Have i set a precedence here Cynthia?
I like this... we are all made the same yet the mould is slightly varied. :-)

Comment is about Creation (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I like this. It resonates with me at the moment. Thank you! :-)

Comment is about Mind yourself (blog)

Original item by Christopher Dawson

I'm delighted that you connected totally with the feelings of isolation that I felt Greg. My poem 'Coming Home' that I posted yonks back was about coming back from Australia. I also wrote one about Sydney Opera House on the same theme. Could you imagine how those people who were stuck there for life must have felt back in the days when they got a one way ticket?
Thanks for the good wishes re slam. Both my pieces are definitely performance - one needs to be watched as well as listened to. I will post them though - once I've had chance to record them. Wish I could quell the rising nerves!
Isobel xx

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Cheers Ann, very rewarding that you should pick that up and take the time to convey.

Appreciated.

Comment is about Wind away... (blog)

Original item by Christopher Dawson

Thank you Alain, appreciated.

Goodness CBT, how generous! It's very flattering that you've given it such consideration. most kind.

Comment is about Autumn Fen (blog)

Original item by Christopher Dawson

Hi Nigel, Welcome to Wol. Enjoy. Winston (Admin New Members)

Comment is about Nigel humphreys (poet profile)

Original item by Nigel humphreys

In America there was (maybe still is) a very vocal movement to 'legitimize' the street-talk of 'blacks' by calling it another language. IMO, it was/is a terrible idea. Patois as an example of any local lingo/dialect anywhere in the world is regional or social or, at most, very narrowly 'cultural'. A kind of jargon is used to fit in with a desired circle anywhere, whether it be science, psychology, uni or the local 'crew'.

Comment is about When The Saints (blog)

Mike, your work is haunting. I'm never sure where I'm going until I'm there, and then, I don't know how I got there. IMO, that feeling of being included in something beautiful can be enough, without analysis. But, oh, 'as the Biosphere Plays a melancholy tune.' is simply gorgeous.

Comment is about Going Home By Candle (blog)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

Alright Jeff

What a great night last night! I totally enjoyed it, and was buzzing like mad afterwards :D Everyone's pieces were just dandy, and I would love to come along to the next one and do another bit if you'll have me :)

Catchya soon chuck, Laura x

Comment is about Jeffarama! (poet profile)

Original item by Jeffarama!

I really like this Ann. Really resonated with me, the week I've had.

Comment is about dust (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Can identify with this Janet ... where did we go?
Cx

Comment is about Autonomy (blog)

Thanks Dave, for your comments on 'down among the mad' - I always appreciate feedback. I, too, am not sure about the 'slightly sinister so sick' line - may well change it - bit too much susurration.
Cx

Comment is about Dave Carr (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Carr

This is great Dave. I have finally kicked out my black dog - bastard's been hounding me all week. It can stay in the bloody yard now.

Comment is about Black Dog (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

They never have genitals though, do they? Basic design flaw if you ask me.

LOVED this :) Funny as owt :)

Comment is about Mannequin (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

I also meant to say, good luck to you and Rachel in the Lennon slam tomorrow. Wish I could be there. I look forward to seeing the odd Lennon poem on the site next week, maybe.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Isobel, glad you liked Currawong, the product of a three-week trip to Oz, mostly staying with friends, two years ago. Interesting what you say about the isolation: I was struck by what an Australian tourist said to me up in northern Queensland, how she envied us being able to pop over to Madrid or Rome on easyJet when for them it's an eight-hour flight to Indonesia. As a consequence she'd never been outside Australia. PS Good on yer for spotting "desert". It was meant, inasmuch as any of the words in my poems are meant!

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Absolutely hilarious Dave. I don't recall ever fancying a shop mannequin but they don't tend to get the male ones to model underwear...
I can't remember you performing this in Wigan - maybe I was at the bar. Could you do it this week? I love the humour - it is so clever. 'She was quiet but i felt there was something there..' - lots of great lines!

Comment is about Mannequin (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

I can nearly match her on the toothpaste - I once sprayed my pits with Mr Sheen - and I have no excuses - hardly ever use the damn stuff!
A touching poem with lots of humour. You handle a sad subject but make it palatable and very human. From what I remember you also have a stack of kids....
It sounds like everyone is welcome in your house... that's a great way to be, though undeniably tough at times. x

Comment is about When The Saints (blog)

My my! The graveyard's going to be full soon at this rate! You me and Stef already have our plots booked! Actually, I'd rather be scattered, (as oposed to scatty - my present state! ;-)

Comment is about epitaph (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thanks for the comments :-) No title as yet; open to suggestions though?

Comment is about The Afflicted (blog)

Original item by Steven Kenny

Hi Win, thanks for commenting on 'Congruence.'
I'm enjoying writing the short poems for now. I was kind of hoping that i had done writing about flowers for a while :-)

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Hi Cynthia, thanks for commenting on 'Congruence.'
I originally wrote it in traditional haiku then changed my mind. I had a few different slants on how best to present it and your idea is very similar to one of them.
i.e. enjoying the rain
feel the pain
Narcissus

I'll take on board your interpretation and see if anyone else comments similarly :-)

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Dave. how are you? 'Inside Out' is unknown to me. I don't have a telly! Win x

Comment is about Dave Carr (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Carr

BTW - this is version I saw, and, to me, this is perfect - LOVE IT.
My heart is an ivy covered stone

bound to earth by a strong green rope.

Lichen encrypts my name, my date,

loving mother, my identity

and I am glad

for never a mate

had ownership

of me.

And in one hundred years from now

all will be a mystery.

Comment is about epitaph (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Love it Ann - but blow me down ! - I did't think that anyone else on WOL would bother with epitaphs, but I also have one called epitaph, so, even tho I've just posted already, I'm going to have to post mine now ! XX. B

Comment is about epitaph (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Janet - you're obviously onto something here with these mini-haikus; -is there a formal structure here for these last few? Liked it a lot. B

Comment is about Congruence (blog)

Lovely poem, this, Ray. Warm and so full of jokes. Talk about looking on the bright side ... "Wake in Paris and then we in Texas." Marvellous

Comment is about When The Saints (blog)

Thanks all. Cynthia.Interested to know what you mean by blackspeak. When I first wrote this I used to say it in a kind of patois. Is that what you mean?It's been diluted a bit since then.

Dave. I'm pricing up the holy raylics as we speak.

Ann. I do "perform", though not very often. Not much opportunity round here.

Comment is about When The Saints (blog)

I think I agree about the first three lines being OK. They were the ones that I woke up with in my head! Will maybe work some more on the rest. The image struck me so forcefully that I had to scrabble something down! xx

Comment is about epitaph (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I enjoyed this, though it's a bit of a shame that the wonderful rhythm and language of the opening three lines isn't maintained throughout.Then you'd have an excellent poem.

Comment is about epitaph (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dpwJS1-uYM&feature=related
Just take this longing from my tongue
all the lonely things my hands have done.
Let me see your beauty broken down
like you would do for one you love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlRanftUqO4
The idea for the book was inspired by this Jeffrey Lewis song. Each poem is inspired by a Leonard Cohen song. Unstained copies are available.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Wow Cynthia, you are too kind! Stef - the strong green rope was supposed to refer to the ivy stem and so a connection with the earth rather than a mother, but I think you have a good point (which I shall totally ignore ;-)). Please hand engrave the words "brill poet" on my headstone by the way! Graham - but perchance tis not my name, so nothing shall be revealed! Janet - thanks!I love cemeteries, as long as the graves are old ones. xxxx to all! xx

Comment is about epitaph (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Sounds lovely, wherever it came from! And I agree with Graham, it would be a good challenging idea for a comp - or would we be infringing copyright?

Comment is about Freedom (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Really like this Dave. You are a very amusing poet! ;-)

Comment is about Mannequin (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Great poem - I can hear it in my head as I read it. It would be a great performance piece (as they say!). Do you ever "perform"?

Comment is about When The Saints (blog)

Thanks for comment on Mannequin.

Comment is about Alain English (poet profile)

Original item by Alain English

Thanks for comment on Mannequin.
Mrs C needn't worry. It isn't autobiographical.
(Well - mostly)

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Thanks for comment on Mannequin.
Did you see Hebden Bridge on Inside Out last week?
Dave

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Hi Lucy.
Thanks for comment on Mannequin.
Your 'Peat's silent secret' poem is very sad. Saddleworth I guess.
Welcome to WOL.

Comment is about MissLucy (poet profile)

Original item by MissLucy

Totally engulfing. A really good poem expressed with utter simplicity, the rhythm of breathing captured in repetition and sound. It is very dramatic.

Comment is about Rise and Fall (blog)

Original item by MissLucy

Thanks for comment on Freedom poem. I got in trouble for it as I stupidly omitted the acknowledgements first time round. Hope it's all sorted now though and I have learned from it.
Dave

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

A very entertaining poem from a difficult subject.
I think there's room for a Saint Ray.

Comment is about When The Saints (blog)

ahhh!!! now its my turn to be hembarrassed! re hortum- just doin pooem in reply to your grave graveyard poem-boo hoo!!Sniff sniff Steff Steff-xx

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I like this, Christopher. It is lyrical with fine diction and inherent metrical music beating through it. The visual images are clear - 'Light splintered greys surrounding backdrop Pin down this flat and mastered land' and the mind is also engaged in the idea of history, ancient or immediate; 'harsh understanding' involves psychology of a people tilling the soil for generations. IMO,the poem has been well-considered and sharply executed.

Comment is about Autumn Fen (blog)

Original item by Christopher Dawson

It's brilliant, Ann, the echoing cry of a strong woman. It just 'is', and further praise I could not give.

Comment is about epitaph (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Darling-as promised,I have read your poemson Andys blog(The wind-beautiful beautiful wording...Freedom-wow! what a lot of work in that poem...Rzhepick-I did comment before on this poem-it is indeed wonderful!)keep it up our Odessa Lady-very much enjoyed all your very hard work for which I thank you-big kisses for all that-XXXXXXXX!!

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Good one, Janet.

Is it possible that it might be:

Feel the rain
Enjoying the pain
Narcissus

I have this idea that narcissistic people like to be 'martyrs'? I may be way off base. Someone will certainly jump in and tell me so.

Comment is about Congruence (blog)

Good evening Alain-your reading and evaluation of 'Times four'and the space poem, means a lot-I am sincerly grateful-Stefan.

Comment is about Alain English (poet profile)

Original item by Alain English

'blackspeak' I take it, in couplets! (generally.) The poem is very good, hitting all the right reality buttons with real humour taking the pith out of pathos. I love the jargon of the 'nursing station' cheek to jowl with the 'marching saints'. 'Sundays we dose up on old religion;I hear her sing as I pray in the kitchen' is brilliant. Great comedy is usually cleverly satirical. I laughed outright several times.

Comment is about When The Saints (blog)

Hi gorgeous-ok-thanks for the Andy N. info-will do and get back to you-much love-Stefan-xx

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska