)Nice new pic by the way :-) win X

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Dave... Thanks for commenting on "It only Ends Once" just need to go to the place in th photo now! lol . Thx win

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

hi Isobel - thanks so much for reading and commenting on "It Only Ends Once". your comments made me feel I have created a nice place to visit on a day when i feel abandoned. :-) Its a 'settling' poem i feel. Win x

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Alison - thanks for reading and commenting on "It Only Ends Once" glsd you enjoyed it :-)

Comment is about Alison Smiles (poet profile)

Original item by Alison Smiles

hi Jack...welcome to WOl. hope you enjoy exploring the site, Winston (Admin)

Comment is about Jack Pascoe (poet profile)

Original item by Jack Pascoe

Hi adam, welcom to WOl. hope you enjoy the site. winston

Comment is about Adam Gregory Pergament (poet profile)

Original item by Adam Gregory Pergament

Thomas,you know I am a fan who wouldn't skip over your name. This one is really good. And three years ago too. It works a universal situation without soppiness and, for me, tough irony as indicated by both your clear-eyed honesty and your choice of sophisticated vocabulary.

Comment is about Letters To Old Lovers (blog)

Original item by Tom

I had a great holiday - studied up a storm 'just for fun' - and sweat buckets over two archaic but wonderful forms of poetry. This nearly rendered me bananas - but I persisted. Any comments very welcome.

Comment is about Spenserian Stanza (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

If France win the world cup thingy will it be garlic shrugs?? ;-) x

Comment is about World Cup Haiku (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr