Hi Cynthia. 'Rascal' was inspired by a photograph by a famous Turkish photographer Ara Guler. It was of an old-style steam boat on the Bosphorus in Istanbul which is a city I love and know very well. I hadn't seen before but the old boats had funnels that were bent down to go under the bridge, hence 'I bow my smokestack slowly'. The poem is written from the boat's point of view and the things I imagined it had seen in its time. The second verse is reference to a great fire at the start of the 20th Century that destroyed large parts of the city which was mostly woooden built at the time. THe star and crescent was reference to the Turkish flag and I imagined soldiers fighting in the Turkish was of independence in the 1920s being transported on the boat. Thank you for interest in my poem.

Best Wishes

John

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Dali, A great collection of words in this one. Loved the section

your shapes and rhythm are in me
I'm your weakest child
thrown out, on the shore
left with the eyes wide open
and the brain shut
gathered by knives
of your white stone teeth
cutting slowly my hope

thanks for posting

Win

Comment is about MY SEA (blog)

Original item by Dali

Hi Dali, Thankyou for looking back at my poem "Tyne – Dogger – German Bight (OS LR NZ783189)" Its a common idea to try and interpret a painting in words. In fact two of the members on here (Andy N and Olga Gerke) are planning a book on exactly this. In this case the picture came last and just seemed to fit the words. They do fit very well as you say though. Win

Comment is about Dali (poet profile)

Original item by Dali

good one cynthia.. i am 1/2 way through my piece for this but considering i know we have a few weeks left, i'm not too worried yet (being bogged down with other pieces)

Comment is about Bite the Bullet Participation/Tagging! (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

good luck, Emma.. Only wish I had the money for that!

Comment is about Beginning of a journey (blog)

Original item by Emma Decent

Beautiful and the last two lines are truly special. I have to try and write something like this myself, those things come back to us whenever they want..

Comment is about comet tails (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I like Philip Larkin, he is quite funny isn't he at times,I have just discovered Donald Justice, oh he is so good, would love to buy a book, but it's affording it all really, I quite like carol ann Duffy, and Armitage, but having read Adrienne Rich I do wonder if two of their poems were inspired by her, which I find so interesting. I think it really helps to read, my library doesn't stock much though. My drive poem is a bit about driving and more about when you meet someone, you have to be careful they don't take over your life ! :)

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I don't kill things any more! This was probably the only time I have ever used fly spray, and that and the other events of that day have always been fused in my memory. I hope no one will see it as being disrespectful to all the poor souls who perished on that day.

Comment is about 9/11 (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I like this one a lot too Dali.

Comment is about STRUGGLING ARTISTS (blog)

Original item by Dali

Very enigmatic! I like it.

Comment is about LOUVRE (blog)

Original item by Dali

Always take a notepad and pen wherever you go Lynn! (And I hope the x ray wasn't for anything worrying.) xx

Comment is about My Afternoon at the Hospital (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

So Lynn - you've invented the haikuhaikuhaiku! Well done ;-) xx

Comment is about Summer Rain (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Hi Ann. Glad no butterflies were harmed. I hope no humans we harmed also. win, goodnight x

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I really was there and saw those places and people when I was reading it, nice and colourful and the idea behind it makes it all so meaningful and whole. Dali

Comment is about Chamber Music XIII (blog)

Original item by Andy N

Lovely poem, Larisa. Sad and beautiful, I like the thunder arguing with the rain too. xxx

Comment is about It Was An Autumn Day (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

hey dave,

i've got a performance opportunity for you :) any chance you could email me? louisefazackerley@hotmail.com

Comment is about Dave Carr (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Carr

Posh? You mean, I've written a posh poem? Well, that has to be a first! Lol. Actually, it's in the style of 3 haikus joined together. Thanks for reading and commenting, Stef, your title is the title of the picture as I remember it! Luv, Lynn xx

Comment is about Summer Rain (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Thank you, dear Ann for understanding.

Comment is about It Was An Autumn Day (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Good luck Emma. I'm sure that your father will be accompanying you in some way on your journey. I lost my partner nearly three years ago (mum and dad gone too). After the initial year, for me, there was a definite "wing spreading" feeling. I haven't done anything as exciting as you are going to do, but I went on a wildlife survey off the wild and windy Scottish coast (sea sick the whole time!), started to sing, played a big drum in the local carnival with my face painted black and red, and began to write poetry. Maybe we just think "why the hell not!" So enjoy your trip and your life. xx

Comment is about Emma Decent (poet profile)

Original item by Emma Decent

Hmph - will you be tagging this with Pandora's Box then?
I like the poem - shame you didn't post it back then - I guess that might have been too conformist for you...
Are you into deep posh gravelly voices then? xx

Comment is about Persephone's latest call. (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Good on ya Cynthia for reminding everyone - though I think we'll be lucky if people bite the bullet and tag. Despite asking everyone last time only 12 out of the 26 poems ended up tagged which is a shame really cos it would have been nice to make an archive out of them. To help voters choose, Dave might well have to do a list with blog links included which is very time consuming... I think he's on holiday for the next 3 weeks also so we will be into October before we are voting.

I think themed writing is a great discipline. I used to think I couldn't do it - that my mind had to be free - but I've surprised myself. I think it is possible sometimes to create deliberate blocks for yourself - though obviously, not every subject will inspire every person.

It would be lovely if new WOLers could get involved with it as it would give them an insight to how WOL can come together as a community. Perhaps Winston could give them a nudge in that direction when he welcomes them to the site? It would be good to have a special place to access/archive them also - one that could be administered by the organiser rather than the poets - who are a little absent-minded on the whole...

Comment is about Bite the Bullet Participation/Tagging! (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Larisa - yes, the same sentiments exist in East Germany and no doubt other places that used to at least pretend to value equality and humanity over money money money. It's no exaggeration to say that a right wing capitalist with more money than he actually needs would rather see people die than lose an extra penny in tax if he could make that happen!

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Thanks for your comments Ann. I musyt apologise for not having read all your profile yet but i have seen a number of your poems and comments and always enjoy the sense of humour therein!!

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Cynthia - this is very useful info for new members especially. Biting bullets hasn't inspired me yet! But I might try reading in public for the first time next week, if I can "bite the bullet!" Maybe that will give me poem!

Comment is about Bite the Bullet Participation/Tagging! (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I really like this Larissa. " the thunderstorm was arguing with rain" is my favourite line. Thunderstorms do sound very argumentative don't they, sort of bossy! And of course the picture captures it too. "someone's soul sat quietly under the bench" is lovely too. Poor soul!

Comment is about It Was An Autumn Day (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Cynthia, what a lovely, ace and sweet person you are. Your comments on Phaedra made me blush with pride. Thank you so much.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks Angela ;p

Glad you loved the visit. Was it fun for you? ;)

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

you should definately
DO IT!

Comment is about real life and adult toys (blog)

Original item by Daniel Hooks

Cate, I'm finally back to you. Dave and Isobel covered my reactions eloquently.
I did find myself making my own stanzas. The first idea seemed to be assertions of 'I do not want..' up to ' ....clappy World'. Then you grip the real subject with the metaphor of 'bullet' and you beg not to be physically tortured using 'bullet' imagery, deliberately excessive. Next is 'the silent scream' section with its emotional 'soundless spaces'. And finally, you assert your realism again, recognizing the inevitable circumstances, but begging only for more time. It is really well-structured; the 'stanzas' idea just helped me to appreciate it.

The kids are leaving home, or some such?

Comment is about Biting The Bullet (blog)

Original item by Cate

How strange, I've very recently written a poem with almost exactly the same subject matter! I may post it if I feel brave enough.

Comment is about real life and adult toys (blog)

Original item by Daniel Hooks

Hey Lara - welcome to WOL. I loved visiting your museum. The walls and the floors having quite given way beneath me - but it led to a suspenseful visit!x

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Cheers Winstons :)

Okay - I'll stick them up on the blog thing, ta for tip

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Liked you samples . I think that you should enter one or two as blog entries, that way they will get more exposure and are more likely to attract comments, Liked the museum piece especially. I think that many of us have written about a museum but not one like this. Win

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hi Laura and welcome to WOL. Hope you find something interesting here, Winston (New Members).

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hi Horace: just enjoyed some of your verse, and good to know you'd recycle your "Cross Channel Swimmers" grease! David.

Comment is about Horace Thespider (poet profile)

Original item by Horace Thespider

Hello,and thank you for saying hello to me.

Comment is about Marianne Daniels (poet profile)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Thanks for the comments cynthia, bit of a confidence boost because was feeling abit blocked recently. much apprecaited. take care x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hello Richard, Saw you at the poetry cafe,thought I'd say hello. Enjoyed your work.

Comment is about Richard Tyrone Jones (poet profile)

Original item by Richard Tyrone Jones

Gooooooood morning Larisa-how are you today? very well I hope! I,m going to see my Grandchildren today and have lots of fun! see you soon-my best regards and love to you and yours-Stefan-xxxx)M-xxx)

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Thanks andy n for the comments and the welcome. very kind indeed.

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Gooooooooooooood morning Bernadette-hope you are well chuck-see ya soon! lorra love-Wildey-xxxxxx

Comment is about bernadette herbertson (poet profile)

Original item by bernadette herbertson

Good morning Lynn-from rainy Rossendale-hope you have sunshine 'darn sarf' off out now- catch you later-enjoy your day love-Stef-xx(B-xx)

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Hi Steve... Well Done with Sale WOL. I have been 3 times but before it was elevated to its present level of popularity by your good self. Good luck with the teaching career and hopefully see you at freed up or similar soon. Win

Comment is about Steve O'Connor (poet profile)

Original item by Steve O'Connor

Well written and heartfelt... I will never forget.

Comment is about Nine Eleven Tribute (blog)

Original item by Dave Dunn

Thanks for your comment Val - I'm always really grateful for feedback. If it was about kids I would lose that line but it isn't. For some reason Im not sure of, I just have to leave it the way it was written. It'll be buried soon enought though... LOL
xx

Comment is about Valerie Cook (poet profile)

Original item by Valerie Cook

Another hard-hitting one- actually this is quite moving Larisa, especially if based on a real observation. It's interesting that this poverty and the struggle of the welfare state to cope with ever more mouths to feed, young and old, is causing a real crisis in many countries, including here in the UK.

Comment is about When I Was Going Home (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Yep Greg, it's a shame Frank doesn't have the same confidence for England that he does for Chelsea. I fear the same process is happening to Mr Rooney...

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Good evening oh very posh poem n pikky poster! now then girly! what about Mr potato heads suggestion of re-titling this lovely poem-'Rainbows and Roses' see how clever I yam!(NOT?)no charge chuck-peace,beads n bells n shiny things to thee fair Maiden-Stef-xx(B-xx)

Comment is about Summer Rain (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

It makes me think of robber birds like cuckoos who are not nearly so glamourous as this. Harpy is twitching all over my mind - bird? witch? nagging woman? I need to look it up. 'Knotted wind' is fab.

Comment is about Harpy (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Well, Jo has fallen completely under the spell of your amazing poetry, Marianne, - excellent taste on her part. 'trident chords' is superb in the 'sea' context'. The whole work sings with verbal beauty as you express your expansive ideas.

Comment is about The Eighty Eight Handshake (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels